Michele Harrington is the CEO of FirstTeamĀ® Real Estate, a brokerage firm based in Newport Beach, California. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and experienced real estate professional, Harrington brings a blend of military discipline and industry expertise to her leadership role. She began her real estate career immediately after her service, founding Star Estates, which she expanded from a small team of two agents to over 130 before merging with FirstTeamĀ® in 2018. Following the merger, she held the positions of senior vice president and broker of record, was promoted to chief operating officer in 2019 and became the companyās first female CEO in 2023.
Under her leadership, FirstTeamĀ® has regained its position as the market share leader by units in Orange County, California. The company has also seen significant growth, with recruited volume reaching $1 billion in 2024. That year, FirstTeamĀ® announced a national expansion plan, beginning with markets in Idaho, Washington, Nevada and Oregon. During Harringtonās tenure, the companyās overall volume increased by about 20%, from $5 billion to $6 billion.
Harringtonās leadership approach centers on agent development and team building, reflecting FirstTeamĀ®ās āBehind the Agentā philosophy. She prioritizes creating strong, accountable teams and invests in both new and experienced agents, aiming to build long-term careers rather than focusing on a franchise model. This strategy has been key in sustaining FirstTeamĀ®ās growth and maintaining its reputation as a market-leading brokerage.
Name:
Michele Harrington
Title:
Chief Executive Officer
Company Name:
FirstTeam Real Estate
