Bonnie Velie is the new director of Coldwell Banker Burnet's Previews-Distinctive Homes division.Velie, a longtime sales agent for the division, will replace Linda Blyth, who had been in the position for a decade.

Blyth, a 23-year veteran of the company, will retain her license, but plans to spend more time with her family. Velie will be responsible for the marketing, training and market analysis for CBB agents who list and sell properties priced at more than $500,000. She's a former director of merchandising for Marshall Field's/Target and has been an agent in the company's Wayzata office since 2003.

With longtime top sellers including Barry Berg, Bruce Birkeland and Meredith Howell in its stable, the division is a powerhouse for the company. For CBB and other brokerages, the upper-bracket market has made serious sales gains in recent months