HOUSTON – Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty announced today that Founder & Co-President Martha Turner and Co-President Tom Anderson are transitioning into new positions as Chairmen Emeritus as the company paves the way for longtime Vice President of Sales Marilyn Thompson to assume the role of President.
The residential firm has 240 sales associates with offices located in Briar Hollow/River Oaks, Memorial, the Bay Area, Kingwood, and The Woodlands.
Martha Turner co-founded Turner Owens Real Estate in 1981 in a single office in Houston, which led to the formation of Martha Turner Properties in 1986. In January 2014, Martha Turner Properties was acquired by Sotheby’s International Realty to become Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty and exceeded expectations with closed sales transactions of more than $2 billion that same year.
As President, Thompson will be responsible for all facets of Martha Turner SIR, including business growth and development, finance, corporate relocation and community involvement. Company Sales Manager Robin Conner has been promoted to Senior Vice President and Sales Manager Robin Suter has been promoted to Vice President to take over Thompson’s current responsibilities at the 34-year-old company.
Though Turner and Anderson will no longer oversee the company’s day-to-day operations, they will both continue to play a pivotal senior role steering the company into the future with a keen focus on business development, sales and marketing strategies and ongoing mentorship of the senior leadership team.
“After thorough succession planning, we are proud to pass the torch to Marilyn as our new president,” said Turner, “Marilyn is a legend in Houston’s real estate community and has earned universal respect for her extensive business and real estate acumen as well
as her ability to guide agents’ success. She has been a driving force and decision maker here for many years and is uniquely qualified to lead Martha Turner SIR to even greater success. I have never been more excited for the future of our company.”
Thompson grew up inside the Loop and graduated from Mirabeau B. Lamar Senior High School before earning her degree in education from Louisiana State University and teaching a 7-year career in Houston public schools. After starting her real estate career as an agent in the 1980s, Thompson rose to become sales manager for Martha Turner Properties in 1991.