Steven John will replace Mary Lee Blaylock as president and CEO HomeServices Relocation. Blaylock will become senior vice president and general manager of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties. HomeServices Relo is a division of Minneapolis-based HomeServices of America, an affiliate of Berkshire Hathaway and parent company of Twin Cites-based Edina Realty.

John was mostly recently senior vice president of client services for RELO Direct where he was responsible for all relationship management, service and accounting operations, vendor management and technology. Before that he was executive vice president of client services for Prudential Relocation and has worked for several Fortune 500 companies in various management roles including finance, budgeting, operations and strategic planning. In his new role John will be responsible for expanding the size, scope and footprint of HomeServices Relocation, providing operational and financial oversight and serving as chief liaison for new and existing clients.

Blaylock is a veteran of the local market. She started in sales with Edina Realty in 1992 and in 1999 became vice president of Edina Realty Relocation. In 2004 she was named president of HomeServices Relocation, which now includes operations centers in Winston-Salem, NC, Philadelphia, PA, as well as at the Minneapolis headquarters. At California Properties, Blaylock will focus on improving internal processes and infrastructure, and will provide guidance and direction to the company's 57 sales offices and more than 2,400 agents.

Here's what Ron Peltier, chairman and CEO, had to say about the changes: "Steven brings a wealth of relocation experience and industry relationships to HomeServices Relocation. We are very pleased that he is joining HomeServices and have tremendous confidence in his ability to bring HomeServices Relocation to new levels of success. Mary Lee's focus on the customer, her ability to work cross-functionally within the organization and her drive to succeed is without parallel. With her exceptional background of leadership and management success Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties is well-poised for continued growth and success."