Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers

Broker of the Year: Bob Long
Bob is the Owner of Trans/Mark Mortgage and Realex Mortgage. He is a GAMB Director and GAMB Legislative Committee Chair. The award was presented to Bob by Pam Gonyaw, of Chicago Title.

Affiliate of the Year: Tyler Wood
Tyler is Executive Vice President of SouthStar Funding, LLC. He is a GAMB Director, GAMB Legislative Committeee Co-Chair, and a GAMB Delegate Council Representative to NAMB. The award was presented to Tyler by Pam Gonyaw, of Chicago Title.

Volunteer of the Year: Tracy FitzSimons
Tracy is an Account Executive for the law firm of Morris & Schneider. She was 2002 (SEMBC) Chair. The award was presented to Tracy by Pam Gonyaw, of Chicago Title.

Jim Hope and Leslie Lewis - Jim is the owner of I.C.S., Inc. He was 1999 GAMB President. Also pictured is Leslie Lewis, Account Executive for First American Title Insurance Company.

Johnny Wade - Johnny is President of Great Eastern Funding. He was 1993 GAMB President and served as 2002 GAMB Ethics Committee Chair.

Carl Dixon, 2002 GAMB President; Jim Somers, 2003 GAMB President; Bob Long, Presiden't Award Winner, GAMB Director & Legislative Chair; Ronnie Rose, GAMB Columbus Liaison.

Each year, the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers recognizes a few of its outstanding members by presenting awards to the individuals who exemplify the finest standards and accomplishments. Congratulations to the winners of GAMB's 2002 Broker, Affiliate and Volunteer of the Year Awards, which were voted upon by the Association's membership and presented at the GAMB February 20 Awards Luncheon.

GAMB 2002 ANNUAL AWARD NOMINEES:

Broker of the Year Nominees:

Dan Diaddigo of Jarvis Street Mortgage & Investments
Laura Hagemann of HomeWise Financial Services
Bob Long of Trans/Mark Mortgage and Realex Mortgage - WINNER

Affiliate of the Year Nominees:

Pagan Gilman of Mortgage Lion, Inc.
Jamie Sutton of RMIC
Tyler Wood of SouthStar Funding, LLC - WINNER

Volunteer of the Year:

Mark Baker of Fidelity National Title Insurance Company
Tracy FitzSimons of Morris & Schneider - WINNER
Frank "Paco" Torch of Torch Mortgage Company

GAMB 2002 ANNUAL AWARD WINNER BIOS:

2002 BROKER OF THE YEAR:

On many occasions during the past year, GAMB's Broker of the Year has put company business on hold in order to perform volunteer work for the Association.

GAMB's Broker of the Year doesn’t beat around the bush, but always “tells it like it is.”

And you might have noticed this Broker’s name mentioned in some recent news articles.

We present our 2002 Broker of the Year...

A man who is as charming as a golden lab...

A man of Capitol “with-an-O” accomplishments...

King of the news media interview...

Chair of GAMB's Legislative Committee for the second year running...

The Association's own “George W.” leading the fight...

Bob Long!

BOB LONG of Trans/Mark Mortgage & Realex Mortgage

Bob entered the mortgage business in 1982 when he created Trans/Mark Mortgage Services, a residential mortgage brokerage company with offices in Georgia and North Carolina. He obtained his real estate Salesman's License in 1970, his real estate Broker's License in 1974, and started R.J. Long and Associates/DBA/Realex Real Estate Services at the age of 24. Bob opened two additional companies to supplement the services of Realex, Trans/Mark Relocation Services in 1979 and Trans/Mark Mortgage Services in 1982. Through Trans/Mark Relocation Services, Bob owned and licensed a national real estate referral network that consisted of 1500 real estate brokerage companies in 750 communities throughout the U.S. He has originated hundreds of mortgages and has had a 100% close rate for the past 15 years. Bob has attended and taught hundreds of hours of courses and seminars on real estate brokerage, sales, finance, investment and computer technology in conjunction with UGA, West Georgia, Georgia Institute of Real Estate, Atlanta Institute of Real Estate, RMNI, Employee Relocation Council, and the Board of Realtors. He is serving his second year as a GAMB Director, served as the CoChair of GAMB's Legislative Committee in 2000 and 2001, is now chairing GAMB's Legislative Committee for the second year, has attended National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) Delegate Council Meetings as a GAMB Alternate on two occasions, served on NAMB's National RESPA Task Force to design NAMB's new RESPA Model, and is on the Board of Governors of the Georgia Mortgage Brokers Political Action Committee (GMBPAC). Bob was named Quality Broker by Colonial Mortgage in both 1993 and 1994. At the age of 18, he earned his private pilot's license, and he has a PADI advanced scuba diving rating. Bob has done photography work for United Press International (UPI), and several of his photographs have been published in national publications, including U.S.A. Today and Newsweek. He received a BBA in Management and Marketing from the UGA in 1970, and has worked on a Masters in psychology at the Atlanta extension of West Georgia University. Bob served as CoChair of Operation Love for the Atlanta Humane Society, and was CoChair of the Paper Products Division for United Way. A native Georgian, Bob resides in Marietta.

2002 AFFILIATE OF THE YEAR:

GAMB's 2002 Affiliate of the Year is someone who wears many Association hats, and handles each responsibility with determined calmness.

He’s worth his weight in precious metal, for his company just became a GAMB $15,000 Platinum Industry Partner.

Everyone's cowboy hats are off to GAMB's 2002 Affiliate of the Year...

A man with stars in his eyes...

A man who has wrangled with state legislators and Neal Boortz, in his own “politically correct” way, of course...

A “Jaw-jah” man who loves “them Dawgs”...

Give a big woof for...

Tyler Wood!

TYLER WOOD of SouthStar Funding, LLC

Tyler Wood is a Partner and Executive Vice President for SouthStar Funding, LLC, a residential wholesale lender based in Atlanta that currently conducts business in 30 states. Tyler’s mortgage career began in 1986 shortly after graduating from the University of Georgia. Tyler has held various positions in the mortgage business, starting his career as a retail loan originator for 10 years before entering the wholesale arena. Tyler is a co-founder of SouthStar Funding (formed in May of 1998) helping lead the company to national recognition as one of the top 25 non-conforming lenders by Origination News (2000) and recently named again as a Pacesetter in becoming one of Atlanta’s 50 Fastest Growing Private Companies by the Atlanta Business Chronicle (2000 / 2001). SouthStar Funding was also recently named by the Atlanta Business Chronicle (ranking # 14) as one of Atlanta’s A+ Employers, the best places to work in Atlanta. SouthStar closed over 2.3 Billion in residential home loans for the year (2002). Tyler and his partners currently employ over 200 Georgians, 320 total SSF Associates. Other accomplishments by Tyler include co-authoring a business plan to form EquiBanc Mortgage, formerly a division of FT Mortgage Services (1996), now a division of SouthTrust Bank. In addition to being a Director and Co-Legislative Chair with the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers, Tyler is also one of two GAMB Delegate Council Representatives to the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, is a Governor with the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia, a Director with the Atlanta Mortgage Bankers Association, a member of the East Cobb Rotary Club, and a licensed Georgia Realtor since 1990. Tyler resides in Marietta with his wife and two children.

2002 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR:

Need help with a GAMB event? Ask GAMB's Volunteer of the Year, who can whip any event into shape in no time.

Been to a GAMB function lately? You can bet this Volunteer has worked out his or her schedule to be able to attend.

So, who is 2002 Volunteer of the Year?

We’ll answer that with another question...

How many blondes does it take to chair the ?

Just one, when it’s GAMB's “Queen of the SEMBC Jungle"...

Tracy FitzSimons!

TRACY FITZSIMONS of Morris & Schneider

Tracy Needle FitzSimons has been with the law firm of Morris & Schneider for over 15 years. She started as a precloser and moved into the Client Relations department in 1999. She quickly became an active member of the industry associations. Tracy has served on many Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers (GAMB) committees, including the Legislative Committee and the Committee (SEMBC), which she Chaired in New Orleans in 2002, one of our most successful conferences. In addition, she is always willing to lend a hand to any other committee and has been called to help put together many of the golf and fishing outings sponsored by GAMB. Tracy has also served as the Chair of the Atlanta Association of Professional Mortgage Women (AAPMW) Fashion Show, and has CoChaired the Lend-a-Hand project for the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia (MBAG) as well as serving on the Board for the Atlanta Mortgage Bankers. Tracy is always a willing volunteer for our industry, whether it is attending the annual Legislative Night, a membership drive or planning a small gathering for 1,300. Though she doesn't always have a title, Tracy is consistently a willing volunteer. In her spare time, Tracy enjoys working out, and she is currently training for her first triathlon. Tracy is married to Dan, and has a son, Matt. Tracy is active at Matt's school and has volunteered her time as a room mother.

2002 GAMB ANNUAL AWARDS CRITERIA

2002 Broker of the Year Award Criteria

Any person nominated for the GAMB 2002 Broker of the Year Award must be a Professional Member of the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers (Professional, Secondary Professional or Professional Associate).
The Nominee must show proficiency as a mortgage broker as demonstrated by the Nominee’s success in the mortgage brokerage industry through his/her outstanding participation and profile within the industry. His/her profile will include a broad breadth of scope of product and experience, a high level of expertise in the industry, and adherence to the GAMB Code of Ethics, which has gained him/her the respect of both his peers and customer base.
The Nominee should possess the character and ability to enhance the public’s image of the mortgage broker industry.
The scope of the Nominee’s participation in local, state and national associations will be considered as a demonstration of his/her commitment to the enhancement of the mortgage broker industry.
Other factors that will be considered include:
- The Nominee’s achievements and accomplishments;
- The Nominee’s participation in educational programs that are related to the mortgage industry;
- The Nominee’s completion of an industry certification program, such as the National Association of Mortgage Brokers Certified Mortgage Consultant (CMC) or Certified Residential Mortgage Specialist (CRMS) program;
- The Nominee’s leadership experience and skills; The Nominee’s involvement in his/her local community, especially in housing-related activities; The Nominee’s responsiveness to customers; and,
- The Nominee’s sense of enthusiasm for the mortgage industry.

2002 Affiliate of the Year Award Criteria

Any person nominated for the GAMB 2002 Affiliate of the Year Award must be an Affiliate Member of the Georgia Association of Mortgage Brokers (Affiliate or Affiliate Associate).
The Nominee must show proficiency as demonstrated by the Nominee’s success in his/her field through his/her outstanding participation and profile within the mortgage industry. His/her profile will include a broad scope of experience, a high level of expertise in his/her field, and adherence to the GAMB Code of Ethics, which has gained him/her the respect of both his peers and customer base.
The Nominee should possess the character and ability to enhance the public’s image of the mortgage industry.
The scope of the Nominee’s participation in local, state and national associations will be considered as a demonstration of his/her commitment to the enhancement of the mortgage industry.
Other factors that will be considered include:
- The Nominee’s achievements and accomplishments;
- The Nominee’s participation in educational programs that are related to the mortgage industry;
- The Nominee’s completion of an industry certification program;
- The Nominee’s leadership experience and skills;
- The Nominee’s involvement in his/her local community, especially in housing-related activities;
- The Nominee’s responsiveness to customers; and,
- The Nominee’s sense of enthusiasm for the mortgage industry.

2002 Volunteer of the Year Award Criteria

A person nominated for the GAMB 2002 Volunteer of the Year Award can be in either of GAMB’s membership categories (any type of Professional Member, or any type of Affiliate Member).
While the Nominee should possess many of the same qualities listed in the Broker and Affiliate of the Year Awards criteria (such as being proficient and respected in his/her field, adhering to GAMB’s Code of Ethics, and having an admirable character), the main focus of the Volunteer of the Year Award is to recognize an active member of the Association who has gone “above and beyond” the norm in providing volunteer work to GAMB. An ideal Nominee for this category would be the member who has attended many or most GAMB events throughout 2002, and has chaired or been an active member of one or more committees.
Other factors that might be considered include:
- The Nominee’s achievements and accomplishments;
- The Nominee’s leadership experience and skills;
- The Nominee’s involvement in his/her local community, especially in housing-related activities;
- The Nominee’s participation in other local, state and national associations; and,
- The Nominee’s sense of enthusiasm for the mortgage industry.

GAMB 2002 PRESIDENT'S AWARD WINNERS

(Presented by 2002 GAMB President, L. Carl Dixon, Jr.)

LORETTA SALZANO of Franzen and Salzano

Our first President’s Award winner has earned this distinction a million times over. She keeps the Association on the straight and narrow, and helps GAMB avoid costly mistakes. She knows the rules. The Association's Board looks to her for answers to questions that they cannot answer themselves.

She and her firm spent so much time as the Association's legal counsel last year that her invoice to GAMB would have totaled over $36,000 if they hadn’t been a pro bono client. She admirably kept the group under her protection during 2002, even though she became a new mom with extra responsibilities to fit into her already-hectic schedule.

I present this President’s Award to someone who is over-deserving of the recognition it entails...

Someone who always goes “above and beyond” in her efforts made on the Association's behalf...

A gal whose gracious Italian heritage has perhaps influenced her to show the group such fierce loyalty and think of GAMB as her extended family ...

A “Godfather” who is always watching over the Association...

A referee...

And someone who always gets the last word...

Loretta Salzano!

JOHNNY WADE of Great Eastern Funding

It’s easy for Past Presidents to slip into the background—and it’s easy to see that they have earned that right after all the years of service they have provided for the Association. But it’s also nice to see how easy it was for a certain Past President to jump back into the loop when asked for help.

In 1993, this Past President put in more than his share of time for the Association. Along with other things, he led GAMB through the inception of the state licensing of mortgage brokers, set into motion the beginnings of the first , and initiated a proposal that persuaded the National Association of Mortgage Brokers that Atlanta was the ideal place to hold their 1997 Annual Convention.

In 2002, he came back to chair GAMB’s Ethics Committee at my request, and he also served as a seasoned advisor to me. In short, he helped make my job easy. I’m very pleased to present a 2002 President’s Award to GAMB's friend...

GAMB's supporter...

And the Association's favorite ski bum...

Johnny Wade!

JIM HOPE of I.C.S., Inc.

The next award goes to another Past President, one who has never considered slipping into the background. In fact, if we were to check the Association’s registration lists through the years, we would find a near-perfect attendance record...and he’s usually the first person to register for each and every GAMB event.

Like many GAMB award winners, he’s just a guy who can’t say “no.” Ask him for help and he comes running. It is his way to use humor to lighten tough situations, and it’s nearly impossible to talk to him without at least smiling.

I would like to express my appreciation to one of GAMB’s most loyal members by presenting this President’s Award to a man who sincerely believes in our Association...

A good friend and advisor who helped me in many ways during my year as President...

A man who owns a zillion outrageous neckties...

A little guy with the heart of a giant...

Jim Hope!

MARK BAKER of Fidelity National Title Insurance Company

Every now and again, someone comes along and adds a bit of zest to our Association. GAMB's next President’s Award winner has done just that.

This winner thrives on creativity and breathing life into the Association. He is quick to smile, slow to criticize, and his motto is “Just Say Yes!” He will, in fact, do virtually anything for GAMB...especially if it involves a costume and a microphone.

He played an integral role as the Entertainment Chair of our 2002 SEMBC Jungle, and has diligently supported GAMB as Membership Chair for the past three years.

Because of his enthusiastic and invaluable support, I’m happy to present this President’s Award to a man we’ve all gone ape over...

A man whose work hours always extend past Dolly’s Parton’s “Nine to Five”...

And a man whose varied talents range from creating a perfect wine tasting party...to serving as an emcee...to giving a blessing...and on and on...

Mark Baker!

TRACY FITZSIMONS of Morris & Schneider

Though she has already made her way up to the podium once today, it doesn’t seem possible to recognize this devoted member too many times.

If you have never worked in a top position for the , you would have no way of knowing just what a commitment it is to chair this event. An SEMBC Chair is responsible not only for overseeing the affairs of 8 conference subcommittee chairs, but is essentially responsible for the entire success of an event that provides our Association with much of its funding for the following year.

While the responsibility may be daunting to some, this special member attacked the 2002 SEMBC with fervor, helped with many other GAMB events through the year, and attended virtually every Association function that was held in 2002.

I proudly present this President’s Award to a girl who’s got an SEMBC tiger in her tank...

A girl who puts a positive spin on the term “fancy pants”...

Tracy FitzSimons!

BOB LONG of Trans/Mark Mortgage and Realex Mortgage

If someone had told you a new law would be passed that would severely restrict lending in Georgia, that a number of lenders would simply walk away from our state, and that the term “mortgage broker” would be uttered as a dirty word by many legislators and news reporters, would you willingly volunteer to chair GAMB's Legislative Committee during this kind of crisis?

The man who will receive the next President’s Award did just that. The member I would like to honor is a man who cares so much about the unfair legislation in Georgia that he agreed to chair the Legislative Committee for a second year—primarily because he and the Association's membership couldn’t stop the Georgia Fair Lending Act during his first year of tenure. He is still here fighting this fight, though many of us often don’t understand how much time and effort he has put forth in trying to get this law changed.

This President’s Award goes to a man who has put his own company business on the back burner while tackling GAFLA on GAMB's behalf...

A man who has learned how to “talk the talk” with the Associated Press...

A man who is rumored to be crafty with a conch shell and is as intuitive as Sherlock Holmes...

Bob Long!