Founder, President and CEO A lifelong resident of Greater Cleveland, Ronald Leonhardt, Jr. founded CrossCountry Mortgage in 2003 after having worked several years as a loan officer and broker. Through in-depth solutions journalism, we aim to foster accountability, inform the community, and inspire people to take action. Warwick . 86% of retail CFD accounts lose money, Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our. Twyla Hankins, Executive Vice President of Operations, joined the executive team in 2010. The Top 10 retail mortgage lender plans to repurpose four industrial buildings that date back to as early as 1913 for its new headquarters and home for about 600 employees. During an interview, Leonhardt said the cluster of historic buildings could become a new corporate headquarters for CrossCountry Mortgage, a nationwide residential lender with about 450 employees in Brecksville and hopes of doubling that headcount within five years. That south side of the street there its very intact as one of Clevelands original garment districts, said Tom Yablonsky, who helped establish the Superior Avenue historic district in 2007 and who serves as executive vice president of the Downtown Cleveland Alliance and executive director of the Historic Gateway Neighborhood Corp., which has a conservation easement program. Find contact details for 700 million . I had no clue what I was going to do with a sports management degree. Stay up-to-date with local business news and networking events from Smart Business. Slowly over time, as Ive brought more people in, Ive been able to get out of a lot of that and focus more on growth. "We are thrilled to welcome this outstanding group to CCM. "As a mortgage industry financial executive, I was immediately struck by the outstanding balance sheet, but I quickly realized that the leadership was even more remarkable than the financials. Soave began her career in 1997 with Ford Motor Company, where she directed development of the corporate brand platform and repositioning of the Mercury brand. Regardless of the ultimate use, Leonhardt said the Cleveland properties are an attractive investment. The company has nearly 3,000 employees and licenses in all 50 states. That played a big role in Rons choice of this property for our headquarters. The subprime mortgage crisis that savaged the U.S. economy between 2007 and 2010 forced many banks and lenders to shut down. Web Ronald J. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The journey to get here was anything from straightforward. Take our reader survey! Founded in 2003, CrossCountry Mortgage is a top 10 retail mortgage lender nationwide and the largest based in Ohio. IT Department. Headquartered in Brea, CA, AFN built its reputation as an outstanding mortgage banking firm by serving the lending needs of real estate professionals, builders, and individual homebuyers throughout the United States. While the company will move into the former TAP headquarters, Cross County is also planning a future, second phase of the project that will feature multifamily apartment development and a new restaurant. Ron Leonhardt, CEO of CrossCountry Mortgage, is proud to welcome the team from First Choice. 6850 Miller Rd, Brecksville, Ohio 44141, US, View Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). The cluster of buildings in Cleveland is much larger an estimated 270,000 to 280,000 square feet between the smaller former GBX buildings, at 2104 and 2110 Superior Ave., and the four-story main Chilcote building along with annex and warehouse space at 2160 Superior Ave. Were exploring all options with the site and really like the property in general, said Pinney, managing partner of the Kohrman Jackson & Krantz law firm, which is representing CrossCountry in negotiations about public incentives for the headquarters project. Web CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE LLC is a nationwide mortgage lender founded in 2003 by CEO Ronald J. Our Mission is to be the best, most trusted, and admired mortgage lenders with unique, affordable and convenient products while maintaining a close, family-oriented culture. Additional options include down payment assistance, home equity products, and expedited closing programs. In all states, the principal licensed office of American Financial Network, Inc. is 10 Pointe Drive, Suite 330, Brea, CA 92821; Phone: (714) 831-4000 (NMLS ID#237341). When you play football, its the ultimate team sport, Leonhardt says. Dealmaking can be lucrative, and it can be satisfying, Leonhardt says. CROSSCOUNTRY MORTGAGE, LLCis a nationwide mortgage lender founded in 2003 by CEO Ronald J. Leonhardt, Jr. CCM was the company that more than met the requirements.". Thats one of the key things for me as an individual and us as a company. Who has played an influential role ", "In my 25-plus years of mortgage industry business development and recruiting I have never seen a company that truly puts the loan originator first, above the company," said Executive Vice President James Iley. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. View this months Smart Business magazines on our easy to view, Digital Platform. ButI really thrive in this type of environment.. Im like, Where are you going to make more money? Sure you can make money flipping a house. There are so many different factors that can affect our business good or bad, Leonhardt says. His achievement has been built on a foundation of hard effort. That was my first experience in any type of professional setting. You have to be able to adapt to them. The facility will feature a 4,600-square-foot training center where the company will help prepare thousands of participants to become next-generation mortgage professionals. Right now, he is the most trending person in social media. The bold move solidified the company and created momentum that has continued to build over the past decade. His poetry chapbooks areThe Shape of HomeandHow to Live in Ruins. The company, currently based in Brecksville, has appeared seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of the nations fastest growing private businesses and has been recognized four times as a Northcoast 99 winner, representing the best workplaces for top talent in Northeast Ohio. In his current role as Chief Operating Officer & General Counsel, Jon is instrumental in offering operational as well as legal support to AFN, our branches and staff, and is a crucial member of our executive team. He loves taking iconic buildings and kind of repurposing them, she said. Copyright 2023 The Land, P.O. Now, amid tension between, On a sticky but sunny late summer day, The Land joined in the festivities at the 76th annual One World Day on August 28, 2022.. The company has nearly 3000. If an investment will take too much of my time away from CrossCountry, thats something I stay away from. It included the former headquarters, packaging and warehouse facility for TAP Packaging + Design along with properties owned by developer GBX Inc. Rates are changing daily, and there are new opportunities daily. Thats how I got licensed in all 50 states, he says. a company that lists Leonhardt as a signatory, bought . (business & personal). ", "We explored our options with several other companies, but CCM stood out," said Executive Vice President Norman Koenigsberg. What I enjoy about my work is the same thing that gives me heartburn that constant change and grind, he says. The faster we can deliver, thats what people want. The company offers a broad portfolio of home purchase . PHONE NUMBERS DISPLAYED ARE NOT FOR USE BY NEW YORK BORROWERS. {{ userNotificationState.getAlertCount('bell') }}. To my knowledge this is one of the first successful bank-to-non-bank integrations following the passage of the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act. He described the sale of the Tap Packaging buildings as a win-win.. The company might need 80,000 to 90,000 square feet to accommodate growth. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning), Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy, Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American. This site uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Banking Thrifts and Mortgage Finance Financial Services Conventional Mortgages Brokerage. American Financial Network, Inc. (AFN) has been serving the lending needs of real estate professionals, builders and individual homebuyers throughout the United States since 2001. Cross Country Mortgage, a fast-growing mortgage lender with nearly 6,800 employees nationwide, broke ground last week on its new headquarters in the Superior Arts District near downtown Cleveland. (No Ratings Yet) A 7,100-foot commons area will be illuminated by a 40- by 60-foot skylight. All sizes included in one envelope. The content in this advertisement is for informational purposes only. But we plan on developing the Superior and Payne property. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. Done the wrong way, this can become intimidating as employees feel like they constantly have someone looking over their shoulders. A pre-approval does not constitute a loan commitment or guarantee of a loan. Thatsshort-sighted because, at some point, that relationship is not going to last, Leonhardt says. Dont have a partner. Number of Founded Organizations 1. CEO Ron Leonhardt entered the mortgage business after his days at Baldwin Wallace, and he started CrossCountry in 2004. Thats why I get up in the morning, and its what keeps me up at night, so its a double-edged sword. The swank new HQ will include a 4,600 square foot training center that will train people for jobs in the mortgage industry, an 8,600 square foot gym, a coffee shop, and a commercial kitchen featuring rotating local restaurateurs. The 113-year-old manufacturer plans to relocate. American Financial Network, Inc. 10 Pointe Drive Brea CA 92821 CORP NMLS# 237341; Equal Opportunity Employer; California BRE License # 01317581; Equal Opportunity Lender. He began his career in the mortgage industry later that year, working as a loan officer and broker before establishing CrossCountry Mortgage with the assistance of two relatives and three other employees. P.S. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning), Machine Tools, Metalworking and Metallurgy, Aboriginal, First Nations & Native American. As he guides his team through these changes, Leonhardt takes a hands-on approach. Education: Baldwin Wallace University, sports management degree CLEVELAND | June 10, 2021 CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC, one of the nations largest and fastest growing retail mortgage lenders, today officially launched construction of its $46 million corporate campus in Clevelands historic Superior Arts District. Leonhardt said he and fellow investors in the Superior Avenue block, who formed a 50-50 partnership, had taxable gains they needed to reinvest. Construction is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year. Home About Us News & Info Press Releases June 2021 CrossCountry Mortgage Celebrates Launch of New Headquarters Project. When companies move down there, allows for more restaurants, cafes and bars because we have the community to support it.. ", "With an eye on the future, I could not be happier to start a new chapter with CrossCountry Mortgage," added Logue. So were looking at maybe building across the street on the VA site or doing something between Superior and Payne. PHILADELPHIA, Jan.28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC (CCM), a top 10 retail mortgage lender in America with headquarters in Brecksville, Ohio, is excited to announce the opening of new Philadelphia and New York branches, dramatically expanding the company's reach in the Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut markets. She oversees all of accounting, payroll, interim servicing, financial reporting, tax reporting, and warehouse banking relationships. The journey to get here was anything from straightforward. The acquisition is the result of a thoughtful search process and extensive discussions between the leaders of the two companies. Ron Leonhardt Cross Country Mortgage is one of the most popular faces on the globe. Thank You! In 2014, CrossCountry funded just over $1 billion in loans; Leonhardt expected that total to top $15 billion in 2019 and, if all goes according to plan, $20 billion is well within reach in the very near future. You just came to work every day hoping it wasnt going to be you as companies kept going out of business. Reader support is crucial as we continue to shed light on underreported neighborhoods in Cleveland. Copyright 2023 crosscountry mortgage, LLC. When typing in this field, a list of search results will appear and be automatically updated as you type. In 2006, she was appointed general manager of marketing for Volkswagen of America, and in 2010 was selected by Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group, LLC, to be vice president and CEO of the FIAT brand, North America. . Andy joined AFNs legal team in 2014. 24 Nov 2021. Its trying to stay in constant communication to make them feel like theyre connected. Or, if youre a parent who wants to get back in the work force, or want a change of career, now well have an awesome state of the art training facility.. As CrossCountry has grown, Leonhardt has turned to real estate investing as a possible solution to his companys need for additional space. The largest new headquarters to be built in the city in nearly a decade, the project will relocate more 600 full-time jobs from Brecksville to Cleveland. Truly the CCM difference. His direction drives the constant evolution of AFN to adapt to the changing industry and ensure its long-term success. Ronald J. Leonhardt Jr., the president and CEO of Brecksville, Ohio-based CrossCountry Mortgage, bought a Miami Beach home for $11.79 million and is likely to tear it down. To that end, Leonhardt estimates that of the 350 CrossCountry locations in the U.S., hes had dinner with at least 300 of the branch managers. CrossCountry Mortgage is on the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies and was a recipient of the 2019 Weatherhead Centurion Award for sales and growth. Under his leadership, CrossCountry has become one of the nation's largest and fastest growing retail mortgage lenders, and the largest based in Ohio. My attorney gave me that advice when I started the company. Will you become a monthly member to help us continue to produce news by, for, and with the community? A native of North Royalton, Ohio, Stracensky joined CrossCountry in January 2012 as just the fifth member of its underwriting department. ", "Reputation is everything in this business," said Bernabei, "and CrossCountry Mortgage's reputation for superior customer service and competitive rates is the perfect fit for our clients and referral partners. Another critical piece in CrossCountrys growth is dealmaking. CrossCountry Mortgage CEO Ron Leonhardt Jr. has acquired the Velvet Tango Room, one of Cleveland's leading cocktail bars located between the city's Tremont and Ohio City neighborhoods, according to news reports. ", "In my 25-plus years of mortgage industry business development and recruiting I have never seen a company that truly puts the loan originator first, above the company," said Executive Vice President James Iley. Our executive team is comprised of industry professionals with over 200 years of combined mortgage industry experience. He wouldnt put a firm timeline on a potential project or a decision about CrossCountrys headquarters, though the group already is working on designs and space planning with Vocon, an architecture firm based in Cleveland. What was your first job? You want to make sure that youre not saturating a specific market where you already have a footprint, he says. Refer to www.nmlsconsumeraccess.org and input NMLS #237341 to see where American Financial Network, Inc. is a licensed lender. 11:38 am. Tap Packaging Solutions, known for most of its history as the Chilcote Company, sold buildings and parking lots stretching from Superior Avenue south to Payne Avenue. Alderus Mortgage 9205 West Russell Road Building 3 Suite 240, Office #201 Las Vegas, NV 89148 ; All American Mortgage Funding . Web CrossCountry eclipsed 1 billion in loans for the first time in 2014. At CrossCountry Mortgage LLC, however, the dark times provided the opportunity to plot a new way forward. My approach to dealmaking is that its all about relationship building. CrossCountry Mortgage. We had a small mom-and-pop shop, and that feel is still here today. Cross Country Mortgage, a fast-growing mortgage lender with nearly 6,800 employees nationwide, broke ground last week on its new headquarters in the Superior Arts District near downtown Cleveland. A company affiliated with CrossCountry Mortgage CEO Ron Leonhardt Jr. has acquired a parking lot behind the ArtCraft Building in downtown . His leadership is instrumental in AFNs continual advances and growth, which included doubling market share over the last 5 years and bringing the company to its current rank of one of the top mortgage lenders in the United States. Another change is technology. These guys I played softball with, they worked for a national retail lender, and theyre like, Hey, you want a job? I said sure. Gurpreets diverse background and management style are a real asset to AFN. ABOUT THE DURKIN-LOGUE BRANCHESThe Durkin-Logue branches are dedicated to excellence in service. CrossCountry Mortgage is on the Inc. 5000 List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies and a recipient of the 2019 Weatherhead Centurion Award for sales and growth. It enhances both our strategic growth in several regions as well as our consumer-direct component. Ron Leonhardt. The company has outgrown its current headquarters in Brecksville, Alex Ragon, CrossCountry's . Have a question? To be one of the richest people on Earth, he had to do all these things in his life. Ronald Leonhardt, Jr. Community is everything The borrower just wants an instant loan. The entrepreneurial spirit that courses through the veins of this company is electrifying, and I could not be more excited to pursue excellence and reunite with some of my favorite people in the industry. Ronald J. Leonhardt Jr. We are pleased that they chose to join us. Ron Leonhardt is the Founder and CEO at CrossCountry Mortgage. Lee Chilcote is a freelance writer and editor of The Land. Gurpreet is a California licensed CPA and joined AFN in 2014. Leonhardt Jr the president and CEO of Brecksville Ohio-based CrossCountry Mortgage bought a Miami Beach home for 1179 million and is likely to. Loans made or arranged pursuant to California Financing Law. COMPANY: This is not an offer for extension of credit or commitment to lend. It would be a giant hole in the wall of that historic district if they werent reused. "The addition of this group is a terrific fit for us. CB Rank (Person) 40,197. I like to think thats the approach we take to things here., Leonhardts path to entrepreneurial success was not obvious upon his 1997 graduation from Baldwin Wallace. Large swaths of Cleveland, including the central business district, the Superior Arts District and other close-lying areas, made the U.S. Treasurys list of approved opportunity zones last year. That type of scale wasnt Leonhardts goal when he started the business. The company has nearly 3,000 employees and licenses in all 50 states. My mentality was, Im just here to close loans, he says. She previously had been senior vice president and chief marketing and communications officer for Federal-Mogul Corporation, Southfield, Mich., one of the worlds premier manufacturers of vehicle components. 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