Baird & Warner named Jennifer Alter Warden to the newly created position of chief operating officer and Laura Ellis as the new president of the brokerage’s residential sales division.
“Jennifer and Laura have proven time and time again that they are invaluable assets to Baird & Warner,” Baird & Warner CEO and President Steve Baird said. “Their leadership skills and industry expertise will allow us to continue to grow and bring superior tools and services to our broker associates and their clients.”
As the brokerages’ chief operating officer, Alter Warden will work closely with the presidents of Baird & Warner’s three divisions: Residential Sales, Key Mortgage Services and Baird & Warner Title Services. She will ensure they have the marketing and technology strategies and resources they need to operate effectively. She also continues to serve on Baird & Warner’s executive committee, as well as play a major role in corporate culture. Baird & Warner was named the No. 1 workplace in Chicagoland by the Chicago Tribune in 2014, earning its third consecutive Top Workplace award.
With Baird & Warner since 1995, Alter Warden was responsible for launching the company’s new home services, e-business and title operations. In 2002, Alter Warden created the Baird & Warner Good Will Network, the company’s charitable initiative, and she will continue to oversee the program. To date, the Good Will Network has donated nearly $2 million to dozens of nonprofits.
Ellis succeeds Alter Warden as Baird & Warner’s president of Residential Sales, assuming management responsibility for the company’s residential sales operations. Prior to this role, she served as the company’s senior vice president of sales, where she oversaw the operation of all branch offices. She was instrumental in the creation of the Baird & Warner Leadership Institute, a unique training program that teaches leadership and business skills to broker associates, while preparing them to take on management positions.
Ellis joined Baird & Warner in 1998 as sales manager of the Bolingbrook office. During her eight years as manager, the office consistently broke records in production, recruiting, mortgage and title. In 2006, she was brought to the company’s corporate office to serve as director of sales operations.