Kenny Parcell, president of the Chicago-based National Association of Realtors, resigned Monday after allegations of sexual harassment against him were reported in The New York Times.
The Utah-based Realtor was the 2023 president of the powerful real estate trade association that has more than 1.5 million members.
In his resignation letter, Parcell called the accusations against him “categorically false” and said he is “deeply troubled by those looking to tarnish my character and mischaracterize my well-intended actions.”
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Parcell did not immediately respond to the Tribune’s request for comment.
Tracy Kasper, the association’s president-elect who was set to take the helm in November, became president effective immediately after Parcell’s resignation, according to an email statement from NAR. The statement said Kasper has 30 years of experience in the real estate industry and has served on the NAR Board of Directors since 2016.
In a statement to members, Kasper apologized and said the trade association recognizes “there is lots of concern, anger and disappointment.”
“We have taken everything we have heard to heart,” Kasper said in the statement. “Our commitment to our staff and our members is unwavering, and we will continue to enhance the way we foster a welcoming, safe and respectful workplace.”
Kasper said the association launched a Culture Presidential Advisory Group, and NAR CEO Bob Goldberg will also be “working in parallel with staff on their own culture council.”