Byron N. Carter, a broker in Signature's commercial department since 1996, takes over temporarily as head of day-to-day sales and management operations of both the residential and commercial divisions. The company's 175 sales associates in seven area offices contributed to 2002 volume of $194 million, up from $177 million in 2001. When Signature finds an executive to handle the residential side, Carter will continue to direct commercial real estate activities.

"There is no time line," says Carter. "We will conduct an extensive search until we find the right person with the right chemistry to fill this important position. Until then, I will work closely with our entire management team to keep our company poised and moving in the right direction."

Carter has been a Realtor and broker in Central Florida for 18 years. "The strength of this company over the years has been its management team and its ability to operate autonomously without losing sight of company goals and objectives. The managers have been an integral part of the company's growth and success and they will continue to play a role as the company proceeds to the next level."