Branching.... It's a jungle out there

MILA names Mark Hikel as presidentMortgagePress.comMILA Inc.,Mark Hikel,President,Layne Sapp,CEO MILA Inc. has promoted Mark Hikel to president, effective April 5. Mark joined MILA in 2000 as executive vice president and national sales director, bringing 16 years of financial and sales experience. Since 2000, MILA's lending volume has increased from $234 million to a projected $5.5 billion in 2005 and the sales staff from 36 to nearly 300. Hikel will assume all aspects of day-to-day management of the organization and ensure alignment with current and future business objectives. Layne Sapp, MILA's founder, will continue as CEO, focusing on strategic growth initiatives. “Mark's commitment, contribution and influence tied to MILA's rapid expansion over the past five years are known factors,” said Sapp. Noting that it was MILA's intense growth that necessitated this operational change in the corporate infrastructure, Sapp added, “Having Mark Hikel at the helm of the organization not only creates a stronger management team, but will also ensure greater company success.” Before joining MILA, Hikel was executive vice president at Loraca International. His previous experience also includes serving as executive vice president at DMR Financial Services Inc. and co-founder and president of HomeAmerica Financial Services Inc., which was later sold to DMR. Hikel's early financial career includes Bank One Financial Services, CIT Group and Commercial Credit Corporation. Hikel earned his bachelor of science degree at Northern Arizona University majoring in finance. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association. For more information, visit www.mila.com.