At Ironhorse, we have always believed that world-class creative and bold ideas only move the needle with excellent support. Specifically, these concepts require airtight operations and an exceptional standard of execution. We did not build this company to look like everyone else’s brokerage. Instead, we deliver on our promises by ensuring our internal engine matches our powerful brand presence. Therefore, to lead this next era of growth, we are thrilled to officially announce the promotion of Brittany Hurdle Murphy to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Furthermore, she will continue to guide our strategic brand vision as acting Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) until we fill the role. This appointment comes eight months after our September 2025 launch. Ultimately, the position formalizes a portfolio of operational leadership that Brittany has effectively championed since day one.
From a Blank Sheet of Paper to America’s Best
When we founded Ironhorse, Brittany joined our team as a foundational pillar. She took on the task of shaping a new kind of land brokerage from the ground up. Consequently, much of what defines Ironhorse today, both internally and externally, came directly from her hand.
For example, she designed and deployed our core brand identity. She built the digital infrastructure and established our distinct social presence and editorial voice. In addition, Brittany, alongside Koby, selected and integrated the technology stack that runs the company. This includes everything from our website platform to back-office systems and multi-state advertising contracts.
Beyond the public-facing brand, she authored the Iron Standard Playbook, which serves as our internal operating manual. She also engineered the property listing formats that every Ironhorse agent uses today. Furthermore, she developed our recruiting book and the entire agent onboarding system behind it. To drive engagement, she built the production pipeline behind the American Land Seller Podcast. Finally, she wrote and currently teaches our specialized agent personal branding curriculum.
As a result, this relentless focus on strategic excellence has already yielded historic milestones. Under Brittany’s direction, Ironhorse achieved an incredible first-year honor. Specifically, The Land Report named us one of America’s Best Brokerages in our very first year of business.
“Brittany has been with Ironhorse since day one. A lot of what makes this company feel like Ironhorse, the personality, the design, the polish, comes directly from her,” says Koby Rickertsen, ALC, Founding Partner and CEO. “She has quietly built and shaped pieces of this business that most people never see, and she has done it without ever asking for credit. She has become an invaluable part of our leadership team, and this promotion reflects what she has already been doing.”
An Executive Transition to Chief Operating Officer
In her dual role, Brittany sits directly at the intersection of our brand promises and our operational delivery. She will easily maintain the high-level marketing trajectory that put Ironhorse on the national radar. Meanwhile, she will now officially lead agent onboarding, transaction workflows, and vendor management. She will also oversee the cross-functional systems that support our brokers in the field.
Thus, for Ironhorse clients and partners, this transition ensures a completely streamlined experience. They can expect white-glove, premium execution backed by ultra-reliable internal systems.
Certainly, a decade of real estate and land experience prepares Brittany for this dual charge. Prior to shaping Ironhorse, she served as the marketing director for a prominent Western land brokerage. Earlier in her career, she worked as a development broker in Nashville. Notably, the industry recognized her impact in 2023 when the REALTORS® Land Institute named her the Land Rising Star. With that award, she made history as the first and only woman to receive the honor. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Political Science from Middle Tennessee State University.
Setting a New Standard
While the new title solidifies her executive leadership, Brittany’s focus remains exactly where it has always been. She continues to focus daily on the groundwork, the strategy, and the team.
“Most brokerages run on the assumption that brokers are interchangeable and clients are transactions,” Brittany notes. “We’re building Ironhorse on the opposite premise: the broker is the product, and the client deserves better than the industry standard. Ten years from now, I want this to be the brokerage other firms are trying to figure out how to compete with. The title is just what it’s called while I do the work.”
Currently based outside Nashville, Tennessee, Brittany will continue to work closely with our Gothenburg headquarters. She will consistently support Ironhorse brokers across all twelve licensed states as we scale our footprint.
Please join us in congratulating Brittany on this well-deserved promotion to Chief Operating Officer. The foundation is built, the standard is set, and we are just getting started.
