Skip to main content

FirstClose Announces Management Realignment

Jun 01, 2023

Tim Smith named chief strategy officer; Craig Austin promoted to chief revenue officer.

FirstClose Inc., a fintech provider of data and workflow solutions for mortgage and home equity lenders nationwide, said Thursday that it is making some changes in its executive suite.

Tim Smith

Tim Smith, a co-founder and chief revenue officer, has been appointed chief strategy officer, while Craig Austin, executive vice president of sales and business development, has been promoted to chief revenue officer, the company said.

Both Smith and Austin will report to Tedd Smith, FirstClose's co-founder and CEO.

In the newly created chief strategy officer role, Tim Smith will be responsible for guiding FirstClose as it leverages emerging disruptive technologies, the company said. He will work closely with regulators, industry, and academia to identify and develop promising partnerships with vendors, credit union leagues, state banking associations, CUSOs, and other strategic partnerships to help realize the company's strategic goals and to anticipate future customer needs, FirstClose said.

In succeeding Smith as chief revenue officer, Austin will be responsible for further accelerating revenue growth, increasing sales efficiency, and building an organization to deliver results for FirstClose clients and partners, the company said.

Craig Austin
Craig Austin

He will lead FirstClose's go-to-market activity, business development, sales, account management, and the continued evolution of the FirstClose partner ecosystem, it said. 

Austin joined FirstClose in 2022 with an extensive background in software-as-a-service (SaaS) and enterprise technology sales.

"Over the past two years, FirstClose has experienced record growth and broad industry acceptance under Tim's sales leadership, and this momentum accelerated even faster since Craig has come on board," said CEO Tedd Smith. "The new roles and responsibilities recognize their individual strengths and position FirstClose to achieve its next levels of growth and product leadership."

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, FirstClose Inc. provides fintech solutions to HELOC and mortgage lenders nationwide.

About the author
David Krechevsky was an editor at NMP.
Published
Jun 01, 2023
PrimeLending Announces New EVP, Growth And Strategic Development.

Brian McKinney steps into the newly-created role.

Oct 15, 2024
Mr. Cooper Adjusts Leadership To Drive Digital Strategy

The Dallas-based mortgage servicer welcomes several data-driven positions to hone in on digital innovation

Oct 09, 2024
Rocket Companies Names Papanii Okai EVP Of Product Engineering

Okai was Venmo's Chief Technology Officer and a former PayPal technology executive

Oct 07, 2024
Aidium Appoints Tony Farnsworth To Lead Sales

Tony Farnsworth takes on the role of Vice President of Sales

Oct 07, 2024
Pennymac Shakes Up Capital Markets Team

William Chang, Pennymac’s long-time capital markets leader, to "pursue other interests in the mortgage banking industry."

Oct 04, 2024