A big mortgage servicing executive was named at Bank of America Corp.’s mortgage unit, while President Barack Obama disclosed his nomination for the chairman of the Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp. But the most timely appointment — given Sunday’s championship game between the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts — was that of a former professional football player to a California mortgage firm.
Bank of America Home Loans named Matt Vernon short-sale and real-estate-owned executive, a news release yesterday said. Vernon, who has spent 15 years with BoA, noted that “processes and efficiencies” need to be improved with sales and post-foreclosure REO activities.
He is moving to the servicing side from his role overseeing mortgage cross-selling activities at BoA’s more than 6,000 banking centers. Before that, he managed BoA’s retail mortgage channel, including 150 offices and more than 2,000 mortgage loan officers.
“Matt has demonstrated tremendous acumen in strategic planning, performance, customer focus and other areas that will serve him well in his new position,” BoA National Servicing Executive Rebecca Mairone said in the announcement. “This gives him a clear understanding of realty markets and the real estate professionals who play such an important role in short sales and REO marketing.”
President Barack Obama said yesterday that Lowell Junkins will be his nomination for chairman of the board of directors at Farmer Mac. Junkins, who was already acting chairman of the lender, originally joined the board in 1996.
Obama also nominated Sara L. Faivre-Davis to Farmer Mac’s board. Faivre-Davis has been the owner and managing partner at Wild Type Ranch.
The Obama administration selected Edward L. Jennings Jr. to serve as director for the southeast region at the U.S. Housing and Urban Development, a Jan. 29 statement said. Jennings, the former mayor of Gainesville, Ga., was a former state legislator. He’ll serve as a liaison to state and local government officials.
In Denver, Rick Garcia was named HUD’s director for the Rocky Mountain region. Garcia previously served on Denver’s city council and chaired the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority V of the NEWSED Community Development Corp.
And in Seattle, Mary McBride will serve as director of HUD’s Northwest region. McBride most recently served as a staff member for U.S. Sen. Patty Murray.
Subprime mortgage servicer Walter Investment Management Corp. last month said Denmar J. Dixon was appointed as vice chairman and executive vice president. Dixon will lead business development as well as mergers and acquisitions efforts in addition to capital markets activities.
Jonathan T. McGrain was named senior vice president of corporate communications at PHH Mortgage parent PHH Corp., a news release Wednesday indicated. Among his prior employers are Clayton Holdings Inc. and Radian Group Inc.
In Bloomington, Minn., Brian Boyles was hired as senior vice president of business development at Mortgage Services III LLC, according to a Jan. 9 announcement. Boyles has reportedly worked in mortgage lending for 15 years.
Prospect Mortgage has recruited a Georgia district manager from the National Football League.
A statement last month from Sherman Oaks, Calif.-based Prospect — which claims be “one of the largest independent residential retail mortgage lenders” in the country — indicated that Lee Williamson was hired for the district manager slot. Williamson was a quarterback for the Houston Oilers from 1993 to 1996, though he did spend 12 years as a self-employed mortgage recruiter.
“My time in the NFL definitely taught me about perseverance, dedication and leadership,” Williamson said in the statement. “These are qualities … and skills that I will use to create value and growth.
Venture Mortgage in Edina, Minn., hired Kip Dunkelberger as vice president of commercial loan originations, Finance & Commerce reported. Dunkelberger left Welsh Capital for the new job.
Douglas Moritz was hired Monday as associate vice president of multifamily at the Mortgage Bankers Association, the trade group said. He previously served as principal of DOMO Consulting LLC and was managing director for Prudential Mortgage Capital Corp. before that.
Finally, reverse mortgage lender LoanWell America said today that Jourdan Hoover has been hired as senior vice president. Florida-based LoanWell claims Jourdan was previously “Wells Fargo’s top producing reverse mortgage originator in Florida.”
