Executive Committee
2016/2017 Year
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Click Here for Executive Committee Information Online
PRESIDENT
Kevin W. Strickland, AMP
SunTrust Mortgage Inc.
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Pat Gaver
Capital City Bank
VICE PRESIDENT
Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
SecurityNational Mortgage Company
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Michael Azzarello, CMB
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Sherry Gallitz
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Sandy Garcia
American BancShares Mortgage
LOCAL CHAPTER REP
Tara Corriveau Merritt
SecurityNational Mortgage Company
MBAF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brenda Thomas
MBAF EXECUTIVE STAFF
Latisha Moore
MBAF LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE
Eric Prutsman
Prutsman & Associates, P.A
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Michael A. Culbertson
JP Morgan
Robert Villalon
Mortgage Information Services, Inc.
Candice Racine
Essent Guaranty, Inc.
Randy Galloway
Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp.
Francine Villa
American BancShares Mortgage
Cammie Aucoin
Plaza Home Mortgage
Richard Peek
The Mortgage Firm, Inc.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Patti Spaniol
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Margie Fletcher
(elected 2005)
Chuck Ivy (Inactive)
(elected 2006)
Georges Lussier
BB&T
(elected 2010)
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There are now eight local chapters in Florida. Below are the links to each chapter's web site and their chapter president's info.
MBA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA PRESIDENT
Tara Merritt
Security National Mortgage Company
MBACFL Web Site Link
GULF COAST MBA PRESIDENT
Chris Palese
We have a master calendar online you can access to view all the activities in one spot.
With so much going within each chapter it pays to get involved in your local area.
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CMB Society of Florida, by Rudy Orman, CMB
The Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation is the industry standard of professional success. It symbolizes respect, credibility, ethics, and achievement within real estate finance. Earning a CMB instantly places you at the top of our dynamic industry and makes you a part of the elite group that has achieved the highest level of professional success.
You will find a lot of information on our web site at www.mbaf.org at the top of the page select the drop- down menu CMB Society of Florida.
We are going to be available at the upcoming 64th Annual Convention at the Wednesday Opening Reception to greet you and answer any questions you may have about the process of obtaining your CMB.
Don't hesitate to contact me with any questions.
Rudy Orman, CMB
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Legislative Update
Legislative Representative Eric Prutsman, Esq. will be providing us an update on the happenings with session going on in Tallahassee.
Look for this coming soon!
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Mortgage Action Alliance is an invaluable tool for you. Please click the link to join, it's free and you do not have to be an association member:
Annie Gawkowski
Director of Political Affairs
Mortgage Bankers Association
Washington DC
(202) 557-2816
agawkowski@mba.org
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Welcome to our Spring 2017 Newsletter
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President's Message by Kevin Strickland, AMP
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Spring is in full swing! We are the lucky ones being here in Florida, already enjoying boating, the beach and spring festivals. Most of our colleagues are seeing a great productive spring bloom for their businesses as well!
Our annual Tallahassee Capitol Hill visit occurred on March 27th and 28th. The event this year was directly in the middle of the the Florida Home Builders and the Florida Realtor Days in which thousands of agents and builders throughout the state visit in support the housing industry. We had a strong presence with many of our MBA of Florida Board Members in attendance. As every year we were led by Eric Prutsman, Esq., as our Legislative Representative, to navigate the halls of the Capitol and to educate us on the working of our legislative branch and the processes of how everything works. The timing of our visit was perfect. We were able to visit the Florida Senate Banking and Insurance Committee in action deliberating over SB-1298. The bill basically would require the Financial Services Commission to better define the term for anyone that originates a mortgage loan as "hold himself or herself out to the public as being in the mortgage lending business" by rule, etc. The concern is that Private Investors are originating mortgage loans, but getting around regulatory rules by treating them as commercial loans secured by residential properties. It was rewarding to see this process in action. If you haven't attended one of our Legislative Days in Tallahassee, I encourage you to consider joining us.
I would like to welcome our brand new Local Chapter, the MBA of the Palm Beaches. This has been a process for a couple of years of hard work by several folks to get them off the ground and we are very pleased to announce they are up and running. You can find their web site over there to the left so be sure to visit them and help support this area of Florida too. We have eight local chapters now where you can have your local contacts and events to attend monthly. We love our chapters and very excited to now have eight. Welcome Palm Beaches!
The 64th Annual Convention is almost here! Make sure to sign up prior to the April 21st early bird registration deadline to save! Also, very important to make your hotel room reservations now too. You do not want to miss the great speaker line up and industry fellowship opportunities with the best in the business! Directly below my message here is the convention information and links to everything you need.I personally look forward to this great event and I am especially ready to meet you there.
A great new addition this year, to be rolled out at the convention or just prior to, will be our mobile app. The focus of this app will be to have connections to the events at the convention, attendee contact, session reminders, recognition to our sponsors and speakers and more. We also hope to expand this for other uses in the future so stay tuned. We would like to thank Easy Mortgage Apps for making this happen.
As a reminder, our new year begins July 1st. You will be receiving your membership dues invoices at the end of May. We really stress how important it is to join a committee. "Call for Committee" volunteers will go out in the next couple of months but you can always email Brenda at mbaf@mbaf.org to get your name on the list. We will be happy to answer any questions in person at the upcoming conference or convention in June.
Thanks for your continued involvement and support of YOUR MBA of Florida.
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8 AM GOLF - Isla Del Sol Yacht & Country Club-6000 Sun Boulevard-St. Petersburg,
The 18-hole "Isla Del Sol" course in Saint Petersburg features 6,392 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. Designed by Mark Mahannah, ASGCA, the Isla Del Sol golf course opened in 1977. To register please check your registration form. Georges Lussier is the golf leader (thank you Georges!), and he will be in contact with you with specific information. He will provide the foursomes to the course and you can request your own. You will pay at the course, which is about 9 miles from the hotel and the drive is about 20 minutes. This will give you plenty of time to get back to the hotel for the 2 PM start of the convention.
10 AM - 5 PM Attendee Registration
2 - 4 PM Annual Business Meeting
Everyone please attend to see how your association works!
- MBAF Presidents Address and Welcome to the Convention, by Kevin Strickland, AMP, President
- Legislative Report, Eric Prutsman, MBAF Legislative Representative
- Committee Reports, Committee Chairs
- Nominating Report/Election, presented by Sandy Garcia, Immediate Past President
- Member to Member-Learn about your professional association, MBA of Florida, and what we do for you. Hear from fellow members what their involvement has meant professionally and personally for them. If you are new or been around a while you will surely hear something you didn't know.
- Board of Directors and Committee Awards of Appreciation, presented by Kevin Strickland, AMP, President
4:15 - 5:15 PM Mortgage Disruption, Originating in a New Paradigm
Jason van den Brand,
CEO and Founder, Lenda
David Wind,
Head of Residential Mortgage, Earnest Inc
Moderator: Rudy Orman, CMB, Carrington Home Mortgage
5 PM - Incoming Local Chapter Presidents Meet / Greet
(prior to going to the reception and out for the evening.) This is for introductions prior to the formal meeting tomorrow morning for the Local Chapter Representative.
6 - 7:30 PM - Opening Welcome Reception
CMB Society of Florida will be on hand to greet individuals that might be interested in hearing more about gaining their CMB. Start your Adventure with the beginning of our
"Amazing Poker Run"
Dinner on your own
Thursday June 22
8 AM - Attendee Registration
8 - 9 AM - Attendee Breakfast
8 - 9 AM - Incoming Local Chapter Presidents Breakfast and Election of Local Chapter Representative
Moderator: Kevin Strickland, AMP, SunTrust Mortgage
11 - 11:15 AM - Refreshment Break
11:15 AM- 12:15 PM - Agency Update
Jean Wiles,
Account Executive, Single Family Sales & Relationship Management, Freddie Mac
Dan Rogers
, III,
Director, Atlanta Home Ownership Center
Christy Moss,
Senior Account Manager, Business Development, Fannie Mae
Kathy Bernheim,
Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer, VA, St. Petersburg
Moderator: Suzanne LaCaria, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Company
12:15 - 2 PM - Installation Luncheon and Brown L Whatley Award Presentation
2 - 3 PM - Executive Panel - Hear from esteemed executives in the mortgage industry. Question and Answer time will be available for your inquires to our panel.
Les Acree,
Executive Vice President
,
Freedom Mortgage
Paul Ottendorf,
Executive Vice President, Director Residential Lending, First Federal Bank of Florida
Chris Wasinger,
Divisional Executive
, HomeBridge Financial Services
Moderator: Pat Gaver, Capital City Bank
3:15 - 4:30 PM - Jim Davidson, Speaking of Adventure Resilience Expert, Expedition Leader and Best-Selling Author
 Jim Davidson is a resilience expert, expedition leader, best-selling author, and professional speaker. From his 35 years of adventure and survival, Jim distills compelling stories and uplifting lessons about how to be more resilient and how to reach high goals
Moderator: Kevin Strickland, AMP, SunTrust Mortgage
6 -7:30 PM - Cocktail Reception with All Convention Drawings to Take Place Here
(
Dinner on your own)
Friday June 23
8 - 11 AM - Incoming Board of Directors Breakfast Meeting
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Legislative Day - Tallahassee 2017
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MBA of Florida represents in Tallahassee.
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Local Chapter Highlight-Central Florida
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by Tara Merritt, President, MBA of Central Florida
Our chapter experiences another busy and exciting quarter, and below is insight into our past, present and future!
We joined the FAMP of Central Florida's Chapter meeting on February 1st. The Guest speaker was Jean Wiles, Account Executive-Single-Family Sales & Relationship Management with Freddie Mac. Ms. Wiles shared the following Freddie Mac Services: Home possible product, Loan Suite Advisor, and the upcoming Appraisal alternatives including future LPA changes.
For our March 8th meeting we heard from Brian Chappelle, Partner with Potomac Partners based in Washington, DC. He provided insight into three immediate issues: What will they do about the suspension of the FHA premium reduction, who will be selected to key housing policy and Trump Administration: First 100 days. He also touched on Mortgage Issues in 2017: Legislation from last year, FHA, CFPB and Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac.
We are excited for our April 12th luncheon with keynote speaker Terry Watson. This is a joint meeting with the Women's Council of REALTORS® (WCR) Orlando Regional. We also partnered with the Orlando Regional REALTOR® Association (ORRA) to support and promote too. This is the first time these three organization have come together in our market so we are thrilled! Our goal is to get 200+ people to attend, and we are over half way there with registrations.
On May 10th we shall hear from Jamie Vanlandingham, President of Credit and Risk for Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group. There is a lot coming up with HMDA changes and new 1003 so we hope to give our members an edge. Then we shall wrap up our year on June 14, and are bringing back our Board Installation and Awards Luncheon. We want to recognize top producers and contributors to our industry and community. Our task force for this has been hard at work planning.
For a social and MPAC fundraiser we hosted a family friendly bowling night on Friday, April 7th. What a blast we had!
Click Here to View a Short Video of the Bowling Event
Click Here for another Video
For philanthropy we are coordinating a volunteer day with Rebuilding Together Orlando on Saturday, April 29th. Their mission is to transform the lives of low-income homeowners by improving the safety and health of their homes and revitalizing our communities. For a fundraiser we planning our Annual Golf Tournament on May 22nd. We are going to a new course, and think this will be a nice draw for us. A portion of the proceeds will benefit New Hope for Kids whose mission is to support children and families grieving the death of a loved one and to grant wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses in Central Florida. We still continue to also collect donations at our monthly meetings for SafeHouse of Seminole who provide counseling programs, personal advocacy services and emergency shelter for women and children and men surviving domestic abuse.
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Local Chapter Highlight-South Florida
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by Doug Leever, President, MBA of South Florida
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Local Chapter Highlight-Jacksonville
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by Michelle, Glass, Esq. President, MBA of Jacksonville
On, Thursday February 17, 2017, the MBA of Jacksonville had a great joint meeting with the Jacksonville Chapter of FAMP. The panelist topic for discussion was the 2017 remapping of the FEMA flood zones in Northeast Florida as well as various matters that may affect a survey. Our four panelists included Dan Arlington with the City of Atlantic Beach who came recommended by FEMA directly, Jeff Stoneking with Brightway Insurance, Jennifer Fox with Exacta Land Surveyors & Lien Search, and Timothy Blackmon with IME Civil & Surveying, LLC. The event was moderated by Tom Reber of EverBank -- our member who tipped us off to this hot topic. Each guest shared their expert knowledge on the topic matter with room full of mortgage professionals that added to the discussions with their own experience and questions. MBAJ used this meeting as our opportunity to present our donation in the amount of $4,000 to four of the surrounding counties Special Olympics chapters (Duval, Clay, St. Johns & Nassau). This donation was made possible due to the success we had at our Annual 2016 Golf Tournament in November.
 
In spite of another realtor/mortgage business golfing event taking place at the same time as our March membership meeting, we still have a great turnout for the luncheon on March 14, 2017. Joe Bryant, from TriServ Appraisal Management, was kind enough to jump in at last minute and give a great presentation on the nature of the appraisal management process. The information was very well received as Joe has vast experience in the mortgage space, and was able to provide additional insight into the future as well.
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Past President Highlight - Ross Bennett, CMB
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Ross
started his mortgage banking career in 1977, right out of UCF with a degree in Finance. After working for a local bank-owned mortgage company for a short time, he joined Stockton, Whatley Davin & Company in Orlando. SWD was a premier, 100 year old mortgage banking firm, based out of Jacksonville, FL, with offices all over the state. At the time they serviced over $2 billion in residential loans, a staggering portfolio in its day. His career experience covers retail, wholesale and correspondent channels, mostly in the loan production side of the business.
Ross said "our industry is growing older, and many seasoned veterans are retiring from the business. For anyone interested in a successful mortgage banking career, don't rely too much on technology at the expense of the customer. You need people skills, as well as technical skills and knowledge, to be successful in our industry. For most people, buying a home is the most complicated and confusing transaction they will ever enter into. While technology can play a role in automating redundant tasks, helping the customer understand the loan process is still important. This requires a personal touch."
After being active in the local MBA chapter for several years, joined different committees at the state level. As leadership opportunities became available, and with the encouragement of his mentors, he put his name in the hat for different committees. Ross said, "the relationships I developed from these interactions have lasted a lifetime, and I consider many of them family."
Having a very established history in the industry Ross
served as the MBAF President in 2002, the events and committees that stand out the most for him were opportunities to serve on the Legislative Committee, the Eastern Secondary Market Committee and the CMB Society of Florida Committee. "He pointed out, none of this would have been possible without the constant leadership and advice of Brenda Thomas and her team. Brenda is the individual that has made every MBAF President look good in their role."
These events and committee roles later led to opportunities teach at MBA's National School of Mortgage Banking in Chicago, DC, Philadelphia and Dallas. The MBA School is highly recommended for those individuals pursuing additional professional certifications.
Ross recalled that after joining Stockton, Whatley Davin & Company, his bosses encouraged all SWD loan officers to attend the local chapter dinner meetings. SWD supported local MBA chapters around the state and many of their employees served in leadership capacities at both the state and local levels.
Ross
always felt the MBA was THE voice of mortgage finance and is very proud of the mortgage banking industry and the services provided to people desiring home ownership. He served on, or chaired, most of the local committees as a way to grow his leadership skills, and to develop industry contacts and friendships. Ross said, "the biggest benefit to me are the relationships I have made over the years. Some of us veterans still have lunch together from time to time, even as a many have retired from the industry."
On being a CMB, Ross said,"a
fter being in the industry for a couple of years, I came to the realization that mortgage banking was my career, not just a job. The Certified Mortgage Banker designation was a way to show my peers that I was serious about the industry, and to prove to myself that I could achieve the industry's highest professional designation."
Ross and his positive outlook acknowledged that life in general brings him happiness. Success is defined in many ways, but for him it has been in a career where he feels he made a difference in peoples' lives. The mortgage banking industry has provided many travel opportunities, and to take advantage of those in the most efficient manner, he obtained his pilots license. Later he added multi-engine and glider ratings. Over the years he has flown to many MBA events on both regional and national levels, and managed sales teams using his plane as transportation, rather than relying on commercial air travel. Being able to fly direct to an MBA event in Hilton Head, Raleigh-Durham, New Orleans, or Birmingham, AL without going through Atlanta or Charlotte has saved him a lot of time and energy.
In 1993, at the invitation of a local builder/developer who owned an airplane, he joined Angel Flight Southeast, a 501c3 charitable organization. Angel Flight www.angelflightse.org provides free air transportation to medically challenged individuals who cannot travel on commercial airplanes for health or financial reasons, or who need a lifesaving organ transplant. AF pilots provide their personal aircraft, time and fuel at no expense to the patient. A year later he joined the Angel Flight Board of Directors in leadership and fundraising capacities. He still tries to fly 3-4 missions per year, as it gives the important perspective you need to deal with the stresses of our industry.
From the MBA of Florida we salute Ross and his continued support of the association and the industry by always being involved and staying on top of the issues that affect us all. Thank you Ross for your many years of service to us.
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A Big Thank You to Our Eastern Secondary Market Conference Sponsors!
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