I have recently been appointed as the Western Regional Membership Chair for NAMB—The Association of Mortgage Professionals. I look forward to the opportunity to work with the Western states who are state affiliates of NAMB and their leadership teams to continue to build up membership within their state and the national association. I am truly excited for what the future brings to our industry and our association, regardless of the challenges we’ve faced together.
As a committed volunteer and passionate active mortgage professional, I find my recent time spent as immediate past president of the Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals (OAMP), as well as now serving on the NAMB board, has simply been my required duty from the current state of our industry and the multitude of regulatory changes we are facing. While not everyone may feel compelled to get involved, it is imperative that they support their trade association through membership.
Many do not realize the amount of selfless work a small group of industry colleagues have put in (especially over the last few years) to improve all of our careers. It would shock you to know where things could be if it were not for these people. While it is easy to sit on the sidelines and do nothing, staying informed and supporting membership of a trade group fighting for you should be viewed as a duty to all in our field. I speak as an originator and your colleague when I say WE should all be held accountable when not being part of a state or national trade group.
Andy W. Harris, CRMS is president and owner of Lake Oswego, Ore.-based Vantage Mortgage Group Inc. and 2010-2011 president of the Oregon Association of Mortgage Professionals. He may be reached by phone at (877) 496-0431 or e-mail
[email protected] or visit AndyHarrisMortgage.com.
