NorthstarMLS Shareholder Associations Lead the Way with Visionary Governance Model

Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN – October 29, 2025 – The Shareholder Associations of NorthstarMLS—SPAAR, MAR and SEMR—are taking a bold, visionary step to significantly enhance the strategic, technical, financial and oversight capabilities of NorthstarMLS.

This change positions NorthstarMLS to anticipate, respond to and chart its course in the rapidly evolving real estate industry while also proactively managing risk in today’s environment.

The RMLS Shareholder Visionary Task Force, comprised of representatives from the Minneapolis Area REALTORS® (MAR), the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS® (SPAAR), and the Southeast Minnesota REALTORS® (SEMR), recommended a new, business-forward governance model for NorthstarMLS. This makes NorthstarMLS one of the first Multiple Listing Services to adopt a modern governance structure explicitly designed to improve decision making through enhanced expertise.

"The real estate industry is undergoing a rapid transformation, driven by shifts in broker perspective, a changing business environment and rapid advancements in technology," said Tim Dain, CEO of NorthstarMLS. "Our priority is to ensure NorthstarMLS moves ahead as a vital asset for the licensed real estate professionals who rely on MLS services. This new governance structure is a proactive, forward-thinking move that will strengthen the organization."

Key Elements of the Governance Changes
The new governance model focuses on creating an expert-driven board while maintaining essential marketplace perspective:

• Restructured Board of Directors: The NorthstarMLS Board will be reduced from twenty (20) directors to eleven (11) directors to streamline decision making and bring new expertise to the NorthstarMLS Board.
• Expertise Majority: Six (6) out of eleven (11) directors will be recruited and chosen from outside the real estate industry. These independent directors will bring subject matter expertise in critically-challenging areas such as law, technology and marketing.
• Practitioner Insight: Five (5) out of eleven (11) directors will be licensed real estate practitioners "actively engaged" in the NorthstarMLS service area. These independent directors will bring industry knowledge, experience and wisdom to the boardroom.
• Establishment of a New Executive Committee: In order to respond quickly to new opportunities, the organization will have a small, nimble executive committee that will work together unanimously to address new opportunities as they come.
• Enhanced Professionalism: The new structure requires NorthstarMLS outside counsel to attend all board and executive committee meetings to address legal concerns rapidly and consistently.

By adopting these visionary recommendations, NorthstarMLS is setting a new standard for MLS governance, enhancing the organization's ability to navigate future challenges, and ensuring it remains a well-run, forward-looking asset for its members and the communities they serve.

About NorthstarMLS Shareholders:

MAR (Minneapolis Area REALTORS®)
Contact: Carrie Chang, CEO, MAR, carriec@mplsrealtor.com

SPAAR (Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS®)
Contact: Gabe Walsh, CEO, SPAAR, gwalsh@spaar.com

SEMR (Southeast Minnesota REALTORS®)
Contact: Eric Brownlow, CEO, SEMR, eric@semnrealtors.com

About NorthstarMLS:
The Regional Multiple Listing Service of Minnesota, Inc., doing business as NorthstarMLS, is the premier real estate multiple listing service in the Upper Midwest. We provide updated, accurate listing data and relevant resources to real estate professionals throughout the region, helping them facilitate the American Dream of homeownership. With our MLS and real estate resources, we’re equipping brokers, agents, appraisers and staff with the information and knowledge they need not only to make the property market function but also to make their businesses thrive.

Contact: Dorothy Modabberi Lewis, CMO, NorthstarMLS dlewis@northstarmls.com