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12 | M R EP O RT MCROWD GOVERNMENT SANDRA L. THOMPSON Nearly one month after Sandra L. Thompson was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the next Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) by a 49-46 vote, she has been sworn in to a five-year term as the third Senate-confirmed FHFA Director. On June 23, 2021, the White House appointed Thompson as Acting Director of the FHFA, and prior to that, she served as Deputy Director of the FHFA's Division of Housing Mission and Goals (DHMG). Her official nomination was sent to the Senate by President Joe Biden on December 17, 2021. On March 16, 2022, the Senate Banking Committee advanced Thompson's nomination by a vote of 13-11. "As a seasoned financial regula- tor, I understand how critical a time it is to serve in this role," Thompson said. "I am committed to ensuring our nation's housing finance systems and our regulated entities operate in a safe and sound manner. There is a widespread lack of affordable hous- ing and access to credit, especially in underserved communities of color. It is FHFA's duty, through our regulated entities, to ensure that all Americans have equal access to safe, decent, and affordable housing." Prior to joining FHFA, Thompson worked at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), for more than 23 years in various leader- ship positions, including Director of the Division of Risk Management Supervision. During her time at FDIC, Thompson led the Agency's examina- tion and enforcement program for risk management, and consumer protec- tion at the height of the financial crisis. She also led the FDIC's outreach initiatives in response to a crisis of consumer confidence in the banking system. Her experiences range from supervision to consumer protection, risk management and consumer out- reach activities. "For the first time, we finally have an administration and a Senate Banking and Housing Committee that understand how important it is to have economic leaders who reflect the country and the people who make it work," said Senator Sherrod Brown, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. "She'll join a growing list of experienced, talented Black women who have come through our com- mittee—Marcia Fudge, Cecilia Rouse, Reta Jo Lewis, Lisa Cook, Alanna McCargo, Alexia Latortue. Just to name a few. Ms. Thompson has proven she will work for and listen to lenders and consumers, and both sides of the aisle." LENDERS MICHAEL BENDER KATHRYN EDELEN STEVE LANDES BRANDY WALTON Planet Home Lending, LLC, has announced the additions of Steve Landes as EVP of Corporate Initiatives; Brandy Walton as SVP of Business Initiatives; Michael Bender as Eastern Divisional Correspondent Sales Manager. The three industry veterans joined as part of Planet Home Lending's recent acquisition of Homepoint's Correspondent Division. The company also announced the addition of Kathryn Edelen as Regional VP of Sales. "With our recent acquisition of Homepoint's cor- respondent assets, we are able to expand the expertise in our correspondent division with the additions of Steve, Brandy, and Mike," Planet Home Lending President of Mortgage Lending John Bosley said. "This reflects Planet Home Lending's goal to create a path for growth in correspon- dent lending even as other companies scale back during this industry adjust- ment." This month, some of the industry's largest firms welcomed several new hires to expand their operations. Who's moving on and who's moving up in the industry Landes has more than 30 years of industry experience and served as Executive Managing Director of Correspondent Lending for Homepoint before joining Planet. Prior to that, Landes was SVP of Originations and President of the NattyMac subsidiary; a Regional President for Indymac Bank; and SVP of Novastar Mortgage. Before moving to Planet Home Lending, Walton was Senior Managing Director, Correspondent Operations for Homepoint. Walton also had various leadership roles at Stonegate Mortgage Corporation, includ- ing Senior VP of Operations; VP, Production Risk Management; and National Underwriting Director. Bender previously served as Senior Managing Director/National Sales Manager for Homepoint, where he also previously served as Managing Director and Division Manager East of Correspondent Lending. Prior to that, Bender was a Regional Manager for the Northeast Region at Stonegate Mortgage Corporation. Edelen as Regional VP of Sales, brings more than three decades of experience to help Planet grow its national footprint. She will manage the Eastern United States for Planet Home Lending, focusing on capturing market share through the addition of branches and mortgage loan originators. Before joining Planet Home Lending, Edelen was Regional Sales Manager at Nations Lending. She also previously served as VP for LoanDepot LLC and Regional Manager for Homebridge Financial Services Inc. PAUL BUEGE Inlanta Mortgage has announced the promotion of Paul Buege to the role of CEO. Buege has been serving as Inlanta's President and COO and will retain those responsibilities in addition to his new role. A 30-year mortgage industry veteran, Buege joined Inlanta in 2013 as the company's COO and has served as President since 2018. He was responsible for removing walls within the company and creating a workplace culture where everyone's input is valued and acted upon. "I am delighted to place Inlanta's strategic direction in Paul's capable hands," Inlanta Mortgage Chairman John Knowlton said. "Paul has been instrumental to our record origination