People in the News, June 3, 2026
STRATMOR Group Appoints Silvia Kennedy as Partner
STRATMOR Group, Denver, has appointed Silvia Kennedy as partner.
Kennedy joined STRATMOR in 2015 as a principal advisor.
Kennedy has more than 25 years of mortgage industry experience and brings expertise that spans originations, business development, risk, technology integration and change management.
As partner, she will lead strategic client engagements for large banks and IMBs, work to expand STRATMOR Group’s digital mortgage platform implementation advisory services and play a key role in advancing the firm’s capabilities in AI solution evaluation and deployment.
Polunsky Beitel Green Promotes Peter Idziak to Principal
Polunsky Beitel Green, San Antonio, announced the promotion of Peter Idziak to principal.
Idziak has been with the firm for nearly seven years. He has represented clients in all areas of residential mortgage lending for more than a decade, focusing on regulatory compliance and consumer financial law.
He previously served as PBG senior associate, overseeing training and supervision of the firm’s associate attorneys. In this new post, he will continue in that role while taking on greater responsibility across the firm’s legal and client work.
Choice Mortgage Group Welcomes Blake Pemberton, Courtney Peveto
Choice Mortgage Group, Boca Raton, Fla., has welcomed Blake Pemberton and Courtney Peveto, operating as Pemberton Mortgage Group, powered by Choice Mortgage Group. They bring an established presence in the Southwest Louisiana market.
Pemberton began his mortgage career in 2012 and took the helm of his family’s independent brokerage in 2018.
Peveto has nearly a decade of mortgage lending experience with a strong presence in the Lake Charles market. Pemberton and Peveto used to be competitors but have decided to combine forces under the new group.
Planet Adds Tracy Hochrine in Texas
Planet, Meriden, Conn., has added Tracy Hochrine as branch manager in its new branch in San Antonio.
Hochrine has more than a decade of mortgage industry experience, including significant experience with homebuyers, veterans and renovation borrowers. She was previously at Gateway Mortgage for more than eight years.
The new branch further strengthens Planet’s presence in the state and expands access to specialized lending solutions, including down payment assistance programs, renovation financing, VA loans and buy now, sell later products.
