National mortgage lender American Financial Resources (AFR) announced yesterday it has promoted Robert Pieklo to CEO and Michael Brenning to COO, effective immediately.
Pieklo, who was appointed COO following AFR's acquisition in February 2024, has been “instrumental” in the company's transformation, the company emphasized. He has focused on modernizing the mortgage process and enhancing the experience for both customers and team members.
"I'm incredibly grateful to step into the role of CEO and lead this great organization into the next chapter of this growth story," Pieklo stated in a release. "This industry is not for the faint of heart, and AFR's momentum reflects our team's alignment around a shared vision. It is not coincidence that our growth accelerated after Michael Brenning joined the team — and while I'm honored to take on the CEO title, I'm even more excited to see Michael step into the COO role he's more than earned."
Brenning, who previously led production, has been a driving force in streamlining operations and expanding AFR's reach, the company noted. As COO, he will continue to focus on optimizing internal processes and driving long-term growth through innovation and collaboration.
"It's an honor to take on this role and continue working alongside such a passionate and committed team," stated Brenning. "Our growth is fueled by the trust our brokers and correspondents place in us. We'll keep investing in ways to make their lives easier and their businesses stronger. We know what it takes to win, and AFR will be shoulder-to-shoulder with our partners as we build the future — together."
According to AFR, the strategic leadership changes follow a record-breaking first quarter in which the company nearly quadrupled its Q1 loan origination volume year-over-year — with production in its wholesale channel alone increasing nearly 700%.
AFR noted it achieved that growth with only “a modest increase” in headcount, underscoring its investment in scalable technology, operational efficiency, and strong commitment to its broker partners.
