Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty in Bronxville recently announced that Virginia Doetsch, manager of the firm’s Irvington and Bronxville brokerages, has been named the company’s 2023 Manager of the Year. Doetsch, who has served as a brokerage manager with Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty for 13 years, was chosen from among 18 managers for the honor. This is the seventh time Doetsch has been recognized with this award.
With more than 30 years of experience in the real estate industry, Doetsch is a veteran agent and manager who has overseen $3 billion in sales for the Bronxville and Irvington brokerages during her tenure, according to OneKey MLS data. The company said she has proven instrumental in helping to grow Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty’s powerful market presence in Westchester County.
Doetsch, who is responsible for overseeing 100 agents across the two locations, believes fully in the power of a strong team. “I share this award with all of the exceptional agents who work alongside me to provide the best service possible to our clients,” she said, adding, “Our support staff is some of the best in the business. They take care of the needs of the agents — often before the agents even know they need it.”
Working closely with her staff, Doestch believes her success lies in “attracting agents who want to roll up their sleeves, work hard, be great colleagues, and serve clients with all the resources that the Sotheby’s International Realty brand offers. I thrive on creating a happy atmosphere where people love to come to work every day.”
“I am proud to announce Virginia Doetsch as our Manager of the Year, an honor well deserved,” said Paul Breunich, chairman and CEO of Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty. “Her skillful approach to mentoring and motivating agents has enabled her to steer our company to new heights in the region. Her devotion to excellence enables our brokerages to provide the highest level of service to buyers and sellers.”
Founded in 1949, William Pitt – Julia B. Fee Sotheby’s International Realty manages a $5.9 billion portfolio with more than 1,100 sales associates in 26 brokerages spanning Connecticut, Massachusetts and Westchester County in New York. It is one of the largest Sotheby’s International Realty(R) affiliates globally and the 37th-largest real estate company by sales volume in the United States.
The Ashforth Company Board of Directors has promoted Ryan Harvey to CEO and president effective Jan. 1. Harvey stepped into the role after an 18-month succession plan, previously serving as co-CEO.
“Ryan’s promotion is a testament to his hard work, dedication and the significant positive impact he has brought to our company for the past 10 years. We are proud and fortunate to have him continue our 128-year company legacy,” said Darrell Harvey, co-chair of the board of The Ashforth Company.
“For over two decades, Darrell and I proudly served as co-CEOs, guided by a shared vision and unwavering values. With pride, we hand over leadership to Ryan as the sole CEO and the next-gen leader of our family business, confident in his vision for greater success,” said Andrew Ashforth, co-chair of The Ashforth Company Board and CEO and president of A.P. Construction.
As part of the succession plan, in July of 2022, Harvey who had served as co-CEO of The Ashforth Company, became executive chair of the board and Ryan Harvey was promoted from chief operating officer to co-CEO, along with Andrew Ashforth. On Jan.1, both Darrell Harvey and Andrew Ashforth became co-chairs of the board. Ashforth will also remain president and CEO of A.P. Construction, the construction management division of The Ashforth Company.
As CEO and President, Harvey is focused on the company’s investments, operations and strategic planning. He also serves on the company’s executive, operating, investment, compensation and audit committees.
Before joining Ashforth 10 years ago, Harvey served as deputy associate counsel at The White House in Washington, D.C. He began his legal career at Debevoise & Plimpton in New York City and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he served as a clerk to Judge Gilbert S. Merritt of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. He then joined the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Nashville and was an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School.
Harvey received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors in history at Brown University and his Juris Doctorate and Master of Arts degree in legal history at the University of Virginia, where he was a member of the “Virginia Law Review.” He received his M.B.A. from the Columbia Business School Executive Program. Harvey serves as treasurer and CFO of the Foundation for Society, Law and Art in South Africa. He is a member of the Connecticut and New York State Bars and resides in Stamford.
Headquartered in Stamford, The Ashforth Company is a 128-year-old diversified real estate operating company that owns, develops and invests in commercial and multifamily assets on the East and West Coasts, and provides third-party services, including asset and property management, general contracting and construction management. Directly and through its affiliates, the company is invested in or manages over 13 million square feet of office space, and more than 7,000 multifamily units.
