Compass Adds to Ranks Following Tracy Tutor Addition

Compass started 2025 with a big splash.

New Hires Bolster Palm Desert and Newport Beach Offices

The brokerage has since brought on Galina Tucker and Phyllis Cyphers to bolster its Palm Desert office. The team, which closed on more than $40 million in sales last year, was most recently with Desert Sotheby’s and specializes in Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells and La Quinta.

Newcomers to the Newport Beach Office

In Newport Beach, Compass added Grace Gui, most recently with Re/Max. Gui closed $30 million in sales last year, heading up the Re/Max 888 Diamond Team in Walnut between 2019 and 2023.

Elsewhere in Compass’ Newport Beach office it added former Coldwell Banker Realty agent Cindi Karamzadeh, who teamed with Lauren Shortt, part of Netflix’s “Selling the OC” cast featuring agents from The Oppenheim Group. The Cindi + Lauren Team have combined sales in excess of $300 million.

Additional Hires Across Southern California

In the South Bay, Compass added Jenna Christensen, formerly of Engel & Völkers, to its Torrance office. Christensen closed $22 million in sales last year.

Other Brokerage Moves

Meanwhile, Southern California’s luxury residential brokerages have seen plenty of other movement:

• Joanna Pallante decamped from Douglas Elliman’s Altman Brothers Team to join The Beverly Hills Estates. The long-time Elliman agent had been with the brokerage since 2017. Pallante, who is married to upscale home developer Roman James, will focus on Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills and Orange County among other submarkets.
• Greg Holcomb brought his team, with over $500 million in career sales, to Carolwood Estates. The Greg Holcomb Real Estate Group includes Quinn Taylor and Lauren Kerns. Holcomb, a specialist in celebrity, architectural and designer homes, has had his own home featured in Architectural Digest.
• Carolwood Estates brought on Kate Newton, whose business is focused on Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Beverly Hills and the Sunset Strip. Newton represented Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young in buying a $20 million Calabasas mansion in 2022.
• Kim Cohen has jumped to Douglas Elliman’s Newport Beach office. Her team Kim Cohen & Associates, which was previously with eXp Realty, consists of Annette Harper, Daniel Finder, Julie Mansfield and Jimmy Sanchez.
• Cohen and her husband, Brad, are the founders of independent escrow company Granite Escrow & Settlement Services, which they started in 2009. The couple scaled the business to seven locations and ultimately sold Granite to First American Financial in 2021.
• Nourmand & Associates brought on Rachael Reiser, previously serving as partner agent at L34 Group. Reiser brings to the brokerage expertise in East L.A.

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Conclusion

Compass has made significant additions to its ranks following the arrival of Tracy Tutor, with new hires in Palm Desert, Newport Beach, and beyond. The brokerage continues to bolster its presence in Southern California’s luxury residential market.

FAQs

Q: What is Compass?

A: Compass is a real estate brokerage company.

Q: Who is Tracy Tutor?

A: Tracy Tutor is a celebrity agent who joined Compass from Douglas Elliman.

Q: What are the key areas of focus for Compass’ new hires?

A: The new hires specialize in various areas, including Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Hollywood Hills, Beverly Hills, Orange County, Hidden Hills, Calabasas, Encino, Sherman Oaks, the Sunset Strip, and East L.A.