TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
Issue link: http://digital.themreport.com/i/1175308
12 | TH E M R EP O RT MCROWD 12 | TH E M R EP O RT GOVERNMENT DAVID APPLEGATE Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have announced that David Applegate will step down as CEO of Common Securitization Solutions, LLC (CSS). A search for his replacement has been launched by the CSS Board of Managers. Applegate will stay on board during the transition. "In my conversations with the board, I expressed that this was the optimal time for a transition, following the June launch of the Uniform Mortgage- Backed Security (UMBS) on the CSS-built Common Securitization Platform," Applegate said. "Since I joined CSS in November of 2014, it has been my honor to work alongside the amazingly talented teams at CSS, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHFA, and our external partners to realize the vision for a Single Security." The CSS began in 2013 as a joint venture between the GSEs to build and operate a single securitization infrastructure. ARLENE COYLE GREG WARD The Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco has promoted Greg Ward to EVP and Chief Risk Officer and promoted Arlene Coyle to SVP and Chief Audit Executive, the role most recently held by Ward. Ward oversees the bank's risk, compliance, and governance framework. He joined the Bank in November 2013 as VP, Internal Audit. "Greg's skill set, his knowledge of the Bank and the regulatory environment, his collaborative style, and his adept ability to build strategic partnerships make him an exceptional fit for this important role," said Greg Seibly, President and CEO, FHLBank San Francisco. Coyle is responsible for managing the bank's internal audit function. She joined the bank in February 2016 as Assistant VP, Internal Audit, and was promoted to VP in February 2017. Coyle has over 20 years of internal audit and regulatory experience in the financial services industry. Before joining the bank, she worked at TIAA in their internal audit function. LENDERS AND SERVICERS EILEEN FITZGERALD Eileen Fitzgerald has joined Wells Fargo as head of its housing affordability philanthropy. She will report to Brandee McHale, President of the Wells Fargo Foundation. In her new role at Wells Fargo, Fitzgerald is responsible for developing and implementing strategies intended to strengthen housing affordability in the U.S. Aligned with the Wells Fargo Foundation's philanthropy strategy, she will lead housing affordability grant making, collaborative efforts with nonprofits intended to create positive impact, and initiatives intended to strengthen the national housing affordability movement. "America can't afford unaffordable housing," McHale said. "Wells Fargo is committed to addressing the full spec- trum of housing issues. With Eileen at the helm, I am confident we will move quickly to further develop solutions to challenges ranging from homeless- ness to rental housing to homeowner- ship—all with a goal of unlocking more housing options for those in need." SERVICE PROVIDERS SUSAN ALLEN Susan Allen has been appointed as Head of Product for Experian Mortgage, the company announced recently. With more than 25 years' experience as a risk management and product leader, Allen will be respon- sible for product strategy and execution of Experian's suite of solutions for the mortgage industry. Allen, a recognized industry expert on mortgage data and analytics, property valuation, and risk manage- ment, is a patented inventor who has launched award-winning risk and analytics solutions. "At Experian, we want to support a modern mortgage experience through data, analytics and empowered consumers," said Michele Bodda, General Manager Experian Mortgage. "We're improving the current experience by reducing the time from mortgage application to close, mitigating fraud, and digitizing processes. I'm confident Susan's leadership will be a tremendous asset to our team and our mission." MELANIE CORNELIUS LINDA VO MONIQUE WINSTON Williston Financial Group has appointed three accomplished female housing industry leaders as VPs of Business Development for WFG's Enterprise Solutions division, expanding the company's presence in and commitment to the mortgage lending market. In their new roles, Linda Vo, Melanie Cornelius, and Monique Winston are responsible for building and maintaining client relationships among the nation's top financial institutions and mortgage lenders. WFG's Enterprise Solutions division provides services and technology solutions that enable lenders to take time and cost out of mortgage transactions. A 20-year-plus mortgage industry veteran, Vo served as Director of Business Development with Movement Mortgage prior to joining WFG. Cornelius has held strategic leadership positions in the mortgage and real estate industries for more than 25 years. Prior to joining WFG, she served as VP of Business Development with SLK Global Solutions. With more than 23 years of title industry experience, Winston served as CEO of Optima Lender Services in Cleveland, Ohio prior to joining WFG. GREGG W. CHRISTENSEN WFG National Title Insurance Company (WFG), has hired Gregg W. Christensen as Senior Business Development Officer for the company's New York City-based national commercial services division. Christensen comes to WFG with more than 25 years' commercial real estate and title insurance expertise. Prior to joining WFG, he worked with the national commercial services team of another large national title insurer. Before that, he served as publisher and SVP of sales for ALM Real Estate Media Group. "We're thrilled to have Gregg on board to help us continue our national expansion here in the Northeast," said Len Franco, VP and Director of Commercial Services for the region. "His tremendous success in building relationships and his intense focus on the client relation- ship throughout all phases of the transaction are a huge benefit to both WFG and our clients. It's an exciting time of growth for WFG, and we see this as a major step toward our goals." This month, some of the industry's largest companies saw significant changes to their corporate lineups. Who's moving on and who's moving up in the industry