As part of the next phase of Place’s growth strategy, the 30-year industry veteran will oversee revenue strategy across all aspects of the Place platform.
Industry veteran Chris Heller has a new job. A former OJO Labs and Lower Mortgage executive has been hired as Place’s first chief revenue officer, Place informed Inman.
Chris Heller |Credit: Cole Ledger
The move is all part of Place’s long-term strategy to unify real estate, mortgage, title, insurance and housing services into one platform for consumers, the company said in a press release.
“For years, I have watched Place methodically build out the infrastructure needed to support scale,” Heller said in a statement. “What’s exciting about Place is that we’re not just enabling transactions, we’re building a complete homeownership platform with multiple income streams, strong unit economics, and long-term consumer relationships. That’s where the real value comes from.”
Heller has over 30 years of experience spanning various aspects of the industry throughout his career. After becoming a top agent, Mr. Heller served as CEO of Keller Williams Realty International and held other leadership roles with the company for more than 10 years.
Heller was the CEO of LoanDepot’s referral platform mellohome and president of OJO Labs, which was acquired by Lower Mortgage last May. As he moves into his new role at Place, Heller will remain at Lower as an advisor.
Ben Kinney |Location
“Chris’s career has uniquely bridged the front lines of production, corporate leadership, and consumer technology, and his experience is directly tied to Place’s next phase of growth,” Place co-founder Ben Kinney said in a statement.
“The location was built with scale in mind from day one,” Kinney continued. “Chris understands how to connect platform strategy, revenue structure, and consumer experience. His leadership will be a multiplier as we continue to expand Place into a comprehensive homeownership ecosystem.”
In his role as Chief Revenue Officer, Mr. Heller will oversee revenue strategy across all aspects of the Place platform. The company said he will also work to drive growth by building touchpoints with consumers throughout the homeownership lifecycle, while optimizing revenue performance across existing business units.
Chris Suarez |Location
“Chris brings a rare perspective. He has operated at scale, built consumer platforms, and understands how capital, technology and distribution intersect,” Place co-founder Chris Suarez said in a statement. “That perspective will be critical as Place continues to grow into a platform with both strategic and financial leverage.”
As Place enters a new phase of growth, the company has appointed a number of key new employees. In December, the company hired Vice President of Growth Nikki Miller (formerly of Movoto), General Counsel Jamie Jatzlau (formerly of Realtor.com), and Senior Vice President of Title Operations and Strategy Claire Dunham (formerly of Homeward).
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