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12 | M R EP O RT MCROWD GOVERNMENT BRIAN P. BROOKS BLAKE PAULSON Acting Comptroller of the Currency Brian P. Brooks stepped down on January 14, 2021, and COO Blake Paulson became Acting Comptroller of the Currency. According to the OCC's statement, "during his eight months as Acting Comptroller, the OCC acted swiftly to provide relief and support to national banks and federal savings associa- tions so they could use their strength to help consumers, businesses, and communities through the COVID-19 pandemic. It promoted greater financial access and economic opportunity by eliminating regulatory uncertainty regarding valid-when- made and true-lender rules. The agency also continued to implement its new Community Reinvestment Act rule to promote more investment, lending, and services where they are needed most. "The nation and the federal bank- ing system are fortunate to have such a stable, capable hand like Blake Paulson to step in and guide the agency with the other Executive Committee members until the next Comptroller is nominated and con- firmed," Brooks said. According to the OCC announce- ment, "Paulson is a career bank examiner and has served as COO since June 2020. In this role, Paulson oversaw OCC bank supervision and OCC management operations, as well as staff responsible for Systemic Risk Identification Support and Specialty Supervision, and Supervision System and Analytical Support. Prior to this role, Paulson was responsible for su- pervising nearly 1,100 national banks and federal savings associations, as well as nearly 1,600 OCC employ- ees as Senior Deputy Comptroller for Midsize and Community Bank Supervision. During his long career at the OCC, he has held a variety of other bank supervision and leader- ship roles involving banks of all sizes." LENDERS MIKI ADAMS CBC Mortgage Agency (CBCMA), a nationally chartered housing finance agency and source of down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, has promoted Miki Adams to President. Adams will lead a team of more than 70 employees in the effort to increase homeownership for low- and moderate-income families who might otherwise be unable to save for a down payment. Adams is taking over the role from Richard Ferguson, who will work on developing new affordable housing initiatives. "I'm excited to hand the reins to Miki," Ferguson said. "Her compre- hensive experience in the residential mortgage business combined with her commitment to closing the home- ownership gap in America has been instrumental in enabling CBCMA to fulfill its mission." Adams' promotion coincides with CBCMA's partnership with the National Urban Indian Family Coalition to launch the Kani Urban Indian Housing Initiative. The initiative is working to increase homeownership within the urban Indian community. "I'm excited about this new partnership and to continue to work with Richard in his new role as our company's visionary," Adams said. "Richard's dedication to reducing ra- cial wealth disparity by creating new opportunities for homeownership through down payment assistance has been inspirational. He exempli- fies how idealism and practicality can work hand in hand." CARRIE B. JORGE RODNEY JORDAHL BLAKE NELSON Rodney Jordahl, CFO at Bell Bank since 1999, retired December 31 after guiding the com- pany's finances through more than two decades of growth and change. A Fargo na- tive and a gradu- ate of Minnesota State University— Moorhead, Jordahl joined what was then State Bank of Fargo, Moorhead, and West Fargo after previous roles with Metropolitan Federal, Dakota and Gate City banks. State Bank had $502 million in assets at the time. Today, Bell Bank is one of the nation's largest indepen- dently owned banks, with more than $8.5 billion in total assets. Bell Bank Chair Richard Solberg described Jordahl as providing be- hind-the-scenes advice and guidance over decades of working together. 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 "Rod was so good at all the details, he would just quietly get it done without fanfare," Solberg said. "But his role has been critically important to our company." Michael Solberg, Bell's President and CEO, said the company benefited from Jordahl's patient and steady leadership through the past several decades of tremendous expansion and growth. With Jordahl's retirement, Blake Nelson has been named CFO and Carrie Bjorge SVP/Controller for Bell Bank. "Blake and Carrie have already moved into their new roles over the past year," said Michael Solberg, "and have had the benefit of consulting with Rod throughout 2020 with its unique challenges. Our company's financial side continues to be in good hands as we look to the future." JEMMA PACHIANO Mid America Mortgage, Inc. (Mid America) has promoted former National Support and Training Director Jemma Pachiano to COO. "Jemma Pachiano's vast experience in the mortgage industry and keen ability to tackle even the most com- plex challenges have made a measur- able impact on Mid America since 2011, which makes her an excellent fit for this role," Mid America Owner and CEO Jeff Bode said. "As COO, Jemma's solutions-based approach and know-how in regard to imple- menting more efficient processes, products, and systems will be instru- mental in propelling Mid America's growth and success through 2021 and beyond." Pachiano has actively served as a licensed LO for more than 18 years, with experience in both retail and wholesale positions across Maine, North Carolina, and Texas. Prior to Mid America Mortgage, she was em- ployed at Alliance Financial Resources as Senior Loan Originator and worked as a Loan Officer at Chase Bank. She also served as Senior Loan Officer at TowneBank. "My mantra for 2021 is to remain detail-oriented, intentional, and to lead with kindness, especially as the industry continues to face ongoing changes and uncertainty," Pachiano said. "I am honored to enter into this new role and my passion for the mortgage business fuels me to drive