How a DOGE-cut employee became a full-time mortgage broker

July 16, 2025 6:00 AM

Ryan Alexander was on a cruise with his family when he received news he already felt in his bones was coming: the Department of Government Efficiency cut the project he was working on via his consultancy firm. He was officially out of a job.

Though the news was jarring, Alexander's family rallied around him—and encouraged him to take a chance on something new: full-time mortgage lending. He already had experience, he enjoyed the work, and it could be a promising path forward.

Since 2007, Alexander had worked in various roles across the federal government. He had started his public service career as a lab technician at the National Institutes of Health and eventually held business development roles tied to agencies like the Department of Defense and the General Services Administration. But after nearly two decades of federal work, it felt like the right time for a change.

Alexander earned his Virginia mortgage loan originator license in 2021, shortly after an earlier role at the Department of Commerce came to an end. He began working part-time at Kore Mortgage, a brokerage that employs 29 loan officers, slowly building up a client base and learning the ins and outs of the industry.

Following the loss of his GSA contract in early February, Alexander briefly worked another consulting job, but soon decided to go all-in on mortgage lending.

Now working full-time as a broker, he's focused on serving real estate investors—a niche he believes offers strong growth potential and a way to stand out in a competitive market.

The mortgage industry may not offer the stability of a federal paycheck, especially in volatile economic times, but Alexander says he's ready to take that leap.

"I don't know if moving to mortgage is the right thing to do, but I'm willing to bet on myself," he said.

Read on for Alexander's journey into mortgage lending.

What was your experience prior to becoming a broker?

I began working for the federal government in 2007 at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) while still in college. I worked my way up from lab technician to assistant facility manager and stayed for a decade. I left only after the project lead passed away and the facility shut down due to lack of funding.

I enjoyed public service and soon found a role with Volunteers of America in Leesburg, Virginia, supporting homeless shelter programs through a partnership with Loudoun County. After some time there, I returned to federal work with the Department of Commerce, contributing to the 2020 Census. That role ended when the project concluded.

My family then relocated to Richmond, Virginia. I went back to school and continued applying for federal positions, but unlike the DMV area, Richmond has limited opportunities, most of which are far from the city.

Around that time, I met Kelvin—now my boss at Kore Mortgage—who encouraged me to pursue a mortgage loan originator license. I became certified, but shortly after, a former Commerce colleague invited me to join the consulting firm he was with. That brought into federal contracting, focusing primarily on business development (about 60%) and client work with the Department of Defense (about 40%).

By the end of 2024, I transitioned to another consulting firm supporting federal agencies, with the General Services Administration (GSA) as my main client.

Then came 2025.

The newly established Department of Government Efficiency began making waves. I was aware of the election and possible changes, but I'd weathered transitions before—starting under President Obama and working through the Trump administration—so I wasn't too concerned.

January passed quietly. In February, rumors started: GSA contract cancellations, growing uncertainty. Then, out of nowhere, we were told to shut down our computers and phones. The contracts were canceled indefinitely.

I received the official notice while on a cruise — literally taking the call on the ship. They told me, "Ryan, we're sorry. It's nothing personal."

After a brief stint at another consulting firm, I decided it was time to pivot — and committed full-time to a new path in mortgage lending.

Can you tell me about your full-time transition to mortgage?

Just before I left my most recent consulting job, I attended an event where I came across a book titled Pivot or Die. I haven't read it, but I keep a copy propped against my computer monitor. The title alone serves as a daily reminder of the transition I'm making and why I'm doing it. I don't know if moving into mortgage lending is the right move—but I'm willing to bet on myself.

I'm currently a mortgage broker with Kore Mortgage, working under Kelvin Oliver, who introduced me to the industry. Kelvin has been a mentor to me throughout this journey.

The mortgage industry is always evolving. Rates go up, rates go down—everyone talks about them. But people aren't going to stop buying properties. You have to know how to ride the wave and stay steady. That's how I approach it.

As I continue building my career, I'm focused on rebranding and increasing my presence on social media and in marketing. More than anything, I want to stand out by specializing in loan products tailored to real estate investors.

What are some takeaways from working in the government?

My entire career in the federal government—whether as a contractor or a full-time employee—has been built on the idea that it's a stable source of employment, especially when you're passionate about the work.

What's frustrating is that government spending has been a long-standing issue. In my view, it should have been addressed years ago, rather than in the abrupt way we're seeing now.

A lot of people have lost their positions—good, hard-working people. At this point, we just have to see how things play out. It's still early in the Trump administration, with more than three years to go, and only a few months behind us.

Would you ever consider going back to the federal government?

To say I wouldn't think about it would be dishonest. I have to be upfront—our industry is very cyclical. You can have one great month and one bad month. And when you have a family, there are a lot of factors to consider.

That said, I really value the flexibility that being a mortgage broker provides, especially when it comes to setting my own schedule and spending time with my children. So if I were to receive an offer from a consulting firm, it wouldn't just come down to money—it would be a broader decision.

Ideally, I want to put myself in a position to build a strong team within the mortgage industry—so if that offer ever comes, the answer can simply be no. That's what I'm working toward.