Agenda

The State of AFN & What’s Next in 2024

John has over two decades of solid mortgage industry experience that began years prior to opening AFN in 2001. His leadership is instrumental in AFN’s continual advances and growth, which included doubling market share over the last 5 years and bringing the company to its current rank of one of the top mortgage lenders in the United States. John has a background in secondary marketing and now focuses most of his time on technology that is being used to drive down workload, turn times and cost to produce while improving the customer and employee experiences. His direction drives the constant evolution of AFN to adapt to the changing industry and ensure its long-term success.

Top Producer Panel

Jon joined AFN as Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel in 2010. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Jon is instrumental in offering operational as well as legal support to AFN, our branches and staff, and is a crucial member of our executive team. Jon earned a Juris Doctor law degree from Concord Law School and gained several years of experience in sales and management prior to joining AFN.

Barry Habib, CEO of MBS Highway, is an American entrepreneur and frequent media resource for his mortgage and housing expertise. 

• Amazon #1 bestselling author for his book “Money in the Streets”
• Widely credited with saving the Mortgage Industry in 2020 from Margin Calls due to Fed Actions. His presentation to the Fed created stability at a critical time.

Notable Awards

• Three-time Crystal Ball Award Winner by Fannie Mae, Pulsenomics, and Zillow for the most accurate Real Estate forecasts out of 150 of the top economists in the US
• 2019 Mortgage Professional of the Year
• Finalist for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Named to Mortgage Global 100 List
• The St. Armand Ventures Businessman of the Year 2021
• Named to the list of 100 People to Watch in 2023

During his mortgage sales career, Barry personally originated over $2 Billion.

He is the Lead Producer and Managing Partner for “Rock of Ages,” the 27^th longest running show in Broadway history, which he also took around the world and turned into a major movie starring Tom Cruise.

He produced Criss Angel’s “Mindfreak” at Planet Hollywood in Vegas.

He is the highest rated speaker and trainer for over 25 years in mortgage and real estate.

Having trained over a million sales and services professionals at more than 600 organizations, Dale has compiled the best practices of the nation’s top performers into a practical and proven approach.

That approach that has helped countless individuals build lasting relationships with their customers, strengthen and expand their business partnerships, and achieve greater personal and professional success than they thought possible.

In 2021, Dale was named a Housing Industry Icon by MPA. In 2022, he was included in their Global Mortgage 100 list. And for the third consecutive year, Dale was re-named a HousingWire Vanguard for 2023.

Dale and his team have earned Excellence in Practice Awards from both the Association for Training Development and the Brandon Hall Group. They are the proud winners of a Better Business Torch Award and have been recognized for their community service by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

You can follow Dale on LinkedIn and Facebook for quick tips on navigating today’s market, or visit dalevermillion.comto connect with his team about your training, consulting, or speaking needs.

Legal & CFBP Updates

Andy joined AFN’s legal team in 2014. As AFN’s Chief Compliance Officer and General Counsel, Andy works dilignetly to provide all necessary legal and compliance support to AFN, it branches, and staff, as well as oversees AFN’s licensing and marketing activities. Andy earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of California, Irvine School of Law and has more than 15 years of real estate industry experience.

Operations Focus

Twyla Hankins, Executive Vice President of Operations, joined the executive team in 2010. With over 40 years of industry experience, Twyla has devoted her career to building exceptional mortgage lending operations, providing a foundation for success for several mortgage lenders. Her management expertise includes all aspects of Operations, including Loan Processing, Underwriting, Doc Preparation, Funding, Shipping, Post-Closing and Insuring. Her vast knowledge and leadership skills make Twyla an essential member of the AFN executive team.

Operations Focus

Stephanie Esparza is currently the Vice President of Closing and Funding for AFN and has been with the company since 2013. With over 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Stephanie has been involved in several areas of operational support. She is a firm believer in TEAM AFN and strives to provide excellent customer service.

In her free time, Stephanie enjoys practicing yoga, reading, and watching football and baseball. She also loves spending time with her two kids. Stephanie is related to fellow AFN employees Raul A. Esparza (brother), Kirstin Rowley Esparza (sister-in-law), and Annie Ortiz (cousin).

Operations Focus

Nasim joined AFN in 2014, contributing more than 25 years of industry expertise encompassing various facets of mortgage operations and management. Her extensive experience includes roles in Loan Processing, Underwriting, Closing, and Post-Closing. Currently serving as the VP of Underwriting & Credit Policy, she is responsible for supervising underwriting processes, shaping AFN’s credit policy, and formulating credit risk policies and guidelines. Leveraging her legal qualification as an attorney, Nasim plays a key role in promoting sound principles and fostering efficiency, effectiveness, and diligence in AFN’s underwriting operations and credit management.

Operations Focus

Top Producer Panel

Matthew Schultz, with over two decades of experience in the Financial & Banking Industry, currently serves as the Head of Retail Branching for American Financial Network. Holding this position since 2015, he has been with the company for over 8 years. In 2021, American Financial Network achieved funding exceeding $14 billion.

Recognized as a leading expert in the mortgage industry, Matthew received the Most Connected Mortgage Professional in the Country award from NMP. He guided the company to the top rank in consumer satisfaction, backed by over 67,000 online reviews.

With a track record of success, Matthew has over 20 years of experience in the Financial Industry & Banking, skillfully building multiple companies to annual production in the billions of dollars.

Top Producer Panel

As the Head of Retail Branching for American Financial Network, Inc, John D’Onofrio brings 23 years of experience in financial services and residential lending. Recognized in 2021 by National Mortgage Professional as an honoree for the 40 under 40 award, John brings something special to elevate the mortgage industry each day. Starting as a Loan Officer, he progressed to building and managing retail mortgage branches for various lenders. Since 2012, John, alongside Matthew Schultz, has focused on optimizing retail branching platforms for small and mid-cap mortgage lenders, successfully recruiting top talent.

Today, overseeing Retail Branching and National Sales for American Financial Network, Inc., John and Matthew have built the company’s largest division, including an east coast fulfillment & operations center catering to all time zones. John’s growth philosophy centers on targeting self-sourced, entrepreneurial producers and serving his team with an experience enriched with industry’s broadest product selection, rapid service, cutting-edge technology-infused marketing, while fostering an uncommon “Can Do, Will Do!” culture.

The Force Behind the Team AFN Culture

Anthony Casillas is the Team AFN National Business Coach, and he loves Team AFN as it changed his life almost 15 years ago when Jack Sherman (Co-founder of American Financial Network, Inc.) hired Anthony to be a part of this special company we call Team AFN. Anthony has established three Business Coaching Programs within the Team AFN National Business Coaching Platform that encompass all aspects of building a solid business platform within Team AFN. The Team AFN National Mentorship Coaching Program is the foundation of the Team AFN National Coaching Platform for producers at Team AFN, along with a Masters Business Coaching Program for those who want to be coached at the highest level. Anthony also has developed an operational coaching platform called the AFN Superstars Coaching Program. In 2022 Anthony embarked on the Millionaire Mortgage Academy within the Northeast Division. Anthony’s vision every day at Team AFN is to Elevate-Everyone-Every time.

AFN Marketing, The Suite

Corey is responsible for overseeing the marketing department’s offering, initiatives, projects, systems, and staff. Corey has over 20 years of mortgage marketing experience. She is dedicated to creating RAVING FANS and launching services, and systems that empower our branches across the nation to be more successful.

AFN Marketing, The Suite

Ashlee became a part of AFN, in 2014, contributing a blend of marketing expertise and mortgage industry knowledge to Team AFN. She is actively involved in crafting marketing campaigns, generating marketing and social media content, and working collaboratively with different departments to deliver a well-rounded marketing package.

Social Media

Jonny Fowler has been helping Retail Mortgage Managers redefine the meaning of success since 1998. He truly has a knack for bringing the right people to the right opportunity, making it possible for them to not only expand their mortgage businesses but also grow personally and professionally. 2 time Amazon Best Selling author For “Here’s Jonny: Tales of Gratitude from Oilfield to the Boardroom” and “Don’t Fly the Cubicle”, Since 1994, he has orchestrated the development of thousands of mortgage branches, He has taught social media marketing to thousands of real estate agents nationwide and appeared on numerous podcasts including Agent Wealth Network Live, National Mortgage Professionals, MBS Highway, Jay Doran’s Culture Matters, National Real Estate Professionals, & Jay Scherr to name a few. Co-architected one of the largest privately-held mortgage companies to reach $16B/year. National Mortgage Professional Magazines “Most Connected ” Award Winner 5 years in a row

Content Creation Class

Michael is a video content coach and strategist that specializes in authentic, professional video content that connects you with new clients and referral sources. Before jumping into content marketing with both feet, he kept himself busy in the mortgage and real estate industries by creating educational curriculums, developing product offerings, and building content-driven lead generation platforms in order to support his addictions to Diet Coke, golf, Star Wars toys, and comic books… in that order.

Social Media 

Bethany is responsible for social media strategy, support and training. Bethany joined the AFN team in 2022 and works closely with branches and Loan Officers to optimize social media usage/account security.

MLK Jr Inspirational Video

Kirstin is responsible for branch advertising requests, graphic design, and creative management. Kirstin has over 8 years of mortgage marketing experience. She brings a unique and creative approach to mortgage marketing design.

Nivati: 2024 Employee Health & Wellness

Kristin joined AFN in 2020 as Social Responsibility Manager, offering support in charitable giving, community outreach and event support. Kristin brings a positive energy to th e HR Department and Team AFN.

Nivati: 2024 Employee Health & Wellness

Michelle is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in working with individuals who experience grief and loss, anxiety, depression, chronic illness, and major life transitions. Michelle has extensive experience using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction techniques, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to help individuals address stress and negative thinking and restore peace into their everyday lives. With evidence-based tools, Michelle will work with you to help you better understand yourself and increase your self-awareness, find deeper purpose and meaning in your life and create goals that lead to a healthier and happier way of living. In her free time, Michelle likes to spend time with family and friends and enjoys new restaurants and cooking for loved ones.

Staying Safe in the Year Ahead: Real Estate Wire Fraud and Other Cyber Threats

Monica has been a member of Team AFN since 2008 and brings over 20 years of title and escrow experience to Apex.  In 2019, Apex, a sister company of AFN, was expanded to offer title and escrow services in 35 states.

Staying Safe in the Year Ahead: Real Estate Wire Fraud and Other Cyber Threats

Before CertifID, Tyler led product development at BCG Digital Ventures for First American Financial, Mercedes-Benz, Boston Scientific, and Aflac.

CertifID was started when Tyler’s co-founder became a victim of wire fraud. Since then, they’ve developed a solution for title companies to verify and insure wire transactions. They also have a fraud recovery services team who can help you get your money back if you or your client get hit by fraud.