Process Improvement Column: Education Matters
While only a third of our population gets a college diploma, that should not send the message that education doesn’t matter. There are all types of education that further our ability to be productive in the mortgage industry.
For example, MBA Education, the award-winning education division of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), recognized 17 individuals who earned the Commercial Certified Mortgage Servicer (CCMS®) designation at a ceremony held at MBA’s 2023 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Servicing and Technology Conference. Earning the CCMS is the highest professional honor within the commercial real estate finance industry, and the 2023 class is the largest graduating class in program history.
“Earning the CCMS designation is an incredible accomplishment, and I congratulate this year’s graduates for their commitment to professional development and their desire to play a leading role in shaping the future of our industry,” said Matt Rocco, 2023 MBA Chairman and President of Colliers Mortgage. “The CCMS designation is prestigious and has become increasingly desirable by commercial and multifamily servicing professionals. This year’s record number of graduates join a growing list of those who have set themselves apart by expanding their expertise and taking their career to the next level.”
CCMS candidates must accumulate a total of 100 points from the following three categories: professional work experience, documented education, and industry participation. They then must pass an exam that encompasses a multiple-choice portion and an oral exam testing applicants’ knowledge on the complexities and challenges of the commercial/multifamily mortgage servicing industry.
To be eligible for CCMS Enrollment, applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience. Applicants have the option to take additional courses to help them earn educational points and prepare for the exam.
MBA Education awarded the following industry professionals with the CCMS designation:
- Carrie Boyer CCMS: Managing Director, JLL Real Estate Capital
- Kelley Griner CCMS: Assistant Director, Senior Loan Servicing Manager, Symetra Life Insurance Company
- Michael Gruss CMS: Vice President/Special Servicing, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital
- Andrea Helm CCMS: Senior Vice President, Real Estate Solutions, PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Servicing
- Stefanie Johnson CCMS: Senior Loan Servicing Portfolio Associate, Symetra Life Insurance Company
- Julie Lange CCMS: Mortgage Portfolio Advisor, Securian Asset Management
- Michael Lindgren CCMS: Vice President, Operations Manager Sr., PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Servicing
- Darren Peters CCMS: Vice President, Midland Loan Servicing
- Chuck Ryba CCMS: Senior Vice President, Director, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital
- Charles Scott CCMS: Vice President, PGIM Real Estate
- Jennifer Shedden CCMS: Senior Vice President, Asset Management Supervisor, Colliers International
- Yeran Simonian CCMS: Assistant Vice President, Walker & Dunlop
- Nikkole Test CCMS: Operations Manager II, Covenant Administration, PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Servicing
- Chelsea Towner CCMS: Senior Portfolio Manager, Gantry Inc.
- Stefanie Venable-Tucker CCMS: Operations Group Manager, PNC Real Estate/Midland Loan Servicing
- Christina Wagner CCMS: Senior Vice President, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital
- Meimei Zhao CCMS: Senior Vice President, Walker & Dunlop
Tony Garritano is the founder at PROGRESS in Lending Association. As a speaker Tony has worked hard to inform executives about how technology should be a tool used to further business objectives. For over 20 years he has worked as a journalist, researcher and speaker in the mortgage technology space. Starting PROGRESS in Lending Association was the next step for someone like Tony, who has dedicated his entire career to providing mortgage executives with the information that they need to make informed technology decisions to help their businesses succeed.
