C21 New Millennium Taps Compass Vet for CEO in Major Shake-Up

C21 New Millennium Taps Compass Vet for CEO in Major Shake-Up

📊 Key Data
  • 23 offices and 1,000+ agents under Campbell's leadership
  • $150 million in cost savings achieved through restructuring at Compass
  • 5 times named the No. 1 CENTURY 21 franchise in the world
🎯 Expert Consensus

Experts view this leadership transition as a strategic move to blend legacy strength with innovative growth, positioning CENTURY 21 New Millennium for sustained competitiveness in a rapidly evolving real estate market.

1 day ago

CENTURY 21 New Millennium Taps Former Compass Exec for CEO Role

ALEXANDRIA, VA – January 15, 2026 – In a significant leadership transition poised to reshape its future, CENTURY 21 New Millennium today announced the appointment of Kim Harris Campbell as its new chief executive officer. The move signals a strategic pivot for the real estate powerhouse, bringing in a seasoned executive from a major industry disruptor to steer its next phase of growth.

Effective immediately, Campbell takes the helm of both CENTURY 21 New Millennium and its parent organization, NM Real Estate Services. She succeeds founder and former CEO Todd Hetherington, who after more than three decades of building the company, will transition to the role of chairman. This carefully orchestrated succession ensures leadership continuity, with Hetherington serving on a newly created board alongside co-owner and past president Mary Lynn Stone, and Tara Brown, the chief executive officer of their strategic partner, Peerage Realty Partners.

A New Era of Leadership

In her new capacity, Kim Harris Campbell will work closely with brokerage president Jason Carrier to oversee a vast operation spanning 23 offices and more than 1,000 agents and staff across Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. A key part of her mandate is to strengthen the company’s integrated services platform, which includes its mortgage, title, and insurance divisions—a crucial component for providing a seamless, one-stop experience for clients in an increasingly competitive market.

While this marks a new chapter, the company's foundational leadership remains deeply involved. Hetherington, who has been synonymous with the brokerage since its inception, expressed his continued dedication.

"CENTURY 21 New Millennium has always been more than a business to me. It is part of my DNA," said Hetherington. "I've been incredibly fortunate to build this company alongside exceptional agents and leaders. While my role is changing, my commitment to NM and its people is not. Serving as chairman allows me to stay actively involved and support Kim as she leads the company forward."

This sentiment of a collaborative transition was echoed by Tara Brown of Peerage Realty Partners, which has backed the brokerage since 2021. "We are incredibly grateful to Todd and Mary Lynn for their decades of leadership, innovation, and dedication," Brown stated. "They inspired generations of employees and agents, shaping not only a successful business but a strong community built on trust and shared values."

The Compass Effect: A Profile in Growth and Disruption

Campbell's appointment is a clear indicator of CENTURY 21 New Millennium's forward-looking strategy. She brings over 20 years of experience scaling complex organizations, but it is her most recent tenure at Compass Real Estate that offers the most insight into her potential impact. As President of Compass's Mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions, she was responsible for a massive portfolio, overseeing more than 8,000 agents and employees and managing a $1 billion P&L.

Her track record at the tech-centric brokerage is marked by aggressive growth and operational acumen. She led over 20 acquisitions, played a pivotal role in the company's 2021 IPO, and spearheaded major restructuring initiatives that generated more than $150 million in cost savings. This combination of M&A expertise and financial discipline is particularly relevant as brokerages nationwide seek to optimize operations and expand market share.

Campbell's diverse background extends beyond real estate. She began her career as a lawyer at the prestigious firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, advising on global transactions worth hundreds of billions. She also co-founded and led America Needs You (ANY), a national nonprofit focused on economic mobility for first-generation college students, where she tripled the number of students served and forged over 100 corporate partnerships. This unique blend of corporate law, nonprofit leadership, and real estate technology experience equips her with a multifaceted perspective on building sustainable, people-focused organizations.

Blending Legacy with Innovation

Campbell inherits a company with a formidable legacy. Founded in 1994, CENTURY 21 New Millennium has been the top-producing CENTURY 21 brokerage in the Mid-Atlantic every year since 1999 and has been named the No. 1 CENTURY 21 franchise in the world five times. Its reputation as a top workplace, recognized by The Washington Post and The Baltimore Sun, speaks to a strong internal culture that will be crucial to preserve during this transition.

The new leadership structure is designed to do just that—blend the company's established cultural DNA with a fresh, innovative vision. By keeping Hetherington and Stone in strategic governance roles, the company retains invaluable institutional knowledge and market wisdom. This structure allows Campbell to drive change without losing the core values that have defined the brokerage for decades.

"With people and culture at its core, CENTURY 21 New Millennium has built something special," Campbell said in her official statement. "I'm honored to carry forward what Todd, Mary Lynn, and the team have created, pairing exceptional agents, a strong culture, and a deep commitment to growth and innovation. Together, we will deliver the best real estate experience for our agents, employees, and clients."

Peerage Realty Partners' CEO, Tara Brown, emphasized the strategic fit. "We are excited to welcome Kim Harris Campbell... Kim Harris Campbell's diverse industry experience combines a strong legal foundation and proven ability to scale organizations through M&A and drive full-service growth... She is the kind of leader who will build on CENTURY 21 New Millennium's strong foundation and lead the company to sustained growth and prosperity for decades to come."

Navigating the Mid-Atlantic Market

The timing of this leadership change is critical. The Mid-Atlantic real estate market, like others nationally, is navigating a complex environment. While there is optimism fueled by stabilizing interest rates, the persistent challenge of low housing inventory continues to create a highly competitive landscape for buyers, sellers, and agents alike.

Campbell’s appointment can be seen as a direct response to these market dynamics. Her experience in M&A suggests that CENTURY 21 New Millennium may pursue strategic acquisitions to expand its footprint and agent count. Furthermore, her mandate to strengthen the company's integrated mortgage, title, and insurance services points to a strategy aimed at capturing more value from each transaction and creating a stickier ecosystem for agents and their clients. By offering a more streamlined and comprehensive service package, the brokerage can differentiate itself and build deeper client relationships.

For the more than 1,000 agents at the firm, the arrival of a leader with a background from a technology-driven company like Compass may signal a renewed focus on providing cutting-edge tools, platforms, and support systems. As the industry continues its digital transformation, equipping agents with the best technology is paramount for recruitment, retention, and productivity. This strategic hire positions CENTURY 21 New Millennium not just to compete, but to lead the charge in defining the future of real estate services across its extensive five-state territory.

📝 This article is still being updated

Are you a relevant expert who could contribute your opinion or insights to this article? We'd love to hear from you. We will give you full credit for your contribution.

Contribute Your Expertise →
UAID: 10967