MBA Promotes Heather Messam, Justin Wiseman, Joel Kan
The Mortgage Bankers Association promoted Heather Messam to Vice President and Controller; Justin Wiseman to Vice President and Managing Regulatory Counsel; and Joel Kan to Vice President and Deputy Chief Economist.
Messam will manage the accounting and financial operations of MBA and its subsidiaries, including establishing and managing the accounting and financial operations of MBA and its five subsidiaries in a manner that ensures accurate, timely and reliable financial information for all internal and external users, reflecting MBA’s financial position in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. She will also prepare briefing materials for MBA’s Audit and Investment Committees and its Board of Directors and will serve as Treasurer for the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization.
“Heather is a consummate accounting professional who has delivered top-notch expertise and dedicated customer service on behalf of MBA and its members for more than two decades,” said Lisa Haynes, MBA Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Diversity & Inclusion Officer. “Her meticulous attention to detail, passion for her craft, and superior project management skills will serve her well in her expanded – and much deserved – new role.”
Since joining MBA in 2001, Messam has served in various ascending roles, most recently as Associate Vice President and Controller. Prior to MBA, she was an accountant at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association. She holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the University of Maryland Global Campus and a Bachelor of Science in business teacher education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Wiseman will lead MBA’s Regulatory Policy team and oversee the association’s work on legal issues and trends, agency rulemakings and regulatory compliance.
“Justin has been a tremendous asset to MBA and an invaluable resource to our members, providing strategic direction and strong legal intellect on a plethora of regulatory compliance and policy issues during his decade-plus tenure,” said Pete Mills, MBA Senior Vice President of Residential Policy and Strategic Industry Engagement. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this promotion, and I am fully confident that Justin will continue to be an exemplary leader and will successfully formulate and advance MBA member priorities on regulatory and legal matters.”
Wiseman has served in various ascending roles since joining MBA in 2012, first as Associate Regulatory Counsel and Director of Loan Administration Policy before being promoted in 2017 to Associate Vice President and Managing Regulatory Counsel. He oversees the association’s legal and regulatory issues for loan production, servicing, pending rules and legislation and leads the amicus brief program.
Prior to MBA, Wiseman clerked for the federal District Court in the Middle District of Tennessee and worked with the Center for Strategic and International Studies on European and Transatlantic security issues. He is a graduate of Emory University School of Law and Dartmouth College.
Kan will be responsible for leading MBA’s economic and mortgage market forecasting and will continue his responsibilities of analyzing key data trends in the real estate finance industry. He will continue to lead all of MBA’s macroeconomic and housing market forecasts and oversee production of MBA’s industry surveys, including the Weekly Applications Survey, Builder Application Survey and the Mortgage Credit Availability Index.
“Over the past several years, Joel has taken on an increased role at MBA conferences and other industry events, providing instrumental analysis and commentary to members and consumers on real-time data and trends. His keen sense on what’s happening in the mortgage market has made him an invaluable asset to our research team,” said Mike Fratantoni, MBA Senior Vice President and Chief Economist. “Furthermore, Joel has been a go-to source for national and real estate trade media, regularly sharing trusted insights on what’s happening in the industry and the broader economy.”
Kan presents regularly on the economy and housing market at MBA and industry events, and is interviewed and quoted frequently in national, local, and industry media outlets including CNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Axios, HousingWire and National Mortgage News.
Kan has held various ascending roles since joining MBA, starting as a Survey Specialist in 2006 to most recently in 2015, when he was promoted to Associate Vice President of Economic and Industry Forecasting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
MBA also announced the other following staff promotions:
Joseph Flynn – Sr. Financial Analyst
Sasha Hewlett – Associate Vice President, Secondary & Capital Markets
Wes Horne – Sr. Human Resources Specialist
Danielle Jackson – Director, Education Programming
Rosalyn Milliken – Sr. Meeting Planner
Diego Prudencio – Meetings Specialist
Jacqueline Salazar – Director, CREF
