People in the News, April 17, 2025
(Mark Seaton, left, and Matt Wajner)
First American Makes Leadership Changes
First American Corp., Santa Ana, Calif., announced that Chief Financial Officer Mark Seaton has been appointed to serve as CEO.
Seaton has served as Chief Financial Officer since 2013, and oversees First American Trust and First American’s technology group. He’s been with the firm since 2006.
He replaces departing CEO Ken DeGiorgio.
And, Matt Wajner has been promoted to Chief Financial Officer. Wajner has been with First American since 2009 and served as treasurer for the past five years.
Panorama Mortgage Group Selects Juan Cepeda as Chief Operating Officer
Panorama Mortgage Group, Las Vegas, announced the appointment of Juan Cepeda as Chief Operating Officer.
Cepeda has more than 26 years of experience in the mortgage industry and has held a number of leadership positions throughout his career.
He will be charged with overseeing the company’s day-to-day operations, focusing on optimizing processes and upping efficiency.
Chris Flynn to Be Chief Data Officer at Class Valuation
Class Valuation, Troy, Mich., announced that Chris Flynn has joined its leadership team as Chief Data Officer.
He’ll lead Class Valuation’s enterprise data strategy, overseeing the development of scalable analytics, AI capabilities and automation.
Flynn has more than 20 years of experience in real estate, fintech and data strategy. He most recently served as Head of Product and Strategy at First American Data & Analytics.
Truework Announces Randy Lightbody as Head of Mortgage
Truework, San Francisco, announced the appointment of Randy Lightbody as Head of Mortgage.
Lightbody has more than three decades in the industry including mortgage banking and financial technology. He brings a blend of lender and vendor experience to Truework.
Most recently, he served as Chief Revenue Officer at Computershare Loan Services. He also founded Candor and had the role of Managing Director at Accenture, where he expanded the firm’s mortgage outsourcing business.
Westcor Promotes Erik Helgeson
Westcor Land Title Insurance Co., Maitland, Fla., announced the promotion of Erik Helgeson to Vice President, Western States Area Manager.
He will oversee Westcor’s operations through the western U.S.
Helgeson has more than two decades of experience in the title insurance industry and has held a variety of ascending roles.
Click n’ Close Expands Correspondent Lending Sales Team
Click n’ Close, Addison, Texas, announced that Kim Schenck has joined its Correspondent Lending Sales team as Correspondent Manager.
Schenck will lead the expansion of the company’s proprietary down payment assistance program.
She has more than 30 years of experience in mortgage banking, and has worked for Essex Mortgage, Freedom Mortgage, Bank of America, Greenwich Capital Financial and Sandia Mortgage Corp.
Longbridge Financial Welcomes Patrick Halonen
Longbridge Financial, Paramus, N.J., announced the addition of Patrick Halonen as Head of Credit Policy, Underwriting and Quality Control.
Halonen has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry.
He previously worked for TD Bank, and has held roles at Citibank and US Bank.
Citywide Home Mortgage Adds Ed Vaccaro
Citywide Home Mortgage, Chicago, a Rate Co., has announced Ed Vaccaro as Executive President, Sales.
Vaccaro will be responsible for helping to drive growth nationwide.
He has more than 35 years of experience in mortgage lending. He has held a number of leadership and production roles with a variety of lenders.
CMG Home Loans Announces Hiring of Gus Floropoulos
CMG Home Loans, Seattle, announced the addition of Regional Vice President Gus Floropoulos.
Floropoulos has more than 20 years of experience ranging from Wall Street strategy to Main Street lending.
He has worked for firms including Morgan Wilshire Securities, Vanguard Capital, MW Bankers, Kazmi National Finance CO., Quontic Bank and The Federal Savings Bank. He has also managed SC Alexander, a private consulting firm, since 2009.
