Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME) Announces Jonathon Haddad as New CEO
Haddad Will Focus Association Efforts on Wholesale Channel Growth
The Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), the leading membership organization representing the independent mortgage broker industry, announced the appointment of Jonathon Haddad as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Haddad is joining the AIME staff immediately as CEO and will assume the Chairman role on April 1, 2024, when current Chairman and CEO Katie Sweeney steps down to become the full-time CEO of the Broker Action Coalition (BAC).
A 10-year mortgage veteran, Haddad successfully transitioned from the retail channel, formerly a Vice President at one of the largest retail lenders, and joined the broker channel in 2020. He brings a proven track record as a top originator and business owner as President of Next Door Lending, one of the nation’s top mortgage brokerages. As a current AIME member, he has also experienced the association from a member’s perspective and will leverage that insight as the organization’s leader.
“I am honored to take on the role of CEO at AIME and have seen firsthand the strength and potential of the broker community,” said Jonathon Haddad. “My goal is to further enhance AIME’s commitment to supporting mortgage brokers and fostering their growth and success in the industry.”
AIME will continue its dedication to membership support and development programs. This includes high-level loan escalations with AIME lender partners, broker education via AIME Academy, consumer education through brokersarebetter.com, wholesale networking opportunities, the annual Fuse national conference, and supporting the Broker Action Coalition’s (BAC) advocacy efforts for the broker channel.
“I’ve been a leader at AIME since its inception and I value our community greatly,” adds Marc Summers, President of AIME. “We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished in just the past few years, and we’re excited to build on that momentum and continue our growth and together, we will work towards a future that’s bright for brokers.”
Under Haddad’s leadership, AIME will introduce new initiatives, including a deeper focus on Retail to Wholesale originator recruitment, enhanced business support for the nation’s wholesale brokerages, and the implementation of pro-broker awareness within the community and external organizations.
“I want to create an environment where brokers thrive, fostering growth and success for all participants in the wholesale channel,” added Haddad. “I’ve seen both sides of our industry, and I can wholeheartedly say that the future of mortgage is with independent brokers. I made the decision to put homebuyers first when I moved into the wholesale world, and now, I’m doubling down on my commitment to them and the entire broker community.”
United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), AIME’s title sponsor and the nation’s #1 mortgage lender, expresses their support for AIME and Haddad’s appointment. “It is no secret that UWM is 100% dedicated to the continued growth and success of the broker channel and supportive of anything and anyone that aligns with this focus,” states Mat Ishbia, President and CEO of UWM. “I look forward to seeing Jonathon build upon the strong foundation AIME has today and do great things to support the broker community and educate borrowers that the broker channel is the best choice for them.”
AIME will continue supporting and working with the Broker Action Coalition (BAC) as it leads the wholesale channel’s advocacy efforts in Washington, D.C., for state and federal legislative reform.
“Continuing to partner with AIME is crucial for advancing the interests of brokers, and we are focused on the positive impact this collaboration will have on our shared goals,” said Katie Sweeney, the newly announced CEO of BAC. “I firmly believe that together, we can achieve great things for our channel.”
“AIME has always been an organization that thrives on innovation, something that aligns with our own mission to bring the broker channel into the 21st century through digital advancement,” said Eddy Perez, CMB, Founder and CEO of EPM. “ It’s exciting to see the organization’s growth since the beginning and we remain committed to our shared vision for the future of the channel.”
AIME and its partners are aligned in their mission to support the broker community, empower homebuyers, and increase wholesale market share. Jonathon Haddad’s appointment marks a significant step forward in achieving these future objectives.
