The Agency's Bold Move: Jim Lonergan to Lead Midwest, South Central, and Canada Sales

Lucía Torres · 2026-09-22

The Agency is on a serious growth streak right now, and their latest hire shows they're not slowing down anytime soon. They've just brought on Jim Lonergan as Vice President of Franchise Sales, and he's taking the reins across three key regions: the Midwest, the South Central U.S., and Central Canada. If you've been watching The Agency's expansion, you know this isn't just another hire. It's a strategic play to deepen their footprint in markets where independent brokerages are hungry for something different. ### Who Is Jim Lonergan? Lonergan isn't new to the real estate game. He spent years at Realogy (now Anywhere Real Estate), where he built a reputation for spotting growth opportunities before anyone else did. His superpower? Building genuine relationships with brokerage leaders and helping franchises expand into new territories. His track record speaks for itself: - Multiple Realogy Presidents Club honors - Several Managing Vice President of the Year awards - A career built on strategic sales leadership and franchise growth But beyond the awards, what stands out is how he works. He's known for being in the trenches with brokerage owners, understanding their challenges, and finding ways to help them compete at a higher level. ### Why This Matters for The Agency's Growth The timing here is no accident. The Agency now operates more than 180 offices across 17 countries worldwide. That's a lot of ground to cover, and they're not done yet. Lonergan's role is all about identifying top independent brokerages and real estate professionals who align with The Agency's brand and culture. He'll be building relationships, yes, but also scouting for partners who want something more than the traditional franchise model. As James Ramsay, Executive Vice President of Franchise Sales and Operations, put it: "Jim has spent his career building trusted relationships across the real estate industry and has an exceptional understanding of what brokerage leaders need to grow and compete. His experience, reputation and deep knowledge of these markets make him an incredible addition to our team." Ricardo Beer, SVP of Franchise Sales, echoed that sentiment: "Jim brings a tremendous depth of experience, relationships and market knowledge that will be invaluable as we continue building The Agency's presence across key markets. I'm thrilled to work alongside him." ### The Boutique Future of Real Estate Lonergan himself sees this move as part of a bigger shift in the industry. In his words: > "After many years in this industry, I've seen firsthand how the real estate business has evolved, and I believe the future is boutique, providing clients and agents with a more personal, high-touch experience backed by a powerful global brand. The Agency has built something truly differentiated by combining that entrepreneurial, relationship-driven approach with an exceptional platform and global reach." That's the key insight here. The Agency isn't trying to be everything to everyone. They're doubling down on a model that blends the intimacy of a boutique firm with the resources of a global brand. And Lonergan is the guy they trust to bring that vision to the Midwest and South Central regions. ### What This Means for Brokerages in These Regions If you're running an independent brokerage in the Midwest, South Central U.S., or Central Canada, this is worth paying attention to. The Agency is actively looking for partners who want to grow without losing their identity. Lonergan's job is to find those partners and help them plug into a platform that offers: - Global brand recognition - Cutting-edge technology and marketing - A culture that values entrepreneurship and relationships For agents and brokers who've felt stuck between going solo and joining a faceless corporate giant, this could be the middle ground they've been looking for. ### The Bottom Line The Agency is making moves, and they're doing it with people who know how to build things that last. Jim Lonergan's appointment signals that the Midwest, South Central, and Canada are priority markets. If you're a brokerage leader in those areas, expect to hear from him. Welcome to the team, Jim. This should be interesting to watch.