It is a period of new beginnings at the Toronto Real Estate Board as the association finalizes its transition to a new chief executive officer.
This month CEO Don Richardson retires from his full-time position with the association after 14 years of service, segueing into a part-time consulting role with TREB throughout the next two years.
John DiMichele
Stepping into the role of CEO is John DiMichele, who as chief information officer and associate CEO has worked alongside Richardson for several years.
A driving force behind the introduction of numerous technology tools, DiMichele joined TREB in 2002 as director of information services. Before that he served on the association’s Board of Directors and as co-chair of its MLS Selection Task Force. The start of his staff role coincided with the launch of a new MLS system, TorontoMLS. Surmounting this trial by fire, he has been overseeing the evolution of the MLS ever since. The system’s next generation, New Stratus, has run concurrently with TorontoMLS since April 2012 and in March 2015, TorontoMLS will be officially retired.
DiMichele previously worked as a Realtor for more than a decade. He also served as a member of CREA’s Board of Directors while chair of its MLS and Technology Council.
Richardson, who was recently named in REM’s list of people who had the most influence on Canada’s real estate industry during the last 25 years, joined TREB in 2000, at a time when the association had undergone a very difficult period. The board says his leadership helped steer the organization in a progressive new direction to a member-focused culture.
In addition to a major culture shift, the association rose to a number of new challenges during his 14-year tenure, including the introduction of a new MLS system, required usage of MLS authenticators and the ongoing legal challenge by the Competition Bureau.
Prior to joining TREB, Richardson had a 20-year career with the Ontario Real Estate Association where he served as CEO for six years and prior to that, as an instructor and the provincial association’s director of education. During that time he had an instrumental role in enhancing the courses required to become a salesperson in Ontario, says the board.
Don Richardson
His vision of instituting higher education standards in Ontario also influenced the Real Estate Council of Ontario’s Continuing Education program, which aimed to offer a straightforward, achievable professional development process for real estate salespersons and brokers across the province, says the board.
In 2003, CREA recognized his contributions by presenting him with its prestigious Frank Johns Award. At its recent Spring Annual Meeting, TREB gave a video tribute that included commentary from many of the presidents with whom he has worked. He was presented with TREB’s highest honour, the Award of Merit, “in appreciation of the profound impact he has had on the association and the profession,” says the board.
Richardson started his career as a real estate salesperson, eventually owning a brokerage in Newmarket, Ont. He plans to spend more time with his wife, children and grandchildren.
