TheMReport — News and strategies for the evolving mortgage marketplace.
Issue link: http://digital.themreport.com/i/1490083
M R EP O RT | 13 jumbo loans, condo financing, and so much more. Makoni began her career in the mortgage industry in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 2002. While in Hawaii, she focused on mortgage originations and meeting the needs of a diverse client base, all while pursuing her MBA from the Chaminade University of Honolulu. In 2004, Lisa moved back to Alaska, and since her return, she has put her experience and education to work for many bor- rowers. Lisa takes pride in qualifying first-time homebuyers and members of minority groups and specializes in HUD 184 loans for Alaska Natives and American Indians. Founded in 2007 by Aaron VanTrojen, Geneva Financial is a di- rect mortgage lender headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, with more than 130 branch locations in 46 states. CHIK QUINTANS Waterstone Mortgage Corporation has named Chik Quintans as the company's new Director of Digital Marketing. Quintans has more than 25 years of experience in mortgage lending, including both sales leadership and senior digital marketing roles. His previous positions include Director of Sales for Shelter Mortgage, Digital Marketing Manager for Absolute Mortgage, and, most recently, Digital Marketing Manager for USA Mortgage. "We are thrilled to welcome Chik to our team," said Lisa Fenske, Waterstone Mortgage SVP/Marketing & Communications. "His extensive experience in mortgage sales and digital marketing gives him a unique perspective, and his professional ac- complishments speak for themselves. Our Marketing and Sales Teams are excited to work alongside Chik, as we continue to build on Waterstone Mortgage's reputation as an elite lender. We know that Chik will play an important role in bringing our mes- sage to homebuyers, homeowners, and referral partners nationwide." In his new role, Quintans will over- see the development and implemen- tation of the overall digital marketing strategy for Waterstone Mortgage, which includes customer acquisition and retention techniques, lead gen- eration, online reputation manage- ment, SEO & SEM strategies, email and SMS/mobile marketing initiatives, social media content creation, and much more. He will also oversee the digital marketing team. Quintans has been featured in The Seattle Times, The Everett Herald, The Wall Street Journal, FOX Business, and The Associated Press. His past professional certifications include Certified Mortgage Planner (CMP) and Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS). SERVICE PROVIDERS SETH APPLETON U.S. Mortgage Insurers (USMI), the associa- tion representing private mortgage insurance (MI) companies, has announced that Seth Appleton, former President of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO), will serve as the association's new President starting in January 2023. Appleton currently serves as co-chair of the Bipartisan Policy Center's Housing Council and previously served as Assistant Secretary for Policy Development and Research at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), a position for which he was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate. "With a deep knowledge of the mortgage industry and a proven record of bipartisan advocacy, Seth is the right leader to promote the mission of the private mort- gage insurance industry in helping first-time homebuyers achieve the American Dream of homeownership," said Adolfo Marzol, USMI's Board Chairman. "Seth's diverse experience in senior roles at HUD, Ginnie Mae, MISMO, and on Capitol Hill stand out. He knows how to collaborate to get things done in Washington, and we are excited to bring his proven lead- ership to USMI." Appleton is a seasoned legislative, regulatory, and public policy profes- sional with a track record of working across the aisle to deliver results, as proven by his role in helping to pass reauthorization legislation that reformed housing policies for the first time in decades and was unanimously passed by a Republican-led Congress and supported and signed into law by President Obama. "I am honored to join the private mortgage insurance industry at a time when sustainable low down payment lending—backed by private capital—is so important to borrow- ers and the entire housing finance system," Appleton said. "Over 37 million low downpayment borrowers have gained access to affordable and sustainable mortgage financing by utilizing private mortgage insurance. This track record of serving borrower needs while reducing risk to the hous- ing finance system is the foundation for broad bipartisan support for the role of private MI. As USMI President, I look forward to communicating the value of private MI in unlocking the opportunity to buy a home for millions of additional families in the years to come, while at the same time providing safety and soundness for the housing finance system." TODD BITTER UMortgage has expanded its leadership team with a position focused on the growth and development of UMortgage's Loan Originators with the addition of Todd Bitter as Chief Sales Officer (CSO). "The best place for a consumer to get a mortgage is with a local inde- pendent Loan Originator and the best place for a local independent Loan Originator to serve their customers is through the UMortgage platform," Bitter said. "I am passionate about helping loan originators get better, build better businesses, and become the best version of themselves." Bitter has earned a reputation for championing the Mortgage Broker channel and building his own busi- ness from the ground up to become one of the nation's top-producing purchase-focused Loan Originators. Todd has been recognized by United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM) as a top-10 broker nationally in purchase originations from 2015-2021. Bitter is a member of the Founders Club for BACPAC, where he continues to advocate for independent loan origi- nators in Washington, D.C. UMortgage is an innovative mortgage platform that helps Loan Originators grow their business and create opportunities through homeownership. With LOs licensed nationwide, UMortgage is providing opportunities to create strong com- munities through financial literacy, support, and advocacy. "Todd is laser-focused on sup- porting our loan originators to grow their businesses by providing them with the coaching, sales strategies, and systems to achieve sustain- able success," said Anthony Casa, UMortgage's CEO. "He is the kind of no-nonsense leader that loan origina- tors need to win in this challenging market; we are very fortunate to have him joining our team." MAUSAM BHATT Realtor.com has named Mausam Bhatt as its Chief Product Officer, where he will be responsible for Realtor.com's product and design strategy and roadmap, leading and scaling the team, and collaborating closely with the tech and growth teams. "I'm honored to be part of the Realtor.com team and everything it does to help buyers, sellers and rent- ers on their home journey," Mausam said. "The passion of the team and their dedication to providing the best experience possible for both consumers and customers made this opportunity too good to pass up." Mausam is a seasoned product executive who has helped companies scale globally and has built several market-leading products from the ground up. Before venturing out on his own, he led Google's commerce initiatives, where his team developed and accelerated transaction growth on the Google Shopping platform, serving billions of users and global merchants ranging from Fortune 500 retailers to micro direct-to- consumer (DTC) brands. Prior to Google, he was Chief Product Officer for RetailMeNot, leading teams that diversified the company's product line from primarily a coupons-only marketplace to a modern offering with cash-back wallet, credit card- linked offers, prescription healthcare savings, and gift cards marketplace. "Mausam is a gifted leader whose passion for innovation and experi- ence building high performing, world-class product, and design teams made him the perfect fit for this role," said David Doctorow, CEO of Realtor.com. "As we move forward, our product and design strategy will remain laser focused on empowering consumers with confidence and our customers to grow. We have much to be proud of, and I am excited to see what's to come under Mausam's leadership." MCROWD