DSNews delivers stories, ideas, links, companies, people, events, and videos impacting the mortgage default servicing industry.
Issue link: http://digital.dsnews.com/i/1529211
MortgagePoint » Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 16 November 2024 M O V E R S & S H A K E R S on complex matters involving govern- mental relations, public affairs and crisis management. "We are thrilled to have Lang join the team," said Bryan Jordan, President, Chairman, and CEO of First Horizon. "His extensive experience and strategic mindset will be crucial as we continue to operate in a dynamic political and regulatory environment." A native of Tennessee, Wiseman's academic journey began with a bas- ketball scholarship at the University of Tennessee, culminating with his grad- uation from Harvard Law School. His professional career includes his service as Deputy Governor and Chief Counsel under Governor Bill Lee from 2019-2021. As a founding partner of Wiseman Bray PLLC, he garnered experience in busi- ness and commercial litigation, bank workouts and dispute resolution. He has held various prestigious roles, including counsel to the U.S. Senate Governmen- tal Affairs Committee and a law clerk for the Honorable Harry W. Wellford of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His commitment to service is reflect- ed in his extensive civic and nonprofit leadership roles, including currently serving on the Governor's Council for Judicial Appointments (Chairman), the University of Tennessee Board of Trust- ees, the Governor's Nuclear Energy Ad- visory Council, the Tennessee Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council (Chair, Policy Subcommittee), the Governor's Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives Board of Directors and the University of Tennessee Research Foun- dation Board of Directors, to name a few. "Charlie has played a significant role in the company's growth and success, not only leading our legal team, but by providing wise counsel and unwavering support to all aspects of the organiza- tion," Jordan said. "We wish him the best as he embarks on this new chapter in his life." PLANET HOME LENDING NAMES NEW EVP Planet Home Lending has hired Bill Shuler as EVP and Chief Information Officer. With more than 25 years in the financial services industry and decades of mortgage leadership, Shuler will be tasked with driving Planet's technological growth and enhancing its operational efficiency. "Bill's extensive experience in lever- aging technology to grow organizations in a practical, secure manner made him the ideal choice for Planet," said Michael Dubeck, CEO and President of Planet Financial Group, parent of Planet Home Lending. "His ability to bridge business and IT, along with his commit- ment to compliance and integrity, makes him an invaluable addition to the exec- utive leadership team as we continue to strengthen our multichannel platform." Throughout his career, Shuler has specialized in business strategy and systems renovation that increases productivity, decreases costs, and aligns operating units. "My focus has always been on creating pragmatic IT solutions that support dynamic business growth, and I am ready to build strategic partner- ships across all areas of Planet and help solidify the foundation for that growth," Shuler said. "My goal is to execute a technological strategy that not only streamlines business processes but enhances security and customer experi- ence while reducing costs and aligning with industry standards." Before joining Planet Home Lending, Shuler was President of WPS Advisors, providing boutique adviso- ry and consulting services to top-tier mortgage companies and private equity firms. Previously, he was the Executive Managing Director and CIO at Home Point Financial, where he restructured information technology services, lead- ing to significant productivity increases, cost reductions and increased business profitability. Shuler has also had CIO leadership roles at GMAC Mortgage/ GMAC ResCap, National City Mortgage, and Homeward Residential Inc., where he also served as Chief Administrative Officer and Chairman of their offshore captive in Pune, India. Service Providers MBA SWEARS IN NEW LEADERSHIP Laura Escobar, President of Lennar Mortgage, has been sworn in as 2025 Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Associa- tion (MBA). "Representing the real estate finance industry as MBA Chair is truly one of the greatest honors of my career. With Christine Chandler's and Owen Lee's leadership and support, I am confident that we will make meaningful progress in addressing the many challenges and opportunities facing our industry," Esco- bar said. "I am committed to developing new ideas and strengthening MBA's ongoing commitment to increasing housing supply and affordability for ownership and renting as well as investing—through mortgage education and training programs—in the next generation of industry leaders." Escobar, a 37-year industry veteran, has held leadership positions with both bank-owned and independent mort- gage companies overseeing all aspects of mortgage banking. She has served as President of Lennar Mortgage, the mortgage lending subsidiary of Lennar Corporation, since 2018, leading a team of more than 1,100 associates in 54 locations across 26 states. Escobar joined Lennar Mortgage in 2002 as Branch Manager; in 2004, she was promoted to SVP managing the Eastern Region; and in 2016, she became EVP, overseeing op- erations and production of the compa-