TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
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M R EP O RT | 13 correspondent channels. One of the nation's largest nonbank mortgage lenders/services, the company is licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. "I'm thrilled to be leading Freedom Mortgage's Wholesale Division," Mell added. "We're already one of the na- tion's top wholesale lenders with ex- pertise in helping mortgage brokers close loans, especially VA and FHA products. In fact, our government lending experience is unmatched. I look forward to expanding our whole- sale business and helping our sales partners thrive by providing their clients with the financing to achieve their homeownership dreams." KISHA WEIR Churchill Mortgage has hired Kisha Weir as VP of Sales for the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Region, responsible for the overall sales and business development operations, while overseeing the training, mentorship, and development of Loan Officers across the company's PNW Division. "In addition to being a natural servant leader with a proven track record of developing profitable branches throughout the west coast, Kisha has an undeniable desire to invest in people," said Kevin J. Hanna, President of the Churchill Mortgage Pacific Northwest Region. "She will be an incredible asset to the team with her commitment to growth, empowering them to achieve their personal and professional goals. We're assembling a dream team to create something that hasn't been seen or done before in the mortgage industry. Our 'people over profits' approach, commitment to debt-free homeownership, and creation of a truly revolutionary platform will propel us to the top as we keep our clients and customers at the forefront of everything we do." With more than 30 years of experi- ence in the mortgage industry, Weir has garnered impressive credentials managing sales teams in key senior roles and improving processes and efficiencies. Prior to joining Churchill Mortgage, Weir led the Western Division at Movement Mortgage, where she personally oversaw $11 bil- lion in loan volume, and acted as SVP of the PNW Region at Eagle Home Mortgage, where she grew her area to the highest producing and most profitable region in the country. "This is a time of upward trajec- tory for Churchill Mortgage, and I am thrilled to facilitate their continued expansion in the Pacific Northwest and beyond," Weir said. "Rather than simply weathering and enduring this turbulent market, the company is staying on the offensive and embrac- ing this as a time of opportunity for growth. Given the strong talent pipe- line and Churchill's sterling reputation in the industry, this felt like a perfect fit and a place I truly belonged." JIM JANCZY Jim Janczy has joined NewFed Mortgage as EVP-Chief Production Officer—responsible for sales and marketing. He started off working in the mortgage industry as a Loan Officer with Bay Bank in Boston, then founded South Coast Financial Group in 1996 as CEO. More recently, he worked with Home Point Financial, Wells Fargo, and Envoy Mortgage. Jim was born in New Jersey, but grew up and currently resides in Southeastern Massachusetts. He at- tended Bridgewater State University and earned a degree in management. "We are extremely excited to have Jim as part of our company growth initiative," NewFed Mortgage President and CEO Brian D'Amico said. "Jim brings knowledge and experience to our executive table from many channels in the mortgage industry. We are very fortunate to have him as part of our team." NewFed Mortgage has specialized in residential retail mortgage lend- ing since 2001. An approved Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seller/servicer lender licensed in 19 states, NewFed offers a multitude of mortgage pro- grams, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, jumbo, various state hous- ing programs, along with access to various portfolio products including non-QM products. MICHELLE SOLOMON JONATHAN BELLEMORE MELISSA BJORKLUND Embrace Home Loans has announced the recent opening of a branch in East Greenwich, Rhode Island, to be led by Branch Manager Michelle Solomon and her team of Sales Manager Jonathan Bellemore and Junior Loan Officer Melissa Bjorklund. The East Greenwich branch plans to add six to eight loan officers over the next several months. "East Greenwich is a great place to open a new office," Bellemore said. "It has a rich history and is a vibrant, friendly community, and our new branch is conveniently located near I-95 which allows us to easily meet with potential clients and referral part- ners throughout Rhode Island, from Westerly to Providence and beyond." Founded in 1983, Embrace Home Loans is licensed in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Embrace has been recognized seven times as one of the Best Medium-sized Companies to Work for in America by Fortune and by Inc. The company has also been recognized 17 times as one of the "Best Places to Work in Rhode Island," as the "Most Community Involved Company in Rhode Island," and with the "Leadership Excellence Award" by Providence Business News. MATT KRON REBECCA ST. THOMAS JESSICA KRON CMG Home Loans, the retail division of CMG Financial, has opened a new branch in Scottsdale, Arizona, to be led by Area Sales Manager and Branch Manager Matt Kron. Joining Kron will be Sales Manager Rebecca St. Thomas, Senior Loan Officer Jessica Kron, and their respective mortgage teams. Matt Kron joined the mortgage industry 10 years ago as a Marketing Intern with AmeriFirst Financial. Over the past decade, he has had various positions in the industry, including Corporate Recruiter and Inside Sales Development Manager. Eventually, he became Branch Manager of AmeriFirst's Scottsdale branch, which he has grown over the past five years. St. Thomas, an established mort- gage expert, has originated more than 1,000 loans and has aided count- less families in their pursuit of the American Dream. With 20-plus years of experience, St. Thomas brings a dis- tinguished knowledge of the industry and a deep drive for education. She is currently a faculty member for various real estate schools across Arizona, and for the past 13 years, she has taught continuing education classes on credit, strategic financing, down pay- ment assistance programs, FHA and VA loans, and more. "Matt and Jessica Kron and Rebecca St. Thomas have a long- standing mortgage banking reputa- tion of respect and success in the Phoenix/Scottsdale market," said Chip Larson, Western Divisional VP, Retail Lending. "They have developed very strong relationships with many of the top realtors in their area. Additionally, I have had a 20-plus-year relationship with the group and know their char- acter and professionalism epitomize the CMG way of doing business. We enthusiastically welcome their teams to CMG and look forward to support- ing their growth and success." CMG Home Loans is a nationwide retail mortgage lender currently oper- ating in all states, including the District of Columbia, and holds federal agency lending approvals with HUD, VA, RHS, GNMA, FNMA, and FHLMC. ROB SHOCKLEY Synergy One Lending has hired Rob Shockley as EVP, General Counsel. "I've known Rob for over 30 years, and he brings a wealth of experience in multiple areas and roles and he excels at all of them," Synergy's President Aaron Nemec said. "He is not only an accomplished legal strate- gist but a proven production leader as well. We became better as a company the day Rob joined us!" MCROWD