Jackie Thiel Named CEO of Premier Sotheby’s Realty
The Naples-based luxury brokerage elevated its president to the top leadership post as part of a two-year succession plan.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in People
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Jackie Thiel has officially assumed the role of CEO at Premier Sotheby's International Realty, succeeding longtime leader Budge Huskey. The transition follows a two-year planning period designed to maintain the firm's established corporate culture.
Why it matters
Budge Huskey stepped down from his decade-long role as CEO to reduce his workload after four decades of working 60-plus-hour weeks. He will remain with the firm as executive chairman to focus on strategic growth, legal affairs, and new development opportunities.
The firm maintains a network of approximately 1,200 advisers operating out of 40 offices. The transition concludes a two-year succession window that began when Thiel first joined the company.
The players
Jackie Thiel
She is the newly appointed CEO of Premier Sotheby's International Realty who previously held the presidency at Long & Foster Real Estate.
Budge Huskey
He is the former CEO who served for 10 years and now transitions to the role of executive chairman at the luxury brokerage.
Premier Sotheby's International Realty
This is a luxury real estate brokerage headquartered in Naples with an extensive network of advisers across Florida and North Carolina.
The details
Thiel previously served as the president of Long & Foster Real Estate before moving to her current role at the Naples-headquartered brokerage. As president of Premier Sotheby's, she worked closely with Huskey to ensure a seamless shift in operational control.
Timeline
Budge Huskey joined Premier Sotheby's International Realty in 2016.
The succession planning process officially commenced in 2024.
Jackie Thiel assumed the role of CEO in October 2026.
Market Landscape
This leadership transition signals a stabilization of the firm's structure following the era established by the 2016 hiring of Budge Huskey. It positions the brokerage to continue competing for luxury market share against regional and national rivals while maintaining continuity.
Clients and agents should expect continuity in the brokerage's service model and operational standards during this management shift. The transition is designed to prevent disruptions to existing real estate transactions or corporate advisory services.
The takeaway
Effective executive transitions often rely on multi-year planning to preserve internal culture and operational momentum. By appointing a successor familiar with the firm's goals, leadership teams can mitigate the risks typically associated with changes at the top.
Further reading
For more information on local business leadership changes, visit the People section.
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