Spotlight on Alan Kersner: The Steady Hand Behind Brown Harris Stevens’ Success

For nearly four decades, Alan Kersner has been one of the quiet architects behind Brown Harris Stevens’ legacy. Since joining the firm from Douglas Elliman in 1989 as Treasurer, Alan has helped guide the company through extraordinary periods of growth, industry transformation, and technological evolution as well as economic crises, the challenges post-9/11 and the pandemic—all while preserving the financial strength and culture that have defined Brown Harris Stevens for more than 150 years.

Today, as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, his influence extends well beyond the budget. His thoughtful leadership and operational discipline have helped position BHS as one of the nation’s most respected real estate and residential management firms, ranking among the Top 10 brokerages nationally by sales volume and as the largest privately held brokerage in New York City.

Throughout his career, Alan has earned the trust of colleagues by approaching every challenge with thoughtfulness and exceptional attention to detail. While markets have risen and fallen and the real estate industry has undergone profound change, Alan has remained a constant—guiding decisions with long-term growth and prosperity in mind, ensuring the company remained financially strong while continuing to invest in its future, even during economic downturns.

Alan helped the company expand from NYC to Miami, Palm Beach, and the Hamptons, and oversaw the 2020 merger of Halstead into Brown Harris Stevens which exponentially expanded opportunities and resources for all agents. At a time when companies are consolidating or shuttering, Brown Harris Stevens has never been stronger.

From residential brokerage to property management, those who have worked alongside him know that his greatest strength isn’t simply his financial expertise; it’s his ability to inspire confidence that every decision is made with the company’s best interests at heart. His leadership has allowed generations of agents, employees, and clients to thrive because of the stable foundation he has helped build.

“Alan’s impact on Brown Harris Stevens simply cannot be measured on a spreadsheet,” said Bess Freedman, Chief Executive Officer of Brown Harris Stevens. “For nearly forty years, he has been the steady hand behind so many of the decisions that have shaped our company. His wisdom, work ethic, and commitment to doing things the right way have earned the trust of those fortunate enough to work with him. Brown Harris Stevens is stronger today because of Alan’s extraordinary leadership.”

That sentiment is shared across the organization and by its ownership. Arthur Zeckendorf, Co-Chairman of Parent Company Terra Holdings, echoed that appreciation, saying, “Alan has been one of the great stewards of this company. His loyalty, judgment, and unwavering commitment to excellence have helped preserve everything that makes Brown Harris Stevens special while positioning it for the future.”

As BHS enters its 153rd year, we salute the immeasurable value of a leader who has directed this brokerage behind the scenes as it grew from approximately 50 agents to more than 2,500 during his remarkable tenure.