Tag Archives: Movers & Shakers

R.J. Arnett will be taking the reins at ICON Residential Lending as EVP of wholesale lending, the California-based originator announced. In his newly-created position at ICON, Arnett oversees the national sales force with a nationwide network of mortgage brokers.

The National Association of Mortgage Field Services re-elected VP of White Van Real Estate Services, Kris Katoa, for a third term as a board member. Katoa has been a member of NAMFS for more than 13 years and previously served two terms on the organization's board and on the committee for its 2011 National Conference.

John L. MacFarland is joining Stewart National Title Services as a national business development representative. In his new role, he will work to bring in new commercial business with particular focus on initiating business in the Midwest.

Donald McGuire will be pulling double duty at NewOak as COO and head of investment banking, the company announced. McGuire comes to NewOak with more than 27 years of experience in finance and operations, having worked in the major investment banking, pharmaceutical, and technological industries.

Nichole Guthneck will help to lead Guaranteed Home Mortgage Company as its newly-appointed division leader, the company announced. In her role at Guaranteed, Guthneck is responsible for training, hiring, oversight, marketing, and policy for Guaranteed Direct, the firm's web-based residential mortgage platform.

Tree.com, Inc., and LendingTree, LLC, are welcoming a new senior leader to their ranks. The entities recently announced that Nikul Patel has been appointed as senior vice president of products.

Walker & Dunlop, Inc., announced that Douglas C. Blake has been hired as senior vice president of the company's closing department. According to Walker & Dunlop's recent release, Blake will manage the department, including all aspects of the loan closing process.

United Financial Bancorp, Inc., is losing its long-time chief operating officer and executive vice president. The company recently announced that COO and EVP Keith E. Harvey will retire, effective December 31, after having served United Financial for 28 years. United Financial's current chief lending officer (CLO) and EVP, J. Jeffrey Sullivan, will succeed Harvey as COO following his transition at the end of 2012. To fill Sullivan's previous role, United Financial has promoted Charles R. Valade as the bank's new CLO.

Redwood Trust, Inc., is making significant changes to its directorship, recently announcing the departure of current chairman of the board, George E. Bull, III, who officially stepped down from his leadership role on September 18. Following Bull's transition, Redwood unanimously elected Richard D. Baum as the company's new chairman for its board of directors.

Clayton Holdings LLC selected James Meleones to serve as senior managing director of Commercial Real Estate services.