Rocket Announces C-Suite Changes

Rocket Companies today announced the retirements of two key members of its executive suite.

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Julie Booth will retire effective Nov. 15, while General Counsel and Secretary Angelo Vitale will retire effective today, the company said. Both officials will remain with the company in strategic advisory roles, it said.

Booth joined Rocket Mortgage 19 years ago and has served as CFO since 2005. The board has appointed Brian Brown, Rocket Companies' current chief accounting officer, to succeed her as both CFO and treasurer.

"During her time as CFO, Julie has been a tremendous leader in our organization, helping guide our company through significant growth and expansion, culminating with our IPO in 2020," said Jay Farner, Rocket Companies vice chairman and CEO. "Even more impressive is the tremendous team Julie has built and the deep care she has shown for everyone in our company, including Brian, who has already proven himself to be an incredible financial mind who will help lead us well into the future."

Brown, who joined Rocket in 2014, currently leads the company's accounting, finance, treasury and procurement teams. The company said he has also been a crucial member of its investor relations efforts since the IPO in August 2020, regularly meeting with investors and helping to set strategy for the company. 

Before joining Rocket, Brown served eight years with EY, (Ernst & Young), where he consulted with publicly traded financial services companies.

Vitale has been with Rocket Mortgage and Rocket Companies for more than 25 years. He will transition from his current role to an “Of Counsel” position, effective immediately. Before being named general counsel, Vitale was CEO of Rocket Central and also served as Rocket Mortgage's executive vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary.

"Angelo has been an absolute pillar of this company for as long as I can remember,” Farner said. “His wise counsel and passion for our business is legendary. Whether it was sharing his expertise or stepping up to take on a new role, he has always been willing to do whatever it takes to make the business successful."

Assuming the roles of general counsel and secretary is Tina V. John, the company's previous deputy general counsel and assistant secretary, the company said. John joined Rocket Companies in 2020 following its IPO and has worked closely with the board of directors since then.

She began her 15-year legal career specializing in capital markets and public company guidance at Shearman & Sterling LLP, a multinational law firm headquartered in New York City, and most recently led the corporate governance and securities practice at an Ohio-based American lifestyle retailer.

"Tina has quickly proven herself to be a great legal expert and the obvious choice to fill Angelo's big shoes,” Farner said. “Since joining the company, she has worked very closely with its leaders. It's clear that her skill, strong knowledge, and ability to build a team will make her a significant asset to our business.”

Founded in 1985, Rocket Companies is a Detroit-based FinTech platform company consisting of personal finance and consumer technology brands that include Rocket Mortgage, Rocket Homes, and Amrock.