Convention Speakers
Featured Speakers
Monday, May 05 & Tuesday, May 06
Jay Jones
Speaker/ Coach
Founder, Cuantico Coaching
Jay grew up on a small farm in Alabama in the US. From humble beginnings, went on to one of the top Business Colleges in the United States, the Culverhouse School of Business at the University of Alabama on Scholarship. During his college years, he interned in government for the 103rd United States Congress in Washington DC for the honorable US Senator Richard Shelby, as well as business corporate giants like the Walt Disney Corporation in Orlando, Florida. More
Bill Bodnar
Chief Market Analyst, Tabrasa
Bill Bodnar is the Chief Revenue Officer at Tabrasa and the catalyst behind Mortgage Market Guide, an industry leading market intelligence solution.
For over two decades, his easy-to-understand market expertise makes him the trusted mentor for thousands of mortgage loan originators and realtors.
His ability to share valuable market and economic insights in a fun format, make him a highly sought-after speaker in mortgage and real estate.
Bill is also a partner in The Bourbon Room, an 80's themed nightclub on Hollywood Blvd, LA. More
Laura Escobar
President
Lennar Mortgage
2025 MBA Chair
Laura Escobar is the President of Lennar Mortgage, the lending subsidiary of one of the world’s largest homebuilders, Lennar Corporation. She leads a team of over 1,200 Associates coast to coast. Her approach to nurturing talent and accelerating innovation, combined with her ground-level experience has elevated Lennar Mortgage as a leader in the industry. As a leading figure in the industry, Laura was chosen as the 2024 Chair-Elect and 2023 Vice Chair of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA). More
Jenny Dozier
Partner
Franzen & Salzano, PC
Jennifer L. Dozier focuses her practice in lending compliance, particularly predatory lending and other multi-state lending origination and servicing issues. On behalf of the firm’s clients, Ms. Dozier manages the legislative monitoring and reporting activities related to federal and state legislation. Jenny advises banks, lenders, loan servicers, and other financial institutions on multi-state and federal lending and loan servicing laws, including, but not limited to, the Dodd-Frank Act, RESPA, TILA, ECOA, HMDA, FCRA, SAFE Act, “anti-predatory lending,” licensing, usury, loan documentation, disclosures, loan programs and compensation.
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Bo Fears
Sr. Dep. Commissioner
GA Dept. Banking & Finance
Bo is responsible for general administration & oversight; policy development; oversight of information technology, security, and project management. In addition, he provides legal advice and support to the Department on depository and non-depository matters as well as on all legislative matters.
Top Producers Panel
Monday, May 05
Jerry Fowler
BankSouth Mortgage
Atlanta
Ashley Valentini
Synovus Mortgage
Columbus
Tracey Craven
Renasant Mortgage
Savannah
Executive Panel
Tuesday, May 06
Amy Butler
EVP, National Sales
Northpointe Bank
Amy offers 19 years of professional experience in mortgage banking related fields, excelling as both an individual contributor and sales leader. Involved and invested in her trade, Amy has given significant service to MBAG and AMBA, where she served as president from 2012-2013
Tom Bird
Regional Sales Manager
Colony Bank
Tom Bird is Regional Sales Manger with Colony Bank. He has 47 years of experience in the mortgage industry. He started his career as a Loan Officer for NCNB Mortgage, went on to become Production Manager for Bankers First, then helped form Prime Lending to grow it to 17 locations in 5 states. He is past president of the Augusta MBA & the Mortgage Bankers Association of Georgia.
Mark Milam
Founder, Mortgage Banker
Highland Mortgage
Mark received the Rookie of the Year award for Ga in 2006 and has since earned Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Emerald awards every year. Mark spent 12 years as a commercial airline pilot before entering the mortgage business in late 2005.