WFG Appoints Ozonian as President, COO
September 10, 2015
Signaling its intention to dramatically accelerate its growth as a real tech innovator and deliver the best in digital real estate services, Williston Financial Group (WFG) named Steve Ozonian as its president and chief operating officer.
“Steve Ozonian’s appointment signals a new era for WFG, and I am ecstatic to have him aboard,” said Pat Stone, chairman and CEO of WFG. “He has an unparalleled track record in growing real estate services through the use of new technology, ingenuity and creativity, and brings an understanding of market dynamics that will help WFG position itself for the future of the industry.”
WFG is the sixth largest underwriting firm by market share, according to market share data compiled by the American Land Title Association. WFG has been supported throughout its existence by Golden Gate Capital, a major fund based in San Francisco.
Ozonian moves into his new role with WFG after serving on its Board of Directors for three years. He will focus on accelerating growing the company’s national footprint, with a special focus on creating and delivering a new generation of real estate-related services and technology. In a press release, WFG said its ultimate goal will remain the elimination of time and cost from the real estate transaction, while increasing transparency and empowerment to the lender, Realtor and consumer.
“WFG is poised to lead an agenda for change, improving services within the real estate and mortgage industry,” Ozonian said. “It’s an honor to be entrusted with the task of guiding Pat Stone’s and Golden Gate’s vision to fruition. My role is to strengthen WFG’s strategic position as an agent for change for lenders, Realtors and other real estate-related businesses. We will do that using digital tools, previously-unseen processes, and, above all, a philosophy that creates an aggressive vision to eliminate time and cost from the transaction and provides a best-in-class transaction to all.”
Previously, Ozonian served as a senior executive at Chicago Title & Trust where he headed the real estate services segment which acquired and sold thousands of homes a year. As an executive vice president with Coldwell Banker, Ozonian helped build the company to 70,000 sales associates. With Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Ozonian served as chairman and CEO and expanded annual sales volume to more than $200 billion.
Ozonian is perhaps best-known for building a real estate research portal during his time as CEO of REALTOR.com. He has also served Bank of America as its national homeownership executive. Ozonian has additionally served on the boards of LendingTree, Global Mobility Solutions, Realty Mogul and RealtyTrac.
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