Former Top RE/MAX Broker Now Leading West Region

The new leader of RE/MAX regional operations in the U.S. Western States will have no problem understanding Broker/Owners and the skills they must master – from making day-to-day operational decisions to crafting long-term growth strategies. After all, she was a Broker/Owner herself for over 15 years – with a long record of accomplishments and success.

Amy Lessinger, whose RE/MAX Realty Affiliates firm in Reno, Nevada, was part of a three-office 135-agent brokerage recognized annually as one of the most productive in the country, joined RE/MAX World Headquarters August 5 as Vice President, Business Growth for the West Region of the U.S. In her new role, she leads regional operations and franchisee support in 15 states.

Lessinger says she made the move because “it was time to do more, and time to have a bigger impact on the network I love.” Her first objective: Help franchisees leverage the power of the brand to grow their brokerages and the network.

“I want to help RE/MAX Broker/Owners recognize and use the massive competitive advantage they have as part of this amazing network,” says Lessinger, who sold her ownership interest in RE/MAX Realty Affiliates. “When I first joined RE/MAX as an agent in 1998, I knew right away I’d found my tribe. The RE/MAX cultural values aligned with mine – agent productivity, high-energy service, professional development, industry leadership. These things helped my brokerage grow and become successful. I am excited about helping Broker/Owners achieve at extraordinary levels.”

Josh Bolgren, RE/MAX Sr. Vice President, Business Growth, says Lessinger’s passion for the real estate business and RE/MAX brand, combined with her first-hand experience as a RE/MAX Broker/Owner, made her uniquely qualified to take over the Vice President position previously held by longtime regional executive Kevin Northrup, who will now lead the Northeast Region.

“Amy brings incredible energy, credibility and passion to her new role,” says Bolgren, noting that Lessinger will benefit from the solid foundation Northrup and company established in the West. “We’re thrilled to add her skills and perspective to the Headquarters team.”

Northrup began his RE/MAX career as a Franchise Development Consultant in the Central Atlantic states nearly 20 years ago. Prior to accepting the Northeast Region position, Northrup successfully managed the RE/MAX Western States Region since January 2019.

“Kevin is returning to his roots by transitioning to a new leadership role in a region where he began his career with RE/MAX,” said Bolgren. “He has a proven track record of success in the Western States Region and that experience will help catapult our growth in the Northeast.”

Lessinger joined RE/MAX in 1998 as a relatively new agent in Reno, Nevada. During the next seven years, she closed over $47 million in sales and became active in Realtor organizations on the state and local level. In 2005, she opened a RE/MAX Realty Affiliates office in Reno, partnering with the Broker/Owner of offices in Carson City and Gardnerville, Nevada. In 2017 the brokerage ranked No. 1 in sales volume for the three-state RE/MAX Southwest Region, and by Q1 of this year it had grown to 135 agents.

Lessinger and her agents in Reno, many of whom have been with her for over a decade, have had to adjust to virtually every kind of market condition, including the difficult depths of the Great Recession.

“Real estate can be a tough business, and our success required plenty of blood, sweat and tears, but we fought through the hard times and found ways to retool and keep going,” she says. “Right now, Broker/Owners have enormous opportunity. Agents are hungry for leadership. By tapping into their resolve and mental toughness, brokers can capitalize on opportunities for growth amid the uncertainty. This is a chance for them to provide leadership and shine in the eyes of their agents and recruiting prospects.” 

An active, visible contributor to RE/MAX University and at various Broker/Owner events, Lessinger is well-known and widely respected throughout the western states. She says she and her team want to partner with Broker/Owners and deliver the most relevant and impactful support possible.

“Ultimately, RE/MAX is a business that builds businesses, and no competitor provides as many tools and resources for Broker/Owners and agents,” she says. “This network is driven to help people succeed and accomplish more than they ever thought possible.

“And so am I.”