The Sacramento-based Summit Funding is boosting expansion efforts with the addition of several key hires poised to strengthen its national presence.
The private mortgage lender recently welcomed 22-year industry veteran Stacey Duncan and her team in Charlotte, North Carolina. Duncan’s team is poised to close $150 million in volume in 2024, marking a significant milestone for Summit Funding's Southeast expansion, according to company officials.
"Stacey Duncan’s dedication to the mortgage industry and her proven track record of success align perfectly with Summit Funding’s strategic vision,” said Todd Scrima, CEO of Summit Funding. “Her leadership and expertise will be instrumental as we continue to expand our presence in the Southeast.”
Since the start of the year, Summit Funding has hired nearly 50 loan officers and onboarded four major branches in the Midwest, Southeast, Midsouth, and Northeast markets.
"Summit Funding has always been an attractive place to originate because of how much the company develops their loan officers,” said Chris Shelton, divisional sales leader. “Loan officers like Stacey Duncan are becoming attracted to a company that practices what they preach when it comes to development of the LO. The days of talking about doing it versus taking action are over; LOs want a company that takes action.”
Summit Funding EVP of Sales Robyn LaVassaur called Duncan “a class act.”
“She exudes tenacity, leadership, knowledge, and experience,” LaVassaur pointed out. “Her passion for creating a great client experience while pushing everyone around her to play at the highest level is a perfect fit at Summit Funding. She sets a great example for strong female leadership that will have a lasting impact here.”
Summit Funding also welcomed Jason Bryant of Chicago to lead its Midwestern expansion efforts, along with Rui Chaves of Boston to drive growth in the Northeast.
These strategic hires, and the ‘less is more’ notion - align with Summit’s vision for growth.
"Great people like Rui, Jason, and Stacey have the results of 5-10 people,” Scrima explained. “I am a believer in fewer people who are more effective leaders, and that is what we are building. Our belief is the same with hiring loan officers: hire fewer of them and get them to 10-30 loans per month through teamwork, collaboration, and massive marketing and sales.”
The CEO is leading new coaching sessions to teach Summit’s LOs innovative ways to blend digital marketing and intentional communication to find more leads and referrals.
