Rocket, Finance of America and Farmer Mac make leadership moves
Published August 19, 2026 6:00 AM
1 Min Read
Rocket Cos. appoints independent board director
Rocket Cos. named Sarah Watterson an independent director to the company's board, which now has 10 members. Watterson currently serves as president of 3 Star Sports & Entertainment, LLC, a platform that owns, invests in and operates businesses across sports, media, real estate and adjacent ventures.
She previously held the role of president at Brightline West, where she led the development of the nation's first high-speed passenger rail connecting Southern California and Las Vegas. She also served as a managing director at Fortress Investment Group, where she evaluated and managed businesses across financial services, hospitality, real estate, transportation and lending, including mortgage origination and servicing.
She previously held the role of president at Brightline West, where she led the development of the nation's first high-speed passenger rail connecting Southern California and Las Vegas. She also served as a managing director at Fortress Investment Group, where she evaluated and managed businesses across financial services, hospitality, real estate, transportation and lending, including mortgage origination and servicing.
Finance of America adds two new executives
Finance of America Reverse announced the appointment of Maury Pipkin as chief information security officer. Pipkin will lead the company's enterprise cybersecurity strategy and report to Chief Information Officer Brian Conneen. He brings more than two decades of experience leading enterprise cybersecurity and technology organizations across financial services, mortgage lending, enterprise software and digital platforms. He joins from RealPage, where he most recently served as chief information security officer.
The lender also tapped Bryan Summerhays as senior vice president, revenue growth and channel strategy. Summerhays will lead initiatives focused on customer engagement, sales productivity and channel performance as the company scales its retail platform, reporting directly to President Kristen Sieffert. He brings experience leading sales organizations through periods of transformation using data, technology and operational discipline.
The lender also tapped Bryan Summerhays as senior vice president, revenue growth and channel strategy. Summerhays will lead initiatives focused on customer engagement, sales productivity and channel performance as the company scales its retail platform, reporting directly to President Kristen Sieffert. He brings experience leading sales organizations through periods of transformation using data, technology and operational discipline.
Acrisure makes leadership changes
Acrisure named Joe Nunziata as president of Acrisure Real Estate Services, overseeing the mortgage, title and real estate businesses. Nunziata previously served as CEO of Acrisure Mortgage and has been a key leader since it acquired FBC Mortgage in 2022.
Following Nunziata's promotion, Acrisure Mortgage appointed Todd Boss as president. Boss will lead day-to-day operations of the mortgage platform, overseeing the sales organization and strategic growth initiatives. He joined Acrisure Mortgage's executive leadership team in 2009 and has served as chief sales officer, leading the growth and strategic development of the company's national sales team.
Following Nunziata's promotion, Acrisure Mortgage appointed Todd Boss as president. Boss will lead day-to-day operations of the mortgage platform, overseeing the sales organization and strategic growth initiatives. He joined Acrisure Mortgage's executive leadership team in 2009 and has served as chief sales officer, leading the growth and strategic development of the company's national sales team.
MBA names Mónica Mancilla Cooke as VP of human resources
The Mortgage Bankers Association announced that Mónica Mancilla Cooke joined the trade group as vice president of human resources. Mancilla Cooke has more than 15 years of experience leading human resources strategies at national trade associations. She previously worked at the Plastics Industry Association, where she served as vice president of human resources. Prior to that, held senior human resources leadership positions at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, the Information Technology Industry Council and the American Petroleum Institute.
SimplyPMG elevates co-founder Valerie Madiedo to co-CEO
SimplyPMG announced that co-founder Valerie Madiedo has been named co-CEO and will serve alongside co-founder and CEO Jason Madiedo in leading the company following its recent rebrand.
As co-CEO, Valerie Madiedo will support the company's executives and leaders with mentorship and resources. She will also oversee initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce production costs and enhance the borrower experience. Valerie Madiedo has 27 years of mortgage industry experience and has worked alongside Jason Madiedo to build SimplyPMG into one of the nation's leading independent mortgage banks.
As co-CEO, Valerie Madiedo will support the company's executives and leaders with mentorship and resources. She will also oversee initiatives to improve efficiency, reduce production costs and enhance the borrower experience. Valerie Madiedo has 27 years of mortgage industry experience and has worked alongside Jason Madiedo to build SimplyPMG into one of the nation's leading independent mortgage banks.
Farmer Mac welcomes Nader Pasdar as chief business officer
The Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation announced the appointment of Nader Pasdar as executive vice president and chief business officer. Pasdar has more than 25 years of experience in agricultural finance, lending, capital markets and business leadership.
Prior to joining the company, he served as CEO of Rabo Securities and managing director, head of markets North America for Rabobank, where he was responsible for capital markets, sales, trading, business development and compliance activities across North America.
Prior to joining the company, he served as CEO of Rabo Securities and managing director, head of markets North America for Rabobank, where he was responsible for capital markets, sales, trading, business development and compliance activities across North America.
Equity Prime Mortgage names David Abrahamson chief risk officer
Equity Prime Mortgage appointed David Abrahamson as chief risk officer, marking his return to the wholesale lender after previously spending a decade with the company from 2010-20. Abrahamson brings about 40 years of mortgage industry experience across risk, operations, credit and sales.
He will oversee EPM's risk management framework, including credit, underwriting, regulatory and investor-related functions, with initial priorities including conducting a comprehensive assessment of the company's current risk environment and strengthening internal controls.
He will oversee EPM's risk management framework, including credit, underwriting, regulatory and investor-related functions, with initial priorities including conducting a comprehensive assessment of the company's current risk environment and strengthening internal controls.
eLEND taps Avi Marcus as chief legal officer
American Financial Resources, also known as eLEND, announced the appointment of Avi Marcus as chief legal officer and corporate secretary. Marcus brings more than 15 years of executive legal experience spanning real estate, mortgage lending, financial services and technology. He has hands-on experience developing AI-powered technology from concept through production.
Marcus will play a key role in ensuring the company's innovations in artificial intelligence, automation and digital tools are deployed responsibly and in compliance with evolving regulations.
Marcus will play a key role in ensuring the company's innovations in artificial intelligence, automation and digital tools are deployed responsibly and in compliance with evolving regulations.
Certainty Home Lending names new executives
Dallas-based Certainty Home Lending, a Rate Company, named Bryan Ingenito as executive vice president and national operations executive, along with Chris Blount as executive vice president, producing divisional manager.
Ingenito brings more than 28 years of experience in mortgage lending and consumer banking operations, with a track record of building and optimizing large-scale fulfillment organizations. He spent more than 25 years at one of the country's largest national depositories, rising to senior vice president and holding national executive roles spanning mortgage fulfillment, process design, technology, performance management and small business credit. Ingenito began his career as a loan officer at a regional independent mortgage bank.
Blount has more than 24 years of mortgage industry experience to the role, with a focus on developing loan officers and growing regional origination operations. He spent the previous eight years as a regional manager at a national mortgage lender, where he led the Atlantic Coast region and oversaw teams that generated more than $1 billion in annual production.
Ingenito brings more than 28 years of experience in mortgage lending and consumer banking operations, with a track record of building and optimizing large-scale fulfillment organizations. He spent more than 25 years at one of the country's largest national depositories, rising to senior vice president and holding national executive roles spanning mortgage fulfillment, process design, technology, performance management and small business credit. Ingenito began his career as a loan officer at a regional independent mortgage bank.
Blount has more than 24 years of mortgage industry experience to the role, with a focus on developing loan officers and growing regional origination operations. He spent the previous eight years as a regional manager at a national mortgage lender, where he led the Atlantic Coast region and oversaw teams that generated more than $1 billion in annual production.
Rate elevates Bryan Brown to regional manager in Massachusetts
Rate, a Chicago-based fintech company, promoted Bryan Brown to regional manager as it strengthens its presence across Massachusetts. Brown, who will continue serving as a producing branch manager, will take on additional responsibility for recruiting, mentoring and developing loan officers.
In 2025, he originated more than $86 million in loan volume across 167 closed units, growing his business 25.2% year over year and finishing No. 42 among Rate's producers companywide.
In 2025, he originated more than $86 million in loan volume across 167 closed units, growing his business 25.2% year over year and finishing No. 42 among Rate's producers companywide.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta makes changes to c-suite
The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta announced a series of executive leadership changes. Alp Can, currently chief risk officer, was named chief operating officer to provide enterprise-wide leadership of the bank's operations and credit and collateral management.
Dawn Gehring was elevated from chief human resources officer to chief administrative officer, bringing together human resources, company culture, corporate communications and marketing.
Petrina Benton, currently director of human resources, operations and compliance, was promoted to chief human resources officer, while Erin Martin was appointed to the newly created role of chief collateral officer.
Dawn Gehring was elevated from chief human resources officer to chief administrative officer, bringing together human resources, company culture, corporate communications and marketing.
Petrina Benton, currently director of human resources, operations and compliance, was promoted to chief human resources officer, while Erin Martin was appointed to the newly created role of chief collateral officer.
Harris Capital Mortgage Group welcomes new president
Las Vegas-based Harris Capital Mortgage Group appointed Astrine Covington as president to oversee day-to-day operations, strategic execution and company-wide growth. Covington brings more than two decades of executive leadership experience in operations, procurement, contract management and organizational strategy. The appointment comes as the company expands its national footprint and invests in technology and leadership development.
BankSouth Mortgage taps Erin Dee as chief innovation officer
BankSouth Mortgage welcomed Erin Dee as senior vice president, chief innovation officer. She will lead initiatives focused on artificial intelligence, workflow modernization, enterprise transformation, operational oversight and customer experience, supporting the company's goal of scaling annual production from $1 billion to more than $2 billion.
Dee brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the mortgage industry spanning operations, strategy, compliance, technology implementation and organizational growth.
She most recently served as president of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and currently serves on the Mortgage Bankers Association's residential and single family board of governors.
Dee brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the mortgage industry spanning operations, strategy, compliance, technology implementation and organizational growth.
She most recently served as president of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and currently serves on the Mortgage Bankers Association's residential and single family board of governors.
Cornerstone Capital Bank names Karen Klemcke EVP, production
Cornerstone Capital Bank and its mortgage lending division, Cornerstone Home Lending, appointed Karen Klemcke as executive vice president, production. She will help advance the company's affiliated business arrangement strategy and support the continued expansion of its national builder platform.
Klemcke brings more than 25 years of builder mortgage leadership experience, including over two decades in leadership roles with affiliated mortgage divisions of D.R. Horton and Lennar.
Klemcke brings more than 25 years of builder mortgage leadership experience, including over two decades in leadership roles with affiliated mortgage divisions of D.R. Horton and Lennar.
Atlantic Coast Mortgage appoints SVP of builder relations
Atlantic Coast Mortgage announced that Keith Cross joined the company as senior vice president of builder relations. Cross brings more than 20 years of experience in new-home sales, real estate, sales leadership and builder operations. He joins Atlantic Coast Mortgage after more than a decade with Beazer Homes, where he served in senior leadership roles in sales and operations.
Canopy MLS elevates Steve Byrd to CEO
Canopy MLS promoted Steve Byrd to CEO. Byrd will provide strategic leadership and oversee operations, financial stewardship, innovation and long-term growth while ensuring service to subscribers, brokers, technology partners and consumers.
As vice president and chief technology officer, he was responsible for operations and advancement of the MLS. Prior to beginning his career in real estate technology, Byrd served nine years in the United States Air Force, including assignments at the Pentagon and service during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
As vice president and chief technology officer, he was responsible for operations and advancement of the MLS. Prior to beginning his career in real estate technology, Byrd served nine years in the United States Air Force, including assignments at the Pentagon and service during operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
National Housing Conference hires SVP of policy
The National Housing Conference announced that Nathan Shultz joined the organization as senior vice president of policy. Shultz brings nearly two decades of housing and mortgage finance experience, including senior positions at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority. He currently serves on the Virginia Housing Board of Commissioners.
PLACE taps Mike Ryan as EVP of business development
PLACE, a platform for real estate professionals and homeowners, appointed Mike Ryan as executive vice president of business development. In the role, Ryan will focus on strategic partnerships and the distribution of the company's technology and services. Ryan most recently served as chief partnership officer for Lower's real estate division and previously spent nearly 10 years at OJO, where he rose from director of business development to chief partnership officer.
dv01 names Jonathan Warrick head of structured finance data firm
Structured finance data and analytics platform dv01 named Jonathan Warrick as head of the company. Warrick most recently served as chief operating officer and was dv01's first hire as an engineer when the company was founded 12 years ago. Warrick succeeds Perry Rahbar, who is transitioning to a strategic advisor role at dv01's parent company, Fitch Solutions.
LERETA appoints Robert Lay as chief financial officer
LERETA, a provider of real estate tax and flood services for mortgage servicers, announced that Robert Lay has joined the company as chief financial officer. He will lead financial strategy, planning and analysis, operational performance and financial infrastructure.
Most recently, Lay served as chief financial officer and executive vice president at Selene Finance, a mortgage services platform backed by Pretium Partners, where he oversaw a $195 million portfolio of operating businesses spanning mortgage servicing, title and escrow, due diligence and insurance services.
Most recently, Lay served as chief financial officer and executive vice president at Selene Finance, a mortgage services platform backed by Pretium Partners, where he oversaw a $195 million portfolio of operating businesses spanning mortgage servicing, title and escrow, due diligence and insurance services.
Informative Research elevates chief technology officer
Informative Research, a provider of data-driven credit and verification solutions, promoted Ajay Trilokeshwaran to chief technology officer. He will oversee platform development, application engineering, infrastructure and cloud strategy as the company continues to scale.
Trilokeshwaran brings more than 20 years of enterprise technology experience, with expertise in platform modernization and large-scale system integrations. Since joining Informative Research, he has driven the development of the company's unified verification infrastructure, helping lenders manage verification costs while meeting investor guidelines.
Trilokeshwaran brings more than 20 years of enterprise technology experience, with expertise in platform modernization and large-scale system integrations. Since joining Informative Research, he has driven the development of the company's unified verification infrastructure, helping lenders manage verification costs while meeting investor guidelines.
PMSI dubs Morgan Klabenes senior vice president of sales
PMSI, a provider of residential mortgage investor reporting and accounting, announced that Morgan Klabenes has joined the company as senior vice president of sales. She was previously senior vice president of strategic solutions at LERETA and a solutions engineer for loan servicing at CoreLogic. Prior to CoreLogic, Klabenes managed client services for secondary trading and asset management at S&P Global.
Default Analytics welcomes John Levonick to board of directors
Default Analytics, a mortgage fraud detection firm, appointed John Levonick to its board of directors. He currently serves as general counsel at Maxex. Prior to that, he co-founded a tech-enabled mortgage due diligence firm and held executive leadership roles at Accenture, Wipro, Radian and Fiserv.
RiskExec taps Ahsan Shah as chief product and technology officer
RiskExec, a compliance reporting and analytics software platform, appointed Ahsan Shah as chief product and technology officer. The role is a new addition to the executive team, created to bring product strategy, engineering and artificial intelligence under single leadership as the company scales its platform.
Shah brings nearly two decades of enterprise software experience centered on data, analytics and applied AI. He joins from Billtrust, where he served as senior vice president of AI and analytics. Prior to Billtrust, Shah held technology and product leadership roles at Amadeus in the hospitality sector.
Shah brings nearly two decades of enterprise software experience centered on data, analytics and applied AI. He joins from Billtrust, where he served as senior vice president of AI and analytics. Prior to Billtrust, Shah held technology and product leadership roles at Amadeus in the hospitality sector.
Invesco Mortgage Capital adds Peter Graham to board
Invesco Mortgage Capital, a real estate investment trust focused on mortgage-backed securities, announced that Peter Graham has joined its board of directors. Graham is co-president and chief financial officer of Sallie Mae, where he is responsible for finance, treasury and capital markets activities, as well as equity and fixed-income investor relations.
He previously served as chief financial officer for PRA Group. Prior to that, Graham spent more than a decade at General Electric in various executive finance roles.
He previously served as chief financial officer for PRA Group. Prior to that, Graham spent more than a decade at General Electric in various executive finance roles.
Vice Capital Markets names EVP of strategic growth
Vice Capital Markets, a mortgage hedge advisory firm, announced the appointment of Terry Aikin as executive vice president, strategic growth. Aikin will focus on expanding the company's customer base, strengthening client relationships and identifying new market opportunities.
In his previous leadership roles at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Synergy Appraisal Services, Mortgage Cadence, Solidifi and United Guaranty Corporation, Aikin helped financial institutions navigate market challenges while driving sustainable growth.
Aikin is a 15-year instructor in the MBA School of Mortgage Banking, holds the MBA's Certified Mortgage Banker designation and was a 2025 recipient of the association's E. Michael Rosser Lifetime Achievement Award.
In his previous leadership roles at Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation, Synergy Appraisal Services, Mortgage Cadence, Solidifi and United Guaranty Corporation, Aikin helped financial institutions navigate market challenges while driving sustainable growth.
Aikin is a 15-year instructor in the MBA School of Mortgage Banking, holds the MBA's Certified Mortgage Banker designation and was a 2025 recipient of the association's E. Michael Rosser Lifetime Achievement Award.
Dream Finders Homes announces two new board members
Dream Finders also welcomed Steve Fischer to the board, where he will serve on the audit committee. Fischer brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience in banking, financial services and public accounting. He is currently president of The Pitney Bowes Bank and previously was president and CEO of TIAA Bank, as well as CFO of EverBank Financial Corp. Prior to joining EverBank in 2011, Fischer spent more than 18 years with Deloitte & Touche.
Green Brick Partners elevates Jed Dolson to co-CEO
Green Brick Partners, a homebuilder operating in Texas, Georgia and Florida, announced that Jed Dolson will be promoted from chief operating officer and president to co-CEO on Oct. 15. Dolson joined Green Brick Partners in 2013 as head of land acquisition and development and has served in increasing roles of responsibility, including president of the Texas region and chief operating officer. From 2022-24, he also served as president of Trophy Signature Homes, the company's largest builder.
Women's Council of REALTORS welcomes new CEO
Women's Council of REALTORS named Tripti Kasal as its CEO. She will lead efforts to prepare and support women for senior leadership roles in brokerages, associations, MLSs, technology companies and other real estate sectors. Kasal brings more than 25 years of residential real estate experience spanning brokerage operations, market expansion, recruiting and member engagement.
Most recently, she served as senior vice president of member engagement for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, where she led the U.S. membership services team. Prior to that, Kasal spent 10 years in senior leadership with Baird & Warner, most recently as senior vice president and regional manager for the Chicago metropolitan area.
Most recently, she served as senior vice president of member engagement for Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, where she led the U.S. membership services team. Prior to that, Kasal spent 10 years in senior leadership with Baird & Warner, most recently as senior vice president and regional manager for the Chicago metropolitan area.
VINICIO
HomeServices of America appoints VP of industry affairs
HomeServices of America, a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, appointed Gretchen Rosenberg as vice president of industry affairs and engagement. Rosenberg joins from Kentwood Real Estate, where she spent 28 years and served as president and CEO since 2018.
In her new role, she will represent HomeServices nationally, strengthen industry relationships and lead initiatives to enhance agent and consumer engagement across the company's network of operating companies. She will remain licensed with Kentwood Real Estate and serve as executive chairman during the transition.
In her new role, she will represent HomeServices nationally, strengthen industry relationships and lead initiatives to enhance agent and consumer engagement across the company's network of operating companies. She will remain licensed with Kentwood Real Estate and serve as executive chairman during the transition.
Polunsky Beitel Green adds to business development team
Polunsky Beitel Green, a transactional residential mortgage lending law firm, appointed Jeanine LaMay Kay to its business development team in the firm's Dallas office. Kay brings more than 20 years of experience across residential real estate, mortgage lending, title insurance and homebuilding.
Most recently at 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, a division of Frontdoor, Inc., she served as vice president of business development, where she more than tripled the company's Texas market share over five years, from less than 5% to more than 15%. Prior to joining 2-10, Kay worked for more than a decade at First American Financial Corporation in leadership roles spanning national accounts, sales operations, market intelligence and strategic initiatives.
Most recently at 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty, a division of Frontdoor, Inc., she served as vice president of business development, where she more than tripled the company's Texas market share over five years, from less than 5% to more than 15%. Prior to joining 2-10, Kay worked for more than a decade at First American Financial Corporation in leadership roles spanning national accounts, sales operations, market intelligence and strategic initiatives.
Sandler Law Group names Peter Idziak partner-in-charge
Sandler Law Group, a Dallas-based provider of legal and support services in residential mortgage lending transactions, announced Peter Idziak has joined the firm as partner-in-charge. He will lead the firm's day-to-day legal practice and residential mortgage closing, document preparation and compliance operations, while spearheading efforts to enhance client service delivery through technology and artificial intelligence solutions. Idziak brings nearly two decades of experience in residential mortgage lending.
Corinthian Title finds new president
Corinthian Title Company announced that David Seekins joined as president, following Michael Godwin retirement after nearly 18 years with the company. Seekins brings more than 30 years of experience in the title, escrow and real estate services industry, having led operations across California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah.
Godwin joined Corinthian as chief operating officer in 2008 before becoming president. He began his career in 1986 with Safeco Title Insurance Company, which was later acquired by Chicago Title & Trust.
Godwin joined Corinthian as chief operating officer in 2008 before becoming president. He began his career in 1986 with Safeco Title Insurance Company, which was later acquired by Chicago Title & Trust.
Covered taps Brad Vasto as EVP sales and servicing
Covered, a digital insurance agency built for mortgage institutions, appointed Brad Vasto as an executive vice president to lead the servicing side of the company's sales organization.
Vasto brings more than 30 years of experience in mortgage technology sales and spent nearly two decades at Black Knight, where, as senior vice president and managing director of business development, he led sales for the firm's servicing technologies. Following Black Knight's acquisition by Intercontinental Exchange, he served as managing director at ICE Mortgage Technology before joining compliance-automation provider Asurity as senior vice president of sales, and most recently as chief revenue officer at Dark Matter Technologies.
Vasto brings more than 30 years of experience in mortgage technology sales and spent nearly two decades at Black Knight, where, as senior vice president and managing director of business development, he led sales for the firm's servicing technologies. Following Black Knight's acquisition by Intercontinental Exchange, he served as managing director at ICE Mortgage Technology before joining compliance-automation provider Asurity as senior vice president of sales, and most recently as chief revenue officer at Dark Matter Technologies.
Westcor Land Title appoints New England regional counsel
Westcor Land Title Insurance Company announced Lisa Vesperman Still as vice president, New England regional counsel. Vesperman Still brings more than 30 years of experience in real estate law, title insurance, underwriting, settlement services, agent education and industry leadership. She joins from Williston Financial Group National Title Insurance Company, where she served as vice president, senior New England regional counsel and Massachusetts state counsel.
