MINNEAPOLIS (August 20, 2013) – HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate, today announced that Linda Vaughan, president of Reece & Nichols Realtors^®, HomeServices’ subsidiary serving Kansas City and surrounding communities, has assumed the role of chief executive officer.  Jerry Reece, former CEO of Reece & Nichols, has been named Chairman Emeritus where he will continue to play an integral and ongoing role in Reece & Nichols’ success – focusing on attracting the best upcoming and experienced talent to Reece & Nichols’ expanding base of real estate agents and leaders.

Vaughan has 37 years of real estate experience and has served as president of Reece & Nichols since 2005, where she has been responsible for the overall growth and profitability of the brokerage division of the business. Vaughan’s real estate experience, business acumen and her ability to build and sustain relationships while delivering value-added marketing solutions and innovative technologies has been instrumental to Reece & Nichols’ success. Supporting Vaughan will be Mike Frazier, who assumes the role of chief operating officer in addition to his current responsibilities as chief financial officer, and Chris Kelly who will add chief administrative officer to his general counsel title.

Reece began his real estate career in 1970 with Kroh Brothers Realty Company as a sales associate; over the next 17 years, he held multiple executive leadership positions. In 1987, he purchased the brokerage’s residential real estate division and renamed it J.D. Reece Realtors. In May 2001, HomeServices acquired J.D. Reece Realtors. Reece & Nichols was formed in January 2002 with the merger of J.D. Reece Realtors and J.C. Nichols Residential Real Estate, which was acquired in 1998.  Reece was named chief executive officer of the newly merged company. Under Reece’s leadership, the company has grown to more than 1,900 sales associates, and is one of Kansas City’s largest and most respected real estate companies. Reece, a long-time resident of the area, is widely recognized for his community involvement and leadership and is active in the real estate industry on both the state and national levels. In 1993, Reece retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, having served for 30 years.

“I am fortunate to be a part of the Reece & Nichols and the HomeServices families – two tremendous organizations,” said Reece. “I am extremely proud of everyone at Reece & Nichols and I am excited for this new opportunity and role with the company. Being part of the HomeServices family of companies has made Reece & Nichols stronger, and I am proud to have assembled such a talented and innovative leadership team. Linda is extraordinarily well-qualified to serve as CEO and under her leadership, coupled with our remarkable agents and management team, Reece & Nichols is poised for even greater growth and success.”

“Jerry and I have worked together for many years, and his strategic insight and vision have been at the center of our unparalleled success,” said Vaughan. “His energy and style attracted and inspired a team of immensely talented executives, agents, sales managers and employees. I have learned a tremendous amount from Jerry, and I look forward to leading Reece & Nichols to its next stage of growth and performance, supported by a world-class management team.”

“Jerry’s leadership, dedication and uncompromising commitment to his agents, employees and customers guided Reece & Nichols to its position as one of the largest and most successful companies within the HomeServices family,” said Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO of HomeServices. “On behalf of all of HomeServices, we thank him for his innumerable contributions and we look forward to his new role within the organization. Linda, Mike and Chris bring extensive industry knowledge and exceptional leadership qualities to both Reece & Nichols and the HomeServices executive team, and we look forward to working with them in the months and years to come.”