LoanDepot named Darren Graeler as executive vice president and chief accounting officer. He will serve as the company’s principal accounting officer. He served as LoanDepot’s senior vice president of corporate accounting from July 2018 to July 2023. Prior to joining LoanDepot, Graeler was a founding partner of Financial Services Advisory Partners, and he also served in various senior accounting and finance leadership roles at mortgage banks, commercial banks and specialty finance companies. He started his career in the assurance practice at KMPG LLP. Graeler earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from California State University at Long Beach.
Angel Oak Companies announced the hiring of Timothy Saunders to serve as chief legal officer and general counsel for Angel Oak and its affiliates, Angel Oak Capital Advisors and Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions. In this capacity, Saunders is responsible for managing all firm and affiliate legal affairs and regulatory compliance measures, as well as overseeing both Angel Oak Capital and Angel Oak Mortgage Solutions’ legal, risk, compliance and regulatory teams. Most recently, Saunders served as general counsel and chief compliance officer for Reverence Capital Partners. Saunders also spent more than 20 years at Goldman Sachs, where he served as managing director and associate general counsel.
InterLinc Mortgage announced the addition of industry leader Angela Benevich to its team serving the greater Houston area. Joining Benevich at Interlinc are her husband and business partner, branch manager Ivan Benevich, who oversees all production and manages the branch; and loan partner Mario Campo, who prepares upfront originations and coordinates the loan process with clients and referral partners.
Arrival Home Loans (AHL) announced the appointment of Simon Chen as its new president and CEO. Chen will lead all aspects of the company’s growth from early-stage market expansion to establishing a national footprint and developing strategic partnerships. Prior to joining AHL, Chen was managing partner at August Hill; before that, he was executive vice president of product and innovation at Anywhere Real Estate, and president and CEO of ERA.
Greystone announced that Eric Welby was promoted to chief financial officer. A 16-year company veteran, Welby has also served as deputy chief financial officer and chief accounting officer. Before joining Greystone in 2007, Welby was a senior associate at BDO USA. He earned a degree in accounting from CUNY Queens College.
Brennan Investment Group announced the addition of Andrew Mazey as vice president for the Nashville region. Prior to joining Brennan Investment Group, Mazey served as the director of real estate development at AI. Neyer.
Stewart Title announced that Wilhelmina Kightlinger assumed the role of chief underwriting counsel for national commercial services. Prior to joining Stewart, Kightlinger spent 13 years at Old Republic Title, most recently as its general counsel for the national commercial title services division. She had previously spent several years in private practice with DLA Piper US LLP representing commercial developers and lenders.
