How did you get involved in the mortgage industry?
Upon graduation from UNI, I began my lending career at a finance company.  In 1994, I was hired by First Citizens Bank as an installment loan lender, primarily focused on working with auto dealers on indirect lending and also direct lending.  An opening in the mortgage department eventually came available and I’ve been in mortgage lending ever since.

What is the biggest challenge or opportunity you have seen in the mortgage industry?
The biggest challenge to me is staying up to date with the ever changing compliance and regulations.  Seminars and in-house training help to try and stay up to date.

What advice would you give people just entering the industry?
I feel the biggest attribute a person can have coming into the mortgage industry is organization skills.  You have to keep your schedule organized to make sure each customer’s loan process is handled accurately and timely in accordance with TRID guidelines.

When you are not at work, what do you like to do most?
Our family are avid Iowa Hawkeye fans.  We have season tickets to the football games and try to attend a few basketball games and wrestling meets each year.  Other than that, my wife and I try to spend as much time with our 3 adult daughters as much as we can, as schedules get busier and busier.

What is a quote or a guiding principle you live by?
With regards to the mortgage industry, I pride myself on trying to make the mortgage process as easy and unintimidating as possible for my customers.