Ward Morrison, a key figure in RE/MAX Holdings’ expansion into the mortgage sector, is set to retire on June 15, bringing his two-decade-long career with the company to an end.

As the president and CEO of Motto Mortgage—a national mortgage brokerage he helped launch in 2016—and wemlo, a mortgage processing company RE/MAX acquired in 2020, Morrison has played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s mortgage operations. In the wake of his departure, Adam Sartin, Vice President of Franchise Growth & Development at Motto, will take over leadership of both brands on an interim basis while RE/MAX searches for a permanent successor. Morrison will remain involved as a part-time consultant until the year’s end, the company confirmed.

His retirement comes at a time of significant executive shakeups at RE/MAX Holdings. Christopher Alexander, former president of RE/MAX Canada, stepped down earlier this month, while RE/MAX President Amy Lessinger resigned just 11 months into the role. The company has also been restructuring its leadership team, recently appointing a new executive vice president of strategy and a chief growth officer.

Morrison described his decision as “deeply personal” and admitted it “didn’t come easy.” He will be getting married this summer and reflected on his tenure with Motto Mortgage with gratitude.

“My time with Motto has been incredibly fulfilling—full of meaningful work, incredible colleagues, and a shared commitment to helping families achieve their dream of homeownership,” Morrison said in a news release. “I am proud to have been a part of the Motto journey from the beginning.”

Before leading Motto and wemlo, Morrison spent over a decade at RE/MAX, including three years as vice president of region operations. His leadership left a lasting mark, with RE/MAX Holdings CEO Erik Carlson commending his contributions.

“He was the perfect leader for the visionary brand that has disrupted the mortgage brokerage landscape,” Carlson said. “As happy as we are for Ward as he embarks on this new chapter, he will be missed.”

Key Takeaways:

• Ward Morrison will retire on June 15 after 20 years with RE/MAX Holdings.
• He played a key role in launching Motto Mortgage and integrating wemlo into RE/MAX.
• Adam Sartin will serve as interim leader while a replacement is found.
• His retirement follows other major executive departures at RE/MAX, signaling a leadership shift.
• Morrison will continue consulting through the end of the year.