People in the News, July 11, 2025
(Rich Swerbinsky, courtesy of Ohio MBA)
Ohio MBA Names Rich Swerbinksy as Executive Director
The Ohio Mortgage Bankers Association announced Rich Swerbinsky has joined as Executive Director, effective July 1.
Jay Pascoe, previously the Executive Director, is retiring from the post.
“I can’t say enough about the contributions Jay has made to the industry while leading Ohio MBA. He is respected at every level at MBA and across the network of state and local associations,” said William Kooper, Mortgage Bankers Association Vice President of State Government Affairs and Industry Relations.
“We are lucky to have an experienced and dedicated real estate finance professional coming on to lead the Ohio association. Rich is a smart and welcome addition to the terrific community of professional staff leading state groups across the country. The OMBA made a great decision, and we’re looking forward to working with him in the months and years ahead,” Kooper continued.
Swerbinsky has more than two decades of mortgage industry leadership and served as a board member for the Ohio MBA from 2014-2019.
From 2015-2023 he served as President and Chief Operating Officer of The Mortgage Collaborative, and has spent the past few years working on entrepreneurial ventures, including Onward & Upward Consulting, an advisory firm serving mortgage lenders, fintechs and professionals.
ACES Promotes Two on Compliance Team
ACES Quality Management, Denver, Colo., announced the promotion of two internal compliance leaders.
Amanda Phillips is now General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Compliance and Savannah Prout is Associate Vice President of Compliance.
Phillips has more than two decades of experience in financial services, and was previously with Ballad Spahr LLP, Mortgage Cadence and WR Starkey Mortgage (now Certainty Home Loans).
Prout has played a key role helping ACES clients with evolving regulatory requirements and internal compliance issues.
Gabriel Steffens Now With Mayer Brown
Mayer Brown, Chicago, announced that Gabe Steffens has joined as a Partner in its Real Estate and Real Estate Funds practices in Los Angeles.
Steffens was previously the Global Head of Legal for Nuveen Real Estate and the general counsel of The Amherst Group.
He has more than two decades of experience advising clients at the intersection of real estate and private equity.
His practice spans complex joint ventures, acquisitions and dispositions, fund formation and operating company investments and transactions, and his experience includes sectors such as industrial and logistics, housing, self-storage, office, retail and various alternative asset classes.
Jia Mei Wang Returns to Rate
Jia Mei Wang has returned to Rate, Chicago.
Wang has been in the industry since 2003 and spent six years with Rate before working for other firms, including CrossCountry Mortgage.
Wang will help expand Rate’s presence in Las Vegas.
Elysia Stobbe Joins Planet Home Lending
Planet Home Lending, Meriden, Conn., announced that Elysia Stobbe has joined as Branch Manager in Neptune Beach, Fla.
She has more than 20 years of mortgage and real estate expertise and has written multiple books. Stobbe is licensed in Virginia, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas and California.
Stobbe will gain access to a broad range of loan products via her position at Planet.
Merchants Mortgage Welcomes Dylan Kramer
Merchants Bank, Carmel, Ind., announced the addition of Dylan Kramer as a Mortgage Loan Originator for its Merchants Mortgage division.
He will join the growing team based in Oak Brook, Ill.
Kramer has more than three decades of experience in Illinois within the banking and mortgage financing industry. He was previously with Starpointe Mortgage, Pacor Mortgage Corp., and Prospect Mortgage, as well as Benchmark Mortgage and Neighborhood Loans.
CMG Home Loans Adds David Schwartz
CMG Home Loans, a division of CMG Financial, San Ramon, Calif., announced David Schwartz as Area Sales Manager for the New York City Metropolitan Area.
Schwartz was previously with The Federal Savings Bank for more than 16 years, including as Senior Vice President.
He’s a New York City native, allowing him to combine his deep understanding of the region with his customer-first mentality.
