(RALEIGH, N.C.) - Christopher D. Harrington has been named Chief Operating Officer for York Simpson Underwood Realty, effective August 1, 2007. York Simpson Underwood (YSU) is a residential real-estate brokerage based in Raleigh, with seven offices in Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill and Southern Pines.Chris Harrington has spent the past 12 years on Florida’s Gulf Coast in various real-estate management roles. He worked for several years as a Managing Broker for Michael Saunders & Company, the largest independently owned real-estate company in that region.“Joining another forward-thinking, independent real-estate firm is a dream-come-true for me,” Harrington said. “York Simpson Underwood has stellar associates, management and a wonderful reputation, so it’s a great new home for me and my family. I believe there are distinct advantages for our clients and agents to be associated with an independent firm with deep community roots.”With more than 250 sales associates York Simpson Underwood is the largest locally owned and operated, non-franchise real-estate company in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina. YSU is part of the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World relocation network, and is the exclusive regional affiliate for Christie’s Great Estates.Harrington is leaving Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate, Inc., of Sarasota, Fla., to join YSU. While there, he managed multiple offices and achieved a distinguished record for promoting efficiency of operations and motivating associates to provide superior client service.“We’re delighted to welcome Chris to our company and our growing region,” said Smedes York, chairman of York Simpson Underwood Realty. “He will take us to the next level while preserving our unique culture.”Harrington is a native of Atlanta, Ga. He is married to Sandra and has two children, a daughter, Sarah, and a son, Aaron. He attended the College of Charleston and Winthrop College, Rock Hill, S.C. A former Certified USPTA Tennis Instructor, Harrington was once a tennis professional and Director of Operations for a PGA Tournament Players Club in Florida.York Simpson Underwood Realty’s (www.ysuhomes.com) mission is to provide the highest level of real-estate and related services in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina through a team of professionals dedicated to exceeding the client’s expectations, and through active community involvement.This story can also be found on PR.com at this address: http://www.pr.com/press-release/45409.