What was your most interesting job before going into lending?
I have actually been in mortgages my entire adult life. While getting my undergraduate degree, I took an internship for a mortgage firm downtown and saw the power of the business. I love what I do and have spent the last 17 years in the mortgage business to help real estate agents grow their business by giving back.
If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?
Nelson Mandela. My wife and I spent 32 days in Africa last year, and I was truly inspired. The way he brought a deeply divided nation together is something that speaks volumes to the times we are in today. He united minds and a nation.
Where is Chicago’s best-kept secret?
Sunday mornings at Montrose Harbor, at the Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club’s brunch. You can sit and look at the sail boats and watch the water glisten as the sun comes up over the harbor.
What do you love most about the industry?
Helping a newer agent really grow their business the way I have. It’s rewarding to see genuinely good agents achieve more than they expected. It feels good to give back.
What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately?
I have gone back and watched 10 seasons of “Jeopardy” during this stay-at-home period.
What’s your favorite meal in Chicago?
Gibsons on Rush, enjoying a great steak and fries.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago?
Wrigley Field. I know it’s not a building, but it is so much more. The beautiful brick details, the soft ivy and the combination of the past and present, it holds a special place in my heart. It is a living, breathing piece of Chicago history.
What’s your favorite vacation spot and why?
Summers in Northern Michigan. No matter how busy I get, each summer I spend at least 10 days up north to unplug and connect with family and nature.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the lending industry?
To really grow your business, you must be willing to spend real money and give back.