Mortgage Journalist Creates Trade Group to Fix Industry Problems

The former editor of a mortgage technology trade publication left his position and announced his founding of a new trade group that will promote technology innovations in the mortgage space. Anthony “Tony” Garritano spent more than a decade as a journalist, most recently as editor of Mortgage Technology News. He’s recently left his position working for the publisher, SourceMedia, to form the PROGRESS in Lending Association. This information was made available through HousingWire‘s sources, however Garritano is still listed as an active employee on the SourceMedia website. Garritano’s LinkedIn profile lists his tenure at SourceMedia as ending “July 2010.” The group announced today the six-person team of volunteers that will lead the new association. In addition to Garritano serving as the group’s chairman and founder, the team includes Roger Gudobba, the chief strategy officer at technology vendor Compliance Systems, who will serve as PROGRESS CEO and Gabe Minton, the chief strategy officer for business intelligence provider Motivity Solutions, who will serve as PROGRESS chief technology officer. The group aims to bring mortgage industry professionals together to discuss new ideas, new automation strategies and new processes to move the mortgage industry forward. The group was reportedly founded in response to the ever-changing regulatory environment and dramatic changes to the mortgage industry since the onset of the credit and housing crises. “Technology is going to play a critical role in how mortgage lenders comply with new regulation, remain competitive, ensure profitability, and serve borrowers looking to get their piece of the American Dream,” Garritano said in a press statement. Garritano is well known among mortgage technology professionals, having spent years in this space a journalist. His background as a reporter and editor is made evident on the group’s website, where a number of articles and industry research is accessible to registered members logged into the site. Membership is $180 per year. “This new association provides a place for thoughts and ideas to flow freely. It’s easier to move things forward when you’re in a group,” Gudobba said. “This association is a central place for industry participants to have discussions about how technology can improve the process.” In addition to Garritano, Gudobba and Minton, other executives on the team include: Michael Hammond, founder and president of NexLevel Advisors, serving as PROGRESS chief strategy officer Kelly Purcell, executive vice president, global sales and marketing for e-signing and e-vaulting vendor eSignSystems, serving as PROGRESS chief information officer Michael Blair as PROGRESS chief operations officer. Blair has more than 15 years experience in the financial services industry, including serving as president of Allpointe Mortgage Write to Austin Kilgore.