President of National Association of Realtors resigns amid misconduct allegations

In a resignation letter Monday, Kenny Parcell wrote he was “deeply troubled by those looking to tarnish my character.”

Three days after a New York Times investigation revealed allegations of sexual misconduct by the leader of real estate’s most powerful trade group, the president of the National Association of Realtors resigned.

Three women who worked at the Chicago-based nonprofit said Kenny Parcell, who was installed as NAR president for 2023, sexually harassed them. They and others at NAR described a pattern of inappropriate touching and lewd photos and texts.

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The Times’ expose included complaints from 29 employees and former leaders who told the paper that despite years of complaints about Parcell and other leaders’ sexual harassment, discrimination, and retaliation, little had changed.

NAR has 1.5 million dues-paying members and assets worth more than $1 billion.

According to Kaki Lybbert, 69, a Texas Realtor who served on NAR’s leadership board last year, harassment has become ingrained in NAR culture. Lybbert claims she witnessed Parcell ostracize female Realtors who did not flatter him at conferences and official NAR gatherings — behavior he did not repeat with men.

“I’ve seen up close and personal how people are treated, and it made me sick to my stomach,” she explained.

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Lybbert’s allegations were denied by Parcell, a broker and owner of Equity Real Estate Utah. “In fact, I have no idea what these allegations are about or any frame of reference for this,” he told the Times.

Parcell resigned in a letter posted on Inman.com on Monday, saying he was “deeply troubled by those looking to tarnish my character and mischaracterize my well-intended actions.” These false accusations, hurtful words, whispers, and character assassination have shocked me.”

Tracy Kasper, the NAR’s President-Elect, will take over as president, and she expressed regret over the situation immediately.

“We recognize there is a great deal of concern, anger, and disappointment, and we want to thank everyone who has come forward and shared their stories, as well as those of you who have shared your thoughts over the last few days,” Kasper said in a statement.