The former COO at CMLS makes a sudden shift, and two Texas associations join forces in the Fort Worth area. Plus, a Stellar MLS subsidiary gains a new ally.
Editor’s note: From regional and statewide players to locals focused on a single market, multiple listings services and Realtor associations are the backbone of residential real estate. Here we highlight some of the latest news about the organizations that are shaping the future of the industry.
René Galicia leaves CMLS for new role at NTREIS
North Texas Real Estate Information Systems (NTREIS) has named René Galicia to serve as its executive vice president and general counsel. The move comes less than five months after Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) appointed Galicia to serve as its COO.
In the role, which is a new one for NTREIS, Galicia will “support strategic planning; member and shareholder engagement; technology and data governance; vendor and partnership management; compliance and risk management; and business development efforts,” according to a news release.
Before his stint at CMLS, Galicia served as EVP of policy counsel and strategic partnerships at Bright MLS, director of MLS engagement at the National Association of Realtors and as director of compliance and data licensing at California Regional MLS.
At NTREIS, an organization with over 53,000 subscribers in North Texas, Galicia said he aims “to blend operational excellence with proactive legal strategies, positioning NTREIS as a forward‑thinking leader amid evolving technology, diverse subscriber needs, while delivering exceptional value and service.”
Galicia “brings a rare combination of deep MLS operational experience and legal expertise that is exactly what this moment demands,” NTREIS CEO Chris Carrillo said. “The industry is at a crossroads of policy, technology, and litigation, reshaping consumer expectations in real time.”
With Carrillo on the CMLS board, a NTREIS spokesperson told Real Estate News that “NTREIS and René remain fully committed to CMLS” — and since Galicia is now at NTREIS, “he can offer to serve on CMLS committees and assist the CMLS mission as a member and advance the good work being done there.”
Texas associations merge
The Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors (GFWAR) and the Greater Lewisville Association of Realtors (GLAR) have entered into a new partnership. The deal received “overwhelming approval” by both associations’ boards of directors and membership, the associations announced.
The groups will combine under the GFWAR name “while preserving GLAR’s legacy through a dedicated local council,” according to a news release. Pre-merger, GLAR had 1,200 members, while GFWAR had 5,000 members.
“This partnership isn’t just a merger; it’s a powerful collaboration that positions us to serve our members and communities better,” said Paul Epperley, 2025 president of GFWAR. “Together, we’re amplifying our voice, growing our…
Read More: A surprise move from CMLS to NTREIS; 2 Texas associations merge
