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MortgagePoint ยป Your Trusted Source for Mortgage Banking and Servicing News 12 December 2025 Taveekanjana is committed to Cor- nerstone's Mission of making a positive difference, with a focus on building purpose-driven teams that genuinely care about their clients and fostering local partnerships that expand access to homeownership. "Tony has infectious energy, a passion for people, and a dedication to serving our community," Crowell said. "We have a tenured, accomplished team, but adding new players is critical to our evolution and growth. Tony is a key addition who will sharpen us and make us a better team." Taveekanjana's appointment ref lects Cornerstone's belief that sus- tainable growth stems from relation- ships, not transactions. As the mortgage industry navigates shifting market conditions and increased demand for personalized service, Taveekanjana's rich skillset, paired with Cornerstone's culture of care, positions the division for success. MERIWEST CREDIT UNION NAMES VP, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER Meriwest Credit Union, announced the promotion of Gene Fichtenholz to VP, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), following the retirement of Lina Hess on Oct. 31. Fichtenholz brings more than 30 years with Meriwest to his new role, includ- ing more than 12 years in management. Most recently, he was VP, Digital Innovations, where he spearheaded transformative initiatives such as the move to Meriwest's new Digital Banking platform, the introduction of innovative member-facing digital services, and enhancements to online account opening and onboarding. He also led Meriwest's efforts in artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), driving data-driv- en decision-making, and operational efficiency. Before 2019, Fichtenholz was Assistant VP, Information Technology, with responsibility for Data Architec- ture and Business Intelligence. Since joining Meriwest in 1993, Fichtenholz has played a pivotal role in shaping its technology infrastructure and advancing its digital capabilities. Meriwest said his deep institutional knowledge, forward-thinking ap- proach, and collaborative leadership have positioned Meriwest at the forefront of innovation, making him uniquely qualified to lead the credit union's technology strategy into the future. In his expanded role as CTO, Ficht- enholz will oversee both Information Technology and Digital Innovations, spearheading Meriwest's ongoing dig- ital transformation and commitment to operational excellence with a strong emphasis on advancing AI-driven solu- tions to enhance member experiences and operational efficiency. "Gene's expertise in AI and machine learning, combined with his long-standing dedication to Meriwest, positions him perfectly to guide our technological advancements," Meriwest CEO Lisa Pesta said. "We are confi- dent in his ability to drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to our members." "Gene's promotion is a well-earned recognition of his years of dedication, innovation, and leadership at Meri- west," Board Chairman Dr. Arthur Jue said. "His vision for the future of technology aligns perfectly with the Board's, and he has a deep understand- ing of our members and values. The Board looks forward to his continued leadership as we build on our tradition of service and innovation." Meriwest said that Fichtenholz's ap- pointment underscores its dedication to fostering internal talent and ensuring a seamless transition as we continue to provide exceptional financial services to our members. "I am honored to step into this role and continue advancing Meriwest's mission," Fichtenholz said. "I look forward to leading our technology and digital innovation efforts, with a focus on harnessing AI and machine learn- ing, to enhance the member experience and support our organization's growth." NEXA LENDING APPOINTS RANA MORTENSEN AS CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER NEXA Lending has appointed Rana Mortensen as Chief Administrative Officer, a strategic addition to its C-Suite that reinforces the company's commitment to operational excellence, cultural cohesion, and national growth. In her new role, Mortensen will continue to oversee administrative oper- ations across facilities, human resources, people operations, corporate events, internal communications, and system administration. Mortensen will serve as the connective force that aligns depart- ments, drives accountability, and ensures company-wide execution on NEXA's strategic vision, the company said. "Rana is the heart of execution at NEXA," CEO Mike Kortas said. "She not only ensures that things get done, she ensures they get done the right way, with people, culture, and excel- lence at the center. Her leadership has been instrumental in helping us grow responsibly while preserving what makes NEXA special: our people and our purpose." Chandler, Arizona-based NEXA said that over the years, Mortensen has become an indispensable part of its growth story bridging leadership, oper- ations, and culture in a way that keeps the company unified through constant innovation. Her ability to navigate com- plex systems while building meaning- ful relationships has earned her deep respect across the organization. "Every organization needs someone who can turn vision into movement. Rana brings the precision, foresight, and empathy that make progress possible. Her ability to organize complexity while M O V E R S & S H A K E R S