CMB Connect

Spy Stories, Brushstrokes, and Basis Points with Jason Bohrer, CMB | CMBConnect | S3 Ep3

In this episode of CMBConnect, host Val Buresch, Founder of Polygon Research and a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), speaks with Jason Bohrer, CEO and President of Newbold Advisors and a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB), about leadership, observation, and navigating decades of change in the housing finance industry. The conversation begins with a remarkable family story. Jason shares the history of his mother, Doris Bohrer, one of the first women to work for the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) during World War II — the intelligence organization that later became the CIA. As a photo reconnaissance analyst stationed in North Africa and Italy, she interpreted aerial imagery used in military operations and intelligence planning. From there, Val and Jason explore Jason’s career journey through mortgage banking, capital markets, and executive leadership. Having worked across multiple organizations during periods of consolidation and industry transformation, Jason reflects on what it takes to adapt and thrive in a business where change is constant. They discuss: * Lessons from decades in mortgage banking and housing finance * Why data-driven decision making matters in leadership * Navigating mergers, acquisitions, and industry cycles * The importance of relationships in financial services * The role of art and creativity in sharpening observation and strategic thinking * How AI and incremental innovation may shape the future of mortgage technology Jason also talks about his work today at Newbold Advisors, helping lenders and fintech companies solve operational and technology challenges. For anyone working in housing finance, mortgage banking, fintech, or capital markets, this episode offers thoughtful insights on leadership, learning, and staying adaptable in an industry that is always evolving. Books & Podcasts Mentioned * Painting as a Pastime — Winston Churchill * Mitch Rapp series — Vince Flynn * Harry Bosch series — Michael Connelly * Jason Bourne series — Robert Ludlum * Podcast: Acquired

Bank Mortgage Strategy & Growth with Jeremy Bowling, CMB | S3 | Ep2 | CMBConnect

In this episode of CMB Connect, Val Buresch welcomes Jeremy Bowling, Strategy and Business Development Director for Mortgage Lending at Huntington National Bank. Jeremy shares the strategic "trident" that led to a 20% year-over-year increase in loan officer productivity and record-breaking production in December 2025. He also provides a deeply personal look into his journey to industry leadership, explaining how that perspective fuels his passion for helping first-time homebuyers navigate the complexities of the current market. Jeremy's Strategic Reading & Listening List To stay sharp and maintain perspective, Jeremy recommends the following resources mentioned in the episode: * Grit by Angela Duckworth * Emotional Intelligence by Susan David * Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace * Classic Satire: Slaughterhouse-Five, Animal Farm, and Candide * Podcasts: Wiser Than Me (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) and The Rest is History [00:06] Introduction, the CMB Journey & Personal Resilience [05:40] Scaling Production in a Flat Market [08:30] The Trident of Success [10:35] Defining Strategy [13:14] The First-Time Homebuyer Advantage [18:18] The Human Element in the Age of AI [21:12] Bank Expansion Strategy to the South [31:09] Staying Sharp: The Reading List

How Advocacy, Communication, and Leadership Shape Mortgage Banking — with Rhiannon Bolen | S3 Ep 1 | CMB Connect

Rhiannon Bolen, SVP at GridBase and founder of Texas Women Mortgage Bankers, shares how advocacy and communication skills drive success in mortgage banking. In this season premiere of CMB Connect, host Val Buresch sits down with Rhiannon Bolen, CMB, to explore her 25-year journey from receptionist to Senior Vice President at GridBase. Rhiannon shares how GridBase is solving the lender-title collaboration gap, why she founded Texas Women Mortgage Bankers (growing from 45 to 550+ members), and the difference between advocacy and lobbying. She breaks down two major legislative wins—reforming Texas cash-out refinance rules and banning abusive trigger leads—and explains why effective communication beats AI skills for career growth. Whether you're building a mortgage banking career or leading one, this conversation offers practical insights on B2B sales, advocacy, mentorship, and creating meaningful industry connections. Key Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Rhiannon Bolen's path to mortgage banking leadership 1:06 - What is GridBase? Solving the lender-title communication gap 6:52 - From small business owner to mortgage receptionist: An unconventional start 8:22 - Building a 25-year career in B2B mortgage sales and leadership 14:17 - Founding Texas Women Mortgage Bankers: Closing the gender gap locally 20:20 - How 45 members grew to 550+: Creating vulnerable spaces for women 25:16 - Advocacy vs. Lobbying: What mortgage professionals need to know 31:25 - Two major wins: Texas cash-out refi reform & trigger leads ban 35:13 - The art of B2B sales: Preparation, curiosity, and consultative selling 41:11 - Career advice: Why communication skills trump AI and coding About the Host Val Buresch is the founder of Polygon Research, a consultancy specializing in mortgage banking strategy and industry research. A Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) and former MBA committee chair, Val hosts CMB Connect to share insights on career development, innovation, and advocacy in mortgage banking. Connect with Val LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buresch/ Polygon Research: https://www.polygonresearch.com/ About the Guest Rhiannon Bolen, CMB, AMP is Senior Vice President and National Sales Director at GridBase. With 25 years in mortgage banking across companies like CoreLogic, ICE Mortgage Technology, and ArchMI, she founded Texas Women Mortgage Bankers in 2019 and serves as 2025-26 MORPAC Associate Vice Chair for the MBA. Connect with Rhiannon LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhiannon-bolen-cmb-amp-96bba939/ About CMB Connect CMB Connect celebrates the stories and insights of Certified Mortgage Bankers and industry leaders, exploring career development, trends, and advocacy in mortgage banking.

The HFA Advantage: Partnering with THDA for 2026 with Jen Green | S2 Ep8 | CMB Connect

How can mortgage leaders gain a competitive edge in 2026? In this episode of CMBConnect, Val Buresch, CMB, speaks with Jen Green, CMB, Assistant Director of Single-Family Loan Operations at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). Jen bridges the gap between private-sector correspondent lending and public-sector mission work to show lenders how to turn State Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) into high-performance partners. Chapters 00:00 – Introduction 01:47 – The CMB Journey: Professional Development and Mentorship 04:21 – Bridging Private Sector Experience with Public Service 06:07 – Debunking the HFA Myth 07:59 – Defining the HFA Mission 09:19 – Looking Toward 2026: Affordability and Financial Counseling 11:17 – Empowering Lenders: Training and Preparation 15:09 – Strategic Planning Jen Green contributed these HFA resources: * https://www.ncsha.org/about-us/about-hfas/hfa1-affordable-homeownership-lender-toolkit/ * https://www.ncsha.org/ * https://dpaone.freddiemac.com/ About the Guest Jen Green, CMB is the Assistant Director of Single-Family Loan Operations at the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). With a background spanning the correspondent, retail, and wholesale lending sectors, Jen brings a wealth of private-sector operational expertise to the public housing space. She is a graduate of the Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association (TNMBA) Future Leaders program and earned her Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation to further her mission of expanding access to affordable housing. Learn more about Jen Green on Linkedin. [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-green-cmb%C2%AE-amp-76122045/] About the Host Val Buresch, CMB is the founder of Polygon Research—The Shape of Mortgage Intelligence. Polygon Research specializes in unlocking open data sets to provide sophisticated mortgage market analytics at the loan level. A recognized leader in the industry, Val served as the 2024 CMB Society Chairman and is dedicated to sharing the stories and strategies of the professionals shaping the future of mortgage banking. Follow or connect with Val Buresch on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/buresch/].

Driving Mortgage Growth in a High-Rate Market with David Jackson | S2 Ep 7 | CMB Connect

In this episode of CMB Connect, we analyze how Ruoff Mortgage achieved significant year-over-year growth in the Michigan market during 2024, defying the industry trend of stagnation in a high-rate environment. Host Val Buresch, CMB, sits down with David Jackson, CMB, to deconstruct the strategy behind this lift. The conversation reveals that success wasn’t driven by a specific niche product or builder strategy, but rather by a "back-to-basics" approach to sales consistency, a high-touch management style, and a unique culture that turns former employees into "boomerang" hires. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: David Jackson & The Michigan Market 01:44 - Strategy: Accepting the "Higher for Longer" Rate Environment 03:00 - Management Philosophy: The Manager as a Resource 05:51 - The Boomerang Effect: Why Loan Officers Leave and Come Back 08:40 - Protecting Operations: Balancing Recruiting with Support Capacity 10:11 - The Truth About Sign-On Bonuses & Aggressive Poaching 12:34 - Recruiting Strategy: Experienced LOs vs. The Junior Model 14:48 - IMBs vs. Banks 18:30 - Speed & Execution in a Competitive Market 20:00 - 2026 Outlook: Playing the Long Game in Recruiting About the Guest David Jackson, CMB is the Area Manager SVP at Ruoff Mortgage, covering the Michigan market. With over 30 years in the industry, David recently earned his Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation. He specializes in building high-performing sales teams. LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-a-jackson-cmb-510970a/] About the Host Val Buresch, CMB, CMCP, AMP is the founder of Polygon Research [https://polygonresearch.com/]—The Shape of Mortgage Intelligence. Polygon unlocks open data sets with mortgage market analytics at the loan level. Val served as the 2024 CMB Society Chairman. LinkedIn Profile [https://www.linkedin.com/in/buresch/]