(photo: CREA)

Patrick Pichette is ending his 13-year chapter with Realtor.ca and the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA).

Since January, Pichette has served as the founding CEO of Realtor.ca on an interim basis. The role was created as the website was spun out as a wholly-owned subsidiary of CREA. 

Pichette had previously served as vice president of Realtor.ca for over six years. He spent his earlier years at CREA in marketing and product development. 

“I’m especially grateful for the chance to rally the industry and the team around a new vision for Realtor.ca, and for the opportunity to spin the platform out into a for-profit company as its founding CEO,” said Pichette in a social media post on Wednesday. 

In the statement, he said he is a “builder at heart,” and he’s excited for what’s next.

Janice Myers, CREA CEO, has been appointed interim CEO of Realtor.ca while the search for a permanent CEO continues.

“(Patrick) has held pivotal roles in product management, product development, and marketing,” said Myers in a statement to Real Estate Magazine. “His deep expertise in aligning technology with business goals has helped position Realtor.ca as an indispensable resource in the real estate industry.”

A search was launched in July for a permanent CEO for Realtor.ca. At the time, the board said it anticipated making a hiring decision in the fall.

Until this year, Realtor.ca operated as a not-for-profit, but with growing competition and rising costs, CREA said it saw a need to rethink its approach. 

By transitioning to a for-profit model, it believes the platform can unlock new revenue streams and reduce its reliance on member dues, reinvesting profits back into the platform.

Already, Realtor.ca has appointed six members to its board.