Zillow Group, a Seattle real estate tech company, recently promoted Jun Choo to the role of chief operating officer. Choo replaced Jeremy Wackman, who became CEO in August after Rich Barton stepped down. Choo, who previously served as Zillow’s senior vice president of real estate software, has been with the company for nine years and has led various initiatives such as creating the Connections platform, Premier Agent market-based pricing, and the Zillow Showcase product. Zillow reported revenue of $581 million and adjusted earnings of $127 million for its third quarter, exceeding estimates. Choo expressed excitement about the opportunity to provide a more tech-enabled and integrated experience for homebuyers.
In addition to Choo’s promotion, Zillow also announced the resignations of Susan Daimler, president, and Matt Daimler, senior vice president of product. The married couple co-founded Buyfolio, which was acquired by Zillow in 2012, and previously founded SeatGuru, which was acquired by Expedia. The Daimlers shared their gratitude for their time at Zillow but indicated that it was the right time to embark on new adventures. Furthermore, identity verification startup Vouched named Neal Oman as its new chief technology officer. Oman’s expertise in AI and analytics positions him well to lead technical operations and scale the company to meet customer needs in the identity verification space.
Dr. Nicole Fleming has been appointed as the deputy chief medical officer for Fred Hutch Cancer Center, a new position for the Seattle nonprofit organization. Fleming, a gynecologic oncologist, joins Fred Hutch from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. With a passion for women’s healthcare and cancer treatment, she will oversee daily operations at Fred Hutch’s outpatient clinic in South Lake Union while also providing care for patients. Meanwhile, Alberto Santagostino has been appointed as the CEO of AGC Biologics, a biotech company based in Bothell, Washington. With extensive experience in cell and gene technologies, Santagostino will lead AGC Biologics in developing and producing pharmaceuticals and medical treatments.
Geordie Rose, co-founder and CEO of robotics startup Sanctuary AI, has stepped down from his role. Sanctuary AI unveiled Phoenix, a 5-foot, 7-inch general-purpose robot powered by AI software called Carbon. The company was founded in 2018 by past founders of quantum computing company D-Wave, AI robotics company Kindred, and the R&D nonprofit Creative Destruction Lab. Sanctuary’s chief commercial officer, James Wells, is currently serving as interim CEO while the board and executive team manage the leadership transition. Rose’s commitment to innovation and advancing the company’s mission has been lauded by Sanctuary AI as they continue to progress in the robotics sector.
Overall, the recent leadership changes within these companies reflect a broader trend of growth and evolution in the tech and biotech industries in the Seattle area and beyond. Each appointment brings with it a wealth of experience and expertise that will guide these organizations towards achieving their strategic goals and delivering innovative solutions to customers. As these companies continue to adapt to the changing landscape of their respective industries, the leadership changes signal a commitment to excellence, growth, and driving innovation in their fields.
