Prudential Utah Real Estate appoints new head

(Park Record) Prudential Utah Real Estate has a new head: Stephen Roney. People from Prudential will talk about his 30 years of experience in the industry, they'll tout the fact that he was president and CEO of Coldwell Banker's Residential Relocation Services and then president and CEO of First American Corporation's Residential Group and its subsidiary MarketLinx, a multi-listing service Microsoft claims is used by almost half of all Realtors in North America (including the Park City Board of Realtors). They might even mention he already owns two homes in Park City.

But they are reluctant to say what happened to the previous head: Dougan Jones.

Jones founded Prudential Utah Real Estate in 2001 with partner Joel Carson after buying out Bill Coleman's firm. Some of today's most successful Park City real estate teams operate under the Prudential banner.

On Nov. 9, Jones was out. The only explanations offered are unsubstantiated.

Park City Board of Realtors president Lincoln Calder said he knows Roney through MarketLinx, but that's it.

About Roney, Calder said, "We wish him well. We're excited to have him as a member. We can't comment on what happened or what we think of him."

Prudential sent a press release Friday announcing Roney and sent a few audio clips to brokers, agents and staff. Earl Lee, president of Prudential Real Estate, commended the Utah offices for consistently ranking in the top "echelons" nationally for sales.

Original Article