In 2001, as I was preparing to start my sophomore year of college, I found myself at a crossroads. I had been working as a courtesy clerk at Stater Bros when my mom, a realtor, suggested I get into loans. She saw an opportunity for me to assist her clients while maintaining the flexibility to balance a full college course load. That led me to F2K, a top-tier broker shop and in-house lender for one of the largest real estate firms at the time. At just 19 years old, I was learning from experienced loan officers, absorbing everything I could. I don’t think I fully understood the magnitude of the role at the time, but I loved it. Less than two years later, I was originating loans full-time and, in a roundabout way, the business had chosen me—with a little help from my mom.

Outside of work, family is everything. My wife and I love spending time together and staying involved in our kids' activities. My 6-year-old son plays ice hockey and basketball, and I have the privilege of being an assistant coach for his travel hockey team, getting on the ice with him twice a week. My daughters, 16 and 9, both play basketball and are deeply involved with their horses and rodeos, which have become a big part of our lives. We stay busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We’re also huge LA Kings fans and have season seats—though we don’t make it to as many games as we’d like. Beyond that, I enjoy working out, traveling (especially to Hawaii), and catching live concerts whenever I can.

My journey in the mortgage industry took a pivotal turn between 2007 and 2008 when I transitioned from originating loans to becoming an Account Executive at Countrywide, the nation's largest lender at the time. Managing over 100 broker accounts gave me an entirely new perspective on the industry. I saw firsthand the difference between great loan originators and those who were doing a disservice to their clients. Too often, borrowers were left in the dark—overcharged, misinformed, or completely denied opportunities they should have had. That’s when I truly understood my purpose in this business. I had the knowledge, the experience, and, most importantly, the drive to do better for people. Being a loan originator is more than just numbers on a page; we help working-class families secure their largest financial asset. We play a part in where they’ll create lifelong memories—where they’ll bring home their baby, host family BBQs, and build their future. It’s not always a business that gets a thank you, but nothing is more rewarding than getting a client into a home when other lenders have told them "no." That’s what drives me every day.