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88 Profiles in Mentorship 88 JK Huey SVP for Asset Management and Preservation, Servicing Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Chair of the National Mortgage Servicing Association W ith guidance from experienced leaders in the mortgage industry, I've had several opportunities for advancement throughout my career—but I believe my basic career foundation began long before I started working. I was 11 when my father passed away unexpectedly. My stay-at-home mother sat me down and said, "I'm going to make sure we have a roof over our heads and food on the table, but anything else you want will have to wait or you'll have to work for it." She quickly found a job and gave her all every day to make good on her promise. is was my introduction to effective communication, integrity, hard work, and respect. She was the first person to show me to never be afraid to take on anything, to be open and honest, to persevere, and to have presence of mind even in the most difficult of situations. Change is not always easy, but it's the stepping stone to your next opportunity. My mother was my first "career" mentor. She led by example and her values live in me, in the organization I lead, and in my family and home life. rough the years, I've admired and respected a number of people. All of them have influenced me in a variety of ways—and I continue to value our relationships. Aside from my mother, one other person always comes to mind when mentors are mentioned. I haven't worked with him for 20 years, but to this day, I still value his opinion. In fact, I continue to send him a National Boss Day card every October to celebrate him and his positive influence on my work life. is mentor was initially the CEO of an organization I worked for in my early days in the mortgage servicing industry. He was tough, transparent, knowledgeable, and really pushed me to be my best. He said: Get your advanced education and certifications. Take on the tough roles and be willing to step out of your comfort zone. Know your business, in particular, your key performance metrics and financials. Always challenge yourself. While he has long since retired, I continue to see him occasionally and reach out for his opinion when I have decisions to make about my career. He has become a really good friend. His teachings, and those of my mother's, live on as I apply them in leading Asset Management and Preservation (AMP), an organization that's responsible for managing all REO and property preservation activities for Wells Fargo's home lending servicing channel. Leading AMP shows my team and me the impact that unforeseen financial events can have on a customer who wishes to maintain homeownership. Along with informing consumers about their options for sustaining homeownership, we work very closely with communities and others to revitalize neighborhoods. Today, as a mentor myself—and a proud member of a company that's committed to making a positive difference in the lives of team members, customers and communities—I hope to celebrate my mother and my work mentor by touching others with their legacy of values and teachings. Inspired by them, I spend a great amount of time mentoring others and sharing experiences. We all need experienced, successful people we can engage with and learn from. Our next generation of leaders is dependent on these individuals to help groom and prepare them. I love working with potential future leaders, as I think my experiences can help them lay the groundwork for success. JK Huey is senior vice president for Asset Management and Preservation for Servicing at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. She is a 34-year veteran of the mortgage industry. "I haven't worked with him for 20 years, but to this day, I still value his opinion. In fact, I continue to send him a National Boss Day card every October to celebrate him and his positive influence on my work life."

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