RECO appoints Jean Lépine interim CEO

The Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) has appointed Jean Lépine as interim CEO, just one day after his term as administrator of the regulator came to an end.

Lépine has also served as RECO’s acting CEO since the end of December 2025. His appointment as interim CEO comes as governance authority transitions to RECO’s new independent, skills-based board of directors, according to a RECO news release issued Sept. 9.

The appointment means Lépine will remain at the regulator as it continues a multi-year transformation that began during his tenure as administrator.

Lépine remains as RECO transitions to new board

Lépine was appointed administrator last November, assuming control of RECO during the fallout from the iPro Realty Ltd. trust account controversy.

His appointment as administrator officially ended Sept. 8 after Ontario Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Minister Stephen Crawford accepted his recommendation to return RECO to board governance. The new board assumed authority Sept. 9.

As REM reported last week, Lépine said at the time that RECO was ready to move forward under its new board following months of changes at the regulator. Among the board’s first priorities was appointing a CEO.

As interim CEO, Lépine will be accountable to the board for RECO’s operations, performance and delivery of its strategic direction, according to a news release. 

The board will oversee performance and hold the CEO accountable, while the CEO will lead the organization and implement the board’s direction.

“Jean has demonstrated strong leadership through a period of significant change at RECO and has established important momentum for the organization,” said J. Mark Rodger, the chair of RECO’s new board of directors.

“His experience and deep understanding of RECO will be valuable in the work ahead. The Board looks forward to working with Jean and his executive team, and to the continued engagement of RECO’s employees and sector partners as the organization advances its transformation and consumer protection mandate.”

Permanent CEO search still to come

Lépine described RECO’s transformation as an ongoing process.

“RECO’s transformation is a multi-year undertaking, and our focus is on continuing that progress,” he said. “I look forward to working with the board, our executive team, consumers, the professional sector, and importantly RECO staff to deliver meaningful progress for consumers.”

The interim appointment is not permanent. RECO says the board will undertake a process to select a permanent CEO.

The post RECO appoints Jean Lépine interim CEO appeared first on REM.