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MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 18 October 2024 M O V E R S & S H A K E R S growth, brand equity and awareness. Our ultimate goal is to ensure more of our nation's servicemen and women can benefit from the advantages offered by VA mortgage products, and with Bryan on our team we are poised to become the premier home loan provider for the ser- vicemembers and Veterans of the Armed Forces." Bergjans, who joins loanDepot after eight years at Caliber Home Loans, is currently serving in the Navy Reserves as the Readiness Officer for Navy Cargo Handling Battalion 11 HQ in Jacksonville, Florida. Among his many accomplish- ments, Bergjans created and taught a VA Home Loan Benefit curriculum for the St. Louis Association of Realtors, taught the National Association of Realtors' Military Relocation Professional Des- ignation Course, established a Military Spouse Advisory Council, and served as the host of Mortgage News Network's "Homeownership Heroes" and "Military Spouse Mondays" programs. "We owe our military more than a thank you; we owe them an opportunity to achieve the dream of homeowner- ship," Bergjans said. Headquartered in Southern Califor- nia with local market offices nationwide, loanDepot and its sister real estate and home services company, mellohome, are dedicated to helping customers put down roots and bring dreams to life—all while building stronger communities and a better tomorrow. AFR ANNOUNCES KEY LEADERSHIP APPOINTMENTS Residential mortgage lender American Financial Resources (AFR) has an- nounced a series of key leadership appointments, including the addition of Bobbi MacPherson as the new Head of Operations, Shaun Hamman has as SVP of Strategic Accounts, and the promotion of Kayla Lopez to Head of People. With a diverse background in credit policy, operations, and technology development, MacPher- son will provide an immediate impact as AFR's new Head of Operations. Reporting directly to AFR's COO Robert Pieklo, MacPherson 's expertise and innovative approach are expected to drive operational excellence and enhance service delivery. "Bobbi's arrival marks an exciting new chapter for our operations team," Pieklo said. "Her diverse experience and passion for client-centric solutions will undoubtedly elevate the way we serve our clients, ensuring they continue to receive the best possible experience." AFR welcomes back Hamman, who returns to the company as SVP of Strate- gic Accounts. Shaun's deep understand- ing of the industry and his longstanding relationship with AFR make him an invaluable asset as the company contin- ues to grow. In his new role, Shaun will focus on developing strategic accounts while also contributing to the growth of AFR's One-Time Close (OTC) Construc- tion and Renovation programs within the Wholesale & Non-Delegated Channels. "We have been adding to our amaz- ing team here at AFR, and I couldn't be more excited to welcome Shaun back," Pieklo said. "Having grown up together at AFR, this feels like a full-circle moment for us. When the opportunity arose to bring Shaun back, we knew we had to make it happen. His leadership and industry knowledge will be key to our continued success." In a move that highlights AFR's com- mitment to internal growth and develop- ment, Lopez has been promoted to Head of People. Kayla joined the company in March 2024 as VP of Strategic Planning, with a clear path towards greater respon- sibilities. Her exceptional performance and dedication over the past five months have accelerated her journey, leading to this well-deserved promotion. "When we brought Kayla on board, we had a plan for her growth over a cou- ple of years. But within just five months, it was clear that she was ready to take on an even larger role within the organiza- tion," Pieklo added. "Kayla is the right person, in the right seat, at the right time. We are beyond grateful to have her lead- ing this crucial part of our organization." FAY SERVICING ADDS SVP OF DATA SCIENCE Fay Servicing has announced that Josh Balson has joined the company as SVP of Data Science. In this newly created role, Balson will lead Fay's data science initiatives, focusing on leveraging advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the overall borrower experience and drive internal operational efficiencies. "I'm excited to build and execute Fay's data science strategy from the ground up," Balson said. "This role al- lows us to explore new ways of using data to improve our internal operations. By leveraging AI and data science, we aim to provide more personalized, proactive service to our clients, ensuring we meet their needs before challenges arise." Balson brings more than 15 years of experience in analytics within the mort- gage industry, specializing in servicing, originations, and asset management. His expertise spans database architecture, operational reporting, and predictive an- MacPherson Hamman Lopez