Please vote below for the candidate(s) you'd like to serve as at-large members on the 2019-2020 MAA Steering Committee. Note, you're able to choose up to three individuals. If you have any questions, please contact Alden Knowlton at aknowlton@mba.org.
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Cathy Brentlinger
Producing Branch Manager
Fairway Independent Mortgage

Bio:

I am a 30-year veteran of the mortgage industry. I feel that my experience as a producing branch manager combined with my educational background are a good combination for this position. My involvement in my local chamber of commerce has made me aware of the necessity to be a part of the solution rather than sitting back and hoping for the best.

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

I have a degree from UCLA in political science and have always been interested in the politics involved with the mortgage industry. I have always had an interest in the political impact to the mortgage industry and would love to be a part of implementing change. I would like to be of service and have some positive impact if there is a place for me. I am fairly well known in the San Diego marketplace by virtue of production and longevity. I would hope that this would impact ability to have influence.
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Chad Church
Director
New American Funding

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

Serving on the MAA Steering Committee has exposed me to many ways that I can help our industry. I would like to continue educating others as well as motivating others to take action. I want to help MAA exceed their goals each year.

New American Funding has been a leader in taking action and I want to remain a key driving force of that success as well as help other companies increase their participation. Being a member at-large for MAA will allow me inroads I might not otherwise have to share ideas on how all of us as a whole can increase awareness, which will result in participation.

Our Calls to Action for New American Funding typically are more than many other companies combined.  I would like to bring that same passion to other companies to show them how to increase their company Calls to Action participation rate.  I’d like to be a resource to help other companies get their staff involved. I would like to both encourage and challenge each company to help set the bar high, increase our voice so that our members can help define and shape our industry.
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Nitin Dave
Vice President
Southern Trust

Bio:

Mr. Nitin Dave has 40 years of experience in Mortgage Banking, Consumer Banking, Investment Banking, Commercial Lending, and Customer Management / Development, Mortgage Servicing operations  - 7 Years at Arthur Andersen, 25 years at FannieMae, 2+ years at Citizens Bank, and 7 Years at Pinnacle Financial Corporation, and currently, as Vice President of Servicing & Agency Relations at Southern Trust. Besides his vast experience, Nitin holds two undergraduate degrees, an MBA, and a Chartered Accountant's designation and CPA.  He is a graduate of the School of Mortgage Bankers Association of America, and has Public Accounting experience as well. He is one of the few professionals with mortgage banking experience in Customer Engagement, Development /  Management, and in BOTH ―front-end (Origination, Processing, Underwriting, Credit/Risk management, Emerging Markets, and Capital Markets /Secondary Marketing), and, ―back office Operations (Servicing, Investor Reporting, Quality Control, Post Closing, Risk management, and Securitization — MBS, PC, REMIC, CMO, REIT, and other structures) with strong Customer Development / Account Management, and financial analysis skills because of his Public Accounting background.

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

I was in a management position at FannieMae for 25 wonderful years and managed FannieMae's 25 Largest Sellers / Servicers, which included Wells, Chase, BofA, Cit, BB&T, Countrywide, WaMu, etc. Having substantial relationships with the executives of the leading Institutions in our industry, I can substantively contribute to growing MAA and accomplish the desired goals and objectives.

Having managed FannieMae's Top 25 Lending Institutions AND having been FannieMae's ONLY Ombudsman assigned to ABA, ICBA, CUNA, and NBA (National Bankers Association - comprised of ALL The Minority & Women-Owned Financial Institutions), I can get many of these Banks, Thrifts, Credit Unions, and Mortgage Bankers throughout our Industry to sign up with us, and, set the definitive Goals and Objectives to see substantial growth of MAA.
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Tonya Ellis
AVP of Operations
Crescent Mortgage Company

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

As I continue to become more involved in the MBA and MAA specifically, it has become clearer that results directly relate to participation in advocacy. Over the past two years, I have learned how important it is for our industry to have a voice in the regulations and laws that affect us on a daily basis.  I want to help build relationships with our leaders in Washington and our local governments so that our voice can continue to be heard.

Leadership begins from within your own company. I run a MAA membership campaign every year and have assisted in encouraging other companies in our area and the industry to do the same. I want to talk to other companies about the importance of membership and how their participation makes a difference. I appreciate your consideration.
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Jason Griesser, CMB
Vice President
Guaranteed Rate

Bio:

Over more than 18 years, Jason Griesser has worked in nearly every aspect of mortgage banking. This experience has given Jason a foundation for providing expert financial advice to clients rarely found in today's mortgage lending marketplace. Jason has secured more than $1,000,000,000 in home financing for customers throughout the tristate region. He is an active member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and has obtained the highest designation awarded by the Association: "Certified Mortgage Banker."

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

I will bring a high energy and passion to growing our voice throughout the industry by leveraging my national network of colleagues, friends and mentors in the mortgage business. In today’s contentious and complicated political environment, we need to be persistent and outspoken about protecting our business and promoting positive legislation in the many aspects of our industry. I look forward to serving toward that goal in my role within the Mortgage Action Alliance.

I have gotten more involved personally in local politics and feel that an increased level of participation on a professional level could lead me to making an even bigger impact. I would like to assist my peers in the mortgage business to further our reach and influence. We need to protect ourselves and our industry in these seemingly contentious times in politics. I've always appreciated the work that MAA does and am excited to have a bigger hand in helping its growth.

I feel I could leverage my large national network of industry professionals to be more engaged and grow our presence in a number of states. I know I would help explain what the MAA does to my colleagues and why it is critical to increase their awareness, involvement and promote donation to the cause.
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Tammy Richards
COO, EVP
LoanDepot

Bio:

Tammy Richards is the executive vice president, chief operating officer at loanDepot. In her role, Richards is responsible for the growth and refinement of loan production processes including underwriting, processing, funding and closing, and quality assurance protocols. Her charter further embeds integrated tech application and process-driven automation to simplify and improve consumer-facing loan processes and operational processes.  With more than thirty years’ lending experience, Tammy has held senior roles at Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Caliber Home Loans, overseeing the industry’s ongoing tech transformation.

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

I am an industry advocate and will be a voice of Operations and Technology. I will organize membership drives and use social media influence to increase enrollment and awareness; be a steward and advocate for the industry; support legislation that expands the ability for more Americans to have access to credit and ability to achieve the American dream of homeownership; continue to reimagine, streamline and improve the customer experience when purchasing a home through digital transformation of the industry; be an advocate for legislation that supports digital transformation; continue to drive to reduce cost to consumer when obtaining financing.

I will run a MAA drive within my company. I also have a wide network on social media that I could invite to participate. I have been in the business for 30+ years and have run Operations Nationally for Bank of America, Caliber Home Loans and now Loan Depot. I could expand the non-sales membership.
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Leora Ruzin
VP of Secondary Marketing
Guaranteed Rate

Bio:

Leora Ruzin is VP of Secondary Marketing for Guaranteed Rate, based in Chicago, IL. Leora has been in the mortgage industry for nearly 12 years, with extensive experience in Secondary and Capital Markets, systems administration, licensing and compliance. She has been a fierce advocate for the Mortgage Action Alliance for the last several years, and has served on the MAA Steering Committee as a non-voting member since 2015. As she has worked her way through the industry, she has developed a keen understanding of what the MBA represents, and how MAA is an extension of that representation. A military veteran, she recognizes that there is strength in numbers, and nowhere is that more prevalent than on the steps of Capitol Hill. Through her volunteer work as a writer for Mortgage Women Magazine, a member of NAWRB (Women in the Housing and Real Estate Ecosytem), and on various MBA committees, Leora has her finger on the pulse of the mortgage industry, and will be able to share her knowledge and connections to help strengthen the voice and reach of MAA.

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

I have been a non-voting member of the MAA Steering Committee for almost three years, and have a very strong understanding of the vision and purpose of MAA. Being an advocate for this industry, specifically in areas focusing on access to housing for women, and those in low-to-middle income areas, is a cause very near and dear to my heart. Having a seat at the table is incredibly important, and there is no better person to fill that seat than someone who has been right behind that seat for several years. Lastly, my vast connections in this business will help me get the word out about how important it is to participate with MAA, as we truly are the boots on the ground in DC, and are backed by some of the smartest and strongest minds in the industry.

I have the power of working for a company that is not only one of the largest in the industry, but is the first to participate in ground-breaking advancements in this business. I will be able to leverage my influence to help strengthen MAA's position through campaigns, Calls to Action, and advocacy at industry events. My passion for MAA extends beyond partisanship, as I truly believe that no matter who we affiliate ourselves with politically, we all have something to gain from having strong representation on Capitol Hill.
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Mary Rzucidlo
SVP, Director of Operations
South State Bank

Bio:

Mary is a senior banking executive with over 35 years of financial services experience in mortgage banking.  She has led mid-and-large-size mortgage operations and served as the chief administrative officer and chief operations officer leading transformative change for lenders such as Wachovia/First Union, Wells Fargo, Capital One and USAA.  She currently leads operations for South State Bank.

Mary has been an active member of MBA at both the state and national level. Her passion is focused on areas such as Advocacy, being a leader of MBA’s advocacy teams that take to the Hill each year to engage with our Congressional and Senate leaders.  She has developed programs in her organizations to identify future leaders and is a strong supporter of the Future Leader program each year at MBA, as well as a graduate of the program. 

Her passion for our industry and her active participation in both Advocacy and MAA provide a natural stepping stone to assume additional responsibilities if she is selected to serve as a steering committee member.

Why I want to join the MAA Steering Committee:

My participation as a non-voting member, the MAA Chair for USAA in prior years and my strong support of engaging the emerging next generations of the mortgage industry through advocacy at both the local and national level allow me to contribute and make a significant impact.  Also my area of expertise is one that is not highly served with a focus on the Operational and Administrative aspects of the mortgage industry vs. Sales and Secondary Market.

With the move from USAA, my network now encompasses a regional bank. I have already engaged at the state/local level and will bring that same approach to engaging my new organization, continuing to leverage my network with organizations such as USAA, and all my connections across the industry and the nation to increase awareness and to rally others to take up the torch to bring MAA to life in their own organizations.
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* Vote for up to three of the following candidates:

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