Christine Rhea Presented Posthumously with Lowrie-Woodward Distinguished Service Award
(l. to r: Christine Chandler, Andrea Reyes; Kevin Rhea. Photo credit: Anneliese Mahoney)
LAS VEGAS–The Mortgage Bankers Association presented Christine (Chrissi) Rhea, former President/CEO of the Mortgage Investors Group (MIG), with its Lowrie-Woodward Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes the dedication and prominent service to MBA and the mortgage lending industry in a variety of capacities involving both legislative and regulatory activities. The award was given posthumously to Rhea during MBA’s 2025 Annual Convention and Expo.
“Chrissi was a true trailblazer, co-founding MIG in the late 1980s, and leading the company until just before her untimely and unfortunate passing in 2024,” said Christine Chandler, 2026 MBA Chair and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, M&T Realty Capital Corporation. “Her vision and passion for the industry not only helped build a successful company but also inspired countless other professionals. She was the driving force behind MBA’s recent legislative victory banning abusive mortgage trigger leads, signed into law just last month. Chrissi exemplified leadership in every sense and is incredibly deserving of this recognition.”
Rhea co-founded Mortgage Investors Group in 1989 and helped expand the company from seven employees to more than 300 professionals across 26 branches focusing on residential mortgage lending across the Southeast. She was an active member of several MBA boards and committees, including MBA’s Independent Mortgage Bankers Executive Council (IMBEC). She formerly sat on MBA’s 2024 Board of Directors and served as the 2023 Chair of MBA’s Residential Board of Governors (RESBOG). She was a force in MBA’s advocacy efforts through her participation in MBA’s “Advocacy in August” campaign, and through her contributions to MBA’s Political Action Committee (MORPAC). Rhea was also the 2024 recipient of MBA’s Burton C. Wood Award.
The Lowrie-Woodward Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor an individual can receive from his or her fellow MBA members. Nominees for the annual award must meet the following criteria:
– Be associated with an MBA member firm;
– Compile a record of long, sustained, and extraordinary service to MBA and the mortgage industry; and
– Have a strong reputation for ethical and professional conduct.
MBA’s Distinguished Service Award was renamed in the early 2000s in memory of Andy Woodward, who had served as MBA Chairman and set an extraordinary example for his leadership abilities. In 2023, MBA added the name of Regina Lowrie, CMB, MBA’s first female chair, and a longtime industry executive and advocate.
