After 37 years of dedicated service, Hall Willkie, the firm's longtime president, will step down from his role as president of the New York City brokerage, effective July 1. While Willkie is leaving his position as president, his journey with the company is far from over. He will continue to be involved in the company as a full-time consultant for the next six years.
In an announcement shared with the team, Willkie expressed that this decision was not made lightly, but he viewed it as “an active new chapter.” Despite the change in role, his commitment to Brown Harris Stevens and his passion for the real estate industry remain as strong as ever.
“My role may be shifting, but my passion for this company and this industry remains unwavering," Willkie wrote in a letter to the firm. "I look forward to working closely with all of you in my consulting capacity, continuing to support our collective growth and success.” Willkie's deep connection to the firm is clear as he adds, “Brown Harris Stevens will continue to be more than just a workplace for me—it remains a home, a community, and a lifelong endeavor.”
Hall Willkie’s long and impressive career in real estate began before joining Brown Harris Stevens in 1989. Prior to this, he held leadership positions at several prominent brokerages. His extensive experience and industry leadership have also included serving as a governor of the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and co-chairing several of the association’s committees.
While Willkie steps back from day-to-day leadership, the firm is excited to usher in a new leadership structure that reflects the evolution of its business. Kevin Kovesci, the firm's West Side sales manager, and Itzy Garay, its East Side sales manager, will take on the role of co-presidents for the New York City region.
“I look forward to my continued work with Hall, building on the incredible values he instilled at Brown Harris Stevens these past 37 years, and welcoming Kevin and Itzy as NYC co-presidents,” said Bess Freedman, CEO of Brown Harris Stevens. She emphasized that this new leadership structure offers a “win-win for everyone” as Hall will focus on his passion for mentoring agents, while Kovesci and Garay work to shape and grow the firm’s presence in New York City.
Both Kovesci and Garay bring decades of experience to the table. Kovesci, who has been with Brown Harris Stevens since 2006, has over 30 years of industry experience. Garay, who joined the firm in 2020 through the Halstead merger, has an impressive 20-year industry track record.
“We are excited to work alongside Hall and Bess as NYC co-presidents in this new chapter at Brown Harris Stevens,” Kovesci and Garay shared in a joint statement. “Hall has been and will continue to be an incredible mentor to our agents and executives, and we are fortunate to have him as a resource going forward.”
The leadership transition at Brown Harris Stevens marks an exciting new chapter for the firm. With Hall Willkie remaining closely involved in a mentoring capacity, and the addition of experienced new leadership in Kovesci and Garay, the firm is well-positioned for continued growth and success in New York's ever-evolving real estate market.
