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Spring News
April 2016

Welcome to our Spring Newsletter!
In This Issue
Board of Directors
2015/2016 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
 
PRESIDENT
Sandy Garcia
  American Bancshares Mortgage
PRESIDENT-ELECT
Kevin W. Strickland
  SunTrust Mortgage Inc
VICE PRESIDENT
Pat Gaver
  Capital City Bank
SECRETARY/TREASURER
Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Michael Azzarello, CMB
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Jay Ralstin
  Waterstone Mortgage Corp. 
LOCAL CHAPTER REP
Sherry Wenrich 
  HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. 
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Brenda Thomas
LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE
Eric Prutsman
  Prutsman & Associates, P.A.
                                            
2015/2017 Directors
(●TERM ENDS JUNE 2017)
● Brett Bosarge
   Fidelity Bank Mortgage
● Randi Gocinski
   Radian
● Cammie Aucoin
   Sierra Pacific
Michael Culbertson
  JP Morgan
Robert Villalon
   Mortgage Information Services, Inc.
Candice Racine
  Essent Guaranty, Inc.
Randy Galloway
  Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp.
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Patti Spaniol 
  United Guaranty
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Margie Fletcher (elected 2005)
Chuck Ivy (elected 2006)
Georges Lussier (elected 2010)
  BB&T
                                                           
Local Chapter Presidents
MBA OF CENTRAL FLORIDA
Sherry Wenrich
  HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc. 
GULF COAST MBA
Mary Lou Bear
  BB&T
MBA OF JACKSONVILLE
Sherry Gallitz
  First Federal Bank of Florida
MBA OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Doug Leever
MBA OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
Nigel Fullick
MBA OF TALLAHASSEE
Cathy Sherman
  Capital City Bank
MBA OF TAMPA BAY
Francine Villa
  American BancShares Mortgage
 
Board contact information available on our web site at www.mbaf.org 
Membership Committee Update
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Should you have any questions about your membership renewal or want to refer a potential new Member, please do not hesitate to reach out to the following:
   
Brenda Thomas, Executive Director
Phone:  (407) 855-6155
mbaf@mbaf.org
   
Dawn Henshaw, Committee Co-Chair
Phone: (803) 545-4712
Dawn.henshaw@genworth.com 

Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO, Committee Co-Chair
Phone: (407) 494-5626
Membership Listing as of this newsletter 
**indicates Companies that  joined ALL SEVEN of our
Local Chapters
Financial Institution Members
Academy Mortgage Corporation
Acopia Home Loans
American Bancshares Mortgage, Inc.**
Ameris Bank
Assurance Financial
Atlantic Coast Bank 
Bank of America Mortgage
Branch Banking & Trust Co.
Capital City Bank, Residential Mortgage
Centennial Bank
Chase
Christensen Financial, Inc
Consumer Direct Mortgage, a Division of FirstBank
Crestar Funding
Deephaven Mortgage
Eagle Home Mortgage 
Embrace HomeLoans
EverBank
Farm Credit of Northwest Florida
FBT Mortgage, LLC
Fidelity Bank Mortgage**
First Commerce Credit Union
First Federal Bank of Florida**
Florida Capital Bank Mortgage
Florida Housing Finance Corporation
Franklin American Mortgage Co.
Freedom Mortgage Corporation
Green Tree Servicing LLC
Group One Mortgage, Inc.
HomeBridge Financial Services, Inc**
iberiabank Mortgage Company
K Hovnanian American Mortgage LLC 
Prime Meridian Bank
Prime Mortgage Group, LLC 
PrimeLending
Quontic Bank
Regions Mortgage
SecurityNational Mortgage Company
Sierra Pacific Mortgage
Spirides Hotel Real Estate and Finance Brokers, LLC
Stearns Lending
SunTrust Mortgage, Inc.
Synovus Mortgage
The Mortgage Firm, Inc.**
VyStar Credit Union
Waterstone Mortgage Corp.
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
 
 Associate Members
Arch MI
CCMC Inc.
CoreLogic(r)
Ditio Appraisals
CRS Data**
Edge MAC 
Essent Guaranty, Inc.
First American Mortgage Solutions
Freddie Mac 
Genworth Mortgage Insurance**
Mela Capital Group
Meridian National Title, Inc. 
Merscorp Holdings, Inc.
Mortgage Builder Inc., an Altisource Business Unit 
Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp.
Mortgage Information Services, Inc.
National MI
Radian Guaranty
Ronald R. Wolfe & Associates
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, P.A.
Stewart Lender Services
The StoneHill Group, Inc.
United Guaranty
Vantage Point Title Inc. 
  
Individual Members
Michael P. Azzarello, CMB
William Cannova
Chris Chemi
Michael Dunn
Josh Finley
Matthew Goldman, CLO, CRO
David Greif
Elizabeth Karwowski
Doug Leever
Holly Mobari
Rudy Orman, CMB 
Leslie Schultz-Kin, Esq.
Sharon Priest
Peggy A Thomas
Alan Verch, CMB
 
Local Chapters
MBA of Central Florida
MBA of Gulf Coast
MBA of Jacksonville
MBA of South Florida
MBA of Southwest Florida
MBA of Tallahassee
MBA of Tampa Bay
Mark Your Calendars for our 2017 Conference and Convention Dates / Locations

2017 Annual Convention
 2017 Eastern Secondary Market Conference
Hyatt Regency Orlando
$239 single/double

We are very excited to have our dates and locations set and the planning will begin soon. You are welcome to sign up for the committees or submit a speaker/session proposal. Email your interest to mbaf@mbaf.org
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We are going to use Facebook in addition to our normal avenue of communications so be sure to click the link above and like our page to get our notifications.
Legislative Report 
by Eric Prutsman, Esq.
The 2016 Legislative Session proved to be very different from the Session of 2015. The House, Senate, and Governor actually worked together on a number of issues and nobody went home early. MBAF had a very productive "Day at the Capitol," meeting with legislators and watching the Legislature in action. And not only did we get to watch the House in Session on the House Floor, but the Association's good friend, Rep. Ritch Workman, Chairman of the House Rules Committee, gave a personal tour of the House Chamber - a rare treat. Our meetings with legislators were a great opportunity for us to share what is happening in the industry and for them to share their insights on the Session.

Unlike many Sessions in the past, there were no "must stop bills" that posed a significant threat to our industry. Legislation to improve the way Citizens Property Insurance does business in Florida was adopted, and further discussion was had on the the availability of flood insurance. MBAF worked with legislators and their staff to respond to inquiries about the industry and how various legislative proposals would impact the market.

Now that legislators have returned back to their home districts to  begin campaigning for re-election in the Fall, it is a perfect time for MBAF members to invite House and Senate members to local chapter meetings, and volunteer in their campaigns. It is critical that MBAF members take the initiative to develop new relationships with the legislators so that when the next legislative crisis pops up (and it will) we have advocates to assist us in Tallahassee. Please let Brenda know at mbaf@mbaf.org if your Chapter is inviting a legislator to speak so that we can keep track of those local contacts.
Association News

The MBA of Florida Board of Directors and Committees are always listening to what it is the members would like to see within their association, including the conferences and conventions. We are in the early stages of discussions to hold a Strategic Planning Meeting in the next fiscal year. If you have any ideas you would like to bring to the participants please let us know
What is the MAA:
by Amy Swaney on behalf of MBA Washington
MAA is a crucial portion of the Mortgage Bankers Association's (MBA) advocacy efforts as it connects real estate finance professionals with their representatives in a collective voice. Our ability to unite and organize on both the state and local level is what makes the Mortgage Action Alliance such an effective tool for individual members of our industry and state MBAs as well.  

Our battles are far from over and active participation is needed from everyone, from chief executive officers to receptionists, to underwriters and originators. I encourage you to continue to engage with MAA on the federal and local level to help move the needle and amplify your voice with others in our industry.

 

Enrollment in MAA is easy ... simply fill out an online form at www.mba.org/maa. Your membership is always free and lasts for one calendar year. We need you. Your voice matters and it is critical that you use it. Together, we can make a difference on Capitol Hill and in state capitals across the country. The larger the group, the louder the voice ... add yours today.

 

Amy Swaney, CMB is governmental relations officer and branch manager with Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Citywide Home Loans. Amy is also chair of the Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA), a voluntary, non-partisan and free nationwide grassroots lobbying network of real estate finance industry professionals, affiliated with the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). Amy may be reached by phone at (480) 822-6262, ext. 2164, e-mail amy@amyswaney.com or visit  http://mba.org/Advocacy/MortgageActionAlliance 
Need Education
Instructions
Refreshers
CMB Classes?

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President's Message
Sandy Garcia
As I come to a close to the end of my year as your President I ask myself, did I do everything I'd hoped to do this year? Well, I think I came real close and the year's not even over yet!
 
Membership is extremely important to the association. We need membership to drive our efforts on all committees within the association. We need our members to show up and get involved on every level. MPAC totally depends on each and every one us to get the word out on industry relations and what is important to us as Mortgage Lenders. Membership enables our ability to network and make contacts that allow us to unite and grow as one as we do continue to see increased membership each year. Great job to the Membership Committee Co-Chairs Dawn Henshaw and Matthew Goldman along with their committee.
 
Education is what makes us stand out as individuals and a professional association. We have had outstanding learning experiences throughout the year on the state and local levels. Some of the leading industry experts spoke at our Secondary Conference this past February and many more will speak at our Annual Convention in June. Each month, our local chapters have the finest agency and local experts in their market speak at their luncheons. These educational opportunities provide exceptional value to all of our membership so be sure not to miss the next one.
 
Legislation is an ongoing effort and although there are not too many pressing issues this year we have Eric Prutsman, our Legislative Representative, who watches our back every day and keeps us informed. Eric also coordinates our annual trip to Tallahassee for members and future leaders. This is an amazing experience and I encourage each and every one of you to participate in next year's trip.
 
Secondary and Annual Convention is where we all come together to learn, network and belong. I promised to have more focus on sales and fun at this year's meetings as you saw at our Secondary Conference. I hope you all will attend the convention June 15-16th in Delray Beach. Check out the Annual Convention website, http://www.mbaf.org/2016-convention, to see what Co-Chairs Robert Villalon, Pat Gaver and the committee have in store for you!
 
"Pay it Forward" was my theme this year and I have to say, what an amazing job each member, director and local chapter has done. As a group, we supported many local charities that had diverse service missions. A few examples of how we have helped families this year included providing food, painting homes, donating bikes to children and supporting an entire cottage at the Children's Home where over 200 underprivileged kids pass through in one year. 
 
As we speak we have our incoming president, Kevin Strickland attending the MBA Advocacy and State and Local Workshop in Washington, D.C. This is an extremely important event and a great learning experience. The report is as of today Kevin has many pages of notes and is very impressed with the sessions. We will get a detailed report from him at the conclusion of the event.

A Special Thank You goes out to Brenda Thomas, our Managing Director of the association. We all know this association would not function as smoothly as it does without Brenda's ongoing support, brilliance and tireless efforts. Thank you Brenda for keeping us all on track and helping us achieve our goals!
 
Thank you all for making the MBA of Florida the success that it is! We look forward to seeing you in June. 
2016 Annual Convention
June 15-16



Hotel Information - Marriott Delray Beach
Important: Room Reservation Cut-Off May 14th!
10 North Ocean Blvd. , Delray Beach, Florida 33483

Convention Rates:
Standard Room $159 ● Partial Ocean View Room $169 ● Partial Ocean View King Suite $179
Complimentary Wireless in guestrooms ● Rate available three days pre/post-convention
●15% Discount in the N'spa ● Discount Parking: $7.00forSelf (from $15); $12 for Valet
● No Resort Fee

Toll Free Room Reservations: 1-877-389-0169 Direct Hotel Phone: 1-561-274-3200
We Can't Wait!
The convention committee has some great education and exciting fun events planned  this year. Click Here to Access the information online OR below:

2016 Convention Registration Form (Save $100 if you register before 4/23!)
There is a level for your budget from $500 (Bronze) $800 (Silver) $1,000 Gold (Platinum $1,500 to over $2,000 (Diamond Level) The program ad submission deadline is 5/23 so get your sponsorship in now! We thank you for your support of your professional association. 
Schedule Below But Complete Information: Click Here to Access the 2016 Convention Brochure:

Wednesday June 15, 2016-Registration Opens at 10 AM
GOLF - Wednesday morning there will be a golf outing at the Polo Trace Golf Club!
2 - 4 PM Annual Business Meeting
4:15 - 5:15 PM - Business By The Numbers, by Steve Richman, National Spokesperson and Customer Trainer, Genworth Mortgage Insurance
5:15 PM Incoming Local Chapter Presidents-Reminder to please come to the MBAF Registration Desk for an Introduction Meeting! (15 minutes, tops)
6 - 8 PM Casino Night
 
Thursday June 16, 2016-Registration Opens at 8 AM
8 - 9 AM Local Chapter Presidents Breakfast Meeting
8 - 9 AM - Attendees Breakfast
9 - 10 AM MBA National Update with speakerBill Emerson, 2016 Chairman, Mortgage Bankers Association and Chief Executive Officer, Quicken Loans, Inc.
10 - 11:30 AM - How to Build a Social Media Strategy in the Mortgage Industry by Ben Smidt, Digital Marketing Program Specialist - Marketing Promotions, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corporation
11:30 - 11:45 AM - Refreshment Break
11:45 AM - 12:45 PM - Economic Update, Doug Duncan, Vice President and Chief Economist, Fannie Mae
12:45 - 2 PM - Attendee Luncheon
12:45 - 2 PM - CMB Luncheon Meeting
2 - 3:30 PM - BEST PRACTICES for SALES SUCCESS by Scott Garvis, CEO, Dale Carnegie Training of South Florida
3:30 - 3:45 PM - Refreshment Break
3:45 - 5 PM - Executive Panel-Come to hear your industry professionals provide information with questions and answers covering a variety of current mortgage banking issues.
Dan Klinger, Group President, Financial Services, K. Hovnanian American Mortgage
Darryl Derwort, Regional Manager, BB&T
Brett Lindquist, CEO, The Mortgage Firm
John Cosculluela, CMB, President and CEO, American Bancshares Mortgage, Inc.
James (Jimmy) Timmons, President, Universal American Mortgage Company
Moderator: Kevin Strickland, SunTrust Mortgage
6 PM - Installation Reception
6:45 PM - Installation Banquet

Friday June 17, 2016
8 -11 AM -  MBAF Board of Directors Meeting
We have lot's of space to add your name to our sponsor listing! Please support your professional association.
2016 Convention Sponsorship Form - Click Here
2016-2017 Nominating Report
Congratulations to our Incoming Officers!
The Nominating Committee met for the purpose of nominating a
President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, Second Vice President, and up to four elective members of the Board of Directors. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the time of election at the Annual Business Meeting during the Annual Convention Wednesday June 15, 2016 at the Marriott Delray Beach, Florida. Election shall be by the majority vote. Members qualified to vote are the main contacts at each regular member company that are members of the MBAF and Individual Members.
 
President - No Vote Needed
Kevin W. Strickland, SunTrust Mortgage

NOMINATED OFFICERS - To be voted on at the Annual Business Meeting
President Elect              Pat Gaver, Capital City Bank
Vice President               Matthew Goldman, Security National Mortgage Company
Secretary-Treasurer        Michael Azzarello, CMB, Caliber Home Loans
Second Vice President   Sherry Gallitz, First Federal Bank of Florida
 
NOMINATED DIRECTORS - 2-year terms - To be voted on at the Annual Business Meeting
Francine Villa, American BancShares Mortgage
Doug Leever, Tropical Financial Credit Union
Richard Peek, The Mortgage Firm
 
FYI:
DIRECTORS - (1 year remaining - No Vote Needed)
Michael A. Culbertson, JP Morgan
Robert Villalon, Mortgage Information Services, Inc.
Candice Racine, Essent Guaranty, Inc.
Randy Galloway, Mortgage Guaranty Insurance Corp.
 
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
Patti Spaniol, United Guaranty
Local Chapter News
There are seven local chapters in Florida. Below are the links to each chapter's web site. With so much going within each chapter it pays to get involved in your local area.

 

Chapter Web Links below:

 

Gulf Coast MBA 

MBA of Central Florida 

MBA of Jacksonville 

MBA of Tallahassee 

MBA of Tampa Bay 

MBA of South Florida 

MBA of SW Florida 

 

 

Chapter Calendar  
MBA of Jacksonville
Submitted by Sherry Gallitz, President, MBA Jacksonville
The MBA of Jacksonville partnered with the Jacksonville chapter of Florida Association of Mortgage Professional (FAMP), Northeast Florida Association of Realtors (NEFAR) and Northeast Florida Builder Association (NEFBA) for the 3rd Annual NE Florida Real Estate Symposium held on Wednesday, February 10th at the University of North Florida.   The event had over 275 attendees who were updated on important local economic and real estate information from Paul M. Mason, Ph.D., Professor of Economics from UNF; Anthony Crocco, Director of Northern and Central Florida with Metrostudy; and Brad O'Connor Ph.D., Chief Economist, with the Florida Realtors.
Allen Touchton, Symposium Co-Chair; Paul Mason Ph.D, Professor of Economics @ UNF; Michelle Glass, Event Sponsor & MBA of Jacksonville VP; Marc Jernigan, President NEFAR; Anthony Crocco, Director of N. & Central FL, Metrostudy; Howard Dyle, President of FAMP; Dennis Pass, Symposium Co-Chair; Eddie Hilliard, Symposium Committee member; Sherry Gallitz, President of MBA of Jacksonville; and Jim Goodrich, Breakfast Sponsor and Symposium Committee member.


Michelle Glass, Event Sponsor and MBA Jacksonville VP with the three Speakers: Paul Mason Ph. D, Professor of Economics @ UNF; Anthony Crocco, Director of N. & Central FL, Metrostudy; and Brad O'Connor Ph.D, Chief Economist, Florida Realtors

On Wednesday, March 16th  our event was held at Carrabba's Italian Grill and had 40 individuals in attendance.  The MBA of Jacksonville hosted President of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Mark Lamping, to speak with us on initiative to improve EverBank's in-stadium experience, strengthen relationships with governmental and civic interests, and grow business opportunity locally, regionally, and internationally.  


Presentation of the Charitable Donation was done at the end of the meeting.
MBA President, Sherry Gallitz, presents a $5000 check for the Marine Corporal Joshua Watkins Scholarship Fund to Diane Stover, UNF - Military & Veterans Resource Center. Also pictured is Amy Vazquez, center, Mother of Joshua Watkins.
MBA of South Florida
Submitted by Doug Leever, President, MBA of South Florida
We have a great start to 2016 with our educational luncheons with 'Attitudes of Service' led by Scott Garvis of Dale Carnegie in January.  We had 52 attendees to this great luncheon.  In February we had a realtor panel and 66 attendees for our luncheon-this was an outstanding event, as well. In March we had an Alternative Lending Panel with the following lenders- Angel Oak, Citadel and BAC Florida Bank, with 38 in attendance and was very well received.  Our April luncheon is focused on 'Social Media' and we are pleased to have Ben Smidt from MGIC as our speaker.
 
We are very excited about our annual Golf Tournament coming up on May 6th at the Bonaventure Golf Club in Weston.  Sponsorships and registrations for golfers are still available, so please sign up now at our site listed below.    Proceeds benefit Make-a-Wish.
 
MBA of Tallahassee
Submitted by Cathy Sherman, President, MBA of Tallahassee
With spring already underway and most of us extremely busy we are continuing to have successful luncheons.   For our March Luncheon we had Steve Richman, the National Sales Trainer with Genworth Mortgage Ins, and he spoke on turning transactions into relationships. The event was a full house and very successful. Our April Meeting will be a follow-up TRID Roundtable. We expect this one to be a big meeting for attendance due to the panel consisting of Realtors, Lenders, & Closing Agents. There are still a lot of concerns and questions out there related to TRID and hopefully by bringing all partners that are involved with a loan transaction together to talk about it in a roundtable type discussion, this will help with some of the confusion that still exists. We will be having our annual Bowling Tournament and silent auction this month. This is our big MPAC Fundraiser so the teams are all geared up for a little friendly competition. We will end with our May Meeting which will be our local board installation meeting. It has been a very busy and exciting term as the Chapter President but I'm excited that I will be leaving it in in good hands with our incoming president who is already in the process of planning meetings for her upcoming term.
MBA of Tampa Bay
Submitted by Francine Villa, President, MBA of Tampa Bay
The Tampa Bay chapter had the pleasure of visiting Tallahassee and our State Capital. Eric Prutsman was a great tour director and made sure we saw it all. We met with Ritch Workman, Chair of the Florida House Rules Committee who took us down to the floor of the House of Representatives while they were not in session for an up close look at where our elected officials work. We also met with Representative Chris Sprowls of Clearwater, Representative Scott Plakon of Longwood and Rene Plasencia of Orlando. What a trip!
 
We are happy to report that we had a great turnout of golfers at our April 8th Annual Golf Tournament at the Eagles in Tampa Fl. Fun was had by all and everyone left with a smile on their face. Our Golf committee led by DJ Rondeau did a great job and are already planning on beating this record next year.
 
Our upcoming events are just as exciting. We have Greg Frost, 10 Tactics that Will Double Your Business in 90 Days, coming to  Tampa on May 10th. Our wonderful Orlando chapter helped in organizing this great event for our members and theirs.  We are co-hosting with FAMP so that we could share this event with their members too.
 
In May we also have our Member Social where we vote on our new incoming BOD.  There will be new faces and new relationship which are going to make for a great next year!
 
June brings North American Title and the Myths of Multi-tasking. This is a different speaker than we have had in the past so I'm looking forward to some good tips and practices.
 
Our MPAC and Events and Planning committees are still busy making sure we fun events to enjoy.
 
Francine E. Villa 



Since 1952, the Mortgage Bankers Association of Florida (MBAF) has integrated the state's diverse real estate finance industry into a unified service organization. The MBAF is committed to promoting sound and ethical business practices in the mortgage banking industry; providing a powerful and responsible presence in Florida's legislative arena; educating its members in the most up-to-date practices and methods, so members can grow and mature in their careers; serving as a forum for communication and social interaction among peers; and adapting to change in a mercurial business environment, in order to help mortgage bankers succeed in that environment.
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