Exclusive: Bennett Richardson departs Semafor for the National Association of Realtors
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Bennett Richardson at the Semafor 2025 World Economy Summit. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images
Bennett Richardson is departing Semafor to take the top communications and marketing job at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Axios first learned.
Why it matters: Richardson will be joined by former U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development official Raffi Williams as NAR beefs up its communications operation.
Details: Richardson will serve as senior vice president of marketing and communications, reporting to NAR CEO Nykia Wright.
- He succeeds Suzanne Bouhia — who exited at the beginning of the year — and will oversee the team responsible for communications, brand, advertising, creative strategy, content, social and digital.
- Williams will take on the role of vice president of communications. Both will begin on May 31.
Catch up quick: Richardson most recently served as general manager and global head of public affairs at Semafor and director of policy marketing at Google.
- He also led strategic partnerships at Politico and served as president of Protocol.
- Williams joins NAR from the Managed Funds Association and previously held senior communications roles at Edelman Smithfield, the Federal Housing Finance Agency and HUD.
What they're saying: "Bennett and Raffi bring a powerful mix of experience, vision and strategic insight that will sharpen NAR's voice and strengthen our communications at a pivotal time for the real estate industry," said Wright.
- "We are investing in world-class talent to ensure our members, policymakers, and the public clearly understand who we are, what we stand for, and the critical role Realtors play in helping people across America achieve the dream of homeownership."
The big picture: NAR is America's largest trade association, with 1.5 million Realtors in its membership, and is tasked with helping to solve the nation's housing crisis.
- Last year, it agreed to a headline-grabbing settlement after a jury found it liable for inflating broker fees.
- That's shaken up the way agents get paid and invited other industry debates.
- In 2023, the group's then-president resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.
What's next: NAR's annual fly-in begins this weekend, with over 8,000 Realtors traveling to Washington, D.C., for legislative meetings.
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