Hilton & Hyland Taps Former Sotheby’s Manager as President

Hilton & Hyland is looking to its freshly appointed Managing Director Steve Katz to steer the brokerage after its former president’s departure a week ago.

The Beverly Hills agency named Katz to the position, tapping the former primary services manager at Sotheby’s International Realty to manage the firm. The appointment was effective immediately on Dec. 20.

A statement from Hilton & Hyland said Katz will work with Chair Lori Hyland and General Counsel Chrystal Ferber on day-to-day management and help create a strategy aimed at growing the firm.

Hilton & Hyland’s year-to-date sales volume is more than $251 million, with some additional sales in the remainder of the year expected to increase that total, a spokesperson said.

Katz, who was also a branch manager for more than two decades at Coldwell Banker Realty, is charged with the responsibility of recruiting and retaining agents.

Ferber in a press release called Katz joining the firm “not just an appointment — it’s a statement.”

A spokesperson for the brokerage said Katz will take on a role previously held by former CEO Billy Jack Carter, who stepped back from that position in January for a family emergency. Carter’s leave led to the dissolution of the CEO position as he stayed on in an advisory committee member capacity. Meanwhile, a trio that included Hyland, Ferber and former President David Kramer comprised an executive committee formed to take on Carter’s previous duties.

On Dec. 13, Compass announced the addition of Kramer to its Beverly Hills office. Kramer had served as president after Jeff Hyland, who founded the brokerage with Rick Hilton, passed away from cancer in 2022.

The former Hilton & Hyland president took his six-person team and $1.7 billion in career sales to his Compass.

With Katz’s appointment, Hilton & Hyland hopes to bolster its leadership team as Ferber went on to say the hire is “a statement that we are committed to strengthening our foundation” and “refining our operations.”