NWMLS President & CEO Named Shuttleworth MLS Executive of the Year

Published on: October 13, 2023

Tom Hurdelbrink accepted the award at the CMLS Conference in New Orleans on October 4th

Northwest Multiple Listing Service (NWMLS) President and CEO Tom Hurdelbrink was named the ninth recipient of the Shuttleworth MLS Executive of the Year Award for his “thoughtful, collaborative and visionary leadership style.” The Shuttleworth MLS Executive of the Year Award is an annual award from the Council of Multiple Listing Services (CMLS) that recognizes leaders who have exhibited the highest qualities of leadership within their organizations and demonstrated a dedication to excellence in building a better marketplace.

“Tom embodies the spirit of the ‘what-if’ mindset. He asks the right questions and pushes boundaries allowing for thoughtful discussion and healthy debate. He has led the way over the course of his career, challenging the status quo to push for innovation,” said Denée Evans, CEO of CMLS.

Hurdelbrink has led NWMLS since 2008, and his leadership has had a significant impact on the MLS industry nationwide. His interest in technology solutions helped guide NWMLS to launch both one of the nation’s first systemwide electronic signatures programs, followed by a robust transaction management platform, and the data management company for MLSs called MLS Grid. Northwest MLS’s ongoing revisions have continuously influenced MLSs, associations, and brokers across the country to implement similar modifications.

Under Hurdelbrink’s leadership, NWMLS has seen significant transformation and growth, including the expansion of its membership and service area. He and his team have been instrumental in the adoption of significant rules and forms changes that have led to greater transparency, flexibility, and options for NWMLS brokers and their clients. He has also served and participated in various real estate boards and groups including the MRED Board of Directors, COVE MLS Group, Real Estate Standards Organization, Washington Society of Association Executives and the American Society of Association Executives.

Hurdelbrink will retire at the end of 2023, with current NWMLS General Counsel Justin Haag succeeding him as President and CEO in January 2024. Hurdelbrink says he is “honored” to receive recognition from CMLS and credits his organization with the success of the Northwest MLS model.

“My thanks to the staff and volunteer leadership at Northwest MLS for providing an environment that enabled me to lead this fabulous organization forward for the past 16 years. I am pleased to know that as I retire from my CEO role the organization has a solid succession plan in place and will continue to be a leading MLS in North America.”