CLOSING GENERAL SESSION: Top Tips to Take and Run

Karen Kreutziger Powell

Co-Chairman, IMB Executive Council; Chief Executive Officer, Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc.

Karen Kreutziger is the Chief Executive Officer of Flat Branch Mortgage, Inc. She joined the company in 2011, starting as an underwriter, but very quickly demonstrated a drive that allowed her to successfully master every piece of the mortgage business. From selling direct to agencies like Freddie and Fannie to creating programs for new products such as the HUD 184 and portfolio loans, Kreutziger has taken the lead to improving Flat Branch Home Loans’ competitive edge while maintaining the best client experience. Under her management, the company has grown and she has led initiatives to improve process efficiencies and leadership training. She is the Co-Chair of MBA’s IMB Executive Council.

Garth Graham

Senior Partner, STRATMOR Group

Garth Graham heads STRATMOR’s Sales, Marketing and M&A practices. Garth has over 30 years of experience in origination, from Fortune 500 companies to successful startups, including management of two of the most successful e-commerce platforms. Strategy Consulting - helping banks and independent mortgage bankers determine profitability, risks and opportunities for various business channels. Mergers and Acquisitions - We help companies choose the right investment partners, leveraging our years of experience and rich data set. STRATMOR is best known for its ongoing partnership with the MBA in conducting the MBA/STRATMOR Peer Group Benchmarking Program, providing insight to top mortgage firms since 1998.

Brett Ludden

Managing Director, Sterling Point Advisors

Brett is the co-head of Financial Services at Sterling Point Advisors, an M&A advisory and financial consulting firm serving lower middle market businesses in financial services, industrials and manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. The Financial Services team supports banks, Fintechs, credit unions, insurance companies, and non-depository mortgage lenders. During his 27 years in financial services, Brett has worked across the spectrum: leading M&A transaction-related analytics and Reps & Warranties strategies, overseeing teams at one of the largest banks in the United States, forming and growing a nationwide mortgage lender/servicer/securitizer, and consulting for Fortune 500 financial institutions. Brett has an undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in Engineering.

Michael D. McAuley

Principal, Garrett, McAuley & Co.

Michael D. McAuley is a Principal of Garrett, McAuley & Co., a banking and mortgage banking consulting firm that “helps lenders increase revenues, control costs and better manage risk.” Mike has more than twenty years of commercial banking experience in financing mortgage bankers, homebuilders, and related firms, most recently at JP Morgan Chase. Mike managed the warehouse lending business for Washington Mutual and JP Morgan Chase and was formerly in mortgage banker finance and lending at the Irving Trust Company and Bank United of Texas. He provides consulting services to mortgage bankers, regulators, and other industry professionals, and he has helped commercial banks establish, assess, and improve their mortgage warehouse lending operations.

Seth D. Sprague, CMB

Director, Consulting Services, Richey May

With extensive experience in mortgage banking and mortgage servicing, Seth leads the Mortgage Banking Consulting Services practice at Richey May. A sought-after speaker, he often speaks on liquidity and the overall challenges in the mortgage industry. Seth joined Richey May from the STRATMOR Group where he was a principal. Prior to joining STRATMOR, he was EVP of Trading & Analytics at Phoenix Capital. Seth also served as SVP, Servicing Asset Manager at SunTrust Mortgage for more than 10 years, where he developed and led their servicing rights valuation team. His career also includes accounting, analytics and auditing roles at Bank of America, KPMG LLP and United Financial Inc. Seth holds the designation of Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) from the MBA.

Paul Van Siclen

Senior Vice President, Client Strategies

Mr. Van Siclen is SVP, Client Strategies and is responsible for helping clients implement Teraverde®'s sustainable business model to achieve and enhance profitability under all business conditions. Mr. Van Siclen has 30 years of experience solving complex profitability, performance, and risk challenges with innovative technology solutions. His banking experience spans a broad array of banking products including mortgage, credit card, auto, and equipment leasing. Before joining Teraverde, Paul Van Siclen worked for 8 years as the Global Director of Industry Solutions, Financial Services for Qlik. In this role, he supported customers by demonstrating the value of analytics solutions and use cases within banking, insurance and capital markets firms across the globe.