Advisory Board
Tammy Butler, Master CMB, Publisher, mortgagecurrentcy.com
CEO/Founder, Fair Lending Diversity, Inc. [FairLendingDiversity.com]
Tammy Butler, Master CMB, is one of the leading subject matter experts on compliant Fair lending methodologies and strategies for lenders. She has developed programs, training, technology, and guidance to both lenders and consumer advocacy groups at a national level.
Her most recent work involved building and branding a new technology and compliance management system workflow for Optimal Blue, to protect compliant lenders from pricing disparity claims and disparity in pricing exceptions, which is the leading causes of fair lending violations.
Tammy has also performed the duties of a top producing originator, production manager, owned the largest training school in the mortgage industry and developed two successful technologies that integrated directly with LOS systems, counseling platforms, mortgage insurance companies, credit bureaus and secondary market lenders. Tammy is a Master CMB, and LSS Black Belt.
Tracey Rumsey, Credit Policy Analyst for a mortgage lender in Midvale, UT
Tracey Rumsey is a Credit Policy Analyst for a mortgage lender in Midvale, UT. During the past two years she has authored several mortgage originator continuing education classes for a national online education provider. In the mortgage business since 1997, her knowledge of FHA and VA lending is extensive as she combines her origination, credit policy, and risk mitigation background to keep subscribers informed. She served as the co-chair and chair for the UMLA Education Committee during 2006 and 2007 and has been a licensed mortgage originator and real estate agent instructor. She wrote “Saving the Deal – How to Avoid Financing Fiascoes and Other Real Estate Deal Killers,” published by AMACOM, New York in 2008.
Lloyd Rutherford, Compliance-Credit Policy-Product Development, Large Mortgage Banker
Lloyd Rutherford has been in the mortgage business for over 30 years. He has a strong background in agency requirements and is a DE underwriter. Lloyd has worked in processing and underwriting the majority of his career, with small stints in sales as an account executive. He was also the owner of a QC company.
David Hail, Branch Manager, Open Mortgage
David entered the mortgage industry in 1981 after graduating from Ball State University with a degree in finance. His background is not only mortgage lending, but also includes real estate and home building. These experiences give him a unique background and knowledge base that he uses in mortgage education training classes and training materials.
He is a recognized expert for both FHA and USDA, and a former DE and Rural Development underwriter. David has provided professional mortgage development and training classes all over the United States, and written numerous books and training guides on these subjects.
Sonja Grant Wheeler, National Quality Assurance-AKA Mother Mortgage
“Mother Mortgage”—“If you don’t know, always ask your mother!” is how Sonja is described. She offers consulting services in new business startup, closed loan auditing, pre-agency audit preparation, and is an industry expert. With over 19 years of compliance experience and 48 years of mortgage experience she is well-versed in our industry. Sonja is the Secretary of the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals Education Foundation and an Industry Expert for the National Mortgage Licensing System Testing. Sonja’s hobbies include exercise, antiquing, travel, fishing and spending time with family and friends. Sonja can be reached at www.sonjamortgage.com
Jayne Combs, Instructor with Loan Officer School
Jayne Combs has been a NMLS instructor since 2012. She began her mortgage career in Loan Servicing in 1978 and eventually gravitated to the loan origination side of the mortgage business as a Loan Processor, DE Underwriter, Branch Manager, trainer, and is an active Loan Originator. As a veteran of the industry, Jayne helps LO’s better understand the laws and regulations, their importance, and how they impact various jobs in the mortgage industry.
Daniella Casseres, Compliance Attorney
Daniella Casseres’ legal practice focuses on laws and regulations governing mortgage lenders, mortgage brokers, financial institutions and consumer finance companies. She regularly advises clients on state and federal compliance laws and regulations including fair lending, marketing, licensing, privacy, TILA, RESPA, FHA, FCRA, and Anti Money Laundering requirements.
Ms. Casseres drafts and reviews wholesale lending and mortgage loan purchase agreements, and structures loan originator compensation for mortgage companies. She also represents clients in federal and state regulatory investigations, and assists in related litigation matters.
Ms. Casseres is a compliance attorney employed at and is also an advisor to Offit Kurman’s affiliate company, Strategic Compliance Partners (SCP), which provides compliance support and monitoring services for the mortgage banking industry.
Prior to joining Offit Kurman, Ms. Casseres regulated large and complex banking institutions for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. She has also worked for the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission. She received her BA degree from the College of Holy Cross and JUD from the University of Maryland Law School.
Melinda Hipp, Branch Manager, Open Mortgage
Melinda Hipp is Branch Manager with Open Mortgage in San Antonio, TX and services the states of TX, AZ and FL. As a designated CRMP (Certified Reverse Mortgage Professional), she specializes in working with homeowners 62 and over who would like to access the equity in their home through a Reverse Mortgage. She has handled hundreds of satisfied Reverse Mortgage clients over the years with many raving fans. She and her team are dedicated to giving boutique service, a quick closing and personalized customer education.
Melinda regularly provides training to local real estate professionals and holds the designation of MBA & CRMP. Melinda is also an active member of NRMLA (National Reverse Mortgage Lender’s Association).