PITTSBURGH, Pa. (September 15, 2026) — Howard Hanna Real Estate Services is strengthening its regional leadership across Western Pennsylvania, with four experienced leaders taking on expanded responsibilities to support the company’s agents, offices and continued growth.
Michelle Lantz Echnat has been named North Regional Manager and Vice President, Bob Friend has been named East Regional Manager and Vice President, Michelle Schocker will continue as South Regional Manager and Vice President with expanded responsibilities, and Patty George has been named Erie District Manager.
“Michelle, Bob, Michelle and Patty know these markets, have built strong teams and understand what our agents need to be successful,” said Dennis Cestra Jr., President of Pennsylvania, Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. “As we continue to grow, we want strong leadership close to our offices and our agents. This structure gives us that while creating better alignment across Western Pennsylvania.”
Michelle Lantz Echnat brings more than 30 years of real estate experience to her expanded role. She has managed Howard Hanna’s Fox Chapel office since 2011, leading one of the company’s top offices in Pennsylvania with approximately 45% market share in its core market.
Bob Friend joined Howard Hanna as a licensed agent in 2016 and has managed the Squirrel Hill office since 2020. Under his leadership, the office has consistently ranked among the company’s top offices in Pennsylvania, with 40% or greater market share in its core market.
Michelle Schocker will expand her leadership of the South Region to include the Beaver and Chippewa offices, creating greater connectivity across the region.
Patty George, who joined Howard Hanna in 2003, has led one of the company’s largest sales offices in Erie for more than a decade. She will continue leading the Erie Airport office while taking on her expanded district responsibilities.
Echnat and Friend will also continue leading their current sales offices, with additional support being added for day-to-day operations.
The expanded structure keeps experienced leadership close to Howard Hanna’s local offices and agents while creating stronger connections across Western Pennsylvania, positioning the region for continued growth.
About Howard Hanna
Howard Hanna Real Estate Services proudly provides real estate, mortgage, title, and insurance services across 18 states. As the largest family-owned and -operated real estate brokerage in the United States, Howard Hanna operates more than 500 offices with 15,000 sales associates and staff. The company’s proprietary Hanna Success System helps its agents achieve 53% more business than agents at the top 1000 brokerages nationally. Learn more at www.HowardHanna.com.
Last modified: September 15, 2026