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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 18 January 2024 M O V E R S & S H A K E R S Service Providers KASPER RESIGNS AS NAR PRESIDENT National Association of Realtors (NAR) President Tracy Kasper has informed the association's leadership team that she recently received a threat to disclose a past personal, non-financial matter unless she compromised her position at NAR. She refused to do so, and instead reported the threat to law enforcement. Kasper felt that, in the circumstances, it was best for the organization that she step down. Kasper began her term in late August after Kenny Parcell, NAR President since November 2022, was accused of harass- ment in a New York Times article. "As President and a long-time member of NAR, I always have put the interests of NAR first," Kasper said. "As a result of the recent threat and given the significance of this moment for myself, my family, and the organization, it is again time for me to put the interests of NAR first. So, it is with a mix of grati- tude and a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as your president effective immediately. In doing so, it gives our Leadership Team the ability to take the reins and forge forward in effecting the change that we all have worked so hard over the past few months to begin. I know I leave our members, our staff and our association in good hands." NAR President-Elect Kevin Sears will step into the role of 2024 NAR President, effective immediately. "NAR's work to strengthen the organization continues uninterrupted, and NAR remains focused on leading our industry forward and ensuring transpar- ent and competitive marketplaces for American home buyers and sellers," said the association in a statement. Kasper is currently the Broker/Owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Silverhawk Realty in Boise Valley and a majority owner in two other Idaho real estate companies. She has more than 30 years of experience in real estate and con- tinues to list and sell residential properties, building lots, vacant land for development and light industrial, and specializes in new construction sales. She had served on the NAR Board of Directors since 2016. Sears, who officially assumes the role of 2024 President of NAR, is Broker/ Partner of Sears Real Estate, specializing in single-family brokerage and property management. He has served NAR in numerous capacities, including as a Pres- ident's Liaison in 2019 and as NAR VP of Government Affairs in 2017. The Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) elected Sears as President in 2010. In addition to serving in national leadership roles, Kevin has been a member or an alternate of the MAR Board of Directors since 2000. In 2006, MAR named him Realtor of the Year, and in 2015, he received the Milton H. Shaw Distinguished Service Award. In 2011, Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick appointed him as Chair of the Board of Registration of Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons (the state's real estate com- mission), a position he was reappointed to in 2016 by Gov. Charlie Baker. MPA NAMES NEW PRINCIPAL ADVISOR Mortgage Policy Advisors (MPA) has named Russell "Rusty" Johnson Principal Advisor of the firm. In his new role, he will be responsible for advocating on behalf of MPA clients, supporting the firm's client development strategy, while advising partners on various market opportunities. "Rusty is an accomplished executive, that I had the privilege of working with during my tenure at Wells Fargo," said Bob Caruso, CEO of ServiceMac. "He [Johnson] is a bottom line, results-orient- ed professional, that knows the mortgage servicing business." A recognized leader in the financial services industry, Johnson has 30 years of professional experience in mortgage banking and servicing, having held executive positions at Bank of America, Radian, Wells Fargo, PwC, Fannie Mae, and KPMG. Prior to joining MPA, Johnson was responsible for KPMG's large-scale engagements with financial institutions, including Fannie Mae, the U.S. Depart- ment of Veteran Affairs (VA) and Bank of America, and served as KPMG's subject matter expert for all mortgage servicing engagements. During his tenure at Fannie Mae, Johnson led efforts at the govern- ment-sponsored enterprise (GSE), towards the creation and implementa- tion of government programs such as the Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP) and the Home Affordable Refi- nance Program (HARP). His work on a comprehensive servicer rating system, led to the development of Fannie Mae's Servicer Total Achievement and Rewards (STAR) program. "We are delighted to have Rusty as part of our growing team, and look for- ward to his contributions," added Marcel A. Bryar, Managing Director at MPA. Johnson holds a bachelor's in busi- ness administration, management and operations from Bryant University of Rhode Island. Based in Washington, D.C., MPA is a strategic advisory firm providing clients with insights related to emerging or existing legislation, policy, regulations, and agency guidance impacting the U.S. residential mortgage industry. Through experience and practice, the team at MPA analyzes market trends—translating infor- mation into actionable and strategic intelli- gence including business growth strategy and third-party business development. WFG PROMOTES NATALIE KOONCE TO DIVISION PRESIDENT ROLE WFG National Title Insurance Company has promoted Natalie Koonce to Division President for the company's Colorado region. Koonce joined WFG in April 2020 as SVP, National Escrow Advisor, and brings more than 25 years of industry