TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
Issue link: http://digital.themreport.com/i/1447641
12 | M R EP O RT MCROWD future expansion. As I take the mantle to lead this growth engine to the next level, I'm committed to delivering the culture, infrastructure, and process that energizes that pathway." Harkless earned his Juris Doctor degree at the University of California, Davis School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree from Asbury University. JEFFREY KVALEVOG New American Funding has named Jeffrey Kvalevog as its new EVP, Strategy and Partnerships. In his new role, Kvalevog will evaluate and establish strategic opportuni- ties that provide additional revenue, branding, and relationships for the company, including partnership agreements, potential expansion into new business channels, and much more. He will also focus on building on New American Funding's reputa- tion in the mortgage industry and enabling increased opportunities for the company. "I'm thrilled to join my new family at New American Funding," Kvalevog said. "The landscape of lending is constantly evolving, and I'm very ex- cited to help New American Funding be the leader in the mortgage indus- try and strategic venture space." Kvalevog brings 20 years of experience and knowledge of the mortgage industry to New American Funding, including 18-plus years spent at Rocket Mortgage. Prior to that, he served as a Branch Lending Manager at TCF Bank. "We welcome Jeffrey to the New American Funding family with open arms," New American Co-Founder and CEO Rick Arvielo said. "His expe- rience, knowledge, and skill will help us further our missions of serving all worthy borrowers, while building the mortgage company of tomorrow." CATHERINE MAULDIN National mortgage lender Waterstone Mortgage Corporation has named Catherine Mauldin as the company's Director of Strategic Growth, a newly created position for the lender. In this role, Mauldin will support Waterstone Mortgage's nationwide growth strategies—including the development of existing markets and the addition of new branches and sales team members that fit the company's goals, business model, and culture. She will also collaborate with the company's sales leadership team to formulate recruiting plans and de- velop innovative sourcing strategies that will contribute to Waterstone Mortgage's corporate growth objec- tives. "Catherine's expertise in mortgage lending recruiting make her the per- fect fit for this role," said Kevin Allen, Waterstone Mortgage SVP – Sales. "She also has significant experi- ence advising branches on process improvement, increasing efficiencies, and utilizing KPIs. Catherine is an outstanding addition to our nation- wide sales team, and I look forward to working with her as we help Waterstone Mortgage achieve growth in 2022 and beyond." Mauldin has more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage lending industry, working as a loan originator, processor, wholesale executive, busi- ness development associate/recruiter, project manager, and product owner. Most recently, she served as the Sales Program Leader for Embrace Home Loans. "I am excited to work with an in- credibly talented team at Waterstone Mortgage—from sales to operational support," Mauldin said. "Waterstone is committed to delivering exceptional resources for our loan originators— ensuring that they have the best tech- nology solutions, operational support, and products to support their busi- ness goals. I am thrilled to be part of the Waterstone Mortgage story and to share that story with others." CHRISTINE OBERMAYER Top independent mortgage lender New American Funding is privileged to announce that Christine Obermayer has been promoted to the new position of Retention VP. In this role, Obermayer will lead New American Funding's new Retention Department and focus on helping the company's current customers navigate their refinance options to ensure that New American Funding is always putting their financ- ing needs first. "We are incredibly proud of Christine and excited that she is tak- ing on this new role. We feel she is the perfect person to lead our Retention Department," New American Funding COO Christy Bunce said. "Our entire company will benefit from her leader- ship and our customers will witness her compassion and commitment firsthand as she helps them manage their financial situation." Obermayer joined New American Funding in 2012 and has steadily worked her way up through the company since then. She joined New American Funding as a Senior Loan Officer, before being promoted to Junior Sales Manager, to Senior Sales Manager, and finally to VP, Retention. Obermayer brings 23 years' experi- ence in mortgage operations, sales, wholesale, and retention to this new role. Her mortgage career began in 1998, and she has spent time working in wholesale operations, with a specif- ic focus on processing and underwrit- ing, and broker direct sales. Additionally, Obermayer served as a Loan Officer specializing in retail retention and has also spent time in sales management. Obermayer also has experience in loan modifications, short sales, and much more. With her expert skills and experience, Obermayer steps into the new role and will lead New American Funding's Retention Department. JARRED TALMADGE Mid America Mortgage, Inc. (Mid America) announced industry veteran Jarred Talmadge has joined Mid America as Western Reverse Mortgage Sales Manager. In this role, Talmadge is responsible for expand- ing Mid America's reverse mortgage presence in the Western United States. "Mid America is dedicated to addressing the diverse needs of every borrower, including existing homeowners seeking to tap into their home's equity in retirement," Mid America Owner and CEO Jeff Bode said. "Reverse mortgage borrowers are often underserved even though seniors comprise a significant portion of the homeowner market. We're extremely pleased to announce Jarred has joined our team and thrilled to expand our team of reverse mortgage experts." Talmage brings more than 25 years of mortgage industry experience and has spent the last three years specifi- cally focused on reverse mortgages. Talmage joins Mid America from the American Advisors Group, where he was the Market Sales Manager for the Rocky Mountain region. In addition to being an industry veteran, Talmage is an author and instructor, offering real estate agents, loan officers, and financial planners courses in sales, marketing, and reverse mortgage. In 2020, Talmadge authored the book Too Good to Be Free: How a Reverse Mortgage Can Improve Your Life, Your Cash Flow and Pay You Too. It can be found on Amazon.com. He's also been a guest on channel 9News NBC in Denver, Colorado and Company, KLZ AM 560, and on the Michael Bailey Radio Show. Talmadge earned his Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. "As a reverse mortgage specialist, I'm passionate about helping lenders, borrowers and real estate agents understand the often-misunderstood product that reverse mortgage is," Talmadge said. "The best part of the mortgage business is being able to help other people, to have this ability expanded at Mid America is exhilarat- ing." SERVICE PROVIDERS SHANNON BALDWIN JACOB GIBBS Mortgage Coach has announced the promotion of Jacob Gibbs from Director of Technology to VP of Technology and Shannon Baldwin from Director of Marketing to VP of Marketing. "Jacob's tech- forward mindset and Shannon's creative approach to mortgage marketing have been central to the Mortgage Coach mission of helping lenders enable people of all financial backgrounds to attain homeowner- ship through smart mortgage strate- gies," Mortgage Coach President Joe Puthur said. "They have both brought immense value to our business and partners, and I am very proud to have them as a part of our team." Gibbs joined Mortgage Coach 15 years ago and will be responsible for leading the development team, managing partner integrations, administering both local and network