The Agency's Bold Midwest Move: Jim Lonergan Takes the Helm

Lucía Torres · 2026-09-22

The Agency just made a power play that could reshape real estate across the Midwest, South Central U.S., and Central Canada. They've appointed Jim Lonergan as Vice President of Franchise Sales, and if you're a brokerage leader in any of those regions, you'll want to pay attention. ### Who Is Jim Lonergan? Lonergan isn't a newcomer to the franchise game. He spent years at Realogy (now Anywhere Real Estate), where he built a reputation for spotting growth opportunities before anyone else did. His track record speaks for itself: - Multiple Realogy Presidents Club honors - Several Managing Vice President of the Year awards - A knack for forging lasting relationships with brokerage leaders In other words, he knows how to grow a brand—and he knows the people who make it happen. ### Why This Matters for The Agency The timing here isn't random. The Agency now operates more than 180 offices across 17 countries, and they're not slowing down. They're investing in leaders who can support their network of independently owned offices, and Lonergan's appointment is a clear signal of that strategy. "Jim has spent his career building trusted relationships across the real estate industry," said James Ramsay, Executive Vice President of Franchise Sales and Operations at The Agency. "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." ### The Boutique Future of Real Estate Lonergan himself sees this move as part of a bigger shift. "After many years in this industry, I've seen firsthand how the real estate business has evolved," he said. "I believe the future is boutique—providing clients and agents with a more personal, high-touch experience backed by a powerful global brand." That's the sweet spot The Agency is aiming for: the intimacy of a boutique firm with the reach of a global powerhouse. And Lonergan is now tasked with bringing that model to some very strategic markets. ### What This Means for You If you're an independent brokerage in the Midwest or South Central regions, this could be your opportunity to align with a brand that's serious about growth. Lonergan's role is to identify and build relationships with top independents—so if you've been thinking about your next move, now might be the time to start a conversation. Welcome aboard, Jim. We're watching closely.