Mike Ryan joins PLACE to lead business development. Ryan reunites with PLACE CRO Chris Heller after their time at Lower's real estate division. Article Summary. PLACE appointed Mike Ryan as executive vice president of business development. Ryan previously spent 10+ years at OJO Labs and later served as chief partnership officer for Lower's real estate division. AI Summary Real estate services and technology platform PLACE is welcoming a new executive. In a post on LinkedIn on Tuesday, Mike Ryan announced he was joining PLACE where he will serve as executive vice president of business development Prior to this he had been with OJO Labs for over a decade, most recently serving as the chief partnership officer of mortgage lender Lower's real estate division after OJO's listing portal Movoto was acquired by Lower in 2025. In his post, Ryan said that leaving Lower "wasn't an easy decision." "Over the past 10+ years, I had the privilege of working alongside incredibly talented people, building strategic partnerships and helping grow businesses that have made a meaningful impact on the real estate industry," Ryan wrote. He also thanked fellow Lower real estate leaders Angela Dunham and John Berkowitz, as well as Lower's vice president of product Adam Tao. Rayn wrote that his decision to move was not about leaving something behind, but joining something he believes "has the potential to redefine what's possible." "PLACE has quietly built one of the most impressive platforms in residential real estate, combining technology, services, and operational expertise to help the industry's top professionals build more valuable businesses while delivering a better experience for consumers," Ryan wrote. "The vision is bold, but what convinced me was the team's ability to execute." In his new role, Ryan said he will be "focused on expanding strategic partnerships and accelerating the distribution of PLACE's technology, services, and consumer solutions." In joining PLACE, Ryan is reuniting with former colleague Chris Heller, who had previously served as the chief growth officer of Lower's real estate division. Heller joined PLACE in November 2025, where he currently serves as the firm's chief revenue officer. Lower did not immediately respond to HousingWire's inquiry regarding the firm's plans to fill Ryan's vacated role.

PLACE, a real estate technology platform, has appointed Emily Paquette as chief strategy officer to lead consumer growth strategy, content platform development and strategic acquisitions. The move aims to expand PLACE's relationship with homeowners throughout the homeownership lifecycle. Paquette brings over a decade of experience in media, marketplace and growth businesses. She most recently served as chief executive officer of Inman, a real estate industry media and events brand. In her new role, Paquette will oversee development of PLACE's consumer platform, expand its content ecosystem and identify acquisitions to strengthen the company's homeownership services. PLACE co-founder and CEO Ben Kinney said the appointment supports the company's vision of extending relationships beyond single transactions to deliver long-term value to homeowners.

Former Inman CEO Emily Paquette named new Chief Strategy Officer at PLACE. The former Inman chief will lead the platform's consumer growth strategy Today, June 17, 2026 Business services and technology platform PLACE has announced the appointment of former Inman CEO Emily Paquette as its new Chief Strategy Officer. Paquette will be tasked with leading the company's consumer growth strategy, according to a statement from PLACE, including its consumer content platform and strategic acquisitions. "PLACE has always believed that the relationship between consumers and their trusted advisors should extend far beyond a single transaction," Ben Kinney, co-founder and CEO of PLACE, said in the statement. "Emily brings a unique combination of media, growth and strategic leadership experience that will help us deepen our connection with homeowners, expand the value we deliver to them and accelerate our long-term vision." Paquette served as Inman CEO for four years. During her tenure, she oversaw an era of expansion in both events and data intelligence and managed the acquisition of events company Blueprint in 2024. "I'm excited to build a consumer platform that homeowners engage with every day - not just when they're buying or selling a home - and to accelerate that vision through world-class content, products and strategic acquisitions," Paquette said. PLACE partners with top real estate agents and teams and operates across mortgage, title, insurance and home services, creating an integrated consumer platform designed to help homeowners throughout their ownership lifecycle. The company offers tools for maximizing property value through proper management, maintenance, home improvement and financing. It has also made a series of notable acquisitions over the years. Those acquisitions have included all-inclusive platform Livian and software firm Remine, among other companies. "Most companies show up for a single transaction. PLACE has the opportunity to build a lifelong relationship with homeowners," Paquette added in the statement. "The combination of trusted advisors, technology, content and services creates a powerful foundation for helping people make smarter decisions about one of their most important assets."