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October 2023 ยป thefivestar.com 25 markets, and the next steps the industry must take to survive this REO cycle. Currently serving as the Director of Vendor Management at VRM Mortgage Services, Reynders-Byars plays a pivotal role in the strategic oversight of third-party relationships encompassing procure- ment, risk assessment, compliance, and performance management. Throughout his 13-year tenure with VRM Mortgage Services, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, keen analytical acumen, and a commitment to operational excellence. Prior to VRM Mortgage Services, he served as an Asset Manager and Loss Mitigation Specialist at Fannie Mae. Following the Keynote Remarks, the first of four panel discussions of the day took place, as Eric Will, REO Senior Direc- tor of Freddie Mac, served as Moderator of the "Team REO: Working With Attorneys and Vendors for a Successful Close" panel. A lively exchange between Will and panelists Graham Arceneaux, Managing Attorney with Graham, Arceneaux & Allen LLC; Managing Partner Michelle Gilbert with the Gilbert Garcia Group P.A.; and Stuart Gordan, Managing Partner with McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce LLC focused on the areas of legal concerns in REO space and how to avoid pitfalls. Panelists also discussed what REO agents can do to assist their legal team to better expedite the asset's return to market. Following panel one, Michael Krein, President of the National REO Brokers Association (NRBA), delivered a Market Update for attendees. Throughout his career, Krein has personally listed and sold more than 25,000 single-family resi- dential units. Krein was also the owner of numerous multioffice brokerage compa- nies, both independent and franchised, including owning regions for national brands. In addition to his role as Presi- dent of NRBA, Krein serves as CEO of RIO Software Solutions, provider of RIO Genesis Software, and Managing Partner for House Karma, a digital ecosystem created to facilitate affordable homeown- ership and revitalize neighborhoods. Panel two, titled "We Are the World," focused on networking and connections that are key to the REO industry. A panel of top trade associations that are coming together to improve the mortgage industry, not just through education and connections, but also by building mi- nority homeownership and professional opportunities. Moderator Tai Chris- tensen, President of Arrive Home and Chair of the AMDC, welcomed a panel of guests, including Ivan Choi, Past Na- tional Chairman of the Asian Real Estate Association (AREAA); Stephen Lewis, President of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB); Peter Park, President of DCT Foundation; and Jason Riveiro, Executive Director of the Nation- al Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) shared their top tips for getting engaged with your industry peers and how to grow business in today's marketplace. Panel three, "Widening Your Hori- zons: Alternate Streams of Revenue," examined new revenue generation ave- nues while staying ahead in the default real estate disposition and management space. Moderator Rida Sharaf, CSO of USRES, and a panel of experts discussed potential new revenue streams, and how to secure a thriving future in the real estate industry. Panelists included Alecia Bolton, Fund Manager with Eleos Cap- ital Group; Christian Etienne, REO Oper- ations with Celink; Michael Friedman, Managing Partner with Lending Direct Mortgage Banker; and Amy Stavin, Director of REO Asset Management with PPR Capital Management. The panel dove into the world of diversification strategies, technological advancements, and collaborative partnerships aimed at expanding revenue horizons and finding creative solutions that went beyond con- vention to guide business toward success. The day's final panel, "Update on Government REOs," provided valuable insight, opportunities, and advice on the challenges that come with successful ventures. Moderated by Doan Ly Nguy- en, Small Business Utilization Specialist with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the panel featured insight from Tyler Amaya, Asset Manager from PEMCO Capital; Labrescia Dawson, CEO from Dawson's Management; Tiffany Fletcher, SVP, Support Services from VRM Mortgage Services; Mark Harris, REO Director from HUD; and Marcia Toms, CEO from LCA Holdings RE LLC. The group shared their experiences on how REO agents can benefit from seeking govern- ment contracts. Plans are already underway for the 2024 installment of the Five Star Con- ference & Expo which will include yet another forum for REO professionals to exchange their ideas and insight to help better the industry. F I V E S T A R C O N F E R E N C E F O R U M S S P O T L I G H T