Camille Lai
Marketing Specialist
Stellar MLS Welcomes New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® as Newest Shareholder
September 20, 2023
The partnership aims to broaden the market by combining resources and expertise, resulting in a more robust and diverse property listing network.
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla., Sept. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Stellar MLS, a trailblazing force in the real estate industry, proudly announces its latest milestone – welcoming the New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® (NSBBOR) as its newest shareholder. As the third largest MLS organization in the United States and the largest in Florida and Puerto Rico, Stellar MLS remains a leading force in the real estate industry, providing expanded exposure of inventory to their customers and offering an all-encompassing platform that grants access to property listing data, invaluable market insights, and an extensive suite of cutting-edge industry tools and services.
"We are thrilled to welcome the New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® as a shareholder. This partnership reflects Stellar MLS's commitment to expanding our network and enhancing the real estate landscape," said Stellar MLS CEO Merri Jo Cowen. "Together with NSBBOR, we will deliver unparalleled value to our customers as we continue to grow and remain dedicated to driving innovation and success for real estate professionals."
Both organizations are excited to expand the marketplace by pooling resources and knowledge. This collaboration will bring more inventory to consumers, NSBBOR members, and current Stellar customers, creating a richer and more diverse property listing network while also attracting new brokers and agents looking for an expansive and efficient real estate marketplace.
The New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS®, representing approximately 800 real estate brokers and agents, has steadfastly served its members for seventy-eight years by providing education, advocacy, and resources, by ensuring adherence to professionalism and high ethical standards upholding the Realtor image and by promoting home ownership and protecting private property rights.
Expressing enthusiasm, NSBBOR's President Jenny Snyder noted, "Joining forces with Stellar MLS marks an exciting chapter for our organization. We look forward to leveraging this joint venture to empower our members, enhance their capabilities, and collectively shape the future of real estate."
This partnership represents a fusion of shared values and goals, promising to help shape the future of real estate in the region. As Stellar MLS continues to set new industry standards, the company remains devoted to enabling the success and innovation of real estate professionals, both home-grown and globally.
About Stellar MLS
Headquartered in Altamonte Springs, FL, Stellar MLS (Stellar) is Florida's largest multiple listing service (MLS) company, with nearly 85,000 customers in Florida and Puerto Rico. Offering a comprehensive suite of the industry's best products and world-class customer service, Stellar MLS is committed to helping brokers and agents thrive in tomorrow's competitive real estate market. Learn more at stellarmls.com.
About the New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS®
The New Smyrna Beach Board of REALTORS® is a collection of the top real estate agents, brokers, and managers throughout Volusia County, Florida. Members of the Board represent the highest quality service and are committed to upholding the traditions and standards of this long-running organization.
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In today’s real estate landscape, opportunity knows no boundaries. Teams are expanding, business is becoming more mobile than ever, and clients expect seamless service—regardless of location. Stellar MLS recognizes the need to empower its brokers and their agents to adapt to the pace of today’s market and continues to provide the resources they need to stay ahead in a rapidly changing market. Real estate professionals rely on market intel to make informed decisions and confidently guide clients through one of life’s biggest milestones. Whether it’s leveraged to analyze trends, expand business referrals to new territories or guide relocating customers, the ability to view comprehensive listing data across the country is a significant strategic advantage. Stellar MLS is committed not only to delivering powerful listing insights, but also to offering expansive market coverage. In line with this mission, Stellar MLS recently formed strategic partnerships with California Regional MLS and Bright MLS. Through these new partnerships among the three largest MLSs in the country, Stellar MLS customers now have access to listings across California and the Mid-Atlantic, directly within Matrix. No extra logins needed. This integration means agents and brokers have access to thousands of additional listings, without leaving Matrix, opening the door to broader and more integrated business opportunities. This collaboration comes at a pivotal time. Cross-country relocation is on the rise, driven by changing lifestyle preferences and work environments, and increasing interconnectivity. Clients—buyers or sellers—are no longer tethered to a single market; they’re exploring possibilities from east to west. Agents equipped with real-time, accurate data across geographies can stand out by delivering unmatched service and guidance. Still, access alone is not enough; it must be paired with efficiency and accuracy. Stellar MLS remains committed to ensuring that its customers thrive in an intuitive environment. Bringing the reciprocal MLS access partnerships into the Stellar MLS system means agents and brokers can research, plan and serve clients without juggling multiple platforms or logging into separate systems. That’s time saved and real value gained. And this is just the beginning. As we look to the future, Stellar MLS will continue building relationships and investing in data connectivity to meet the demands of an interconnected market. Our goal remains clear: to provide our customers with the tools, insights and access they need to compete and thrive, no matter where their business takes them. In a business defined by relationships, readiness and reach, knowledge and confidence are power. We believe that when agents are connected to the right data and market access, they will have the confidence and clarity to succeed. Read More by Merri Jo at https://www.rismedia.com/bylines/merri-jo-cowen/ .
ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. (July 31, 2025) —After more than 15 years of visionary leadership, Merri Jo Cowen, CEO of Stellar MLS, announced she will step down from her role in Q1 2026. Her successor will be Stellar MLS’s current Chief Operations Officer, Shayne Fairley, who for nearly two decades has been an integral part of the leadership team at one of the nation’s largest and most influential multiple listing services. Widely recognized as a thought leader and trailblazer in the real estate industry, Cowen has led Stellar MLS since 2008, guiding it through a period of transformational growth and modernization. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its customer base to become the largest MLS in Florida and Puerto Rico. This growth strengthened shareholder relationships, launched international partnerships, and solidified Stellar MLS’s position as a national and global leader in data transparency and collaboration. Cowen played a pivotal role in the MLS’s rebranding in 2019 and helped elevate the visibility and value of the MLS during a time of industry change. “Serving as CEO of Stellar MLS has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Cowen. “I’m incredibly proud of what we have built—an MLS that delivers value, innovation, and integrity to real estate professionals and the consumers they serve. Now, I’m ready to step back, and Shayne is more than ready to step forward. I truly cannot imagine leaving what we’ve built in better hands. Shayne knows Stellar MLS inside and out, and I have complete trust in his leadership and absolute confidence that he’ll take this organization to the next level.” Fairley joined Stellar MLS in 2005 and has risen through the ranks across multiple departments, training customers and staff, guiding compliance, advancing data services, and advising on operations, to name a few. Since being named COO in 2017, he has led strategic operational growth, championed customer-focused initiatives, and worked with Cowen on the company’s efforts to elevate the MLS on a global scale. “I’ve had the privilege of working closely with Merri Jo for nearly 20 years and learned a tremendous amount by watching how she leads, both strategically and personally. She leads with vision and heart, and that blend of high-level leadership and genuine care is part of what makes Stellar successful and is something I intend to carry forward,” said Fairley. What’s Next: A Seamless Transition Stellar MLS’s leadership transition will take place over the coming months, with Cowen working closely with Fairley to ensure a smooth and seamless handoff. The official transition is expected to be completed by Q1 2026 and throughout this period, both leaders will continue to collaborate on strategic initiatives and ongoing projects. After the leadership transition, Cowen will serve in a strategic advisory role at Stellar MLS while also leading its subsidiary Universal Consulting Opportunities (UCO), which supports real estate professionals worldwide. Launched in 2024 with Cowen as CEO, UCO-Global provides expertise and customized solutions to advance MLS practices globally, with a focus on transparency, data integrity, and modernized market infrastructure. Through strategic partnerships with international organizations such as CEPI (the European Association of Real Estate Professions) and FIABCI (the International Real Estate Federation), and alongside dedicated global partners who share UCO-Global’s mission to empower real estate markets worldwide, UCO-Global has helped foster collaboration and trust across the real estate industry in Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. “Our priorities remain the same—delivering exceptional value to our customers, championing innovation, and helping shape the future of the real estate industry both at home and around the world,” said Fairley. About Stellar MLS Stellar MLS is the multiple listing service for real estate professionals who value clarity, stability, and support in a real estate market and industry defined by change. As the largest multiple listing service in the state of Florida and among the largest and most influential in the U.S., Stellar MLS serves over 84,000 customers and supports real estate agents and brokers across 21 REALTOR® associations in Central and Southwest Florida and Puerto Rico. Its extensive footprint allows Stellar MLS to deliver a broader suite of cutting-edge products and services, and more opportunities for customers to do business than almost any other MLS. Stellar MLS creates conditions within which real estate professionals can succeed, the housing market can thrive, and people who seek homeownership have every opportunity to achieve it.
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UCO-Global, a Stellar MLS subsidiary, continues to support and provide guidance to international leaders in creating MLS-informed solutions rooted in transparency, collaboration, and trust
You’re at the starting gate. The crowd is buzzing. The sun is high, and your pulse races with anticipation. You’re not just here to run. You’re here to win. That’s what the right training does. It transforms potential into performance. And at Stellar MLS, we believe you deserve every advantage on the track to success. The Race Begins: Why Training Matters Now More Than Ever Real estate is an industry in constant motion. Markets shift. Technology advances. Consumers demand more. The agents who thrive are the ones who adapt, grow, and lead. Education is what sets them apart. Stellar MLS’s enhanced continuing education experience is designed to help you do exactly that. Not just to learn, but to grow into the most credible, confident, and capable version of yourself. What sets this training apart? It’s not just another class; it’s part of a best-in-class education program. Our training is consistently built with your evolving needs at the center, offering hands-on guidance that reflects the realities of today’s fast-moving market. Across the industry, Stellar’s approach to education stands out. With a foundation in practical tools, expert instruction, and a commitment to agent success, our training doesn’t just inform, it transforms. And that’s what makes it a true differentiator. Because you’re not here to be average. You’re here to lead. Introducing the OneHome Triple Crown Series To help you take the lead, we’ve launched a game-changing training series inspired by one of the most iconic competitions in racing history: the OneHome Triple Crown Series. This is a three-part training series focused on helping you sharpen your collaboration skills, streamline your tools, and stand out in your market. Complete all three courses by May 23, 2025, to earn the Triple Crown OneHome Winner Badge Automatic entry into a drawing to win a free one-year Stellar MLS subscription Each course is designed to help you master a different component of the OneHome ecosystem: Course 1: Staging Your Buyers' OneHome Experience Learn how to use the Agent Portal to manage multiple clients efficiently Customize listings using Agent Picks and Discards Track customer activity and keep them engaged Deliver a fully branded, professional experience from start to finish Course 2: Bringing Your Customer Home Guide your clients using OneHome’s interactive tools Help them compare listings, request tours, and provide feedback Offer powerful presentation materials that highlight your value Keep clients informed and confident every step of the way Course 3: Matrix, Prospects CRM, and OneHome Understand how all three tools work together seamlessly Automate follow-ups and manage your contacts with ease Get a 360-degree view of your client’s journey Build stronger relationships that last beyond the transaction Courses will be offered twice weekly throughout May, including convenient Wednesday evening sessions. You can take each course individually, but all three must be completed by May 23 to earn your badge and enter the drawing. Training Is Your Superpower This isn’t just about a badge. This is about elevating your career. In today’s market, your knowledge is your advantage. When customers trust your expertise, they naturally follow your lead. The right MLS training gives you the tools to: Position yourself as a local expert Respond to market shifts with agility and accuracy Offer personalized, tech-forward service Win trust and stand out from the crowd With every training you complete, you’re sharpening your edge. You’re showing to customers that you're not just participating in real estate, you're excelling. We’re For You At Stellar MLS, everything we do is designed around your success. Our promise is clear: We create conditions for you to thrive. From top-tier tools and data to world-class support and training, we’re not just a service provider. We’re your partner. Our job is to help you do your job better. And our education program is one more way we’re doing just that. You can count on us for clarity, confidence, and a culture of support. Ready to Claim Your Crown? This is your chance to invest in yourself, stand out in your market, and potentially win a full year of MLS service on us. To qualify: You must complete all three courses You cannot miss more than five minutes of any session All training must be completed by May 23, 2025 Note: Finishers will be automatically entered into the grand prize drawing for a one-year Stellar MLS subscription reimbursement for the 2025 billing season. Choose your course times, stay on pace, and cross the finish line strong. The Triple Crown badge, bragging rights, and your shot at a free year of service are all within reach. This is your run for the roses. We’ll see you at the winner’s circle! Learn more and register for the 2025 OneHome Triple Crown Series here .
