With Rich & Rob as co-hosts, You NEED Excellent Guests!
Guest/sponsor inquiries = [email protected]
Thursday March 6, 2025
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Stan Middleman is a highly respected leader in the financial services and mortgage industry, known for his entrepreneurial spirit and strategic vision. He is the founder and CEO of Freedom Mortgage Corporation, one of the largest and most innovative mortgage lenders in the United States.
Under his leadership, Freedom Mortgage has grown into a national powerhouse, consistently ranking as a top lender for VA, FHA, and USDA loans. His commitment to customer service, technological innovation, and affordable lending solutions has solidified his reputation as a transformative figure in the mortgage industry. In addition to his business accomplishments, Stan Middleman is also a dedicated supporter of the sports community as a minority owner of the Philadelphia Phillies. His involvement with the team highlights his passion for giving back to the community and supporting institutions that bring people together. Stan is widely regarded not only as a business leader but also as a philanthropist and mentor, known for fostering growth and innovation within the mortgage sector and beyond. |
Thursday March 13, 2025
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Nikki Bialka serves as the Vice President and National Community Lending Strategy Manager at Fifth Third Bank. In this role, she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote community lending and financial inclusion. Nikki has been instrumental in advancing the bank's efforts to serve underserved communities and ensure equitable access to financial services.
Nikki's commitment to community development is further demonstrated through her involvement in initiatives like the Project REACh Financial Inclusion Summit organized by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). Her participation underscores her dedication to creating opportunities for underserved and disadvantaged populations. With a clear and powerful vision, Nikki continues to lead efforts that foster financial empowerment and inclusion. Her work not only benefits Fifth Third Bank but also contributes significantly to the broader financial community's understanding and implementation of fair lending practices. |
Thursday March 20, 2025
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Chris Bennett began his career as a trader at the age of fifteen in the commodities futures markets, starting with a small stake he had saved up from mowing lawns in the neighborhood. After receiving his degree in Economics from the University of Michigan, Chris began a 30-year career in mortgage banking as a trader with a mid-sized bank and later as head of Capital Markets for a nationwide independent mortgage company.
In 2001 he founded the hedge advisory firm Vice Capital Markets, now in its third decade of service to mortgage lenders of all types and sizes across the country. Today, one in every fifteen mortgages originated in the US are traded by Vice Capital or hedged using its proprietary software. Chris has given numerous talks on current US and global economic conditions as well as Federal Reserve and other central bank monetary policies and implications for the future direction of interest rates. |
Thursday March 27, 2025
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Mike Tannenbaum is an accomplished finance executive with deep expertise in financial services, capital markets, and strategic leadership within the mortgage and fintech industries. As CFO of Figure Lending, he oversees financial strategy, risk management, and operational execution to support the company’s rapid growth and innovative approach to lending.
Mike’s extensive background includes managing large-scale financial portfolios, spearheading business transformations, and driving efficiency through tech-driven financial solutions. Prior to joining Figure Lending, he held leadership roles with major financial institutions where he was instrumental in implementing successful growth initiatives, optimizing financial performance, and enhancing profitability. At Figure, Mike is part of a team redefining lending through blockchain technology and next-generation financial products. Known for his data-driven decision-making and collaborative leadership, he plays a vital role in maintaining Figure Lending’s status as a market leader in fintech innovation. |
Thursday April 3, 2025
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Sean Dugan is a seasoned mortgage industry professional with over 25 years of experience. He currently serves as the Chief Revenue Officer at Dark Matter Technologies, a leading provider of mortgage technology solutions.
In this role, Sean has been instrumental in shaping the company's customer-centric culture and product offerings, focusing on delivering solutions that enhance operational efficiency for lenders. Known for his hands-on approach and commitment to client success, Sean listens to customers and values a variety of opinions, leading a team that emphasizes proactive responsiveness and problem-solving. In November 2024, Dark Matter Technologies announced that Sean will succeed current CEO Rich Gagliano as Chief Executive Officer, effective April 2025. This planned transition underscores the company's commitment to continuity and client success, with Sean poised to lead Dark Matter into its next chapter of innovation in mortgage technology. |
Thursday April 10, 2025
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Jodi Hall is the Chief Executive Officer and President of The Mortgage Collaborative (TMC), a member-driven organization dedicated to empowering mortgage lenders across the United States through networking, education, and advocacy. Appointed in January 2025, Jodi brings nearly 30 years of transformative experience in the mortgage industry to her role.
Before joining TMC, Jodi founded DandaRoad, LLC, where she played a key role in modernizing mortgage processes and advising lenders on cutting-edge technology solutions. Her leadership journey also includes pivotal positions at CrossCountry Mortgage and Nationwide Mortgage Bankers, where she helped scale operations to multibillion-dollar production levels. In her role at TMC, Jodi is committed to fostering an ecosystem where collaboration fuels growth, empowering lenders and vendor partners to solve problems together. Her dedication to innovation and action continues to drive success within the mortgage industry. |
Thursday April 24, 2025
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Eric Lapin is the President of FormFree, a fintech company revolutionizing the mortgage industry by providing innovative solutions that enhance lender operations and expand consumer access to sustainable credit. With over 25 years of experience in leadership roles at prominent mortgage technology firms and financial institutions, Lapin has a deep understanding of mortgage lending and the technology ecosystem that powers it.
Prior to joining FormFree, he served as First Vice President of Corporate Development, National Agency Services at Old Republic Title, where he spearheaded the structuring of new solutions, corporate alliance building, and lender and agency business development. Throughout his career, Lapin has held vice president and managing director positions at notable housing fintechs and financial institutions, including Altisource, Black Knight, First American, and Credit Suisse. In his role at FormFree, Lapin is responsible for identifying, managing, and executing growth strategies, including overseeing business initiatives, identifying key capital projects, driving strategic partnership opportunities, and managing communications and marketing. |
Thursday May 8, 2025
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Justin Messer is the President and CEO of Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC, leading one of the nation’s largest independent mortgage banks. With nearly two decades in the industry, he has played a key role in shaping Prosperity’s growth, closing over $60 billion in loans in the past five years. His leadership has helped the company earn the #1 ranking in J.D. Power’s mortgage customer satisfaction survey in 2024.
Before becoming CEO, Justin held various leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer, where he refined the company’s operations and growth strategies. His career began at Quicken Loans (now Rocket Mortgage), where he developed expertise in capital markets, mortgage-backed securities, and servicing rights. He was named a "40 Under 40 Influential Mortgage Professional" by National Mortgage Professional magazine in 2021. Justin is an active speaker on industry trends and a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Secondary and Capital Markets Committee. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he enjoys spending time with his family in Virginia and Northern Michigan while remaining committed to community initiatives, including Habitat for Humanity. |
Thursday May 15, 2025
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Shmulik Fishman is the founder and CEO of Argyle, the leading consumer-permissioned payroll connectivity platform. Argyle has built connectivity to over 90% of the U.S. labor market and is used by companies across industries such as mortgage, consumer lending, banking and proptech for verification of income and employment (VOIE).
In 2024, Shmulik was recognized as a Tech All-Star by the Mortgage Bankers Association for Argyle’s transformative impact on mortgage technology. Before Argyle, Shmulik co-founded STRATIM, a fleet management platform that raised $42M in venture funding before being acquired by NYSE-listed KAR Global (NYSE: KAR). Before STRATIM, Shmulik worked on the S1 team at Adap.tv during its IPO and subsequent acquisition by AOL. Shmulik has an undergraduate degree from Hampshire College, where he became a philosopher by training and a published author with his book Fiction of Value. Shmulik subsequently earned a business degree at Columbia University. |
Thursday June 5, 2025
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Rob Chrane is a visionary leader in the real estate and mortgage industries with more than 30 years of experience in driving innovation, improving homeownership accessibility, and fostering strategic partnerships. As the Founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource (DPR), Rob has made it his mission to bridge the gap between homebuyers and the down payment assistance programs that can make homeownership possible.
Under Rob’s leadership, DPR has become the industry’s go-to platform for matching eligible homebuyers with down payment assistance, grants, and affordable lending programs. His deep understanding of housing finance, combined with a passion for expanding homeownership opportunities, has led to numerous collaborations with lenders, real estate professionals, and housing agencies. Prior to launching DPR, Rob held senior positions at leading mortgage companies where he built high-performing teams, enhanced lending portfolios, and developed creative homeownership solutions. |
