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VA Home Loans

Biographies for Loan Guaranty Conferences

2023 VA Loan Guaranty Conference

Invited Speakers


Michael Frueh - Keynote Speaker, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits, Veterans Benefits Administration

Michael James Frueh was appointed the Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits on February 14, 2021. He is responsible for administering benefits programs for Veterans, including education, home loan guaranty, insurance, disability compensation, pension, fiduciary, veteran readiness and employment and transition assistance, in the 25,000 employee, $130B organization.

Prior to this appointment, he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Planning and Performance Management in the Office of Enterprise Integration since June 2019. He was responsible for the Department’s strategic planning, enterprise risk management, performance management, enterprise governance, Evidence Act implementation, requirements management, and the efficient integration of other enterprise-wide initiatives.

He served as the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations for the Benefits Assistance Service, responsible for all efficient execution of the benefits, which included all VBA call centers, global outreach, public contact, and the Transition Assistance Program. He was appointed VBA Chief of Staff in 2016, where he served as the senior staff advisor to the Under Secretary for Benefits, responsible for the creation and efficient execution of all VBA policies, programs, and operational plans. Prior to that, he was the Executive Director for VBA’s Loan Guaranty Service.

Mr. Frueh previously worked in the structured finance group at PricewaterhouseCoopers, Bankers Trust’s asset securitization group, and Andersen Consulting’s commercial practice.

Mr. Frueh received a Presidential Rank Award as a Distinguished Executive in 2017.

VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
2021 – Present: Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Benefits
2019 – 2021: Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Enterprise Integration
2018 – 2019: Assistant Deputy Under Secretary for Field Operations, Benefits Assistance Service
2016 – 2018: Chief of Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration
2012 – 2016: Executive Director, Loan Guaranty Service
2002 – 2012: Financial Advisor/Assistant Director/Acting Director, Loan Guaranty Service

EDUCATION:
2005 MBA, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
1991 B.S., Mathematics, Pepperdine University, Seaver College, Malibu, CA

Official VA Bio


Elysia Stobbe - #1 Best Selling Author, Mortgage Coach & National Speaker

Elysia Stobbe is a highly accomplished mortgage and credit expert as well as a #1 bestselling author. With 20 years of experience and more than $325 million in closed loans, Elysia is one of the leading authorities in the industry. Her bestselling books, "How to Get Approved for the Best Mortgage Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye ™" and "Journey to Success - 52 Weekly Habits You Can Master Without Sticking a Fork in Your Eye", have helped countless people achieve their financial goals.

Elysia has been featured in numerous high-profile media outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, NPR, FOX, ABC, NBC, and CBS. She has also been interviewed by U.S. News & World Report and Realtor.com. Elysia has contributed to several publications, including Zillow, RealEstate.com, The American Business Journals, Apartment Therapy, and I-95 Business.

As a sought-after keynote speaker, Elysia has presented her insights on home buying, residential mortgages, wealth accumulation, and strategic business coaching at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University.


Tim Rood - Head of Government & Industry Relations

Tim Rood is Head of Government & Industry Relations for SitusAMC. In his role, Tim interfaces with policy makers and influencers on matters related to residential, multi family, and commercial industries. Tim also manages SitusAMC’s Advisory Group where he is a trusted advisor to senior executives of banks and independent mortgage bankers.

Prior to joining SitusAMC, Tim served as the Executive Chairman of The Collingwood Group, which he co-founded in 2008. The Collingwood Group’s primary focus was the financial services sector, and the firm offered advisory and consultative services combined with access to decision makers, financial sponsors, corporate boards, and senior industry executives. Prior to The Collingwood Group, he was an executive in Fannie Mae’s eBusiness division advising the company and its seller servicers on alternative technologies and business models for residential mortgage lending and servicing.

Tim brings nearly three decades of mortgage industry and entrepreneurial experience to SitusAMC. He advises organizations to optimize the business opportunities and to mitigate and manage the risks in and around Washington, DC. Mr. Rood is a sought after and regular contributor to various national media outlets including CNBC, Bloomberg Television, FOX Business News, YahooFinance TV, Washington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and the American Banker.

Education:
Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Management, Magna Cum Laude - Hodges University


Ross Pierson - Sr. Loan Officer, Team Lead, Veterans United Home Loans

Ross Pierson has been helping veterans into homes for over 16 years. He began his career with Mortgage Research Center, LLC and moved to a loan origination role upon graduation from The University of Missouri. Ross now manages a team of loan officers along with a small crew of assistants, completing daily origination duties at Veterans United Home Loans. He personally has over a thousand reviews from homebuyers he has assisted in their home buying journey. He contributes much of his success to thoughtful communication and Veterans United’s business model, which still allows him to work directly with his clients throughout the entire process.

Ross lives in the country outside of Kansas City along with his awe-inspiring wife and two kind and beautiful daughters.


Gwen Goins - Community Lending Loan Officer

Gwen Goins (NMLSR #451891) is a Mortgage Consultant with over 36 years of experience in mortgage origination, currently licensed in Missouri, Kansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia.

Gwen has a thorough understanding of the entire home buying process and is knowledgeable on many types of loans, including JUMBO, VA, USDA, FHA, and Conventional. Gwen is extremely patient and believes that educating her borrowers is just as important as closing on their home. To that end, she specializes in first time homebuyers and newer agent relationships, providing Homebuyer Education Courses and New Agent Training regularly.

Gwen resides in Lee’s Summit, Missouri and is the mother of two beautiful daughters. She is an active committee member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Board Member of Truman Habitat for Humanities, Chair of the KCRAR DEI committee, Treasurer of the Greater Kansas City Association of Real Estate Brokers, and member of the American Legion, Post 149. In her spare time, she enjoys community service projects and spending time with her granddaughter.

Gwen possesses a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Ball State University and is also a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserve where she earned the National Defense Service Medal for active-duty service during Operation Desert Storm.

VA Presenters

John Bell III - Executive Director, VA Loan Guaranty Service

John E. Bell III began serving as Executive Director, Loan Guaranty Service, on June 21, 2022. He is responsible for delivering VA Home Loan Benefits to his fellow Veterans. Mr. Bell has extensive mortgage industry experience having served in leadership roles with nationwide lenders for over 20 years before starting his career with VA in 2010.

Mr. Bell’s top priorities are ensuring that VA home loan benefits are the product of choice for Veterans and that Loan Guaranty is the VA program of choice for his 900 talented staff.

As Deputy Director, Mr. Bell was instrumental in VA Loan Guaranty Service’s fast response during the COVID-19 pandemic through frequent communications and the issuance of guidance which ensured that home loan benefits continued to be delivered to Veterans without delay and reassured industry partners at this critical time.

As Assistant Director, Mr. Bell leveraged his industry experience to initiate Loan Guaranty’s transformation to better align with the fast-paced mortgage industry. Several key projects included automating Certificate of Eligibility (COE) functionality, implementing national workload for full file loan reviews and COEs, and national workload for program specific phone calls.

Mr. Bell began his career in mortgage finance while attending Lambuth University in Jackson, TN.

Mr. Bell served in the US Navy during Operation Restore Hope and the Gulf War.

VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
2022 – Present: Executive Director, Loan Guaranty Service
2017 - 2022: Deputy Director, Loan Guaranty Service
2011 - 2017: Assistant Director for Loan Policy and Valuation, Loan Guaranty Service
2010 - 2011: Realty Specialist, Loan Guaranty Service


Andy Trevayne - Assistant Director, Loan and Property Management

Since 2012, Andy Trevayne serves as the Assistant Director for Loan and Property Management for the VA Home Loan Program. In this capacity, he is responsible for the formulation of regulations, policies, and procedures relating to the supplemental servicing, oversight, termination, guaranty claim payment and post audit of VA-guaranteed loans and VA-owned loans. He is additionally responsible for the Real Estate Owned portfolio and the associated contract.

Mr. Trevayne began his career with VA at the Houston Regional Loan Center (RLC) in 1999, as a Loan Service Representative. He transferred from the Houston RLC to VA Central Office in 2008, to serve as a Loan Specialist followed by the Central Office Servicer Liaison.

Mr. Trevayne is former U.S. Army in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.


Ashley Pontiff - Accounts Management Officer, Construction and Valuation

Ashley Pontiff is currently the Accounts Management Officer (AMO) for the Construction and Valuation (C&V) Value Stream of the VA Home Loan Program. In her role as AMO, she is responsible for administration and reporting of nationwide data for C&V Operations, budgeting, project management and C&V stakeholder oversight. As a field expert, she serves as a liaison between field operations, policy and LGY Leadership.

She has over 16 years with the VA Home Loan Program. Prior to her current role, she served five years as an Assistant Valuation Officer for the Saint Paul Regional Office leading a dynamic team across a nine-state geographical area, administering the Specially Adapted Housing Program and the C&V Appraisal Program. She served as a Specially Adapted Housing Coordinator from 2012 to 2016 where she focused C&V benefit delivery, oversight and project and program management. From 2011 to 2012, she was a Specially Adapted Housing Agent focusing on grant delivery to Veterans, compliance, and program risk management. She began her career at VA as a Review Appraiser, performing appraisal reviews and issuing Notice of Values.

Ashley maintains a state Limited Building Official License and is Home & Accessibility Trade Specialist (HATS) certified.

Ashley graduated Summa Cum Laude from Bemidji State University in Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration emphasis Small Business Management with a minor in Economics.


Bryant Lacey - Assistant Director Program Management & Performance Analysis, Loan Production

Bryant Lacey was assigned as the Assistant Director for Program Management & Performance Analysis, Loan Production (LP) in October 2020. In this role, Mr. Lacey is responsible for evaluating operational performance for staff and stakeholders and promoting transformational change to the Loan Production business line. Mr. Lacey works closely with internal stakeholders, systems developers, and external stakeholders to efficiently align operational systems and procedures with governing statutes and industry practices. The Loan Production business line processes all loan eligibility requests, post-guaranty and prior approval underwriting reviews for Veterans throughout the US and its territories.

Prior to his current position, Mr. Lacey held the position of Loan Guaranty Officer for the Phoenix Regional Loan Center and was responsible for administering all home loan benefits for Veterans and their families in the states of Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico.

Bryant began his career with VA in 2009 as a Loan Specialist and has held various positions within the VA Home Loan Program, including a six-year stint in Washington, DC.

He attended Arizona State University and received a Bachelor of Science in Finance.


R. Colin Deaso - Assistant Director, Data and Technology Solutions

R. Colin Deaso was named the Assistant Director of Data and Technology Solutions in January 2021. He is responsible for administering the sustainment and modernization of data and technology assets on behalf of the VA Home Loan Benefit Program. He provides leadership for a technology budget exceeding $150M/year and 200+ VA staff and Contractors.

Prior to this role, he served as the Chief of Loan Policy responsible for directing rule making, national policies, procedures and transformation efforts for the VA Home Loan Guaranty and VA Direct Lending programs.

Previously, he served as a Financial Analyst, Trust Specialist and Program/Project Manager for Loan and Property Management. In this role, he managed over $3B in federal contracts, administered the $18B VA securities program, created and managed the VA’s REO and Portfolio Servicing Contract, assisted in the management of the VA Loan Electronic Reporting Interface (VALERI) program among other programs and projects.

Prior to joining VA, and between 1998 and 2009, Mr. Deaso worked for Fannie Mae in various capacities including Market Producer, Program Manager, Process Engineer, External Consultant and business development roles.

Mr. Deaso holds degrees from George Washington University and George Mason University, and is a graduate of the Harvard Kennedy School Fellow Program, The Partnership for Public Service Excellence in Government Program and maintains several professional certifications.

VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
2021 – Present: Assistant Director, Data and Technology Solutions, LGY
2018 – 2021: Chief, Loan Policy, Loan Policy and Valuation, LGY
2012 – 2018: Financial Analyst, LGY
2009 – 2012: Trust Specialist, LGY

EDUCATION:
2005 MBA, The George Washington University, Washington, DC
1999 B.S Decision Management Information Systems, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA


Doug Kerttula - Accounts Management Officer

Doug Kerttula has been the Accounts Management Officer (AMO) for Loan Administration since 2021. As the AMO, Doug is responsible for data and reporting for Loan Administration Operations, assists managing the Loan Administration budget, and acts as a subject matter expert for the field offices and Assistant Directors.

Prior to his appointment as the AMO, Doug was the Loan Administration Officer in St. Paul for over a year and was a Servicing Officer for five years. Doug’s career with VA began in 2005. He was hired as a Loan Specialist in St. Paul’s Loan Administration Section.

Doug transitioned to a Review Appraiser position within St. Paul’s Construction and Valuation Section in 2010. In 2011, he was promoted to the Management Analyst position in St. Paul Regional Loan Center’s Front Office.

Doug received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Minored in Marketing from St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.


Elizabeth White - Valuation Officer

Elizabeth White began her career with VA in January 2008 as a Review Appraiser in Atlanta, Georgia. While in Atlanta Construction and Valuation, she was a Senior Review Appraiser and an Assistant Valuation Officer.

In August 2021, Mrs. White became Valuation Officer for the St. Petersburg, Florida jurisdiction, overseeing a staff of 42 employees. As the Valuation Officer, she is responsible for both Construction and Valuation and Specially Adapted Housing operations in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.

Mrs. White received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Business Administration from the University of Georgia.


Heather Sborz - Chief, Loan Policy

Originally hired as a career intern, Heather’s first position at VA allowed her to gain significant experience in each of three major sections within the VA Home Loan Program, rotating through Loan Production, Construction & Valuation, and Loan Administration within her first two years. Heather became the Assistant Loan Production Officer at the Phoenix Regional Loan Center in October 2017 and in April 2021, became the Chief of Loan Policy. Since then, Heather has driven policies behind several significant regulatory efforts, reviewed proposed legislation for programmatic impact, and published numerous policy documents in support of the VA home loan benefit.

Born and raised in Great Falls, VA, Heather is from a family with three generations of public servants. She moved to Arizona for college and graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She also studied French and International Affairs at the American University of Paris and the Sorbonne.


James J. Havas - Valuation Officer

Since 2011, James J. Havas has been with VA, serving Veterans while acting in a variety of roles within the VA Home Loan Program. Mr. Havas started as an Assistant Specially Adapted Housing Agent in Cleveland, OH. He quickly moved on to successfully work as a Specially Adapted Housing Agent and as a Valuation Team Lead, roles that allowed him to make lasting impacts for Veterans and his team members. In 2017, he took a supervisory role as an Assistant Valuation Officer.

In 2021, Mr. Havas became the Valuation Officer for Denver Construction and Valuation. He leads a team of Specially Adapted Housing Agents and Review Appraisers to help Veterans access a range of benefits.

He’s proud of the work that he and his team do. Jim most enjoys problem solving with customers to improve benefit delivery and the Veteran experience.

Mr. Havas is a former Army National Guardsman. He is a graduate of Miami University.


James Heaslet - Chief Appraiser

Serving as the Chief Appraiser for the VA Home Loan Program since 2018, Mr. Heaslet is responsible for developing and overseeing policies and regulations for Construction and Valuation.

He was an independent fee appraiser of the VA panel for over 9 years prior to his current position.

James holds a Master’s of Business Administration degree from the University of Arizona. He has retired from the United States Marine Corps with over 20 years of service. Of the many awards received his highest awarded medal is the Meritorious Service Medal and a combat action award for numerous engagements in Iraq while serving with the First Marine Division.

James is passionate about serving our county, fellow Veterans, and his community.


Jason Higgins - Chief, Quality Assurance

Jason Higgins joined the VA Home Loan Program in 2015 as a member of the Quality Assurance team. As a QA team member, he was involved in conducting oversight of the eight Regional Loan Centers and VA Home Loan Program processes, risk management, internal controls, special audits, and special inquiries.

In 2021, he was promoted to the position of VA Home Loan Program Training Officer. In this role, he worked to create new training for SAH Builders, SAR training for lenders, numerous outreach training presentations and coordinated a full training needs analysis for VA Home Loan Program staff. Most recently, he has returned to Oversight as the Quality Assurance Chief.

Jason served over 8 years on active duty in the United States Air Force. During that time, he received Associates degrees in Radiology and Nuclear Medicine. He also received a dual major Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Management. Following his military career, he worked in new construction which led him into the mortgage business.

As a Veteran, Jason feels there is no better way to make a positive impact than serving his fellow Veterans.


Jayson Bernal - Loan Production Officer

Jayson Bernal began serving as the Loan Production Officer at the Phoenix Regional Loan Center, September 2022. Mr. Bernal represents the local field operations of the VA Home Loan Program and is responsible for quality control related to underwriting, policy implementation, and auditing of lender program participants regionally within the VA home loan program. Mr. Bernal joined the Phoenix Regional Loan Center in 2010 as a Loan Specialist.

Mr. Bernal is an alumnus of Samberg Business Leadership School and holds an undergrad in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA in Applied Business Analytics and Strategic Human Capital.

Mr. Bernal served Honorably on Active Duty in the U.S. Navy during Operation Enduring Freedom.


Jeff Bolla - Production Product Manager

Jeffrey Bolla came to VA Home Loan program in July 2011 and has served in multiple roles. For the first 9 years, he was a Program Analyst working for the Loan Policy team to improve how LGY system and policy worked together for our internal and external users. In 2019, Jeff was promoted to bring that same experience for system and policy to greater LGY systems.

He currently works as a Senior Product Manager working on the modernization effort along with the existing systems enhancements.

Prior to coming to VA, Mr. Bolla worked in the mortgage industry for 20 years. In those years, he worked as a loan processor, loan officer, branch manager, and mortgage company owner.

He attended Adrian College prior to the Gulf War when he was called back to active duty. Mr. Bolla spent 12 years on active duty and as a reservist in the United States Marine Corp and left at the rank of Sergeant.


Jennifer Tillery - Policy Analyst

Jennifer Tillery joined the Loan Policy staff as a Program Analyst in August 2021. Ms. Tillery has over 30 years of experience with the VA Home Loan Program. She began her career with VA as an Outstanding Scholar at the Atlanta Regional Loan Center in July 1991 as a Loan Specialist.

Ms. Tillery formerly was the Assistant Loan Production Officer (ALPO) at the Atlanta Regional Loan Center. She has previously presented training at VA Lender Conferences on Certificates of Eligibility and Underwriting.

Ms. Tillery graduated from Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Public and Social Services. Ms. Tillery is proud of her family serving in the military, Army and Air Force.


Jennifer Toth - Assistant Director, Field Loan Administration

Jennifer Toth has been the Assistant Director for Field Loan Administration since 2020. In this capacity, she is fully responsible for the attainment of Loan Administration program objectives and goals nationwide for the VA home Loan Program. Loan Administration serves Veterans, Service members, and Surviving Spouses who may be experiencing temporary financial difficulties in retaining their homes through alternatives to foreclosure. Prior to this position, Jennifer was Loan Guaranty Officer for the Cleveland Regional Loan Center for 13 years where she was responsible for the overall administration and management of the VA Home Loan Program.

Jennifer began her career with VA in 1996 as a Loan Service Representative. She also held the positions of Loan Administration Team Leader, Loan Administration Servicing Officer, Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer and Loan Guaranty Officer.

Jennifer completed a Bachelor of Business Administration from Kent State University, where she graduated with honors.


Jyssica Sule - Loan Policy Analyst

Jyssica Sule is a Loan Policy Program Analyst in VA Home Loan Program since October 2020. She has worked at VA since May 2014 as a Loan Specialist in the VA Home Loan Program’s Monitoring Unit and as Loan Specialist in the St. Paul Regional Loan Center. Prior to working at VA, she worked at the USDA and in quality control in the private sector. Jyssica has a B.S. in Finance from Northern Michigan University.


Kathy Bernheim - Executive Assistant

Kathy Bernheim is the Executive Assistant for the Executive Director of Loan Guaranty Service. Kathy previously worked as a Management Analyst for the VA Home Loan Program.

From 2007 to 2019, Kathy was the Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer for the St. Petersburg Regional Loan Center. Kathy has also worked as an Assistant Valuation Officer, a Review Appraiser, and a Specially Adapted Housing Agent. Kathy has served as the Acting Chief, Support Services Division for the St. Petersburg VA Regional Office.

Kathy is a graduate of Leadership Bay Pines, Leadership VA, Competency Development for Leaders in the 21st Century, and the Veterans Health Administration’s Certified Mentor program. Kathy was named “Employee of the Year” at the VA Regional Office in St. Petersburg in 2005. Kathy has completed the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) Product Owner/Product Manager, and Leading SAFe courses.

Prior to her career at VA, Kathy was a Realtor®, a State-Certified General Appraiser, and she held the Senior Residential Appraiser (SRA) designation from the Appraisal Institute. Kathy holds a B.S. in Business with a major in accounting, magna cum laude, and an MBA from the University of South Florida.


Katie Graham-Wagner - Servicer Liaison and VALERI Product Manager

Katie Graham-Wagner serves as the Servicer Liaison and VALERI Product Manager for the VA Home Loan Program. In her role, she works with servicers to provide training and clarification on VA polices and system reporting. Mrs. Graham-Wagner also works directly with the VALERI development team to update and enhance the VALERI application.

Mrs. Graham-Wagner began her career with VA at the St. Paul Regional Loan Center in 2004 in loan servicing, where she has spent her entire career. She began as a Loan Service Representative and advanced to the positions of Team Leader and Servicing Officer before joining the VA Central Office team in 2017.

Mrs. Graham-Wagner received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication with a Minor Study in Art from the College of St. Benedict, in St. Joseph, MN.


Kent Koehler - Loan Production Officer

Kent joined VA in 2000 after serving as the Loan Administration Officer for a mortgage company. After several years in Loan Administration, he became the Assistant Loan Production Officer, before being promoted to the Loan Production Officer about a year later.

During his time in Loan Production, Kent has been involved in the design of the VA Home Loan Programs's lender file review program, the Lender Scorecard, construction loans, and VA’s modernization initiative.


Kevin Eason - Appraiser, Valuation Policy

Kevin Eason came to the VA Home Loan Program in September 2011 and has served in multiple roles. He is currently an Appraiser for Valuation Policy under the supervision of the Chief Appraiser and is responsible for the formulation and recommendation of regulations, policies, and procedures necessary for the acceptability and valuation of properties, which may become the security for VA Home Loan Program.

Prior to his current role, he served five years as a Valuation Officer for the Denver Regional Office leading a team across an eight-state geographical area, administering the Specially Adapted Housing Program and the Construction & Valuation section.

Prior to coming to the VA, Kevin was a certified general appraiser working in the Washington D.C. - Baltimore Markets for eight years. During those years, he performed complex investment grade commercial real estate and business valuations.

Kevin holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Dayton School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Cincinnati. He served honorably over 5 years on active duty in the United States Air Force as a Combat Control Operator where he established and directed air traffic control areas on assault zones, expeditionary airfields worldwide in support of over 60 exercises, 4 contingency airlift operations, 1 humanitarian mission, and 1 combat operation.


Mark Connors - Lender Liaison (*Conference MC)

Originally from Santa Barbara, CA, Mark settled in Houston, TX, following his retirement from the U.S. Air Force. Prior to his tenure with the VA, Mark worked with the Small Business Administration, making Disaster Home and Business Loans in the wake of Tropical Storm Allison in Houston, TX, and New York, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Mark returned to Houston and earned his CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation.

He worked in the financial planning industry until a career change brought him to the VA as a Loan Specialist at the Houston Regional Loan Center in 2006.

In 2010, Mark joined the Loan Policy staff for the VA Home Loan Program, and currently serves as the Lender Liaison.

Mark holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Meteorology from Texas A&M University and an MBA from West Coast University in Los Angeles, CA.


Myron L. Head - Valuation Officer

Myron L. Head began his career with VA in September of 2006, in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Head’s first management assignment began in Atlanta as a first-line supervisor in March 2013, as an Assistant Valuation Officer for the Construction and Valuation section. Mr. Head was responsible for a team of 19 employees across a four-state jurisdiction.

He was appointed as the Valuation Officer for the Construction and Valuation section at the Houston Regional Loan Center with the Veterans Benefits Administration on December 14, 2014. As the Valuation Officer, Mr. Head is responsible for the VA home appraisal program and the Specially Adapted Housing grant program across the four-state jurisdiction of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas. Mr. Head provides leadership and direction to a team of over 40 employees and oversees a panel of over 700 appraisers. He also reviews and provides approval for over 300 remodeling and new construction projects annually, consisting of over $20 million dollars in grant funds.

In 2017, Mr. Head was appointed as the Assistant Loan Guaranty Officer for the Houston Regional Loan Center, where he provided mentoring and coaching to division-level managers concerning workload management, personnel matters, and strategic planning to ensure high quality outcomes and timely processing of benefits. Mr. Head has been back in the role of Valuation Officer since 2018, after an organization restructuring took place across the VA Home Loan Program.

In addition to leading the Houston Valuation team, Mr. Head has also served as the interim Valuation Officer for the Phoenix Regional Loan Center.

Mr. Head holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, from Clayton State University in Morrow, GA.


Rita Falcioni - Supervisor, Loan Management

Rita M. Falcioni serves as the Loan Management Supervisor for the VA Home Loan Program. In her capacity, she directs the formulation of regulations, policies, and procedures relating to supplemental servicing, oversight, termination, guaranty claim payment and post audit of VA-guaranteed loans.

Ms. Falcioni began her career with VA at the Cleveland Regional Loan Center in 1996 as a Loan Service Representative. She also held the positions of Loan Administration Team Leader, Loan Administration Servicing Officer, and Loan Administration Officer before she started her current position in September 2014.

Ms. Falcioni earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University, where she graduated with honors.


Scott Hiatt - Chief, Property Management

Scott Hiatt serves as Chief of Property Management for the VA Home Loan Program. In this capacity, he is responsible for the monitoring and support of the VA service provider’s operation and assuring compliance with the requirements of the Real Estate Owned (REO) and Portfolio Servicing Contract (RPSC). He directs the formulation of regulations, policies, and procedures related to VA acquired properties as the result of termination of guaranteed loans.

Mr. Hiatt began his career with VA in 2012, as a Realty Specialist. Prior to joining VA, he worked in private industry, holding leadership positions in REO and Relationship management with Countrywide Home Loans and Bank of America.

He is a Veteran of the U.S. Army serving almost 10 years as an active-duty Cavalry Scout.

Mr. Hiatt earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Excelsior College, where he graduated with honors.


Shawn Buermann - Accounts Management Officer, Loan Production

Shawn Buermann has been an Accounts Management Officer (AMO) for Loan Production since 2021. As the AMO, Shawn serves in a critical support role overseeing the performance of external stakeholders, including VA-approved mortgage lenders and underwriters nationwide. He acts as a consultant and advisor to VA Home Loan Program Leadership providing a wide range of analyses, reporting, and data acquisition efforts and project management activities. Shawn has become one of the ‘go to’ data experts when a complex data or analytic solution is needed.

Prior to his appointment as the AMO, Shawn served in leadership roles in both Loan Production and Loan Administration for over 4 years.

Shawn’s career with VA began in 2010. He was hired as a Loan Specialist in St. Paul’s Loan Administration. Shawn transitioned to a Loan Specialist in St. Paul’s Loan Production section in 2012. In 2015, he was promoted to the Management Analyst position in the St. Paul Regional Loan Center’s Front Office.

Shawn graduated Cum Laude from Saint John’s University in Minnesota with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Mathematics and Economics and received honors distinction in Mathematics.


Stephanie Li - Assistant Director for Regulations, Legislation, Engagement & Training (RLET)

Stephanie Li joined the VA Home Loan Program in August 2018 as a policy/regulatory specialist and was selected to lead the LGY Regulations Team upon its formation in October 2019.

Stephanie was appointed to her current role as Assistant Director for RLET in January 2023 and now serves as LGY’s senior leader responsible for legislative, regulatory, and training matters. She has developed, overseen, and drafted legislation, guidance, and rulemakings on topics including VA-guaranteed refinancing loans, COVID-19 emergency home retention options, funding fee refund process and appeals, valuation, and entitlement and eligibility determinations.

Prior to joining LGY, Stephanie served for five years as Chief of Regulations for VBA Compensation Service, where her specialties included appeals, disability claims related to military sexual trauma, and VA’s Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Before that she served for seven years as Counsel for the Board of Veterans’ Appeals.

Stephanie received her law degree (J.D.) and Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.) from the University of Wisconsin.


Stephen R. Stacey - Assistant Director for Oversight

Stephen R Stacey has been with the VA Home Loan Program for over 13 years, during which he has held several positions conducting oversight of VA Home Loan programs. He began his VA career in the Nashville Monitoring Unit conducting oversight of VA approved lenders.

Stephen’s work over the years allowed him to grow and gain greater responsibilities within the VA Home Loan Program, leading him to his current position as the Assistant Director of Oversight. In this position, he manages oversight of Loan Guaranty operations, internal Quality Control reviews, lender and servicer audits, and administration of VA Home Loan Program’s Enterprise Risk Management Internal Controls Assessment program. Stephen also facilitates audits, and inquiries pertaining to Office of Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, or any other entities external to the VA Home Loan Program.

Stephen is passionate about integrating oversight responsibilities to create synergies, reduce silos, and ensure reports are more useful, actionable, and easily accessible. Steve worked in private industry prior to joining VA, holding leadership positions in banking, credit underwriting, and mortgage lending.

He is a Veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and currently serves as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserves with more than 12 years of combined service.

He earned an undergraduate degree in business management, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a Ph.D. in organizational leadership from Johnson University.


Steve Varlas - Chief, Product Management and Technology Solutioning (PMTS)

Steve Varlas was named the Chief of PMTS in December 2021. He is responsible for product development and modernization of the current technology platform for the VA Home Loan program. He provides vision and leadership to his product team, supports policy initiatives, and works with operations to deliver the benefit to Veterans.

Steve started his career with LGY as a Loan Specialist in 1999, before accepting the position of Management Analyst for Program Management and Data Integration at Central Office in 2001. In this role, he was tasked with transitioning LGY from an internal corporate platform to an external facing web platform, providing lenders and other stakeholders with the ability to interface with LGY through multiple applications. He was responsible for the deployment of WebLGY in 2006, a product that has served the program, stakeholders and Veterans exceptionally.

Steve also served as the LGY Training Officer and worked as a Special Adapted Housing Program Analyst during his career with LGY.

Prior to joining VA, Steve was a high school teacher and basketball coach for the Houston Independent School District, where he taught Government and Economics.

VA CAREER CHRONOLOGY:
2021 – Present: Chief, Product Management and Technology Solutioning, LGY
2018 – 2021: Training Officer, LGY
2016 – 2018: SAH Program Analyst, LGY
2001 – 2016: Management Analyst, LGY
1999 – 2001: Loan Specialist, LGY

EDUCATION:
1999, University of Houston, Education Administration
1995 Kent State University, BS Education


Terry Rouch - Assistant Loan Director, Loan Policy and Valuation

Terry Rouch has over 25 years’ experience in Financial Services with a broad background in mortgage and housing policy, banking operations and experience leading teams in mergers and transformation initiatives. He has led a variety of teams both in the industry and in government.

Mr. Rouch has been in his current position as the Assistant Director, Loan Policy and Valuation within the VA since June 2020. In this capacity, he is responsible for all VA Home Loan Program lending and appraisal policies, including policy for the Native American Direct Loan program and the Specially Adapted Housing program.

Prior to joining VA, he worked in various leadership roles at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) within US Department of Housing and Urban Development. During the 2008 housing crisis, he was appointed by the FDIC to lead the second largest bank failure at that time. IndyMac Bank was a $32b conservatorship that included several subsidiary companies such as reverse mortgage lender Financial Freedom, New York Mortgage, and IndyMac Mortgage Services. In his role as Receiver/Chairman of these companies, he helped directed its eventual sale to former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

Before stepping into senior leadership positions, he began his career in the mortgage banking industry as a Loan Finance Trainee and held other positions including, DU Underwriter, Loan Officer (Retail, Wholesale, Correspondent), Asset Manager, Branch Manager and Regional Manager.

Active in the community, Terry has helped develop several community financial ventures, serving as a Credit Union Director and Board Chairman and is very passionate about the housing industry and the value that homeownership brings to Veterans. As a veteran himself, Mr. Rouch served in the US Navy, Naval Reserves and as a US Coast Guard Auxiliary Officer.


Theresa Gonzalez - Loan Specialist

Theresa L. Gonzalez is a Loan Specialist for the Loan Management section within the VA Home Loan Program. As a Loan Specialist, she provides recommendations on policies, regulations, and procedures relating to the servicing and termination of VA-guaranteed loans. Ms. Gonzalez also provides guidance on the VA Loan Electronic Reporting Interface (VALERI) to VA’s internal users and external servicing partners.

Ms. Gonzalez began her career with VA at the Phoenix Regional Office in 1988, as a clerk typist before joining Loan Guaranty Service in 1989.

Ms. Gonzalez held positions in Property Management and Construction and Valuation, prior to joining Loan Administration in 1990 as a Loan Service Representative. She also held positions of Senior Loan Specialist and Loan Administration Servicing Officer before joining the VA Central Office Loan Management team in July 2013.

In her spare time, Ms. Gonzalez enjoys traveling, spending time with family, and resides in Avondale, AZ.


Victoria Arnoldi - Loan Specialist

Victoria Arnoldi serves as a Loan Specialist for the Loan Management section within the VA Home Loan Program. In this capacity, she reviews current policies and practices relating to the servicing of VA guaranteed loans and works closely with the Operational Center Management staff.

Ms. Arnoldi began her career with VA at the St. Paul Regional Loan Center in 2003, as an Assistant Loan Technician. She also held the positions of Loan Administration Servicing Officer and Loan Administration Officer before she joined the Loan Management team in 2018.

Ms. Arnoldi earned her Bachelor of Science in Marketing degree from St. Cloud State University.



Previous Loan Guaranty Speakers

Below are historical bios from past Conferences.

2019 - San Antonio, TX

Invited Speakers

  • Maura Neill, REALTOR® | Bio
  • Jay Josephs, Certified Residential Appraiser | Bio
  • Michelle Czekalski Bradley, Certified General Appraiser |  Bio
  • Ernie Durbin, Chief Valuation Officer, Clarocity | Bio
  • Brian Chappelle, Potomac Partners | Bio
  • Tony Camilli, Policy and Outreach Analyst, CFPB | Bio
  • Patrick Lapid, Economist, CFPB | Bio
  • Dr. Frank Nothaft, Economist, CoreLogic | Bio

VA Presenters

  • Jeff London, Executive Director, VA Loan Guaranty Service | Bio
  • John Bell III, Deputy Director | Bio
  • Greg Nelms, Assistant Director, Loan Policy and Valuation
  • Mark Connors, Lender Liaison | Bio
  • Colin Deaso, Chief, Loan Policy | Bio
  • James Heaslet, Chief, Valuation | Bio
  • Alberto Planas, Asistant Director of Oversight | Bio
  • Dreama Walker, Supervisory Loan Specialist (Chief) | Bio

2018 - Miami, FL

Invited Speakers

  • Mike Frueh, Chief of Staff, Veterans Benefits Administration Bio
  • Jeff London, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration Bio
  • Frank Nothaft, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, CoreLogic Bio
  • Rob Chrisman, Chrisman LLC - Speaker

Conference Panels

  • Appraisal Panel w/Industry Experts
    - Shawn Telford Bio
    - Steve O'Brien Bio
    - Stephen Wagner Bio
    Moderated by John Bell III Bio
  • Lender Panel w/Industry Experts
    - Rick Bettencourt Bio
    - Angelo D. Rea Bio
    - Marcia Wilson Bio
    Moderated by John Bell III Bio
  • Renovation Loan Panel w/Industry Experts
    - Jim Nunn Bio
    - Stacy Leighton Bio
    Moderated by Greg Nelms Bio

2017 - Kansas City, MO

Invited Speakers

  • Curt Coy, Deputy Under Secretary for Economic Opportunity, Veterans Benefits Administration Bio
  • Jeff London, Director, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration Bio
  • John Bredemeyer, President, Realcorp Bio
  • John F. Getchis, Senior Vice President of the Office of Capital Markets, Ginnie Mae Bio
  • Kathy Gibbons, Senior Advisor for Policy and Program Development in the Office of Issuer and Portfolio Management, Ginnie Mae Bio
  • Alan Hummel, Chief Appraiser, First American Mortgage Solutions Bio
  • Gerald A. Kifer, Supervisor Appraiser, Loan Guaranty Service, Veterans Benefits Administration Bio
  • Frank Nothaft, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, CoreLogic Bio
  • Richard Perrelli, Product Manager for the Multiclass Securities Program, Office of Capital Markets, Ginnie Mae Bio
  • Stephanie Schader, Program Development Manager, Office of Issuer and Portfolio Management, Ginnie Mae Bio
  • Greg Stephens, Chief Appraiser/Compliance, Metro-West Appraisal Co., LLC Bio

 

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