The top post at the DRE is changing hands once again.

The Department of Real Estate (DRE) announced the Commissioner, Doug McCauley, will retire at the end of 2023.

Prior to stepping into his leadership position at the DRE in 2020, McCauley worked for the Department of Housing and Community Development and at the California Architects Board.

As a replacement has not yet been announced, firsttuesday urges the governor to appoint another bureaucrat rather than a politician. Neutrality is key to the DRE fulfilling its role to provide both oversight of real estate licensees and protection of the public in real estate matters — without interference from lobbyist organizations.