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

Mark Milam

Highland Mortgage
Atlanta

Ashley Valentini

Synovus Mortgage
Columbus

Tracey Craven

Renasant Mortgage
Savannah

Executive Panel

Tuesday, May 06

Amy Butler

EVP, National Sales

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 is past president of AMPNA & AMBA, the Atlanta chapter of MBAG.

Greg Shumate

CEO, Managing Partner
Capital City Home Loans

Greg Shumate has been an industry leader for over three decades. He started the company in 2006 and has overseen its growth to become a top lender in the Southeast. Under his leadership, Capital City Home Loans has seen a steady increase in sales over the last two years and has expanded to 31 locations, doing business in 9 states. He serves on the Boards of Directors for several financial institutions, non-profits and industry overseers.

Tom Bird

Regional Sales Manager
Colony Bank
Augusta, GA