Julia b. Fee Real Estate sold.

Julia B. Fee Real Estate, Westchester's preeminent, full service residential real estate sales and marketing firm, has been acquired by George Stone and Randall Katchis. Julia B. Fee will remain not just locally owned and operated but "in the family" since Stone and Katchis are the sons of two of the firm's partners, going against the corporate buyout trend.

"The outstanding reputation of Julia B. Fee and the brand equity in that name made our investment worthwhile," said Stone, who will be a managing principal along with Mr. Katchis. "Because of our personal connection to Julia B. Fee we are familiar with the quality of service that is the firm's hallmark. We are committed to nurturing this organization and leading it into the future by providing state-of-the-art tools to both our team of professionals and our clients to assist them at every stage of their transaction."

Mr. Stone and Mr. Katchis are both native to Westchester County and currently reside in the area. Mr. Stone, who most recently served as CEO and partner with the Witkoff Group, a Manhattan-based commercial real estate firm, brings more than 18 years of real estate expertise to the new management team of Julia B. Fee. Mr. Katchis, who has been involved in entrepreneurial investment for more than two decades, founded and successfully headed several computer service and consulting firms, most recently serving as president of Diversified Institutional Services.

"Julia B. Fee is the finest service and sales organization in Central Westchester with nearly half a century of success to its credit, " said Mr. Katchis. "By combining George's vast real estate experience and my sales and technical experience our goal is to provide the technology, infrastructure and management support to allow our sales professionals to take their already stellar customer service to an even higher level."

Julia B. Fee Real Estate was founded by its namesake in 1953 with a dedication to the ideals of professionalism, personal service and area expertise. Today, the firm boasts nearly 200 professionals and has established itself as an industry leader in Westchester. Julia B. Fee is the sole brokerage in Westchester County to have the distinction of affiliation with Christie's Great Estates.

Christie's Great Estates is the largest international network of independent real estate brokers specializing in luxury properties. The network comprises more than 120 real estate firms with more than 500 office locations and approximately 14,000 estate agents. The combined affiliate network's annual real estate sales total more than $50 billion. Only those brokers who have met Christie's Great Estates' uncompromising standards for excellent service and consistent achievement are awarded affiliate status. This selection process includes meeting stringent qualifications followed by review and approval of an advisory board.

"Julia B. Fee, Inc. is the market leader for luxury home sales in Westchester County." said Kay Coughlin, President and CEO of Christie's Great Estates. "Its excellent customer service and in-depth knowledge of the local market have made it an exemplary Christie's Great Estates affiliate since 1988. We are very pleased with the recent acquisition of Julia B. Fee, Inc. by Randall Katchis and George Stone and are confident they will maintain the standards of excellence Julia B. Fee clients have come to expect."