Kevin DeLory, partner and chief TPO lending officer at Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM), passed away at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with cancer. Widely respected across the mortgage industry, Kevin is remembered not just for his accomplishments, but for the spirit with which he led — resilient, humble, and deeply devoted to the people around him.
DeLory began his mortgage career in 2001, rapidly climbing the ranks from area sales manager at New Century Mortgage to one of the industry’s top-performing account executives. He went on to hold senior leadership roles at EquiFirst and other major lenders before joining EPM, where his leadership proved pivotal during a time of major strategic transformation.
In 2023, after the departure of EPM’s Chief Retail Officer Stephen Carpitella, DeLory was tapped by CEO Eddy Perez to lead the company’s full transition into a wholesale-only lender. Colleagues praised DeLory’s ability to rally teams during times of uncertainty and deliver results amid market headwinds.
Over more than two decades in wholesale lending, Kevin rose from originator to executive, building high-performing teams while earning the admiration of colleagues and partners. He was a leader who preferred a cubicle among his team to a corner office, believing in leading by example and staying “in the trenches” with his people. “This is what heals me,” he said in an interview with NMP. “Being around these people, being in the trenches, all day.”
Kevin’s path was not an easy one. Even as he faced cancer twice, he remained a steady, inspiring presence for his team. “Then I realized I can be a much better leader than I am a salesperson,” he said, reflecting on how hardship shaped his purpose.
His colleagues at EPM describe him as a mentor and motivator who never wavered, even through treatment. “It’s hard to put into words how remarkable DeLory has been,” said CEO Eddy Perez. Kevin’s ethos was rooted in selflessness: “If it can’t be about what’s best for you, it’s gotta be what’s best for the community,” he once said.
Kevin is survived by his beloved wife, Dana, and their daughter, Brooklyn.
