TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
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14 | M R EP O RT MCROWD Shockley's 30-plus-year career has been notable as both a success- ful practicing attorney and in multiple leadership positions in the mortgage industry, most recently as SVP of Production at Academy Mortgage. Shockley will wear a number of hats at Synergy One, including General Counsel and as a member of Synergy One's Executive Management Team. "I've previously worked with several Synergy executives, and I could not be more strategically aligned with the mission and vision upon which Synergy was founded," Shockley said. PAULINE HINES Geneva Financial, a direct mortgage lender operating in 46 states, has announced the opening of a new branch location in Lake Oswego, Oregon, to be led by Branch Manager Pauline Hines. "Already, our transition to Geneva has proven tremendously fruitful," Hines said. "The resources available to me and my branch have allowed us to expand in ways I couldn't have imagined. We are excited to see the potential continue to grow as we serve our market." Based out of Lake Oswego, Hines and her team will serve homebuyers throughout the state, offering home- buyer and homeowner-focused prod- ucts, including conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, refinance, reverse, jumbo loans, condo financing, and much more. Founded in 2007 by Aaron VanTrojen, Geneva Financial is a direct mortgage lender headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with more than 130 branch locations in 46 states nationwide. PAUL SCHUSTER Luminate Home Loans has named Paul Schuster as its new Divisional VP. Schuster has been an active leader in the mortgage industry for the past 31 years and was recognized by the Minnesota Mortgage Association (MMA) in 2021 with their Lifetime Achievement Award. "It has always been my goal to be part of something bigger, to be a part of a company where alignment is evident and real," Schuster said. "I'm excited to be joining Luminate where I know we'll be able to grow and be proud of building something bigger and better—together." Located in Minneapolis, Luminate Home Loans is a national mortgage lending company that has been in business since 1998. "Bringing Paul on to our team was a no-brainer," said Eric Lovins, President of Luminate Home Loans. "We are extremely honored and grateful to be welcoming him as he is an exceptional talent, leader, and addition to our growing team. We know he'll make a positive impact on our organization as a whole, and we can't wait to see what comes next!" ERIC FLORES Nations Lending, a full-service national mortgage lender, has announced the onboarding of Eric Flores, a 29-year lending veteran. Veteran loans hold a special mean- ing to Flores as he served 26 years in the Indiana Army National Guard with two combat tours in Iraq in 2003 and 2008. His specialty has made him the go-to advisor for veteran home financ- ing needs. Prior to joining Nations, Flores spent more than 10 years as a Senior Mortgage Consultant at Union Home Mortgage. Last year, he pro- duced more than $23 million in loan volume production. "I chose to work at Nations Lending because the company's mission is to treat every customer as a person, not a number," Flores said. "My goal is to educate veterans, Realtors, and sellers in order to help our country's heroes realize the benefits that they sacrificed so much for. Nations allows me to continue achieving that goal." Headquartered in the Cleveland, Ohio area, Nations Lending Corporation is licensed to lend in all 50 states, and employs more than 1,200 at its corpo- rate headquarters and throughout 138 branches across the United States. "Eric is one of the best lenders in Indiana and a true hero," said Tim Dowling, Midwest Regional Manager. "He's motivated and dedicated to helping his community, which makes him a natural fit here at Nations Lending." Movement Mortgage (Movement), the nation's sixth-largest retail mortgage lender, is expanding its leadership team with a position focused on the growth and transfor- mation of Movement's technology platform. Movement welcomes Lyra Waggoner as chief information officer. LYRA WAGGONER Movement Mortgage has named Lyra Waggoner CIO. Prior to joining Movement, Waggoner served as EVP and Head of Technology for Level Capital LLC. In her new role, Waggoner will lead Movement's information technology team and will focus on accelerating business growth by delivering best in-class technology solutions. An 18-year veteran of the industry, Waggoner has held various leader- ship roles, including SVP of Caliber Home Loans, where she was a found- ing member of their technology team, and worked to build their proprietary loan origination software platform. At Level Capital, Waggoner oversaw the creation and release of an industry- leading loan origination and servicing platform for residential construction lending. "Movement Mortgage has an in- credible vision and focus. I'm excited to translate this vision into transfor- mational action across our technol- ogy platform by putting the best tools in the hands of our loan officers," Waggoner said. "Movement and I share the belief that technology, cul- ture, and product focus should drive empowerment of our sales team. I am so grateful to join this talented group!" Funding approximately $30 billion in residential mortgages annually, Movement Mortgage employs more than 4,000, has more than 650 branches in the United States and is licensed in 50 states. "Lyra shares our passion for em- powering loan officers with every- thing they need to win," said Michael Brennan President of Movement Mortgage. "She has a proven track re- cord of leading sales-centric technol- ogy teams and delivering with speed to market. We will partner to drive technology to fuel the next chapter of our growth, and I am so excited to have her join our team." SERVICE PROVIDERS DAVID W. BERSON Registered Investment Advisory firm Cumberland Advisors has added renowned economist David W. Berson, Ph.D. to their ranks as Chief U.S. Economist. Berson will also serve as a member of the firm's Investment Committee, and as an Investment Advisor Representative. Cumberland Advisors' President, CEO and Director of Fixed Income, John Mousseau, heralded Dr. Berson's experiences as Chief U.S. Economist at Nationwide Insurance, The PMI Group, and Fannie Mae noting his leadership in the industry. "Our research is independent and so is our thinking," Mousseau said. "We are active managers of fixed income, balanced, and equity strategies that we design in-house and adding some- one with David Berson's depth and reputation expands the intelligence we offer our advisory, institutional, and wealth clients." Dr. Berson is President of the National Business Economic Issues Council, is on the Advisory Board of the Economics Department at The University of Michigan, and is on The Forecast Panel of The National Association for Business Economics. He is a frequent speaker in national media and at financial conferences on the economy, housing, and mortgage markets. "I respect the quality of indepen- dent thinking at Cumberland Advisors and their understanding of Fed policy and its impact on markets. I am well- acquainted with their executive leader- ship and look forward to working with them," Dr. Berson said. Berson has also been Chief Financial Economist and Head of Regional Economic Analysis at Wharton Econometrics, Visiting Scholar at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, and Assistant Professor of Economics at Claremont McKenna College and Claremont Graduate School. His government experiences include Staff Economist on the Council of Economic Advisers and Economic Analyst at the Treasury Department and the Office of the Special Trade Representative. Dr. Berson will contribute to Cumberland Advisors' team on topics such as the economy, monetary/fiscal policy, and capital markets. Dr. Berson has provided economic