Tag Archives: Management and Career Moves

Matthew Weber and Jonathan Louie Appointed to KROST’s Principal in Development Program

Matthew Weber and Jonathan Louie Appointed to KROST's Principal in Development ProgramLOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Los Angeles-based CPA firm, KROST CPAs & Consultants, appoints Matthew Weber, CPA, MAcc, and Jonathan Louie, CPA, MST, to join KROST's Principal in Development (PID) program.

In the PID program, Matthew and Jonathan will join leadership trainings to prepare for the partner path, as well as attend partner meetings to gain insight into the role. They will set individual goals that they will work on to achieve over the course of the next year or two. During this time, Matthew and Jonathan will refine their skills and develop their knowledge in their field of expertise.

Matthew has been with KROST since July 2015 and based in our Woodland Hills office. Matthew's areas of expertise include federal and multi-state tax compliance and consulting for individuals, corporations, and partnerships. He is the leader of the firm's financial services team and serves a variety of clients, including hedge funds, private equity, venture capitalists, money managers, and traders. He also produces articles on the financial services sector with topics that range from IRS updates to complex tax strategies.

"Matt is a natural leader. As the Chair of KROST's financial services industry niche, Matt focuses on management companies and their investment vehicles to address issues and opportunities specific to the industry. Because of his dedication to his field of work, Matt has contributed greatly to the growth of our firm," said Lou Guerrero, Principal.

Jonathan is the leader of KROST's real estate industry group and has been with the firm since 2014. He is based at our headquarters location in Pasadena, CA and is an expert in dealing with the complexities of 1031 exchanges and cost segregation and has written articles, spoken at real estate conferences, and given webinars on the subject matter. Jonathan specializes in providing federal and multi-state tax compliance and consulting services to high-net-worth real estate brokers, developers, property managers, attorneys, investors, syndicators, and their partnerships and corporations. He also has expertise in and services clients in the restaurant, medical, and entertainment industries. With over 15 years of experience in public accounting, Jon has made great strides in our firm and really put his expertise out there within the tax industry.

"Jon has always been actively involved within our firm and community. Not only is he a team player in the tax department, but he is also a core member of our Real Estate Industry Group. I'm proud to have Jon as an integral part of the team. I want to congratulate Jon on his outstanding contribution to his department and the firm," said Jason Melillo, CEO of KROST.

We are happy that they are taking part in the PID program and can't wait to see them grow even more. We are excited for their future achievements and would love to see what more they can bring to the firm.

Learn more about our Financial Services " https://www.krostcpas.com/industries/financial-services-sector

Learn more about our Tax Services " https://www.krostcpas.com/services/tax-services

For more information, please contact us: https://www.krostcpas.com/contact

About KROST

Established in 1939 in Pasadena, California, KROST, is a full-service Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm serving clients across various industries. Their focus is on recognizing opportunities and creating value for clients by equipping them with the tools to make better business and financial decisions for the future. As trusted advisors, clients depend on KROST to provide timely information, innovative solutions, and result-driven teamwork to ensure success. Along with providing traditional services, such as Tax, Accounting, Assurance & Advisory, KROST also provides special services, including Client Accounting Services (CAS), Mergers & Acquisitions, Wealth Management, Tax Specialty Services, and KROST Business Intelligence (KBI). For more information about KROST, please visit our website.

Los Angeles-based CPA firm, KROST CPAs & Consultants, appoints Matthew Weber, CPA, MAcc, and Jonathan Louie, CPA, MST, to join KROST's Principal in Development (PID) program.

Related link: https://www.krostcpas.com/

E3 Association Announces Changes in Staff with Newer Versions of the E3 Brands

BOCA RATON, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- E3 Association, a purveyor of online and offline hybrid membership programs, announced additions and changes in staff and new innovative versions of their divisional brands today.

Brand Consolidation

For some time, the E3 Board of Directors and the team have been planning the consolidation of several brands into a single platform. All the off-roading brands (overland and offroad) will be merged into a single platform, giving members more access to unique content, events, and product deals. Including future, side-by-side, motorsports, and more, 10Xing members experience for the same price, which will include more experts and more content contributors.

E3 has recently signed agreements with multiple billion-dollar and multi-million-dollar companies, with more on the horizon in the near term.

"These strategic partners and joint ventures will bring unprecedented horsepower to the E3 brands and their customers. We have now been aligned with very close strategic partners to bring to our customers a new level of products, services, retail products, events, parks, experiences, publications, media, and more," said CEO Brian Johnson. "Therefore, we must evaluate all activities from brands and partners to ensure cohesiveness and strategic alignment."

E3 has worked directly with one of the most significant underwriters to bring an Overlanding, Offroading, and RVing roadside assistance program and extended warranty program specifically built for the industry and its members.

"We at Ignition Dealer Services are proud and excited to be part of the E3 Brands and look forward to a long prosperous future together. Not many companies bring the level of quality and excitement as E3 Does. The following years of plans and growth will take the industry by storm," said Spencer Walters, CEO of Ignition Dealer Services.

Company Releases and Financial Information

E3 Association is on the verge of some significant announcements and releases over Q3 and Q4; however, E3 Association has dispelled the rumors of taking the company public and vows to keep the company privately held by founders and partners. It is fully funded by the founders and continues to grow. We are constantly adding new product partners, and more brands are on the horizon that will continue the growth of the brands and divisions. The company's revenue has more than doubled from fiscal 2021 to halfway through fiscal 2022.

Staff Additions and Changes

E3 is proud to announce, as of the first half of the fiscal year 2022, additions to the executive level staff:

* Joshua Volpe - Vice President of Marketing

* Ari Adler - Vice President of Member Experience

* Lou Desmond - Director of Public Relations

* Peter Vogle - Chief of Marketing Copy

* Mathew Lambright - Director of Photography

Brad Kowitz (E3 Overland Association) is no longer part of the E3 Association conglomerate or brands and partners. Brad brought incredible talent and the ability to create amazing videos and experiences for the overland community. E3 will miss him and his contributions. There is no doubt Brad will be able to continue his personal journey at an incredible new level for many years to come, and all of us at E3 wish him well and will continue to support him in any way possible.

About E3 Association:

E3 Association is a purveyor of online and offline hybrid membership programs, bringing unique experiences to the different outdoor lifestyles and sports vertices. E3 Association and its family of brands are here to empower, educate and entertain through each entity of E3 Association. Each of our brands offers the tools to help discover, create, and improve your passion and experience. To learn more, visit https://e3association.com/ today.

E3 Association, a purveyor of online and offline hybrid membership programs, announced additions and changes in staff and new innovative versions of their divisional brands today. E3 Association is a purveyor of online and offline hybrid membership programs, bringing unique experiences to the different outdoor lifestyles and sports vertices.

Related link: https://e3association.com/

Roger Guilian, Former Counsel and Risk Management Expert for ENR Top 100 Engineering Firm, Bolsters Greyling Division of EPIC

ALPHARETTA, Ga. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a national insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Roger Guilian, J.D., has joined the firm's Greyling division as Senior Vice President, Risk Management.

In his new role, Guilian will be responsible for risk avoidance and management consulting; developing legal and legislative initiatives that are critical to large design firms; as well as client service. He will be based in the Fairhope, Alabama area and will report to Gregg Bundschuh, Managing Principal, Greyling, a division of EPIC.

Guilian joins Greyling from an ENR Top-100 civil engineering firm where he served as General Counsel. Prior to going in-house, Guilian was an active litigator, trying dozens of insurance defense jury trials, and litigating hundreds of suits to favorable pre-trial resolutions. During his 18-year in-house experience, Guilian gained extensive experience and knowledge in matters affecting risk and legal exposure to engineers, their firms, and other design professionals, including contracts risk management, professional liability insurance, and defense of errors & omissions claims.

In addition to being a member of the State Bar of Alabama, Guilian is deeply engaged in industry and engineering associations. Guilian currently serves on the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Risk Management Committee, ACEC Business Resources & Education Committee, ACEC Management Practices Committee, and the American Bar Association's Construction Law Forum. Guilian served as a Trustee on the ACEC Business Insurance Trust from 2020-2022, was an active contributing member of the ACEC Legal Counsel Forum from 2007-2022 and chaired the Alabama State Bar Construction Law Section in 2018.

"We are excited for Roger to join Greyling. His experience as a trusted advisor to a large, sophisticated design firm and engineering professionals will deliver immediate and direct value to our clients. His commitment to client service and professional counsel aligns perfectly with our historic practices," said Bundschuh.

Learn more about Greyling, a division of EPIC, at: https://greyling.com

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has more than 2,800 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients. For more information on EPIC, visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a national insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Roger Guilian, J.D., has joined the firm's Greyling division as Senior Vice President, Risk Management.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Promontory MortgagePath adds John Gust as Director of Product Management

DANBURY, Conn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Promontory MortgagePath LLC, a leading provider of comprehensive digital mortgage and fulfillment solutions, announced industry veteran John Gust has joined the organization as the director of product management. In this role, Gust leads the product management and user experience teams and is responsible for product strategy, planning, execution, and rollout of Promontory MortgagePath's mortgage fulfillment services and end-to-end technology solution.

"Since Promontory MortgagePath's founding, our mission has been to fundamentally change the way lenders approach their businesses and simplify mortgage fulfillment outsourcing for community banks and financial institutions, particularly those in underserved communities," said Kevin Wheeler, managing director of product and engineering at Promontory MortgagePath. "John's depth of industry experience will be a tremendous asset to us as we continuously refine our tech offerings to align with market demands and enhance the mortgage operational support we provide our community banking clients."

Gust possesses more than 18 years of experience leading product management and digital transformation projects within the defense and mortgage industries. Prior to joining Promontory MortgagePath, he was the chief product owner of multifamily underwriting for Freddie Mac, where he was responsible for the product strategy, development, and delivery of all digital multifamily underwriting products. Gust also spent six years working at Fannie Mae, most recently as a senior product manager on the enterprise innovation team leading a public data exchange platform designed to drive new insights for the future of housing.

About Promontory MortgagePath LLC | NMLS ID 1532373

Promontory MortgagePath is a fast-growing team of passionate problem solvers on a mission to fundamentally change the way lenders approach their mortgage business. The company combines an intuitive, collaborative digital mortgage platform with modern, comprehensive fulfillment services, giving lenders the progressive technology and scalability required to profitably compete in today's rapidly changing residential mortgage market. Promontory MortgagePath's founder, former U.S. Comptroller of the Currency Gene Ludwig, is widely recognized as a visionary thinker on the critical issues confronting financial services, and his companies are renowned for helping community lenders resolve their most pressing challenges. To learn more, visit https://www.mortgagepath.com.

Promontory MortgagePath LLC, a leading provider of comprehensive digital mortgage and fulfillment solutions, announced industry veteran John Gust has joined the organization as the director of product management. In this role, Gust leads the product management and user experience teams and is responsible for product strategy, planning, execution, and rollout of Promontory MortgagePath's mortgage fulfillment services and end-to-end technology solution.

Related link: https://www.mortgagepath.com/

Modern Foot & Ankle Expands Foothold in Orlando with Two New Clinics, One New Podiatrist

ORLANDO, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Modern Foot & Ankle adds two new offices to its growing network of high tech, patient-centric healthcare facilities. These mark the eighth and ninth locations for the multi-regional podiatric group.

The Oviedo clinic, which opened in May, is located at 1000 Executive Dr. The address for the Lake Mary office is 2500 W. Lake Mary Blvd. It opens today.

Both locations feature Modern Foot & Ankle's signature patient experience, advanced in-house diagnostic equipment, and select evening hours.

Until recently, Jacob Huffman, DPM, has been the Oviedo office's sole provider. But starting this week, a new podiatric surgeon joins the team.

Tamara Nemeroff, DPM, a highly-skilled physician who specializes in sports medicine, reconstructive foot and ankle surgery, trauma, and diabetic limb salvage, will launch the opening of the Lake Mary clinic. She will also rotate between seeing patients at the Oviedo and Casselberry offices.

"It's exciting to be a part of an organization where I can have a real impact on the community," said Dr. Nemeroff. "Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to help people live healthier, happier lives, regardless of their circumstances. Now I have a great platform to accomplish that."

Dr. Nemeroff comes to Modern Foot & Ankle from JFK Medical Center in Atlantis, Fla., where she completed her postdoctoral training. Having earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Central Florida, she says she always knew she would one day return to the city she calls her second home.

"The people of Orlando are vibrant, diverse, and progressive," said Dr. Nemeroff. "I wanted to serve the area because it has always felt like a home-away-from-home, and I have a network of people I genuinely care about here."

Central Florida's year round sunshine creates an ideal environment for physical fitness-and athletic injuries. As a former track star and current marathon-runner, Dr. Nemeroff can empathize with the overuse injuries she often treats.

"My greatest strengths are my compassion and tenacity, which coincides with the Modern Foot & Ankle ideology of big-city technology, small-town care," she said. "Backed by state-of-the-art resources, I can deliver a level of care to my patients that I wouldn't be able to match as a solo practitioner at a small practice."

Dr. Nemeroff is now accepting new patients and offering same-day appointments. Patients who would like to schedule a visit with her can book online at https://modernfootankle.com/book-appointment/ or call 1-844-MODERN9.

About Modern Foot & Ankle(r)

Through Big-City Technology. Small-Town Care.(r) Modern Foot & Ankle is reshaping the patient experience and curating a progressive model for podiatric healthcare. Our physicians provide comprehensive medical and surgical solutions for foot and ankle conditions in clinics across Central Florida. With 24/7 online booking and check-in, extended office hours, advanced on-site equipment, and cutting-edge treatment options, Modern Foot & Ankle serves patients efficiently, comfortably, and on their schedule.

For more information, visit https://modernfootankle.com/.

Modern Foot & Ankle adds two new offices to its growing network of high tech, patient-centric healthcare facilities. These mark the eighth and ninth locations for the multi-regional podiatric group. The Oviedo clinic, which opened in May, is located at 1000 Executive Dr. The address for the Lake Mary office is 2500 W. Lake Mary Blvd.

Related link: https://modernfootankle.com/

Klingenstein Fields Advisors Adds Senior Advisor to Its South Florida Team

NEW YORK, N.Y. /ScoopCloud/ -- Klingenstein Fields Advisors (KF Advisors) welcomes Michael S. Schiff, J.D., AEP, TEP, as a Managing Director based in the Boca Raton area. He will be joining John A. Pavela, CFA, Managing Director, who heads KF Advisors' south Florida team from its new offices located at 777 South Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach. Michael and John, along with the firm's New York-based professionals, will work with existing clients in south Florida and spearhead the firm's growth efforts in this key market.

These enhanced resources will enable KF Advisors to provide a comprehensive and bespoke range of wealth management, planning, and investment solutions, accompanied by high-touch personalized service.

"Michael will be an invaluable addition to the south Florida team," said John Pavela. "He is deeply rooted in the community and brings a wealth of experience in integrated wealth management and helping families navigate complex financial issues. His client-centric philosophy and hands-on approach align well with KF Advisors, and I look forward to working with him to expand our presence in south Florida."

Michael joins KF Advisors from Fiduciary Trust Company International, where he was responsible for business growth and relationship management for individuals, families, and philanthropic institutions, domestically and internationally. Prior to Fiduciary Trust, Michael held leadership roles in business development and relationship management with several other organizations, including Glenmede Trust, Amicorp Services, PNC Wealth Management, BNY Mellon, and US Trust. He began his financial services career at Prudential Securities. Prior to entering wealth management, Michael was in private practice as an attorney specializing in estate planning, family law, and complex commercial transactions.

"For over 30 years, KF Advisors has been providing customized wealth planning and investment management to help clients protect, preserve, and grow their wealth," said Michael Schiff. "I share KF Advisors' commitment to working closely with clients and their families to wisely and effectively manage their financial lives."

Michael earned his J.D. from the Cardozo School of Law and holds a B.A. in History with a minor in Business from the University at Albany, SUNY. He holds the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP) designation conferred by the National Association of Estate Planning Councils (NAEPC), is a Registered Trusts and Estates Practitioner (TEP), and a full member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Planning Practitioners (STEP). Michael is active in industry and community organizations, serving as President of the East Coast Estate Planning Council and Chair of STEP Gold Coast Florida. He is a founding member of the South Florida Chapter of the Exit Planning Exchange (XPX) and is on the Professional Advisors Committee of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County.

About Klingenstein Fields Advisors:

Klingenstein Fields Advisors represents two privately held independent Registered Investment Advisors managing approximately $4.0 billion in assets. The firm offers a full array of wealth, planning, and investment management to a broad array of individuals, families, and institutions.

More information: https://www.klingenstein.com/

Klingenstein Fields Advisors (KF Advisors) welcomes Michael S. Schiff, J.D., AEP, TEP, as a Managing Director based in the Boca Raton area. He will be joining John A. Pavela, CFA, Managing Director, who heads KF Advisors' south Florida team from its new offices located at 777 South Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach.

Related link: https://www.klingenstein.com/

EPIC Welcomes Kerry Connor – Joins as National Voluntary Benefits Practice Leader

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Kerry Connor has joined EPIC to lead its National Voluntary Benefits Practice. With over 20 years of experience in the voluntary benefits space, Connor will utilize her subject matter expertise to support EPIC account teams and clients with the design, funding, and delivery of the full spectrum of voluntary benefit offerings. She will be based in the Philadelphia area.

Early in her career, Connor's aspirations focused on the voluntary benefits area. Her first step was the ownership of an enrollment firm, which served the brokerage community and companies directly in the mid and large markets. The firm was sold after 15 years to a top 100 bank. Next, her expertise in this unique space was sought out by two leading cyber security companies where she served as top national director of sales at both. Most recently, while at Genomic Life, Connor partnered closely with consultants, enrollment firms, benefits administration providers and employers across all markets on the development and delivery of new and innovative genomic benefit programs.

"Kerry brings a great balance of direct sales experience as well as working collaboratively with the brokerage community. I have no doubt that her leadership will bring incredible value to our clients either directly or through their current EPIC advisors. Workforce changes have made customization of family benefits on an individual basis an essential service," commented Craig Hasday, President, National Employee Benefits Practice.

Connor holds a B.S. in Marketing from Drexel University.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail insurance brokerage, has more than 2,800 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to clients. EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S.

Learn more: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Kerry Connor has joined EPIC to lead its National Voluntary Benefits Practice.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Tim Rowe named Vineyard Manager at Domaine Carneros

NAPA, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- As harvest kicks off in Napa this week, Domaine Carneros Winery is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Rowe, seasoned viticultural expert with over a decade of impressive positions within the California wine industry, to the position of Vineyard Manager. Succeeding Alberto Zamora, who is retiring after a 40-year career in the wine industry, ten of which were spent transforming the vineyards at Domaine Carneros, Rowe states that his new position is a viticulturist's dream.

"With 400 acres in the Carneros AVA encompassing a diversity of clones and rootstocks, the estate vineyards are like a living laboratory," he notes. Rowe looks forward to working with the winemaking team to nuance the different clonal expressions in the wines. "The opportunity to manage six estate vineyards all within a few miles of the winery, which Alberto and the winery's dedicated team have cultivated with care and nurturing, is a labor of love and an incredible opportunity to go deep with my knowledge base."

During Zamora's tenure, he was instrumental in the acquisition of the Tula Vista (2012) and Las Amigas (2016) vineyards, and he also replanted 50% of the winery's vineyard holdings. Of retiring, he stated "I'm leaving the vineyards in a better, more sustainable place. I worked hard to achieve Napa Green, Fish Friendly Farming, and California Certified Sustainable Winegrowing certifications."

Rowe joins a team, under the leadership of CEO Remi Cohen, that is dedicated not only to sound environmental practices, but also to employee engagement and development. Of the new position, he shared that the dedicated vineyard team will allow him to nurture the career goals of the individuals who make up the crew. This aligns with the prevailing philosophy held by CEO Cohen and her management team which is to support, mentor, and cultivate from within the company. Commenting on Rowe's hire, she stated "We benefited so much from the contributions of Alberto over the past decade, and as we look ahead, Tim is the ideal fit to take us into the future, building on a superb foundation."

Prior to Domaine Carneros, Rowe, a native Kansan who graduated with an agricultural degree from the University of Missouri, worked with the vineyard management team run by Kirk Grace at the famed Stag's Leap Wine Cellars in the Napa Valley. Following that, he expanded his knowledge of California AVAs working for LVMH, focusing on the 2,000 acres of vineyards for the Domaine Chandon and Newton brands. Next, joining the innovative Monarch Tractor team as its tenth employee working to introduce the world's first electric self-driving tractor brought Rowe into the future of farming.

His well-rounded experience dovetails with the forward-thinking mentality of the team at Domaine Carneros. Of joining the team, he stated "I was always impressed by the iconic nature of this winery, and its reputation for producing among the best domestic sparkling wines preceded it. I look forward to taking the vineyards to the next level in quality and best practices."

ABOUT DOMAINE CARNEROS:

Founded in 1987, Domaine Carneros reflects the hallmark of its founder, Champagne Taittinger, in creating terroir-driven sparkling wine and preserving the quality tenets of the traditional method production. Located entirely within the Carneros AVA, between Napa and Sonoma counties, the six estate vineyards total approximately 400 acres with 125 acres planted to Chardonnay, 225 acres planted to Pinot Noir, with the remaining acres currently in development. The winery focuses on making ultra-premium Carneros sparkling wines and limited production Pinot Noirs.

Domaine Carneros' château has become a landmark and symbol of the region. The architecture and interior design were inspired by the 18th century Château de la Marquetterie, the historic Taittinger family residence in the Champagne region. Visitors to the chateau enjoy seated tastings of methode traditionelle sparkling wines and small-lot pinot noir in the elegant Jardin d'Hiver or on the broad terrace overlooking the rolling vineyards of Carneros. Domaine Carneros limited production wines are available onsite, via ecommerce, and are distributed nationally by Kobrand Corporation which, founded in 1944, remains one of the few family-owned wine and spirits companies in the United States.

The winery places a high value on preserving the environment and has taken on a vast array of environmental efforts. The roof of the pinot noir winery adjacent to the château hosts a solar array that was the largest on any winery in the world when it was installed and continues to be expanded with a state-of-the-art microgrid launching in 2022. The most recent award, one of many from federal, state and local government; was the California Green Medal for Domaine Carneros' demonstration of "Smart Business through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices."

Learn more at: https://www.domainecarneros.com/

As harvest kicks off in Napa this week, Domaine Carneros Winery is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Rowe, seasoned viticultural expert with over a decade of impressive positions within the California wine industry, to the position of Vineyard Manager. Succeeding Alberto Zamora, who is retiring after a 40-year career in the wine industry, ten of which were spent transforming the vineyards at Domaine Carneros, Rowe states that his new position is a viticulturist's dream.

Related link: https://www.domainecarneros.com/

Housing Finance Strategies Names Industry Leader Jeff Jaffee as Senior Advisor

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Housing Finance Strategies Founder & CEO Faith Schwartz today announced she has recruited industry veteran Jeff Jaffee to join her firm as a Senior Advisor focusing on fair lending and consumer protection compliance.

In naming Jaffee to this critical role, Schwartz said, "Our clients are committed to addressing the structural issues that have caused disparities in access to housing finance over many decades. Jeff's experience in Fair Lending, Community Reinvestment Act Compliance and Special Purpose Credit Programs offer transformative opportunities for our clients seeking to build compliant programs to reach all members of a lender's community."

Jeff brings more than 30 years' experience in fair lending, consumer protection, compliance and mortgage to Housing Finance Strategies. Most recently, Jeff led Consumer Protection and Fair Lending Compliance at Freddie Mac.

Prior to his role at Freddie Mac, Jeff served at Bank of the West where he headed CRA and Fair Lending. Previously, Jaffee was at Saxon Mortgage where he built an early fair servicing model. And Jeff spent 27 years at Citi where he had multiple roles including head of CRA and Fair Lending.

Of the new position, Jaffee said "I am very excited to be joining Faith's team and sharing my knowledge and skills with key mortgage industry participants seeking to build access to housing finance for all communities. As regulators focus on new tools such as Special Purpose Credit Programs, there are opportunities to leverage technology and expertise to develop programs to serve new homebuyers in diverse communities across the country."

Housing Finance Strategies was established by Faith Schwartz in 2016 as a professional services and advisory firm specializing in mortgage modernization, housing policy, compliance and legislative and regulatory affairs. Schwartz serves on a number of bank and fintech boards and has a lengthy record of hosting and moderating housing industry events. Schwartz has created and delivered national housing policy conferences with #HousingDC22 registration now open with the virtual event being streamed on September 27-28, 2022.

Media may contact:

Faith Schwartz, President,

https://www.housingfinancestrategies.com/

(202) 384-5887

RELATED LINKS:

https://housingfinancestrategies.com/housingdc22/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faithschwartz/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffjaffee/

Housing Finance Strategies Founder & CEO Faith Schwartz today announced she has recruited industry veteran Jeff Jaffee to join her firm as a Senior Advisor focusing on fair lending and consumer protection compliance.

Related link: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

EPIC Welcomes Jay Yarid – Adds to EPIC’s Employee Benefits Practice

DALLAS, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Jay Yarid has joined the firm as Principal within its Employee Benefits Practice.

In his new position with EPIC, Yarid will focus on business development and client management by providing employee benefits consulting and strategy, including plan design and implementation, cost analysis and helping clients fulfill long-term goals for their employees and businesses. He will be based in Dallas.

Yarid is a seasoned producer with consultant and carrier experience that includes working with Aetna, a CVS Health Company, as vice president of national accounts. Prior to this role, he served as a principal within Mercer's North America Growth Practice. Yarid has worked with clients ranging from Fortune 500 to middle market companies across a wide range of industries. His background includes expertise in health and welfare products with a focus on medical, pharmacy, international, and behavioral health in addition to other benefit solutions.

"We are thrilled to have Jay join our Texas Employee Benefits Team," commented Nancy Webster, Executive Managing Principal, Texas Employee Benefits Practice Leader. "He brings enthusiasm and energy into every opportunity while delivering strategic health and welfare solutions to his clients."

"Continuing our expansion in Texas, across the West Region and throughout all of EPIC is exciting and we are pleased to have someone with Jay's talents and expertise join our team," said JoBeth Wells, President, Texas Territory.

Yarid earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Southern Methodist University, and a ThM and PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. He currently serves on the board for the Texas Business Hall of Fame, and the Associate Board for the SMU Cox School of Business. He formerly served on the DallasHR Board, the second largest Society for Human Resource Management chapter in the U.S.

Jay Yarid

jay.yarid@epicbrokers.com

Phone: 214.395.3544

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail insurance brokerage, has more than 2,800 team members operating from more than eighty offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to clients. EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S.

Learn more about EPIC at: https://www.epicbrokers.com/ .

Media Contact:

Betsy Van Alstyne | Betsy.vanalstyne@epicbrokers.com

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Jay Yarid has joined the firm as Principal within its Employee Benefits Practice.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

KROST Announces Paren Knadjian as Principal of M&A and Capital Markets and Brad Pauley as Principal of Tax

LOS ANGELES, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Los Angeles-based CPA Firm, KROST CPAs and Consultants announced Paren Knadjian as Principal of M&A and Capital Markets and Brad Pauley as Principal of Tax. Knadjian has successfully completed over 200 M&A and Capital Markets transactions worth over $1 billion.

Having been at the firm since 2017, Paren's work has made a great impact on the firm. He has over 20 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions along with equity and debt financings. Paren and his team at KROST have assisted over 350 entities in procuring, managing, and obtaining forgiveness for more than half a billion dollars of PPP, EIDL, and Main Street Loans. He also acts as an outsourced CFO. Paren's talent at understanding client needs and his industry resulted in rapid professional growth at our firm.

"Paren has been instrumental at KROST, especially in developing the M&A practice at KROST into one of the most successful and respected in the industry. In addition, as the leader of the firm's technology industry niche, he has leveraged that expertise to help to make a significant impact in the growth of KROST clients. He is a talented speaker and frequently shares his knowledge through educational webinars relating to mergers and acquisitions and other aspects of capital markets," said Jason Melillo, CEO of KROST.

Brad Pauley has been with KROST since 2019 after merging in from Gaynor & Umanoff. He brings over 20 years of experience providing tax advice, projections, and compliance services to clients. His areas of expertise include high-net-worth individuals and their closely held businesses in the sports and entertainment space. Working with clients such as athletes, entertainers, professionals, and owners/operators of real estate including like-kind exchanges. Brad has been a tremendous contributor to the firm and helps his clients maintain their financial success.

"Brad spearheaded the sports and entertainment industry, working with current and former MLB, NBA, and NFL players. He handles everything from tax planning and preparation to multi-state/residence issues and has extensive real estate industry experience. Brad is truly a visionary in his industry. His attention to detail is immaculate and he is committed to providing the best client service," said Richard Umanoff, Principal.

Learn more about our new services " https://www.krostcpas.com/services

For more information about KROST, please visit https://www.krostcpas.com/

About KROST:

Established in 1939 in Pasadena, California, KROST, is a full-service Certified Public Accounting and Consulting firm serving clients across various industries. Their focus is recognizing opportunities and creating value for clients by equipping them with the tools to make better business and financial decisions for the future. As trusted advisors, clients depend on KROST to provide timely information, innovative solutions, and result-driven teamwork to ensure success.

Along with providing traditional services as Tax, Accounting, Assurance & Advisory, KROST provides special services including Client Accounting, Mergers & Acquisitions, Wealth Management, Tax Specialty Services and KROST Business Intelligence/Data Analytics.

Los Angeles-based CPA Firm, KROST CPAs and Consultants announced Paren Knadjian as Principal of M&A and Capital Markets and Brad Pauley as Principal of Tax. Knadjian has successfully completed over 200 M&A and Capital Markets transactions worth over $1 billion.

Related link: https://www.krostcpas.com/

EPIC Welcomes Natalia Greene, Esq.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a national insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Natalia Greene, Esq., has joined the firm's Lemme division as Senior Vice President, Risk Management.

In her new role, Natalia will be responsible for risk management services and thought leadership; claims management and advocacy; as well as client service. She will be based in the Los Angeles area and will report to John Wynn, Managing Principal, Lemme, a division of EPIC.

Natalia joins Lemme from a California-based law firm where she was a litigation partner. For over 20 years she has represented national and regional firms, as well as small professional firms and sole practitioners. In her practice, Natalia concentrated on business litigation with an emphasis in accountants' liability cases, including matters involving the SEC, the PCAOB and other administrative agencies.

In addition to being a member of the State Bar of California, Natalia is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and currently is a board member of the Association of Southern California Defense Counsel (ASCDC). She has been an active professional presenter, including as a panelist for the AICPA and ASCDC, a presenter at regional accounting firm trainings, and a guest speaker at USC's Gould School of Law.

"We are thrilled for Natalia to join the Lemme division of EPIC. Her experience as a trusted advisor to sophisticated accounting firms and professionals will deliver immediate and direct value to our clients. Her commitment to client service and professional counsel aligns perfectly with our historic practices," said Wynn.

Learn more about Lemme, a division of EPIC, at: https://lemme.com/

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has more than 2,800 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients. For more information on EPIC, visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a national insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Natalia Greene, Esq., has joined the firm's Lemme division as Senior Vice President, Risk Management.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Bill Gorab Takes Over Local Edward Jones Branch Office in Colorado Springs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. /ScoopCloud/ -- Financial Advisor Bill Gorab has been named to take over the local Edward Jones office located at 1230 Tenderfoot Hill Rd, Ste 350, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, the firm announced today. Gorab assumes the position of financial advisor from Doug Dirksen.

Bill has said he is enthusiastic about taking over the branch office. "I joined this firm because I was impressed with its commitment to individual investors. Now I'm looking forward to meeting with the individuals here to help them meet their financial goals utilizing my 25 years of financial services industry experience."

Jessica Marcisz, who has served as branch office administrator since 2017, says, "I am very excited about working with Bill and Kas. Together we will provide investors with unparalleled personal service."

Branch Office Administrator Kas Bowser remains in the branch office and will continue to help serve the Colorado Springs community.

Bill and his team can be reached at 719−576−9657.

You may also visit their website at: https://www.edwardjones.com/bill-gorab

ABOUT EDWARD JONES:
Edward Jones, a FORTUNE 500 firm, provides financial services in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm's nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $1.7 trillion in client assets under care. Edward Jones' purpose is to partner for a positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm's 50,000 associates and our branch presence in 68 percent of U.S. counties, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is https://www.edwardjones.com/ and its recruiting website is careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.

Financial Advisor Bill Gorab has been named to take over the local Edward Jones office located at 1230 Tenderfoot Hill Rd, Ste 350, Colorado Springs, CO 80906, the firm announced today. Gorab assumes the position of financial advisor from Doug Dirksen.

Related link: https://www.edwardjones.com/

Southwestern Investment Group Welcomes Gary Bonner as Chief Operating Officer

FRANKLIN, Tenn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Southwestern Investment Group, an independent wealth management company, today announced Gary Bonner has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. As an industry professional and serial entrepreneur, Gary brings more than 30 years of experience growing companies and leading cross-functional teams.

"We're delighted to have Gary join us during this pivotal time of growth for the firm," said Jeff Dobyns, President of Southwestern Investment Group. "Gary's professionalism, deep insight, and track record of success speaks for itself. We're excited to have him on board to help us continue our mission and to help steer and execute our strategic vision."

"Gary is an innovative, experienced, and professional operations executive who brings a wealth of experience to this critical role," said Matt Brinker, Manager Partner with Merchant Investment Management, a minority investor in Southwestern Investment Group. "His clear vision and deep understanding of the industry is well suited to the firm, and we're very excited to have him on board."

Previously, Gary was a founder and Chief Operating Officer of Avalon Advisors, a Houston-based RIA founded in 2001, where he oversaw its growth in AUM from $450 million with 10 employees to $9 billion in AUM and 72 employees serving 550 client families. While at Avalon, he was responsible for all technology, cybersecurity, operational, and administrative areas and has extensive experience in both compliance and finance.

"I couldn't be more honored to join such an esteemed organization as Southwestern Investment Group, said Bonner. "Jeff and his leadership team have done an outstanding job growing the firm and keeping a laser focus on delivering exceptional client service. The firm's commitment to its people, clients, business partners, and the broader community is embedded in the culture and is what sets the firm apart."

Gary is an active board and committee member within the RIA community, contributing to industry-related articles and serving as a panelist at industry conferences. He has also served in voluntary leadership roles with two Houston-based charities focused on children. Gary received his BA in Economics with a minor in Finance from Texas A&M University.

Southwestern Investment Group is a family of advisors that takes an integrated approach to wealth management and believes in a purpose bigger than itself. The company's core values serve as further proof that success can be achieved by cultivating a culture of appreciation. For more information about Southwestern Investment Group, visit swinvestmentgroup.com or call 615-861-6100.

About Southwestern Investment Group:

As of 3/31/2022, Southwestern Investment Group was established in 2002 as an independent practice and manages more than $5.8 billion in client assets. The advisors at Southwestern Investment Group are registered representatives with Raymond James Financial Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, which allows them to have the support of a large company while offering the personalized services of a smaller organization. Southwestern Investment Group uses sensible, sound, and conservative investment strategies and holistic services to enhance and help preserve your wealth. For more information, visit https://www.swinvestmentgroup.com/.

About Raymond James Financial Services:

As of 3/31/2022. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is a financial services firm supporting independent financial advisors nationwide. Since 1974, Raymond James Financial Services Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, has provided a wide range of investment and wealth planning related services through its affiliate, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Both broker/dealers are wholly owned subsidiaries of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF), a leading diversified financial services company with approximately 8,500 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada, and overseas. Total client assets are $1.26 trillion. Additional information is available at raymondjames.com.

Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA / SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Southwestern Investment Advisory Services, Inc., an independent registered investment adviser. Southwestern Investment Group is not a registered broker-dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Representatives may not be registered to offer securities and advisory services in all states.

Southwestern Investment Group, an independent wealth management company, today announced Gary Bonner has joined the firm as Chief Operating Officer. As an industry professional and serial entrepreneur, Gary brings more than 30 years of experience growing companies and leading cross-functional teams.

Related link: https://www.swinvestmentgroup.com/

Click n’ Close Promotes Daniel Forshey and Sady Mauldin to C-Suite

ADDISON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender serving consumers and mortgage originators through its wholesale and correspondent channels, is pleased to announce the company has promoted Daniel Forshey to Chief Operating Officer and Sady Mauldin to Chief Compliance Officer.

"With the change in company direction this year, we knew we needed an executive team that possessed the institutional knowledge and the industry expertise to help steward our transition," said Click n' Close Owner and CEO Jeff Bode. "Dan and Sady have been tremendous assets to our organization, making them the perfect choice to round out our C-suite as we enter our next chapter."

Mauldin is a seasoned attorney with more than 15 years of experience. She joined the organization in March 2021 as compliance counsel for the servicing division. As Chief Compliance Officer, Mauldin will manage compliance programs for all of Click n' Close's verticals. In addition, she will provide legal oversight of Click n' Close's regulatory compliance and quality control, internal audit, policies and procedures, change implementation, continuing education and vendor management.

Forshey holds more than 20 years of mortgage experience, with a background that includes retail and wholesale lending, secondary markets, collateral analysis and compliance. He joined the company in 2010 as a manager and direct endorsement underwriter, where he was responsible for managing processing, underwriting, sales and closing with a team of 18. As Chief Operating Officer, Forshey will be responsible for improving efficiency across Click n' Close's processes, products and systems to support the company's growth.

About Click 'n' Close, Inc.:

Click 'n' Close, Inc., formerly known as Mid America Mortgage, is a multi-state mortgage lender serving consumers and mortgage originators through its wholesale and correspondent channels and is also the nation's leading provider of Section 184 home loans for Native Americans. In operation since 1940, Click 'n' Close has thrived by retaining its entrepreneurial spirit and leading the market in innovation, including its adoption of eClosings and eNotes.

Combining this culture of innovation with a risk management mindset enables Click 'n' Close to deliver new products to market that address the challenges facing both borrowers and third-party originators (TPOs). These innovations include its USDA one-time close construction loans, Power Buyer bridge loan program, proprietary down payment assistance (DPA) program and reverse mortgage division. Its direct relationships with Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Ginnie Mae and private investors afford Click 'n' Close direct access to the capital markets, thus ensuring maximum liquidity for its product innovations. By servicing its loan programs in-house, Click 'n' Close provides its wholesale and correspondent partners with an additional level of certainty regarding loan salability and superior borrower service over the life of the loan.

Learn more at https://www.clicknclose.com/.

Click n' Close, a multi-state mortgage lender serving consumers and mortgage originators through its wholesale and correspondent channels, is pleased to announce the company has promoted Daniel Forshey to Chief Operating Officer and Sady Mauldin to Chief Compliance Officer.

Related link: https://www.clicknclose.com/

ACI Board of Trustees Appoints April Arnold as ACI Executive Director

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- The Board of Trustees of Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) (https://acifund.org) appointed April Arnold, CFRE, as ACI executive director, succeeding Mick Weltman, who will retire after leading the organization for nearly eight years. Arnold brings substantial experience as a leader and fundraiser in higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations. She begins her leadership role with ACI July 5.

Currently, Arnold is an independent consultant who has worked with organizations such as Kidsmatter, Naperville, Illinois, and Futures Fundamentals, Chicago.

Arnold, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, said she is honored to be selected as ACI's next executive director. "My passion has always been to support youth," she said. "As a first-generation college student, I understand what degree completion means not only for student success, but also for the success of the family. My own experience would have been quite different without encouragement and guidance from others. To me, the secret sauce of ACI is in what we can do to augment resources, provide connections, and foster opportunities to support the colleges and universities served."

Arnold's experience as a fundraiser was key in her selection as executive director, said Lyn Bulman, chair of the ACI Board of Trustees. "The breadth of her not-for-profit experience, and particularly her time in higher education, was also an attraction," she commented. "In addition to her previous roles, everyone who met April as part of the selection process felt that she would be a good fit with ACI's culture. I am confident that April Arnold will be a worthy successor and a strong ambassador for ACI's mission."

Arnold's previous work experience includes serving as operations director for Sounds Good Choir, NFP, Downers Grove, Illinois, from 2019 to 2022. In that role, she established procedures and operations for the startup organization that serves hundreds of older adults in the Chicago area through community-based choirs. Her success included annual fundraising campaigns that increased at least 9 percent each year.

In higher education roles, she was director of corporate and foundation relations at Northern Illinois University (NIU) from 2014 to 2018. At NIU, she developed new giving policies, raised $2.5 million towards scholarship and program support, and secured one of the largest seven-figure gifts to the foundation. From 2007 to 2013, Arnold worked at Elmhurst University, Elmhurst, Illinois, an ACI member, where she was director of institutional giving and served in other senior development roles. Among her achievements were generating more than $1 million in new gifts to support capital, endowed and annual initiatives, raising $1.7 million toward a department goal of $3 million, organizing a signature fundraising event that netted more than $300,000 annually and establishing corporate alumni gatherings to build engagement.

In addition, Arnold held senior-level development and marketing roles with several nonprofit organizations, including Elmhurst Art Museum; Museum Explorer, Inc., North Riverside, Illinois, where she was also co-founder; DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville; plus Arts Alliance Illinois, Classic Digital, Inc., and Chicago Symphony Orchestra, all in Chicago.

Arnold became a Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) in March 2020. She is also active in community service activities. In 2019, she was named Outstanding Volunteer for West Suburban Philanthropic Network, Wheaton. Since 2019, she has served on the DuPage Board of Directors for Metropolitan Family Services, Wheaton, and is development and stewardship chair. She previously served on the board for Family Shelter Service, Wheaton, and served on strategic planning committees for DuPage Convention and Visitor's Bureau, and DuPage Arts for All.

Arnold and her family reside in suburban Chicago.

About Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI):

ACI is a collaboration of 26 private, independent colleges and universities, representing more than 70,000 students. Established in 1952, ACI supports member colleges and universities by advancing independent liberal arts and sciences education and helping underserved students succeed in college, careers and life. The organization raises funds for scholarships, emergency financial aid and peer mentoring, and it provides member services such as professional development conferences, college-to-career seminars and other events.

Learn more: https://acifund.org/

The Board of Trustees of Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) appointed April Arnold, CFRE, as ACI executive director, succeeding Mick Weltman, who will retire after leading the organization for nearly eight years. Arnold brings substantial experience as a leader and fundraiser in higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations. She begins her leadership role with ACI July 5.

Related link: https://acifund.org

iEmergent appoints Megan Horn as Chief Marketing Officer

DES MOINES, Iowa /ScoopCloud/ -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced the appointment of Megan Horn as chief marketing officer (CMO). In this role, Horn will oversee marketing, public relations, brand management and customer experience for the growing company.

Prior to her appointment as CMO, Horn consulted with iEmergent through her own outfit, Megan Horn Digital. In this capacity, Horn was instrumental in developing iEmergent's website, brand messaging and digital strategy. Before her engagement with iEmergent, Horn was marketing director at Far Reach, iEmergent's technology development partner. Horn has also held positions at marketing and advertising agencies, where she acquired a diverse skill set including content strategy and development, social media management, graphic design and public relations.

"iEmergent is uniquely positioned to help mortgage lenders address a complex challenge - serving traditionally underserved, home-ready markets - by identifying current and future market opportunity with great accuracy down to the neighborhood level," Horn said. "My top priority is generating broader exposure for iEmergent and communicating the value proposition of Mortgage MarketSmart, an incredibly powerful tool for helping mortgage lenders identify gaps in sales coverage, expand into new markets and serve communities more equitably."

Horn holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Northern Iowa. She is an avid volunteer and community advocate, and in the past has donated both her time and marketing expertise to nonprofit organizations such as the Cedar Bend Humane Society and Cedar Valley United Way. Since 2018, Horn has been a board member of the CedarValley PrideFest.

About iEmergent:

Founded in 2000, iEmergent provides mortgage lending forecasts and analytics to the lending, housing and real estate industries. The company offers an extensive variety of forecast and market intelligence products, including Mortgage MarketSmart, a visualization tool that helps lenders quantify how mortgage markets will change. For more information, visit https://www.iemergent.com.

iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced the appointment of Megan Horn as chief marketing officer (CMO). In this role, Horn will oversee marketing, public relations, brand management and customer experience for the growing company.

Related link: https://www.iemergent.com

Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach Merge, Appoint Richard Harris as CEO

OWINGS MILLS, Md. /ScoopCloud/ -- Sales Boomerang, the mortgage industry's top-rated automated borrower intelligence and retention system, and Mortgage Coach, a platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive home loan presentations, today announced their merger and the appointment of SaaS executive Richard Harris as CEO.

Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach have been working toward the merger since LLR Partners' investment in the firms, which was announced in January.

Founded in 2009, Mortgage Coach is an award-winning platform that gives borrowers the confidence to make a home loan decision by providing educational presentations that model loan performance over time. Established in 2017, Sales Boomerang launched the first automated borrower intelligence system for mortgage lenders. Together, Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach will position lenders to reach borrowers with the right information at the right time, empowering borrowers to build wealth through homeownership by helping them select the best mortgage strategy for their unique housing needs.

"Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach are both impressive, mission-driven organizations that have earned tremendous brand equity in the mortgage realm through their expert grasp of the industry and proven ability to deliver substantive value to mortgage lenders and borrowers," said Harris. "I look forward to bringing the organizations together and leveraging my background in data, analytics and insights to help mortgage lenders better understand their borrowers and provide personalized service that helps them attain their homeownership and financial goals."

Prior to taking the helm of Mortgage Coach and Sales Boomerang, Harris was CEO at SparkPost, an email sending and optimization platform delivering 40% of the world's commercial email. He led that company through tremendous growth and oversaw its $600 million acquisition by omnichannel communication platform MessageBird. Before his tenure at SparkPost, Harris was group vice president at cloud technology company Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), where he led international operations of its Data Cloud business unit. He was previously CEO at consumer insights and digital ad personalization company AddThis, where he rapidly scaled the company and facilitated its acquisition by Oracle. Harris holds J.D. and MBA degrees from the University of Maryland.

Alex Kutsishin and Dave Savage, founders of Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach, will continue to actively nurture the company and its relationships in leadership roles.

"By bringing together the very best in database monitoring, market intelligence, automation, personalization and education, Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach deliver the short- and long-term financial results lenders crave," said Kutsishin. "We are united in our mission to provide borrowers with the right loan at the right time, and I am confident we will reach new heights under Richard's leadership."

"Combining the advice-based digital presentations of Mortgage Coach with the big data borrower intelligence of Sales Boomerang enables us to create unprecedented opportunities for consumers to achieve financial freedom faster and to help lenders and loan officers to close more loans in this rising interest rate marketplace," said Savage. "Together we have the expertise, the synergy and the platform to put game-changing tools in the hands of our lenders and loan officers."

About Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach:

Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach are trusted by more than 300 lenders, including brokers, independent mortgage companies, credit unions and banks to connect borrowers with the right loan at the right time.

Sales Boomerang transformed the relationship between mortgage lenders and borrowers with the introduction of the first automated borrower intelligence system in 2017. The company's intelligent alerts notify lenders as soon as a past customer or prospect is ready and credit-qualified for a loan. As the mortgage industry's #1 borrower retention tool, Sales Boomerang helps lenders build lasting borrower relationships that maximize lifetime customer value. To learn more, visit https://www.salesboomerang.com.

Mortgage Coach is an award-winning platform that empowers mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time. The company's side-by-side loan comparisons allow borrowers to make faster, more informed mortgage decisions while enabling lenders to consistently deliver an on-brand, consultative home financing experience that increases borrower pull-through, repeat business and referrals. To learn more, visit https://www.mortgagecoach.com.

Sales Boomerang, the mortgage industry's top-rated automated borrower intelligence and retention system, and Mortgage Coach, a platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive home loan presentations, today announced their merger and the appointment of SaaS executive Richard Harris as CEO.

Related link: https://www.salesboomerang.com/

EPIC Announces Strategic Hires in Northeast, Poises Firm for Regional Growth in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has hired a team of producers to support regional expansion in Pennsylvania.

Joining the firm as principals are Pamela Barbush, Brian Floyd, David Schlosberg, and John Shingara. The team will be responsible for business development in employee benefits, as well as property and casualty lines at EPIC.

With over 12 years of experience, Schlosberg focuses on business development, most recently as vice president at an independent brokerage firm. He completed his MBA in 2020 and holds the insurance designations of CPCU and CIC. Barbush specializes in group casualty and single parent captives. She has over 40 years of experience, dedicating the past 22 years exclusively to captive insurance with mid to large commercial clients with a focus on the construction industry.

Floyd and Shingara both bring a background in employee benefits consulting. Floyd concentrates on mid and large group markets and is a healthcare consortium and self-funded expert. He holds the designation of Advanced Charter Benefits. Shingara is a Certified Employee Benefits Specialist. His experience includes captives, self-insurance, and other risk financing techniques.

Len Scioscia, EPIC Northeast Region President, commented, "We are pleased to welcome Pamela, Brian, David, and John to EPIC in their new roles. The team, to be based near Harrisburg in central Pennsylvania, will contribute to our buildout in Pennsylvania. We currently have a Pittsburgh office and are excited to expand further across the state."

About EPIC Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants has more than 2,800 team members operating from more than eighty offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to EPIC clients. For more information on EPIC, visit: https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today it has hired a team of producers to support regional expansion in Pennsylvania.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

John J. Patterson Joins Vanbridge, EPIC’s Financial Services Division

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that John J. Patterson has joined the firm as Managing Principal, Head of Claims with Vanbridge, its Financial Services division.

In his role within Vanbridge, Patterson will be dedicated to managing transactional and executive liability claims from notice to resolution, as well as advising throughout the broking process with respect to structuring of coverage, legal implications of agreement language, policy wording and diligence matters. Patterson's most recent role was that of Senior Vice President, Head of U.S. Financial Lines Claims at a leading transactional risk MGU. He also served as senior claims counsel at two large insurance carriers, where he managed D&O, E&O, and transactional risk claims on behalf of private equity, hedge fund and venture capital policyholders.

Earlier in his career, Patterson was an attorney representing a leading insurance carrier in all phases of D&O, E&O, and financial institution claims and associated coverage litigation. He is currently admitted in New York and Connecticut. Patterson will be based out of Vanbridge's New York office.

"We are excited to offer John's expertise and professionalism to our clients as we work together through all aspects of their transactional risk and executive liability placements," said Greylen Mardy, Managing Principal and Transactional Risk leader.

About Vanbridge, an EPIC Company:

Vanbridge is an insurance intermediary and program management firm that provides products and services at the intersection of the insurance, private equity, and hedge fund industries. Vanbridge focuses on alternative asset management, corporate and individual high net worth clients, solving risk related issues utilizing insurance and alternative capital. Vanbridge's unique structuring and plan design techniques support various client objectives including cost reductions and enhancements to investment strategies that strengthen long-term financial performance. https://www.vanbridge.com/.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail insurance brokerage, has more than 2,600 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to clients. EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S. https://www.epicbrokers.com/.

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that John J. Patterson has joined the firm as Managing Principal, Head of Claims with Vanbridge, its Financial Services division.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Housing Finance Strategies Hires Stuart Quinn as Managing Director

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Housing Finance Strategies Founder & CEO Faith Schwartz today announced she has recruited mortgage consulting and product manager Stuart Quinn to join her firm as Managing Director.

"To accommodate the growth trajectory in our advisory services practice, we are pleased to welcome Stuart Quinn to our leadership team," said Schwartz. "Stuart brings a wealth of housing knowledge, mortgage modernization expertise and fintech insight to our practice."

Quinn, who has worked in housing finance, mortgage policy and technology in the private sector for over 10 years, joins Housing Finance Strategies from Accenture where he served as Product Manager focusing on the evaluation and integration of new mortgage fintech solutions, GSE technology integrations and end-user and/or borrower experience into broader enterprise IT infrastructure and LOS systems.

Prior to Accenture, Stuart worked in Advisory Services as Policy Research and Strategy Analyst for property data and analytics provider CoreLogic producing data-driven policy impact analysis and reporting solutions for mortgage market participants.

"I am pleased to rejoin forces with Faith and look forward to adding to the outstanding business she has built at Housing Finance Strategies. Given our work together previously at HOPE NOW and CoreLogic, this move represents a logical career step forward where I can leverage my skills and expertise in mortgage fintech and innovation for the benefit of the industry," said Quinn.

About Housing Finance Strategies:

Housing Finance Strategies was established by Faith Schwartz in 2016 as a professional services and advisory firm specializing in mortgage modernization, housing policy and legislative and regulatory affairs. Schwartz serves on a number of bank and fintech boards and has a lengthy record of hosting and moderating housing industry events. Since 2019, Schwartz has created and delivered national housing policy conferences with #HousingDC22 coming September 27-28, 2022.

More information:

https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

https://housingfinancestrategies.com/housingdc22/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/faithschwartz/

Housing Finance Strategies Founder & CEO Faith Schwartz today announced she has recruited mortgage consulting and product manager Stuart Quinn to join her firm as Managing Director.

Related link: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

Graham V. Bayly Joins EPIC’s Midwest Region and Financial Services Division

CHICAGO, Ill. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Graham V. Bayly has joined the firm as a managing principal and Midwest Private Equity practice leader in its Financial Services division.

Bayly joins EPIC with nearly 20 years of industry experience in the Private Equity and M&A space. During his career, he has represented business owners, management teams, and private equity firms. He has also provided transaction-facilitating insurance products for investment bankers, lawyers, and deal professionals. Bayly has a proven ability to bridge the M&A space, with considerable experience conducting pre-closing insurance due diligence, structuring transactional insurance products, developing post-closing insurance programs and budgets, and supporting post-closing representation of businesses. Bayly will be based in Chicago and New York while working with all of EPIC's national teams in the financial services space.

"The breadth of Graham's knowledge and his experience working in the Private Equity and M&A space makes him a tremendous asset to EPIC and will create value for our clients on day one. He has a proven track record of establishing long-term client relationships and the diversity of his experience is highly complementary to our existing team," said Adam Meyerowitz, President, Midwest and Southeast Region.

"Graham is joining us at an exciting time, and we're looking forward to drawing upon his significant expertise in the private equity space as we expand our footprint in the Midwest market and beyond. I expect him to play an integral role in the development of our growth strategy going forward," said Philip V. Moyles, Jr., President, Financial Services and Chief Growth Officer.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail insurance brokerage, has more than 3,100 team members operating from offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to clients. EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S.

More information: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Graham V. Bayly has joined the firm as a managing principal and Midwest Private Equity practice leader in its Financial Services division.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

iEmergent appoints Chris Richey as Chief Analytics Officer

DES MOINES, Iowa /ScoopCloud/ -- iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced the appointment of Chris Richey as chief analytics officer. In this role, Richey will oversee and expand upon iEmergent's data analytics capabilities, which help mortgage lenders identify gaps in sales coverage and effectively expand into new markets.

Richey, who first joined iEmergent in a consulting capacity in 2016, has been instrumental in building out the data and information technology (IT) frameworks supporting the firm's external Mortgage MarketSmart and internal business intelligence (BI) platforms. With this infrastructure in place, Richey will next turn his attention to enhancing the analytics engine and statistical models that power iEmergent's market-leading data insights.

"Chris' combination of mathematics, economics and IT expertise is quite rare, but what's even more exceptional is his commitment to applying those skills to affect positive change," said iEmergent CEO Laird Nossuli. "For years, iEmergent's data has pointed to diversity in lending as not only the right thing to do for our communities, but also a business imperative for lenders. Chris will play an integral role in advancing our ability to put this imperative into context for individual lenders so they can turn insight into action and measurable growth."

Before joining iEmergent, Richey was a data analyst in the IT business unit of a Fortune 100 government contractor. His work synthesizing and analyzing some of the largest healthcare databases in the United States helped guide Medicare's implementation of regulatory programs designed to improve the quality and lower the cost of healthcare for millions of Americans. Later, during the COVID pandemic, Richey was part of a task force that tracked nursing home outbreaks of COVID-19 and applied data sourced from multiple agencies to coordinate the delivery of training, supplies and vaccinations.

Earlier in his career, Richey worked as a quantitative analyst within the financing arm of a Fortune 100 equipment manufacturer, where he built statistical models for managing credit risk, conducted regulatory compliance stress testing and leveraged his background in IT to create a unified framework for consolidating and reporting data across the global organization.

Richey is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in economics and math and a master's degree in economics.

About iEmergent:

Founded in 2000, iEmergent provides mortgage lending forecasts and analytics to the lending, housing and real estate industries. The company offers an extensive variety of forecast and market intelligence products, including Mortgage MarketSmart, a visualization tool that helps lenders quantify how mortgage markets will change. For more information, visit https://www.iemergent.com.

Twitter: @iemergent #housingfinance

iEmergent, a forecasting and advisory services firm for the financial services, mortgage and real estate industries, today announced the appointment of Chris Richey as chief analytics officer. In this role, Richey will oversee and expand upon iEmergent's data analytics capabilities, which help mortgage lenders identify gaps in sales coverage and effectively expand into new markets.

Related link: https://www.iemergent.com

Cheryl Messner joins Sales Boomerang to oversee customer experience department

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Sales Boomerang, the mortgage industry's top-rated automated borrower intelligence and retention system, today announced that it has tapped Cheryl Messner to manage its customer experience departments. In her new role, Messner will define strategies to enhance Sales Boomerang's customer experience, engagement, success and operations as well as help the company build upon its growth from a fintech startup to the industry's leading borrower intelligence solution.

Messner joins Sales Boomerang following 15 years at Optimal Blue, where she swiftly worked her way up the ladder. She began working in the customer service department as an Account Manager and later transitioned to the product management department, where she advanced to a director role in under five years. Prior to her tenure at Optimal Blue, Messner worked for three years in sales at GE-owned WMC Mortgage.

Messner will use her breadth of experience to inform her new role as EVP, Customer Success for Sales Boomerang and Mortgage Coach, which recently announced an enhanced integration to become the mortgage industry's first borrower conversion and retention platform. She will expand the two organizations' shared market influence by identifying new opportunities for growth, streamlining operations and developing a client services structure that deepens customer relationships.

"Sales Boomerang's unique value - helping lenders help more borrowers reach their financial goals more quickly - is incredibly attractive to me as someone who has spent my entire career in mortgage," said Messner. "I look forward to supporting Sales Boomerang users by giving them the tools to track consumers' financial data and encourage financial wellness by layering in interactive loan comparisons powered by Mortgage Coach."

"With ample experience in sales, customer service and product management, Messner is the ideal candidate to take our rapidly growing organization to the next level," said Sales Boomerang CEO Alex Kutsishin. "Her customer-first, digital vision will prove vital to increasing adoption and helping Sales Boomerang customers maximize their success as we continue to expand our partnership with Mortgage Coach."

About Sales Boomerang:

Sales Boomerang transformed the relationship between mortgage lenders and borrowers with the introduction of the first automated borrower intelligence system in 2017. The company's intelligent alerts notify lenders as soon as a past customer or prospect is ready and credit-qualified for a loan. As the mortgage industry's #1 borrower retention tool, Sales Boomerang is trusted by more than 150 lenders - including brokers, independent mortgage companies, credit unions and banks - to help build lasting borrower relationships that maximize lifetime customer value. To date, Sales Boomerang alerts have enabled lenders to close more than $150 billion in additional loan volume that would have otherwise been overlooked and achieve customer retention rates that outperform industry norms by an average of 3-5X. To learn more about Sales Boomerang and its No Borrower Left Behind(tm) ethos, visit https://www.salesboomerang.com.

@SalesBoomerang

Sales Boomerang, the mortgage industry's top-rated automated borrower intelligence and retention system, today announced that it has tapped Cheryl Messner to manage its customer experience departments. In her new role, Messner will define strategies to enhance Sales Boomerang's customer experience, engagement, success and operations as well as help the company build upon its growth from a fintech startup to the industry's leading borrower intelligence solution.

Related link: https://www.salesboomerang.com/

Southwestern Investment Group Names Brandon Kew as Vice President

FRANKLIN, Tenn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Southwestern Investment Group, an independent wealth management company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Brandon Kew of the Kew Wealth Team to Vice President.

As a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, Brandon has also received his Series 7, Series 66, and Nebraska Insurance, Annuity, Long-Term Care, and Disability Licenses, and is an independent, registered representative with Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC. His promotion to Vice President of Southwestern Investment Group is a testament to his strong work ethic, as he is always seeking to provide enhanced value to his clients.

"We're so excited for Brandon on a well-deserved promotion," said Jeff Dobyns, President of Southwestern Investment Group. "Brandon and his team help set the standard for the level of care Southwestern Investment Group provides to our clients. We continue to expect wonderful things from Brandon, and we take great pride in knowing that his clients are being well served."

Brandon graduated with honors from the University of Northern Iowa, earning a degree in finance and economics, with a certificate in entrepreneurship. After graduation, Brandon spent several years working with university students, training them on principles for success in life through a summer internship program.

Since its beginning in 2002, Southwestern Investment Group's family of advisors has come together to provide clients with a service level that is both personal and intimate, while offering the products of a large-scale organization, thanks to its relationship with broker/dealer Raymond James Financial Services. To learn more, visit the company's website at https://www.swinvestmentgroup.com/.

The Kew Wealth Team has two convenient locations in Iowa and Nebraska:

114 W Main St.

Clarinda, IA 51632

712-542-6334

and:

15808 West Dodge Road, Suite 103

Omaha, NE 68118

402-715-4278

About Southwestern Investment Group:

As of 3/31/2022. Southwestern Investment Group was established in 2002 as an independent practice and manages more than $5.8 billion in client assets. The advisors at Southwestern Investment Group are registered representatives with Raymond James Financial Services, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raymond James Financial, which allows them to have the support of a large company while offering the personalized services of a small organization.

Southwestern Investment Group uses sensible, sound, and conservative investment strategies and holistic services to enhance and help preserve your wealth. For more information, visit https://www.swinvestmentgroup.com/.

About Raymond James Financial Services:

As of 3/31/2022. Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. is a financial services firm supporting independent financial advisors nationwide. Since 1974, Raymond James Financial Services Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, has provided a wide range of investment and wealth planning related services through its affiliate, Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. Both broker/dealers are wholly owned subsidiaries of Raymond James Financial, Inc. (NYSE-RJF) a leading diversified financial services company with approximately 8,500 financial advisors throughout the United States, Canada and overseas. Total client assets are $1.26 trillion. Additional information is available at https://www.raymondjames.com/.

Legal Disclaimer:

Investment advisory services offered through Southwestern Investment Advisory Services, Inc., an independent registered investment adviser. Southwestern Investment Group and Kew Wealth Team are not registered broker/dealers and are independent of Raymond James Financial Services. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Representatives may not be registered to offer securities and advisory services in all states.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, CFP® (with plaque design) and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements

Southwestern Investment Group, an independent wealth management company, is pleased to announce the promotion of Brandon Kew of the Kew Wealth Team to Vice President. His promotion to Vice President of Southwestern Investment Group is a testament to his strong work ethic, as he is always seeking to provide enhanced value to his clients.

Related link: https://www.swinvestmentgroup.com/

XG names Yvonne Robinson Chief Operations Officer

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- California-based XG announced today the appointment of Yvonne Robinson as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she will guide the company's operations and growth, while overseeing the day-to-day management.

"Yvonne's strong record of leadership, execution and operational excellence makes her the ideal candidate to lead the next chapter of growth for XG and provide a valued experience to our partners," said John Clarey, CEO of XG.

"I'm humbled and honored to continue leading a team of effectively talented individuals in the wireless industry who are dedicated to helping our many wireless partners," said Yvonne. "I am excited to continue growing the company, to provide more value to our customers in their efforts of building a strong 5G environment across the communities."

Yvonne joined XG in 2021 as VP of Operations leading a talented and dedicated team. Her 20+ year career, within the wireless industry spans to real estate and site development, end-to-end site acquisition, leasing, zoning and construction processes.

About XG:

XG is a premier partner for Wireless Carriers nationwide, delivering wireless infrastructure.

XG establishes carrier friendly processes for operators to

deploy new builds, mods, small cells and generators by reconciling carrier priorities, policy requirements, regulatory compliance and permitting. We utilize skilled in-house site development, engineering, and construction resources, while providing real-time updates and incorporating the latest technology advancements.

For more information, please visit: https://www.xgcommunities.com/.

California-based XG announced today the appointment of Yvonne Robinson as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, she will guide the company's operations and growth, while overseeing the day-to-day management.

Related link: https://www.xgcommunities.com/

Gary D. McKiddy Assumes Chief Financial Officer Role at Mid America Mortgage

ADDISON, Texas /ScoopCloud/ -- Mid America Mortgage, Inc. (Mid America) announced today that Gary D. McKiddy has been promoted from Chief Risk Officer to Chief Financial Officer. In this new role, McKiddy will manage financial operations and strategy as Mid America Mortgage continues to refine its operations and drive business growth through recent product line additions, such as its correspondent down payment assistance (DPA) program.

"With the current economic factors at play, including inflation and rising interest rates, having a seasoned industry veteran like Gary managing our financial well-being helps ensure Mid America can continue assisting borrowers in addressing the challenges of today's home buying market," said Mid America Owner and CEO Jeff Bode. "Gary's industry experience and previous history with Mid America have enabled him to seamlessly integrate into our organization, and we welcome his financial stewardship and expertise as we chart our course for the future."

McKiddy possesses nearly 40 years of experience in corporate financial management across multiple verticals. Before joining Mid America, McKiddy was the CFO at NTFN, Inc, where he was responsible for managing finance, accounting, compliance, servicing, quality control, human resources and IT departments. Over his 19-year tenure at NTFN, he negotiated and maintained $200 million warehouse line commitments with multiple financial institutions, reduced financial closing timelines by 50% and converted $10 million in non-performing assets into cash. McKiddy has held various financial roles at Ascent Energy, Inc., the pre-2003 iteration of Mid America Mortgage, Atlantic Richfield Co. and Arco Corporate. He is a certified public accountant (CPA) and has a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University.

"Mid America is a forward-thinking lender with a variety of loan products to truly help today's borrowers. In my short tenure as Chief Risk Officer, it was inspiring to see the unique ways Mid America creates mortgage solutions for all parties involved," McKiddy said. "I'm honored to accept the position of Chief Financial Officer and look forward to continuing to add value from a business management perspective and further enabling the company to continue serving homebuyers nationwide."

About Mid America Mortgage, Inc.:

Mid America Mortgage, Inc., Addison, Texas, is a multi-state, full-service mortgage lender serving consumers and mortgage originators through its retail, wholesale and correspondent channels. We offer a wide range of residential home loan programs to meet the needs of most home buyers and homeowners and are also the nation's leading provider of Section 184 home loans for Native Americans. Learn more at https://www.midamericamortgage.com/.

In operation since 1940, Mid America has thrived by retaining its entrepreneurial spirit and leading the market in innovation, including its adoption of eClosings eNotes. Click n' Close is Mid America's ultra-secure, digital mortgage approval and closing process that gets home buyers from application to closing within two weeks. With just a few clicks at closing, Click n' Close puts keys in the home buyer's hand in 15 minutes or less. Apply online at https://www.midamericamortgage.com/click-n-close/#cnc.

Frequently named a top mortgage employer/workplace by industry trade magazines such as Mortgage Professional America, MReport, National Mortgage News and National Mortgage Professional, Mid America is looking for tech-savvy, service-oriented mortgage professionals to join our growing team. We are dedicated to providing our employees with industry-leading tools and technology to deliver a great package of competitive pricing, programs and knowledgeable service. Want to join our team? Visit https://www.midamericamortgage.com/careers/.

Mid America Mortgage, Inc. (Mid America) announced today that Gary D. McKiddy has been promoted from Chief Risk Officer to Chief Financial Officer. In this new role, McKiddy will manage financial operations and strategy as Mid America Mortgage continues to refine its operations and drive business growth through recent product line additions, such as its correspondent down payment assistance (DPA) program.

Related link: https://www.midamericamortgage.com/

Mortgage Coach promotes Suzanne Duniphin to VP, Customer Experience and David Bowser to VP, Customer Engagement

IRVINE, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, announced the advancement of two of its department directors to vice president-level positions. Suzanne Duniphin was promoted from director of eLearning to VP, customer experience, and David Bowser was promoted from director of account management to VP, customer engagement. In their new roles, Duniphin and Bowser will oversee Mortgage Coach's customer-facing initiatives and services.

Suzanne Duniphin, VP, Customer Experience

Duniphin has a 25-year background in mortgage banking and technology, having previously served as training and documentation manager at Optimal Blue, and in multiple leadership roles at a mortgage consulting firm and independent mortgage lender First Horizon Home Loans. Duniphin joined Mortgage Coach in 2020 as director of eLearning. Now as VP, customer experience, she will oversee all aspects of the Mortgage Coach customer experience - from implementation to launch and user training to ongoing customer support. In this role, she will scale the Mortgage Coach customer experience team to ensure the firm's rapidly expanding customer roster receives white-glove onboarding and training, and that lenders derive the greatest value from their investment in the platform.

David Bowser, VP, Customer Engagement

David Bowser has two decades' experience connecting mortgage lenders with right-fit technology solutions, having held positions at financial services marketing platform Volly and mortgage lending platform ICE Mortgage Technology. Bowser joined Mortgage Coach as director of account management in January of 2021 and was promoted to VP, customer engagement for enhancements to strategic customer communication and growth, which has helped customers better understand the platform's wide range of capabilities. In this new role, Bowser will expand Mortgage Coach's team of customer engagement experts.

"Mortgage Coach has grown by leaps and bounds in recent years with support from Suzanne and David, who have been tireless advocates for our platform and its ability to turn lenders into trusted mortgage advisors," said Mortgage Coach COO Kelli Hodges. "Suzanne and David are excellently equipped to nurture customer success and provide an outstanding customer experience. I am thrilled to have them at the helm of Mortgage Coach's customer-focused teams."

About Mortgage Coach:

Mortgage Coach is an award-winning borrower conversion platform that gives consumers the confidence to transact with educational presentations that model loan performance over time. The company's side-by-side loan comparisons allow borrowers to make faster, more informed mortgage decisions while enabling lenders to consistently deliver an on-brand, consultative home financing experience that increases borrower conversion, repeat business and referrals. To date, more than 120 enterprise independent mortgage banks, depository banks and credit unions rely on Mortgage Coach to deliver personalized, modern service that grows revenue and customer loyalty. To learn more about Mortgage Coach, visit https://www.mortgagecoach.com or follow @MortgageCoach.

Mortgage Coach, a borrower conversion platform empowering mortgage lenders to educate borrowers with interactive presentations that model home loan performance over time, announced the advancement of two of its department directors to vice president-level positions. Suzanne Duniphin was promoted from director of eLearning to VP, customer experience, and David Bowser was promoted from director of account management to VP, customer engagement.

Related link: https://mortgagecoach.com/

MMI appoints Kortney Lane-Schafers as Regional Director of Growth

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), a leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries, today announced it has hired Kortney Lane-Schafers as a regional director of growth. Lane-Schafers' responsibilities will include consulting and strategizing with MMI's growing roster of mortgage enterprise clients, which now includes 20 of the top 25 lenders in the nation, to identify growth opportunities to drive adoption and increase return on investment (ROI).

"Identifying and targeting the right referral partners and sales staff is an integral step in any lender's business plan, but current market conditions have made this kind of intelligence especially critical," said MMI founder and CEO Ben Teerlink. "As MMI's clients look to expand their business using data intelligence, Kortney's expertise will be instrumental in helping lenders identify growth opportunities and partnerships that will help drive their organization's long-term goals."

A seasoned account management and client success professional, Lane-Schafers comes to MMI from Total Expert, where she served as director of customer engagement and experience. Before Total Expert, she spent three years at Top of Mind Networks, now owned by Black Knight, and 12 years as a regional sales executive with Courier Express. Lane-Schafers also serves on the board of OCA, an Orlando-based non-profit organization whose mission is to enable individuals and families with autism or other disabilities the opportunity to maximize their abilities through functional, behavioral, social, recreational and vocational programs to live within the community.

"Having seen first-hand Kortney's abilities to nurture a client's success and her passion for promoting a shared mission, it's clear she will contribute immediately to the growth of MMI and our clients," said MMI VP of Growth and Client Success Jonas Kruckeberg. "One of the most exciting aspects about MMI is the enthusiasm we all share, and I know Kortney will only add to our ability to provide a spark to lenders and their business efforts. MMI has set out to help our clients use data and tech in a new way, and I look forward to seeing how Kortney helps expand those efforts."

About MMI:

Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI) is a market leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, the company's signature product, MMI, provides actionable intelligence for lenders, real estate agents, real estate brokerages, title companies and others in the real estate industry. MMI is currently used by more than 350 enterprise customers, including 20 of the top 25 lenders in the country.

To learn more, visit https://mmi.io or contact sales@mmi.io.

Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), a leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries, today announced it has hired Kortney Lane-Schafers as a regional director of growth. Lane-Schafers' responsibilities will include consulting and strategizing with MMI's growing roster of mortgage enterprise clients.

Related link: https://mmi.io

Housing Finance Strategies Names Allen Jones Chief Administrative Officer

WASHINGTON, D.C. /ScoopCloud/ -- Housing Finance Strategies President Faith Schwartz today announced that she has named industry veteran and former Big 4 consulting executive Allen Jones as Chief Administrative Officer and Managing Director of the Consulting Practice.

Jones joined Housing Finance Strategies in 2017 and has assisted in the growth of the firm's professional services practice with a focus on execution and client engagement. In addition to his delivery work, Jones has leveraged his consulting background to build out the firm's infrastructure and social media presence.

"We reward success and I am pleased to acknowledge Allen's efforts with today's promotion. With our continued growth trajectory, Allen will help to ensure our expansion and quality of delivery," said Faith Schwartz.

Allen Jones has worked in housing finance and mortgage policy for 25 years in both the private and public sector. His career highlights include building the nation's first automated underwriting system for FHA and VA loans while at Freddie Mac; serving as a Schedule C Political Appointee in the Office of Housing at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development for two presidential administrations; and managing the national FHA/VA business for Bank of America Home Loans.

About Housing Finance Strategies:

Housing Finance Strategies was established by Faith Schwartz in 2016 as a professional services and advisory firm specializing in mortgage modernization, housing policy and legislative and regulatory affairs. Schwartz serves on a number of bank and fintech boards and has a lengthy record of hosting and moderating housing industry events. Since 2019, Schwartz has partnered in creating and delivering national housing policy conferences under the #HousingDC umbrella.

Learn more at: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

Housing Finance Strategies President Faith Schwartz today announced that she has named industry veteran and former Big 4 consulting executive Allen Jones as Chief Administrative Officer and Managing Director of the Consulting Practice.

Related link: https://housingfinancestrategies.com/

EPIC Welcomes Paul Lopez – Further Strengthens Entertainment & Sports Practice

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. /ScoopCloud/ -- EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Paul Lopez has joined its Entertainment & Sports practice as a principal. He joins as part of the Los Angeles team and will be based in Irvine, California.

Lopez will play an important role in the continued development of the firm's Entertainment & Sports business and brings nearly two decades of experience. He specializes in Film, Entertainment, Rental and Staging Houses, Exhibit companies and the overall Event Management industry, Special Event companies, the Sporting Goods industry and more. His approach includes a focus on education and training for his clients. Lopez was previously with The Liberty Company Insurance Brokers.

Lopez will report to Christine Sadofsky, Executive Managing Principal, Global Entertainment & Sports Leader, who commented, "Paul will be a tremendous asset to our Entertainment & Sports practice group. His dedication to the Entertainment industry and his commitment to clients resonates with our culture and team. Paul is dynamic in his approach and has many ideas on how we can continue to build the practice."

"EPIC continues to invest in the expansion of our Entertainment & Sports Practice, and Paul brings a depth of expertise that will be of immediate benefit to our clients and our team," said Scott Davis, President, National Specialty Practices at EPIC. "Our focus on specialization is the key to EPIC's growth and success and Paul will be an important contributor," continued Davis.

Lopez is active in the community, supporting many organizations including through his volunteer work at the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens. He serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of San Diego, providing students with a high-level overview of risk management techniques and legal issues that might arise in the areas of contracts, torts, intellectual property rights and laws and regulations.

About EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants:

EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants, a retail insurance brokerage, has more than 2,600 team members operating from more than 80 offices across the U.S., providing Property and Casualty, Employee Benefits, Specialty Programs, and Private Client solutions to clients. EPIC ranks among the top 15 retail insurance brokers in the U.S.

Learn more at: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

EPIC Insurance Brokers and Consultants, a retail property and casualty insurance brokerage and employee benefits consultant, announced today that Paul Lopez has joined its Entertainment & Sports practice as a principal. He joins as part of the Los Angeles team and will be based in Irvine, California.

Related link: https://www.epicbrokers.com/

Paragon Welcomes Andy Borst who Joins as President, E&S Lines and International Programs

AVON, Conn. /ScoopCloud/ -- Paragon Insurance Holdings LLC, a nationwide multiline specialty managing general agent (MGA), is pleased to announce the hire of Andrew "Andy" Borst as President-Excess & Surplus (E&S) Lines and International Programs.

Borst, previously the interim president of international operations at Argo Group, brings decades of broad experience in the insurance industry with roles at Travelers, OneBeacon, and most recently Argo Group. He helped establish and lead Argo's U.S. Specialty Programs business from 2014 to 2018, serving as Chief Administrative Officer. He most recently led Argo's international business back to profitability in 2021 after his assignment in London, which commenced in 2019.

Borst became familiar with the early days of Paragon in 2015 and 2017 when Argo Group sold parts of Argo's Alteris MGA to the company, including its timber and landscape programs. In his new position, Borst will play a pivotal role in building on the current growth trajectory of Paragon's E&S and international business.

"I'm excited to return to the Program space," commented Borst. "My experience and familiarity with reinsurers, carriers, underwriters and other MGAs in the specialty insurance market should allow me to add to Paragon's value proposition very quickly."

Borst will report to Paragon CEO and co-founder Ron Ganiats.

"Interacting extensively with Andy in the past, we're thrilled to add him to the team. We know the value he can bring at a time when the company is focusing on expansion both in the United States and globally," Ganiats said.

About Paragon:

Paragon, a broadly diversified MGA launched in 2014, supplies distinctive coverage alternatives and options to retail brokers, insurance carriers, reinsurers, and vendor companions. The agency, owned by Galway Holdings, writes comprehensive coverages throughout greater than 20 programs.

Visit https://www.paragoninsgroup.com/ for additional information.

Paragon Insurance Holdings LLC, a nationwide multiline specialty managing general agent (MGA), is pleased to announce the hire of Andrew "Andy" Borst as President-Excess & Surplus (E&S) Lines and International Programs.

Related link: https://www.paragoninsgroup.com/

Weldon, Williams & Lick, Inc. Names Evan Gitomer as Firm’s First Chief Revenue Officer

FORT SMITH, Ark. /ScoopCloud/ -- Weldon, Williams & Lick, Inc. (WW&L), a visionary provider of ticketing and custom security printed solutions, announced today that it has appointed Evan Gitomer as its first Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately. In this newly created role, Evan will oversee and develop the go-to-market team and strategy to support growth at the company.

Evan brings more than 20 years of sales and business development experience in professional sports ticketing sales and entertainment, most recently leading a boutique premium sales agency.

"We're delighted to welcome Evan Gitomer to WW&L's leadership team as we work to drive a new era of interactive product and service experiences," said Tracey Geren, CEO of Weldon, Williams & Lick, Inc. "Evan is a proven leader with an impressive track record driving and developing sales teams. Given his extensive experience with sporting events, concerts and entertainment, Evan is well-positioned to help WW&L, and its wholly owned subsidiary KIS Technologies," added Geren.

"This is a time of change as live events come back, and I'm excited about leading and continuing to develop the sales organization at WW&L to maintain and enhance the company's position in the market," said Evan Gitomer. "I'm inspired by the team, culture and history of WW&L, and I'm eager to start building growth and sales momentum."

ABOUT WELDON, WILLIAMS, AND LICK, INC.:

Founded in 1898, Weldon, Williams, and Lick, Inc., has built a solid reputation for providing premier ticketing and custom printed security solutions for the most notable names in professional and college sports, symphonies, ballet companies, performing arts, concerts, and entertainment venues. WW&L is known for delivering products and services that connect organizations to their fans and patrons, and people to experiences.

Headquartered in Fort Smith, Arkansas, clients include Live Nation, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Churchill Downs, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and the National Football League.

For more information, visit https://wwlinc.com/

Weldon, Williams & Lick, Inc. (WW&L), a visionary provider of ticketing and custom security printed solutions, announced today that it has appointed Evan Gitomer as its first Chief Revenue Officer, effective immediately. In this newly created role, Evan will oversee and develop the go-to-market team and strategy to support growth at the company.

Related link: https://wwlinc.com

MMI adds mortgage industry vets Jake Belter and Gerald Dorman to enterprise sales team as regional directors

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah /ScoopCloud/ -- Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), a leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries, today announced it has hired mortgage industry veterans Jake Belter, CMB(R), and Gerald Dorman to its enterprise sales team. As regional directors, Belter and Dorman will be tasked with expanding MMI's growing roster of mortgage enterprise clients, which now includes 20 of the top 25 lenders in the nation, while also driving brand awareness and adoption in mortgage-related verticals, such as title and insurance.

"In today's highly competitive, purchase-driven market, having the right referral partners and sales staff can be the determining factor between success and failure," said MMI founder and CEO Ben Teerlink. "Because MMI delivers the tools and intelligence lenders need to succeed in today's market, demand for our products is at an all-time high, requiring us to expand our enterprise sales team. We are incredibly lucky to welcome such top-notch sales professionals as Jake and Gerald, and they will undoubtedly play a significant role in our growth and success as we help lenders identify the partners and loan officers poised to deliver the maximum return on investment for their organization."

Both Belter and Dorman bring decades of experience in the mortgage and fintech sectors to MMI. Having previously served as associate vice president of strategic accounts at Arch MI, Belter has also held various sales-related roles with United Guaranty Corporation, Legacy Community Federal Credit Union, Synovus and GreenPoint Mortgage. Dorman most recently served as regional vice president of sales at Nomis Solutions and held similar roles at Informative Research and LoanLogics after getting his start in mortgage sales as an account executive with First National Bank of Arizona.

"MMI is fortunate not only to attract some of the largest lenders in the nation, but also top-tier sales talent in Jake and Gerald," said Melissa Sike, vice president of enterprise sales. "Both of these gentlemen possess roughly two decades of experience and are highly regarded within the industry. That experience has equipped them to understand the challenges lenders face in 2022, and they are eager to help lenders employ effective, data-driven solutions to drive profitable and sustainable growth."

By accessing an unrivaled database of comprehensive real estate and mortgage production data, MMI's enterprise customers can identify partner networks that best support their business objectives, with granular insight into lenders, loan officers and real estate agents by region or individual transactions. To learn more, visit https://mmi.io.

About MMI

Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI) is a market leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, the company's signature product, MMI, provides actionable intelligence for lenders, real estate agents, real estate brokerages, title companies and others in the real estate industry. MMI is currently used by more than 350 enterprise customers, including 20 of the top 25 lenders in the country. To learn more, visit https://mmi.io or contact sales@mmi.io.

Mobility Market Intelligence (MMI), a leader in data intelligence and market insight tools for the mortgage and real estate industries, today announced it has hired mortgage industry veterans Jake Belter, CMB(r), and Gerald Dorman to its enterprise sales team. As regional directors, Belter and Dorman will be tasked with expanding MMI's growing roster of mortgage enterprise clients.

Related link: https://mmi.io

Attorney Daniel Murphy Now a Full Partner at Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh

BRADENTON, Fla. /ScoopCloud/ -- Attorney Daniel Murphy, of Goldman Babboni Fernandez & Walsh, has been elevated to full partner. Citing his exemplary record of working tirelessly for clients in Bradenton Florida and across all of Manatee County.

With the elevation of Attorney Daniel Murphy as a full partner, the SW Florida injury law firm of Goldman Babboni Fernandez & Walsh is Now Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh.

The injury law firm's managing partner Bernard Walsh, Esq. had this to say: "Danny Murphy has been proving himself time and time again, compassionately helping our clients obtain financial compensation for their injuries and delivering peace of mind to people in a time of need. The legal profession in southwest Florida can be a competitive, fast-paced, and high-stress field to work in, and that also has a real impact on the lives of many in our community.

"Attorney Danny Murphy has thrived in this environment, becoming an indispensable member of our law firm, and we are proud to call Danny Murphy a partner. As a result, our law firm is now Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh."

About Injury Law Attorney Daniel Murphy:

Attorney Daniel Murphy has earned a 4.9 out of 5 rating at AVVO.com, with a 5 out of 5 rating from client AVVO.com client reviews. SuperLawyers(r) has named attorney Daniel Murphy a "Top Rated Personal Injury Attorney in Bradenton, FL," and Attorney Daniel Murphy has been recognized as a Rising Star by the American Institute of Legal Advocates. Attorney Daniel Murphy is also a member of the Executive Committee Of The Manasota Trial Lawyers Board.

Learn more about Danny Murphy Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murph & Walsh's law firm website: https://www.JusticePays.com

Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh

2822 University Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34243

Main phone: 833 954 1234

Attorney Daniel Murphy, of Goldman Babboni Fernandez & Walsh, has been elevated to full partner. Citing his exemplary record of working tirelessly for clients in Bradenton Florida and across all of Manatee County.

Related link: https://www.justicepays.com/