GENERAL SESSION: Likely Impacts of the Commission Lawsuits

Pete Mills

Senior Vice President, Residential Policy and Strategic Industry Engagement, Mortgage Bankers Association

Pete Mills is Senior Vice President of Residential Policy and Member Engagement at the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). In this position, he leads MBA's residential policy team and state and local advocacy program, and directs MBA's residential member engagement efforts across the MBA value platform. Mills is an experienced financial services industry executive with more than 30 years of expertise in public affairs, government relations, public policy and research, all in the housing and mortgage finance arena. Prior to joining MBA, he served as Managing Director and co-founder of the Community Mortgage Banking Project, a public policy organization that represented the interests of companies and coalitions involved in the housing and mortgage finance industries. During his career, Mills lead corporate public affairs for Countrywide Financial, managed trade association policy advocacy for the California Mortgage Bankers Association and the California Association of Realtors, and conducted housing policy research at the Federal Reserve Board. He has a BA in Economics from the University of California at Berkeley, where he graduated with distinction in 1982.

Charlie Lee

Senior Counsel and Director of Legal Affairs, National Association of Realtors

Charlie Lee joined NAR in 2018. He has more than fifteen (15) years of association law and governance experience. Prior to joining NAR, Charlie was with the Appraisal Institute since 2008, where he served as Associate Counsel and the primary legal counsel to 90 chapters, and subsidiaries which included for-profits, charitable and insurance organizations. Charlie’s focus includes association and corporate governance, multiple listing services, litigation, not-for-profit taxation, cybersecurity, contracts, advertisement, and antitrust matters. His other professional experience includes commercial and employment litigation, intellectual property law, and serving as an Illinois state’s attorney appellate prosecutor. Charlie’s duties at NAR include serving as legal staff to the MLS Policy and Issues Committee, the MLS Emerging Tech and Issues Advisory Board, the REALTOR® Property Operations Committee, and as the NAR ARELLO Liaison. He received his B.S. degree in Business Administration and Management of Information Systems from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois Chicago Law School. Charlie is admitted to the state bar of Illinois and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a member of the Chicago Bar Association, American Society of Association Executives, the Association of Corporate Counsel, the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and the Asian American Bar Association.

Gene M. Lugat

MBA 2024 RESBOG Chair; Executive Vice President, PrimeLending

Gene M. Lugat, a dynamic mortgage industry leader for more than 38 years, currently serves as the Chairman of the MBA Residential Board of Governors and as a member of the MBA Executive Board. He's a dynamic keynote speaker, captivating audiences with his wealth of industry insights and experience. His proven track record of delivering results includes serving as the MBA’s Mortgage Action Alliance Committee Chairman and President of the Maryland Mortgage Bankers Association. At PrimeLending, Gene leads national sales expansion efforts and drives homeownership growth strategies into underserved markets. In 2022, Gene was recognized as a HousingWire Vanguard winner.

David Smith

Head of Consumer Lending, Truist

David Smith is the head of consumer lending and a member of the Truist Operating Council. An accomplished leader in the financial services industry with 25 years of experience, Smith has a proven track record of leading teams to achieve a high level of performance focused on adding value to clients and enhancing a culture of collaboration and purposeful action. Previously, Smith held leadership roles at Truist including head of mortgage. Prior to joining Truist, he led businesses in mortgage lending, insurance, and title businesses affiliated with one of the world’s largest real estate franchises. Smith has also served in increasingly senior roles at other major financial institutions in retail banking operations, mortgage originations, servicing, and various supporting functions. Committed to empowering clients, teammates, and communities, Smith blends his passion for client care and business expertise to execute on Truist’s purpose, mission, and values. David holds a B.S. from the University of Utah, as well as an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver.

Christy Soukhamneut, CMB

Chief Lending Officer, UFCU

Christy Soukhamneut has more than 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry and is currently the Chief Lending Officer at University Federal Credit Union. Prior to her time at UFCU, she led top performing sale steams for a mid-sized IMB. She currently sits on the boards of Voxtur, Trained, and Halcyon. She also serves on a wide variety of committees and industry boards as well as being a partner with Blue Wolf Coaching and contributing as a subject matter expert for Stratmor.