Stellar MLS to Become a Principal Member of FIABCI in 2026 as It Expands Its Global Consulting Arm. On another front, the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) announced the formation of its Board of Directors for 2026, appointing two new members and re-electing several returning ones.
Shane Fairley, Chief Operating Officer of Stellar MLS, and Jerry LeGrand, Chief Technology Officer of Apex MLS, were selected to serve four-year terms on the board. Both bring extensive experience in operations and technology leadership within large regional multiple listing organizations. Four additional members—Brad Beilke, Jeff Bush, Shelley Speichio, and Rob Wagner—were also re-elected to complete their current terms.
Art Carter, CEO of California Regional Multiple Listing Service (CRMLS), was also appointed to fill a vacancy on the current board. Nicole Jensen will assume the role of Board Chair for 2026, with Justin Haag serving as Vice Chair, while John DiMichele continues as Immediate Past Chair.
In a related development, the Real Estate Standards Organization (RESO) announced its newly formed Board of Directors for 2026. Rebecca Jensen will continue as Chair of the Board, leading the organization’s efforts to establish standards used by multiple listing services, brokerages, and related stakeholders. The board is placing increased focus on developing AI-ready standards that rely on comprehensive, consistent data delivered through modern application programming interfaces (APIs).
Sam DeBord, CEO of RESO, emphasized the importance of collaboration among industry stakeholders to achieve unified, practical standards for the real estate sector. He noted that the goal is to deliver shared solutions that enable all parties to adopt common data frameworks without the need for complex, individualized adjustments.
As for Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), the consulting arm of Stellar MLS, the organization achieved a major milestone in 2025 by expanding its international footprint to more than 30 global markets. The group successfully delivered advisory and strategic services focused on developing multiple listing systems, enhancing adopted technologies and governance models, and providing training tailored to local market needs.
UCO also recently participated in the RENT real estate technology conference held in Paris, where it engaged with prominent organizations such as the European Association of Real Estate Professions (CEPI) and other global institutions to strengthen collaboration and knowledge exchange. This comes alongside its continued partnership with Czech technology company Igluu to highlight principles of data transparency within MLS systems.
As part of its international growth, Stellar MLS received recognition this year as a Principal Member of the International Real Estate Federation (FIABCI), strengthening its standing and official role within the federation through 2026. Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS and the University of Central Oklahoma, described this achievement as the result of a steadfast commitment to the high values represented by FIABCI, adding that it marks a new beginning for achieving greater success in the future.
