Randell Gillespie Hired As President Of LeaderOne – NMP Skip to main content

Randell Gillespie Hired As President Of LeaderOne

Apr 21, 2025
Randell Gillespie, President Of LeaderOne Financial Corp

Thirty-plus-year mortgage industry veteran, prior-duty U.S. Marine to aid in LeaderOne’s retail expansion goals

LeaderOne Financial Corporation has hired seasoned mortgage industry executive Randell Gillespie as its new president. With more than three decades of leadership experience in mortgage banking, Gillespie brings a record of growth, innovation, and strategic leadership to the independently owned mortgage company. 

A prior-duty U.S. Marine, Gillespie began his career in mortgage as a loan officer in Ohio and quickly became a top producer and leader. He and his wife of 37 years, Shelley, reside near Chicago, Illinois and have nine children. 

Gillespie cites LeaderOne’s foundational pillars — Capital, Care, Creativity, and Control — as key reasons for joining the company. “LeaderOne stands out in all four categories like no other,” Gillespie stated in a release. “This company was built for these times — with an incredibly strong capital base, a genuine care culture, and forward-thinking creativity supported by proprietary innovations.” 

“But most importantly,” he added, “the company empowers local leadership through a unique collaborative-ownership model that delivers real authority to those closest to the customer.”

In his new role, Gillespie will work closely with the company’s leadership and market teams to build on the company’s legacy while identifying new opportunities for expansion and success.

Founded in 1992, LeaderOne operates in 48 states. The company recently formed a group of “leadership voices” from around the company to enhance its model, structure and innovations, and LeaderOne said it’s now targeting growth under its retail model. 

“It would be an opportunity of a lifetime for anyone to join a company like this,” added Gillespie. “I’m honored to serve alongside such earnest and driven professionals here, and I’m committed to helping every individual manager and team member succeed based on their local needs and goals.”

Prior to joining LeaderOne, Gillespie most recently served as chief production officer for the newly merged Thrive Mortgage and Lower, a top-30 lender. He has also held executive leadership roles at Countrywide, Bank of America, and Thrive Mortgage and helped lead strategy, national sales, marketing, and recruiting initiatives. 

Gillespie “combines passion with an impressive depth of experience, and we are thrilled to have him leading and supporting our team while helping drive our vision and long-term strategy,” stated David Hopper, chairman of LeaderOne.

About the author
Published
Apr 21, 2025
Click N’ Close Names Blake Priest Director Of Whole Loan Trading

Former NTFN president will lead scratch-and-dent purchasing, pricing assessments, and hedging oversight for the lender’s correspondent division

Sep 10, 2026
Former Better President Chad Smith Named Envoy Mortgage CEO

Smith will also oversee PLACE’s mortgage and financial services division

Sep 08, 2026
Dark Matter Adds Two Executives To Product, Professional Services Teams

Salvatore Piccola will lead product strategy, while Gil Valera will oversee technology implementation and customer adoption

Sep 08, 2026
NEXA Names Geri Farr CEO As Kortas Shifts Focus To Growth Strategy

Farr takes over day-to-day operations while Kortas focuses on acquisitions, partnerships, new businesses, and LO economics

Sep 08, 2026
Broker Action Coalition Names Jamie Cavanaugh CEO

The reAlpha Mortgage chief takes on a second CEO role as BAC looks to build on its successful trigger-lead campaign

Sep 04, 2026
Rate Adds $155M-Producing Team To P&L Platform

Vito Roppo and Nick Ferrante will lead the company’s new Elmhurst, Illinois branch

Sep 02, 2026