The mortgage industry is about relationships. Furthermore, the mortgage industry is about people. Executives like you care about the mortgage industry and want to continually improve it. Our team here at PROGRESS in Lending Association is composed of technologists and tech-minded executives who have volunteered their time, resources and ideas for no pay or financial compensation of any kind. They want to move the mortgage industry forward by providing a place where mortgage participants can gather to brainstorm and deliver solutions that will help all mortgage players solve real industry issues in these very challenging times. We hope you’ll JOIN US. Here is our Executive Team:
TONY GARRITANO :: Chairman and Founder
Why start an industry group like PROGRESS in Lending Association? “Going forward, given the recent turmoil, the mortgage space is literally going to be transformed,” answered Tony Garritano. “I formed this association to ensure that this transformation is for the better and not for the worse. Technology is going to play a critical role in how mortgage lenders comply with new regulation, remain competitive, ensure profitability, and serve borrowers looking to get their piece of the American Dream. That’s why this association was formed.”
As a speaker Tony has worked hard to inform executives about how technology should be a tool used to further business objectives. For over 10 years he has worked as a journalist, researcher and speaker in the mortgage technology space. Starting this association was the next step for someone like Tony, who has dedicated his career to providing mortgage executives with the information needed to make informed technology decisions.
ROGER GUDOBBA :: Chief Executive Officer
In detailing the industry significance of PROGRESS in Lending Association, Roger Gudobba believes, “The mortgage industry has always lacked strategic thinking. It’s slow to embrace new ideas. PROGRESS in Lending Association provides a place for thoughts and ideas to flow freely. It’s easier to move things forward when you’re in a group. This association is a central place for industry participants to have discussions about how technology can improve the process.”
Roger has over 20 years of mortgage experience. At present he is Chief Strategy Officer at technology vendor Compliance Systems. He is a long-time advocate of data standardization and a more data-driven approach to mortgage lending. Roger was instrumental in forming the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization and now sits on MISMO’s Residential Governance Committee. In 2004, he was the recipient of Mortgage Technology Magazine’s Steve Fraser Visionary Award and in 2008 he received the publication’s Lasting Impact Award.
MICHAEL HAMMOND :: Chief Strategy Officer
What can Progress in Lending Association do for the mortgage industry? Michael Hammond noted, “There currently is a void in the mortgage industry where technology and business discussions can openly and candidly take place to address industry problems. In the past year alone the mortgage industry has had to adapt to business-changing regulation like MDIA and RESPA, for example. Coming next year we’ll see the broadening of state licensing and TILA reform. All of these challenges call for automated solutions. I joined PROGRESS to be part of the solution.”
Michael is the founder and president of NexLevel Advisors. They provide solutions in business development, strategic selling, marketing, public relations and social media. He has close to two decades of leadership, management, marketing, sales and technical product experience. Michael held prior executive positions such as CEO, CMO, VP of Business Strategy, Director of Sales and Marketing and Director of Marketing for a number of leading companies. He is also only one of about 60 individuals to earn the Certified Mortgage Technologist (CMT) designation.
KELLY PURCELL :: Chief Information Officer
In detailing why PROGRESS in Lending Association is different and needed, Kelly Purcell said, “While associations are a great resource, they tend to be regulatory and education focused, which is their core competency. PROGRESS however is a nonaffiliated association, resulting in people freely expressing new ideas and behaviors. PROGRESS is built on thought leadership over bureaucracy. I am excited about working with people that have the same passion and commitment that I have to repairing credibility and respect in an industry that I’m proud to be a part of.”
Kelly is Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing for eSignSystems, a division of Wave Systems Corp. eSignSystems is a provider of e-signature and e-vaulting solutions. She was co-founder of eSignSystems and has over 25 years of mortgage and technology experience. Kelly is recognized as an evangelist and advocate of e-signature and e-vaulting technology driving e-mortgage adoption. She held prior positions at GE Capital and Transamerica Financial Services. In 2009, eSignSystems was the recipient of Mortgage Technology Magazine’s Lasting Impact Award.
GABE MINTON :: Chief Technology Officer
There is a large industry need for PROGRESS in Lending Association, according to Gabe Minton. “I believe there are many passionate people that want to participate at an industry level to improve the mortgage lending process. PROGRESS is an opportunity to take it to the next level. By providing a go-to place to talk about the convergence of business and technology and solve real problems, PROGRESS can be used as a vehicle to formulate and document consensus-based opinions that have application to issues lenders face today.”
Gabe Minton is Senior Vice President, Information Services of ServiceLink where he oversees software engineering, quality assurance, and business analysis services for the company and facilitates the strategic execution of its products and services. Gabe brings a 15-year portfolio of information systems experience, working with and creating software systems, products and standards. Gabe is a pioneer in the establishment of technology standards for the mortgage industry through their standards-setting subsidiary MISMO, which he helped create and oversaw from 2000-2007.
STEVEN HORNE :: Chief Operating Officer
In talking about why he joined PROGRESS in Lending Association and why others should follow, Steven Horne said, “Technology and innovations that can strengthen our culture of homeownership are well within our grasp, and I feel organizations like PROGRESS in Lending will lead the initiatives needed to create the best possible environment. As an industry, we are paying the price for being unprepared for difficult times, and we at Wingspan are proud to support the efforts of this organization. Progress is precisely what lending needs in order to thrive and benefit future generations.”
Steven Horne, as CEO, is in charge of all the day-to-day operations of Wingspan Portfolio Advisors, LLC, based in Carrollton, Texas. He is a career-long expert in creating and executing strategies to mitigate losses in real estate portfolios of all types, with a specialized concentration in servicing’s most difficult area, defaulted and seriously delinquent loans. Steven has an impressive track record in his unique and highly specialized area, having pioneered a number of the concepts and strategies used in the Wingspan methodology for converting defaulted loans into re-performing loans.
