TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
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M R EP O RT | 11 National Housing Conference President and CEO David Dworkin calls McCargo "a major thought leader in the full range of home mort- gage lending policy making." He added, "She has decades of ex- perience working with a broad range of stakeholders including investors in government securities, mortgage loan servicers, and FHA-financed homeowners. She has a deep under- standing of the business imperatives and is committed to ensuring that these needs also meet the needs of the FHA's diverse borrower base." McCargo also has held roles at CoreLogic and with JP Morgan Chase's Home Lending division. She spent 10 years at Fannie Mae, where she led policy development and sec- ondary mortgage market programs. From 2008-2012, she played a central role in the partnership with the Treasury in executing the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. The White House also stated that McCargo has been instrumental in foreclosure prevention efforts, loan restructuring, and distressed asset management programs. LENDERS/SERVICERS RYAN KERIAN Panorama Mortgage Group (PMG) has named Ryan Kerian as the new Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel for itself and its subsidiaries. In his new role, Kerian will align legal, compliance, and operational functions while at the same time driv- ing overall growth of the company. He will also be responsible for pro- tecting the company and its clients. According to the press release, this is the first time PMG has combined mortgage compliance and general counsel into one role. Previously, they were separate and outsourced which created alignment issues and a con- siderable amount of overlap. "With Ryan leading both of these efforts, there will be more synergy, and we will be able to push the company to adopt a faster pace," said Jason Madiedo, CEO and Co-Founder of PMG. "The pandemic has forced the industry to change faster than ever before," Madiedo continued. "Today's consumers are more comfortable with technology and expect us to be tech enabled too," Traditional compli- ance leaders often struggle to keep up with these needs and changes, which makes us so excited about Ryan joining our team. His comfort and experience with technology will have a huge impact on how we do business going forward." Kerian comes to PMG from Celebrity Home Loans where he served as Deputy General Counsel where he was responsible for cor- porate governance, contract and vendor management, employment, compensation, risk, licensing, and litigation matters. In addition, he served as Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel for GoPrime Mortgage where he managed operations, resource allocation, and budgeting while helping to develop the company's strategic vision. "My goal is to help shepherd the company toward greater success in a way that really serves our consumers and sets an example for the industry," Kerian said. "We're at an interesting intersection—in history and the indus- try—and we have a special opportunity to build upon the legacy of this com- pany to continue to bring credit and pride of homeownership to Hispanics and African Americans. It's no secret that they are the first-time homebuy- ers of tomorrow—and even today." "As a minority myself in the LGBT community, I deeply understand the importance of diversity and the need to further it in all of our work," Kerian added. "I hope to help ensure PMG continues to lead the way in this area over the next few decades and beyond." CHRIS KNAPP Draper and Kramer Mortgage Corp. (DKMC), a residential mortgage lender, announced mortgage industry veteran Chris Knapp has joined the company as EVP of Business Development. Based in the com- pany's Downers Grove, Illinios., headquarters, Knapp will contribute to recruiting and expansion efforts, help improve loan origination and operational efficiencies, and advise the leadership team on strategic deci- sions while also continuing his career as a top loan originator. "I'm thrilled to have joined a growing nationwide lender known for award- winning client and employee satisfac- tion," said Knapp. "DKMC already has a stellar reputation thanks to its vast menu of flexible loan options, industry- leading lending turn time, and stream- lined digital mortgage experience. I'm looking forward to helping take all of these offerings to the next level while aiding in the company's ongoing expansion across the nation." Prior to joining DKMC, Knapp served in executive roles for two of the nation's other top mortgage lend- ers. Before that, he owned and led his own mortgage company for more than eight years. Knapp graduated from Miami University in 1995 with degrees in marketing and business administration/management. "Chris has long been a respected name in the industry, and we're proud to now have him as a member of our leadership team," DKMC CEO Paul Lueken said. "With his talent and experience as an originator, owner, manager, leader, and strategist, he will be an incredible asset to our organization." PETE LUNETTO Interfirst Mortgage Company has named Pete Lunetto SVP of Credit, joining the company's executive leadership team, and reporting directly to Karen Gerli, Interfirst's COO. In this newly created executive po- sition, Lunetto will have oversight for credit and underwriting activities for both the wholesale and retail chan- nels, responsible for mitigating risk; setting the company's credit strategy; assisting in product development activities; processing and productiv- ity improvements; and day-to-day underwriting operations. Lunetto will also oversee a grow- ing team of more than 70 credit and underwriting team members, with Russ Therrell, VP of Underwriting Wholesale, and Lara Adams, VP of Underwriting Retail, reporting directly to him. "As Interfirst rolls out our in- novative Independence Series of mortgage loan programs and our wholesale and retail originations continue to expand at a rapid pace, Pete's insights and experience will be instrumental in helping to mitigate risk and improve efficiency through- out our loan process," Gerli said. "We are excited to have Pete become part of our executive team to help us to continue to deliver value to our mort- gage partners and borrowers across our footprint." Lunetto brings more than 30 years of mortgage industry experience to Interfirst, which includes credit risk management, credit policy, under- writing, and quality control. He joins Interfirst after most recently serving as Chief Credit Officer for Royal Pacific Funding, and previously, as VP of Enterprise Credit for loanDepot. "I consider myself a student of the mortgage business, and I am extremely grateful to be joining Interfirst 2.0 at this very exciting time," Lunetto said. "Right now, there is a very long runway of growth for Interfirst, and I am excited to be a part of the company's ongoing ex- pansion into new markets." JULIAN SADO Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM) has named Julian Sado to its executive team as EVP of Leadership and Development, as he will lead the company in formal and informal leadership development. "We can have the most skilled and innovative minds on our team, but if they aren't supported through a strong culture, it's just a waste of re- sources," said EPM CEO Eddy Perez, CMB. "Leaders can be born, but they can also be developed. With Sado, we have the ability to elevate and empower others in a way that hasn't been done before in this industry." Julian joins the EPM team with more than 20 years of mortgage industry experience, including time with Planet Home Lending, Radian, Capital One Home Loans, USAA, Mortgage Lenders Network, and HSBC among others. "All of us are leaders," Sado said. "Leadership isn't about just me speaking; it's about people speak- ing and seeing alignment from their conversation. When we find com- monalities, that's when the connec- tion starts." ANDREW WATSON Planet Home Lending LLC, a national mortgage lender and servicer based in Connecticut, has hired Andrew Watson as SVP of its Contact Center. Watson's first task will be to finalize plans for Planet Home MCROWD