Freddie Mac announced that Kevin G. Chavers and Luke S. Hayden have been elected to its board of directors effective Feb. 15. Chavers retired as managing director of the global fixed income investment team at BlackRock Inc. in 2021 while Hayden has served as CEO of Hayden Consulting LLC since 2012. Chavers will serve on Freddie Mac’s audit committee and nominating and governance committee. Hayden will serve on the company’s operations and technology committee and risk committee.
First American Financial Corp. announced that Kenneth D. DeGiorgio, who most recently served as the company’s president, has been appointed CEO, while Dennis J. Gilmore, First American’s CEO since 2010, will transition to become chairman of the board of directors. DeGiorgio was named president in May 2021 when he assumed responsibility for the corporation’s operating groups, including its title insurance, specialty insurance, and data and analytics businesses. Gilmore joined First American in 1993.
Red Oak Financial named J. Murray Wilson III as senior commercial real estate loan underwriter. He will be based in the company’s Irvine, California, office. Wilson brings nearly 35 years of industry experience as an underwriter, loan originator, mortgage broker and commercial real estate agent. Prior to joining Red Oak, Wilson served as a commercial mortgage underwriter and broker at Westworld Capital. Earlier in his career, Wilson served at several banks and consulting firms.
Spring EQ announced the appointment of Paul Saurbier to senior vice president of its wholesale lending division. Shawn O’Brien also joined the company as vice president of sales in wholesale lending. Saurbier joined Spring EQ in 2019 as vice president of sales. In his new role as SVP of wholesale lending, he will be responsible for the division’s overall results and profitability. Saurbier has more than 30 years of experience in the mortgage business and has held leadership positions with several companies, including Quicken Loans, HSBC, IndyMac Bank, Key Bank and GE Capital. O’Brien brings nearly 30 years of industry experience to his new role. Most recently, he served as divisional vice president for Quicken Loans. Prior to that, he held roles at HSBC and various mortgage banking firms.
CapStone Holdings Inc. added Chris Koepper as its new chief financial officer. Koepper brings more than a decade of executive-level financial leadership to his new role, which involves leading the strategic investment team and succeeding former chief financial officer Lynn Giachetti, who assumed an advisory role within the company. His most recent endeavor was as CFO of Kohanaiki Shores LLC. He also held similar roles at Baker’s Bay Golf & Ocean Club and The Cliffs.
