August 2007 - Interest Notes

CMLA 34th Annual Convention Highlights

CMLA’s 34th Annual Convention theme “Sales Safari” set the stage for 241 Convention attendees to enjoy a mixture of fun and mortgage lending education in beautiful Vail Colorado. After a "State of the industry" address by Kieran Quinn, Chairman-elect, MBA, Convention attendees had the rare opportunity to hear from two of the nation’s top sales trainers: Barry Habib, Mortgage Market Guide and Todd Duncan, The Duncan Group, about ways to enhance and expand offerings as loan originators, the need for sales competency at all levels and how to achieve that, as well as how to add value and make an impact in your customer’s financial futures as a valued financial planning consultant. In addition, several technology and service provider companies were on hand to share information about their services and attorneys Paul Franke, Murray Franke Greenhouse List & Lippitt, LLP and Dan Satriana of Clisham, Satriana, & Biscan, LLC held a seminar on Employment Law.

CMLA’s new leadership program was launched, and the Future Mortgage Leaders of Colorado inaugural Class was announced. Eight individuals began the journey to accelerating their learning curve in the mortgage industry while developing and sharpening their leadership skills (Click here for more information on the Future Leaders class.)

Each year at Convention, CMLA presents a series of prestigious awards to individuals who exemplify the highest ethical standards, professionalism and service to the association. This year’s recipients are as follows

Robert G. Boucher Award

Established in 1981, the Robert G. Boucher Award is presented annually by the Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association to an individual who has made substantial contributions to further joint efforts between the public and private sectors in support of the free enterprise system. Robert G. Boucher served as Chairman of the Mortgage Bankers Association in 1980, one of five people from Colorado to have served in that capacity during CMLA’s 51-year history.



This year’s recipient, Paul Franke (pictured with Jim Lewis, Former Chairman) is a founding partner in the law firm Murray, Franke, Greenhouse, List & Lippitt, LLP, and has served as General Counsel to CMLA for over seven years. During that time, he has offered wise counsel to the Board of Directors on matters ranging from the prior proposed RESPA rule to our current efforts to affect positive change through rule-making at the Division of Real Estate, from administrative matters to providing the legal foundation of our exclusive online training tool, The RESPA Review. As Chairman of the Board of Mile High United Way, Paul embarked on an ambitious five-year plan to raise $250 million to increase the number of individuals receiving help from MHUW. Under his leadership, MHUW achieved its largest fund raising goal in its 120-year history.

Paul was the 2001 recipient of the Everett C. Spelman Award, or mortgage lender of the year – one of a very few non-lenders to have been recognized with our highest award of honor. Paul also received the Barbara Jacob Award in 2000, which is considered our highest award of honor for non-lenders.

Aksel Nielsen Award

Established in 1976, the Aksel Nielsen Award is presented annually by the Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association to a member who has demonstrated outstanding performance and commitment to the Association through work on our various committees.

The Award is named for Aksel Nielsen who served as President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America in 1949. Mr. Nielsen was one of five individuals from Colorado to serve as MBA Chairman, joining Everett Spelman, Bus Bacon, Bob Boucher, and most recently, John Courson, who started his mortgage-banking career in Denver.



Shannon VanSickler, Director of First Mortgage Lending, Bellco Credit Union, pictured with John Ruby, SVP/CLO, Bellco (left) and Stacey Harding, Chairman of the Board, was presented this award for her dedication and determination as the chairlady of CMLA’s legislative committee during a difficult year of legislative and regulatory change in Colorado. Under Shannon’s leadership, the CMLA legislation committee was able to affect positive change in the face of increasing foreclosures, the implosion of sub-prime lending, and press coverage that rarely missed an opportunity to place blame at our feet.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Established in 1997, the Entrepreneur of the Year award is presented annually to an individual or individuals who operate an innovative, well-respected company. Past recipients include Karen Praski-Schack, Gene Humphries, De Wayne Perry, the ownership team at Premier Mortgage Group, Pete Lansing, Jim Lewis, Dave Harder, and the ownership team at Classic Mortgage.



This year, we recognize Suzi Loether, Owner of The Mortgage Pros in Durango, Colorado for her commitment to serving borrowers to the best of her ability and for her dedication to professional and personal service to her clients. Suzi has earned her reputation as a person of great character over the past 15 years by keeping promises, delivering on deadlines, and taking calls during evenings and weekends. Suzi became a CMLA member during the time that HUD was pushing their former proposed RESPA rule. Our friends Anne Koentges and Diane Holbert at First Horizon Home Loans encouraged Suzi to stay informed on that most important issue – and that CMLA was the place to get the information she needed. More than most mortgage brokers at the time, Suzi learned about the proposed RESPA rule and came to understand how it would have affected her business. A constant advocate for CMLA, Suzi takes the time to speak with other rural mortgage brokers about the advantages of CMLA membership and the importance of staying abreast of issues important to our industry.

Barbara S. Jacob Award

Established in 1993, the Barbara S. Jacob Award is presented annually to a non-mortgage lender who has provided outstanding service to this association and the mortgage lending industry. The award is named for Barbara Jacob who worked as administrative director of the Association for 13 years, and who received the 2004 E. Michael Rosser Award for Lifetime Achievement.

This year, we recognize a member of the CMLA Board of Directors who has, indeed, provided outstanding service and has done so with an enduring positive attitude, grace, and friendship – Tom Kimball, Strategic Accounts, Land Title Guarantee Company. During the past year, Tom served as chairman of the CMLA Democratic Caucus, which brings Democrat CMLA members together with elected officials of their party. Throughout the year, Tom has been positive, energetic, and remains a valuable asset to the CMLA.



Tom, pictured here with his wife and extended family as well as Chris Holbert, President CMLA (third from right), Jim Lewis, Former Chairman, CMLA (second from right) and Stacey Harding, Chairman, CMLA (far right) sets a great example of gracious networking and has provided outstanding service to the mortgage lending industry, to the Executive Committee, and Board of Directors. He joins Rick Holman, his stepbrother in the title industry, who received the Jacob award in 2003 and also served on the CMLA Board of Directors.

Congratulations new and renewing CMLs!

Left to right: Debi Taylor, Derek Noll, Gretchen Bryant, Cindy Emerine, Bruce Jordan, Patricia Norton, Richard Smith, Chairman Jim Lewis.