In the past year, Mark Hikel has seen the company he transformed and led for eight years become an integral part of Chronos Solutions. Spokane, Washington-based UPF Services was acquired by Chronos Solutions in July 2016 and has been key to raising Chronos Solutions’ profile as it expanded products and services to become the nation’s only provider offering every service on the closing disclosure.
The acquisition of Commerce Title and Cogent Road in the first quarter of 2016 gave Chronos a complete suite of solutions for mortgage origination. In January 2017, Hikel’s proven ability growing a company – both through product development and by hiring and inspiring executives and employees – made him the obvious choice to become Chronos Solutions’ CEO.
Because of Hikel’s successful integration of the acquisitions and implementation of new strategies, Chronos Solutions has moved beyond its place as a default-centric provider to a business with counter-cyclicality and a more balanced revenue model. His design and implementation of UPF Services’ vertically integrated real estate services platform with sophisticated point-of-sale interface and streamlined fulfillment process is now empowering Chronos Solutions’ national identity.
Based on his achievements with UPF Services, Chronos Solutions is now in a position to take a much larger leadership role in the real estate and mortgage industries. After joining UPF as its CEO in 2008, Hikel refocused the company, redefining its product/service strategy and delivery execution. He increased product and services from four offerings to more than 80 within the first 14 months of taking over the company and implemented new products and services, a cross-selling sales strategy, and the launch of proprietary delivery technology, which effectively offset revenue attrition by 40%.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Inspect what you expect.”
