A.W. Pickel III, a current member of the MBA's IMB (Independent Mortgage Bankers) Executive Council and the Freddie Mac IMB Advisory Board, has joined Houston-based AmCap Mortgage as president of its newly-formed Midwestern Division. Pickel, also past president of NAMB—The Association of Mortgage Professionals, will be responsible for growing AmCap Mortgage's retail brand and physical presence in the Midwestern states and beyond, through both acquisition and organic growth. Founded in 2002, AmCap Mortgage is currently licensed in 32 states, originates over $2 billion in retail government and conventional mortgages annually, has approximately 800 employees in over 75 branches and services its own loans.
Pickel has nearly 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry and joins AmCap from LeaderOne Financial, which he founded in 1992 and led to become a national company producing more than $1 billion in mortgages per year. A longtime industry advocate, he founded the Kansas Association of Mortgage Brokers and co-authored the state's first mortgage broker-banker bill in 1995. He serves on several industry advisory boards and has testified numerous times before the U.S. Congress as a leading mortgage industry expert.
Pickel is also keenly interested in fostering entrepreneurism and financial literacy among the nation's younger generations, interests he will continue at AmCap Mortgage.
"I am an entrepreneur and builder by nature," Pickel said. "I enjoy building organizations and leading companies as they grow and prosper. I very much look forward to being a part of AmCap Mortgage's success as the company expands its footprint across the nation."
Under Pickel's leadership, LeaderOne Financial went from a local two-person mortgage brokerage to a mortgage banking company licensed in 38 states and servicing more than $600 million in residential loans. He also leveraged technology to make his firm one of the first mortgage companies to become paperless in virtually all aspects of the lending process, years ahead of the rest of the industry. An aviation enthusiast, Pickel is a major in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary and a Civil Air Patrol search and rescue mission pilot.
"It is a tremendous pleasure to have an executive of A.W.'s reputation and experience join the AmCap team,” said AmCap CEO Garrett Clayton. “His record of achievement, innovation and industry leadership harmonizes perfectly with AmCap's commitment to growth, organizational excellence and superior borrower experiences across our entire network. We are delighted to have him heading up the new Midwestern Division of our expanding company."
