Paragon Hires Industry Vet as COO

Mortgage industry veteran Joseph P. Bryant has been hired as chief operating officer of Paragon Financial Corp., a residential mortgage lender based in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.Over the past 20 years, Mr. Bryant has served as president or in other executive posts with the mortgage subsidiaries of such companies as GE Capital, Prudential Insurance Co. of America, Travelers, Long Island Savings Bank, and Roslyn Savings Bank, Paragon said. He was also a principal in a privately held mortgage banking company, served on the board of directors of American Home Mortgage Holdings, and was a member of the board of governors of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America. "His extensive personal relationships and incredibly diverse mortgage industry experience greatly enhance our industry credibility, and he's exactly who we need to thoroughly evaluate acquisition opportunities for long-term stability and profitability," said Steve Burleson, Paragon's chief executive officer.