MBA Presents Burton C. Wood Award to Richard Jordan of Freedom Mortgage
The Mortgage Bankers Association presented its annual Burton C. Wood Legislative Service Award to Richard (Rich) Jordan, Chief Administrative Officer, Freedom Mortgage, at MBA’s 2026 National Advocacy Conference (NAC). The award is given annually to an MBA member in recognition of his or her sustained superior service to the association and the real estate finance industry as an effective and engaged advocate.
“Rich’s unwavering commitment to advocacy and his deep understanding of the legislative and regulatory landscape have made him an invaluable voice for the real estate finance industry,” said Christine Chandler, 2026 MBA Chair and Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, M&T Realty Capital Corporation (RCC). “Rich’s tireless engagement with MBA staff and policymakers was instrumental in building bipartisan support for the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act, helping to restore and secure a viable solution that provides stability for veterans facing financial hardship. His leadership exemplifies the very best of MBA’s member engagement on important advocacy issues.”
Jordan worked closely with MBA staff and engaged directly with key House and Senate offices from both parties, as well as senior Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) officials, to help move the VA Home Loan Program Reform Act (initially H.R. 1815, now Public Law 119-31) across the finish line. Signed into law on July 30, 2025, the legislation established a durable partial claim program to help veterans avoid foreclosure and receive the same loss mitigation options available to borrowers through other federal home loan programs. His leadership was key to advancing the bill through Congress, culminating in House passage by voice vote and subsequent Senate approval. Jordan has also been actively engaged on MBA’s broader set of policy priorities, both legislative and regulatory, including the push for trigger leads reform and efforts to prevent unwarranted increases in VA home loan guaranty program funding fees.
Beyond his policy achievements, Jordan is a dedicated Mortgage Action Alliance (MAA) member and a long-standing MORPAC supporter, frequently representing Freedom Mortgage at MORPAC Direct events. A regular participant over the years at MBA’s annual National Advocacy Conference, he meets frequently with MBA staff to support the association’s public policy agenda.
The award is named after MBA’s late Legislative Counsel Burton C. Wood, who devoted more than 30 years of service to MBA’s direct lobbying efforts. Wood was the first recipient of the award in 1990, and his skills as an advocate gained the respect and attention of both Republicans and Democrats alike. He passed away in 2010.
