Since so many folks have been waiting for this information and taking guesses, I wanted to make our choice public.
After an extensive search, we hired Todd Carpenter, a founder of RE Blogworld and of mariah.com, a network of real estate and mortgage Web sites including lenderama and Denver Modern Homes. Many qualified candidates, both inside and outside of the real estate industry, applied for the position, and I asked a small set of finalists to prepare assignments detailing what they would do during their first 90 days in the role and how they would handle a challenging issue leveraging the power of the RE.net and the blogosphere.
We loved Todd’s ideas, his easygoing manner, his reputation and how knowledgeable he is about social media. We also really valued his relationships with so many REALTORS® who are using blogs, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and other social media channels to connect effectively with one another and with potential clients and customers.
Todd has (literally) just made the move from the mountains of Colorado to Chicago, where NAR is headquartered. He’s leaving his independent businesses behind to take advantage of this opportunity to lead the effort to help NAR’s staff and volunteer leaders engage with members and others in social media.
Todd’s official “coming out party” as our manager of social media will be at REBarCamp in Virginia next Tuesday, March 3rd. He’ll be traveling to and hosting events throughout the year, so hopefully many people will have the opportunity to meet @tcar in person.
Please join me in welcoming Todd to NAR and helping him help us succeed in this effort.
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Consumerism, Geo-mapping columnist
Marketing columnist
Congrats to Todd and to NAR.
First!
-rsh
Congratulations Todd!
You are going to be great as NAR’s Manager of Social Media.
Way to go.
Glad to see it is official. Congrats Todd….Good luck!
Hilary;
NAR got rants AND raves after announcing the creation of the Social Media Manager job, that someone needs to comment on how diligent and thorough you were in your search efforts. Great job on the choice and the post! You have proved again what I have said for years – NAR has the most amazing world class staff possible!
@TCAR Congratulations on your appointment. I know that this will be a wonderful opportunity for you and that it will be a great situation for you, the organization, and the membership. Next time I’m in Chicago the dep dish pizza is on me! (Or put differently – I’ll pay for it – I would rather not wear it)
Hilary, this is exciting news. I know Todd will be a great asset for all of us NAR members. He has already contributed so much to the industry, and this will only expand his reach on our behalf.
@TCAR thanks for taking on the task. I look forward to the inspiration you will bring to the job.
Excellent job Todd. I think it is great to have someone with a lending background on the inside at NAR.
Todd,
Congrats! You will do great and I look forward to seeing you at many more events now.
Justin
Congrats Todd! Good to see someone with passion take that possition.
Congratulations! I am so glad we have a great person as the social media chair. Way to go!
Why not the earliest of “early adopters” of SM? Makes total sense to me – congrats Todd!
Congrats Todd, This is a great move by NAR.
Congrats Todd. Its great to see someone from the mortgage industry in your new position. Keep up the excellent work!
Todd-
Great Job-you are taking NAR into the future!
Hey Todd, nice work. Now that you’re in charge, have that PR guy use his spell check.
lol
Todd congratulations! NAR has made a great choice!
Congratulations Todd! Job well done!
Congratulations to Todd! Now let’s just hope that NAR’s vetting process is better than Obama’s and there’s no unforeseen tax issues lingering in Todd’s past!
Goes to show that “good guys” don’t always finish last!!!! Congrats, Todd! Another show of what passion, dedication and working from one’s BEST, can do. Enjoy your new adventure.
Todd,
Good work and congratulations!:)
Great to see NAR has hired somebody on the front edge of Social Media networking. Having experience with a lending background is nice too. Congrats to Todd!
Engage or just dump more propaganda on us?
This will either be the smartest thing NAR ever did, or it will prove that NAR is only interested in spin control.
Hopefully Todd doesn’t become the next paid NAR shill and apologist, and is unrestrained by those at NAR who think we are the ones who don’t get.
Good luck with this Todd.
Hey Tod!! Congratulations on your new appointment!! Mark Madsen is my mentor in blogging, and I hope to bring blogging to the real estate industry in Alaska!! I hope to meet you in the near future.
Good Job, and I know you will do well.
Professionally,
Jackie Toppin
Mortgage Banker
Anchorage, AK
I think this is a brilliant move on NAR’s site. After all, with Craig’s list being the number one real estate web site and web 2.0 in full swing, there is not other choice but to have this position.
Also everything I have heard says that Todd is the man.
Good Job!
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Wow, great choice!! Congrats Todd!!
Todd
Rock and Roll man, been a fan for a long time. Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving fellow. =0)
Chris Brown aka the Implementer
Hey Tcar, I can say I knew you when. I am excited to see you to soar to new heights and being a former mortgage guy helps as well
Dave
Great to have someone with the passion and bootstrapping experience in the Web 2.0 spot.
Very cool. Rock on, Todd!
Congrats Todd!
Rudy
Social Media Guru at Trulia
Yo Todd! What a coup! We now have a mortgage expert on the “inside!” Seriously, man… you’ve morphed now from the RSS Sombrero, to the Ninja, and now… well – You Da Man!
Congratulations on the position, Todd. Keep rockin’ the great Blip.fm tunes – and keep us all posted on all things “social media” over at NAR!
Excellent decision NAR! Way to go Todd! With your background I know you will excell.
Here’s to the future!
Todd,
Congratulations I have heard great things about you! Best of luck.
Congratulations Todd,
It is great to see that NAR “gets it”
You are the perfect person for the job.
I think this is a perfect match. Now go show NAR how it’s done Todd. Congrats!
Derek aka McLovin
Congrats Todd – look forward to meeting you the the “party” in Fredericksburg.
@tcar –
As I said elsewhere – good luck and God speed. We’ll be here to support and challenge you as the situations dictate.
Way to go Todd. I really enjoyed the blog post you wrote months ago about what you would do if you were hired – I hope you stick to your word and never change being @tcar.
TOOT TOOT !! So happy for you Todd and your new ventures…. I can’t wait to see the changes
Just total awesomeness. So happy for you. And even happier for US!
Todd,
Congratulations on your move. As someone who has appreciated your work for some time, it’s nice to see that the NAR has brought on a true expert. I wish you well and I know NAR will benefit from your vast expertise.
Great to hear, Todd!!
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I am sooo excited about this in so many different levels – CONGRATULATIONS to Todd and NAR for picking an awesome candidate who I am sure will do all of us proud!
What a day. I just now had a chance to read this post. Thank you to everyone who commented here. I’m really excited about the challenge.
Congratulations to NAR for their AWESOME decision … and w00t! w00t! to @tcar for a great opportunity!!
I am equally impressed by NAR to embrace Social Media in this way. It has literally taken on a life of its own in the last few years and I’m sure Todd will add a great deal to its growth and impact.
Congratulations to Todd and to NAR for making a great choice.
We miss you here in Denver already my friend!
Congrats to both tcar and NAR for taking a positive step forward! What a great combination!
kk
p.s. It all started at a Fiesta!
Todd, I remember when you encouraged people to read my blog Mortgagevox when I was writing for Know More Media.
Congrats to you and we miss you already.
twitter known as (moneyinmarriage)
Congratulations, Todd! It was great to finally meet you f2f at Inman Connect last year. Best of luck in your new adventure.
Congrats
I’m excited to what lies ahead.
Way to go Todd! Congratulations!
I may have to re-think my feelings on the NAR. way to go.
Congrats Todd!
Congrats NAR and Todd!
Todd – on behalf of myself and Barry Habib of Mortgage Success Source, congratulations to you – and please know that we are here to support you in any way that we can! All the best!!
sw & bh
Congratulations Todd!
Wonderful news! Great work and a huge accomplishment. I’m excited for you and look forward to seeing more of your successes.
Todd,
We haven’t met yet, but I am a big fan. NAR got the right guy for the job. Congratulations on this and the success of lenderama too!
Great News for us all. It is a good sign that NAR has hired a person with the kind of background Todd has to be their online/blogging voice. We are in this together, and together we will come through.
Todd, I hope I get to meet you some day.
Congrats!!
Suzane
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NOTE: the original image of this post said “NAR’S SOCIAL MEDIA MANGER” because I (the image creator) have fat fingers and rushed the image, NOT because Hilary, Todd or the NAR was proclaiming Todd to hail from a manger. Sorry for those who got excited.
Great to have you!