In honor of Veterans Day this month, we are so proud to feature Homies who have served or are serving in the United States Armed Forces. We are incredibly grateful for their courageous service and sacrifice. Thank you to all members of our military, past and present.
Bill Barringer (Sales Manager, Reno)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I served in US Army from 1977-1981.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? The people.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners? I like the people the most. Communication is great, and the executive team listens to concerns and suggestions.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time with family and playing poker.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I have been married for eight years. Before we got married, we were friends for over 12 years. It took us 12 years for to figure it out. “Persistence beats resistance” is my motto.
Kevin Brumit (Licensed Mortgage Professional, Corporate)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I was in the US Army 25th Infantry Division. I was an 11 Bravo, and I also wrestled for the All Army Team.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? I was at a company that promised a lot, and couldn’t deliver. I have always taken great pride in being the opposite (under-promise and over-deliver). A long time friend, and a realtor that usually worked with me, was getting frustrated, and told me he knew the owner of Homeowners (Bill Rogers). The realtor explained that he had recently sent a deal to Homeowners instead of another lender, and it had gone amazingly well, I mean he really couldn’t stop talking about them (their timeline, how easy the closing was, how happy the borrowers were). I asked him to set up a meeting, and the rest is history.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? The culture, 20+ years in this industry, I have never found anywhere like Homeowners.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy being with my family, friends, and coworkers. I also love watching my kids compete.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I am the commissioner of a fantasy football team that includes friends (some that I served with) and family. Most of the people in my league are from other states, so it is a way to stay connected. We play for a Trophy called The Crews, in honor of my best friend that I joined the Army with, who recently passed away. I have won the Crews 3 times in the 8 years we have been in existence.
Isela Cipres (Closer/Funder, Corporate)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I served in the US Navy, and I am proud to say my son followed in my footsteps and is serving in the Navy today.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? I was lucky enough to see the help wanted ad; the reputation of the company was a plus.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? I like the environment and the professional courtesy within all departments. The company has a great atmosphere with helpful people everywhere.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy sports. I run, walk, bike, swim, hike, and do Pilates, occasionally play softball. I love being outside.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I played softball for the Navy and participated in the USSSA Softball Tournament in New Mexico in 1995. We won the tournament, and I won the MVP award. It was a great weekend.
Carl Clark (Underwriter, Corporate Ops)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I was in the US Navy as a Sea Bee (which stands for Construction Battalion). I was assigned to the detachment that went in and cleared the land mine field for the ground offensive into Kuwait during Desert Storm.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? Homeowners Financial was presented to me as a company that was going to give me the opportunity to grow with the company and work with people that want you to succeed.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? I like the teamwork that everyone exhibits to get the job done. The objective is clear and everyone that is involved with each file puts forth the effort to accomplish that goal.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy spending time outdoors with my family, doing things like scuba diving, spear fishing, boating, and hiking.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I have been diving since 1984 and have over 30,000 dives.
Nick Cozadd (Mortgage Support Analyst, Atlanta)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I was a Ground Radio and Fiber Optics Engineer in the US Air Force. I followed in the footsteps of four generates of family members whose service can be traced back to the Civil War.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? It seemed like a well-run company with quality management and a bright future.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? I enjoy helping, guiding, and educating people in need. Every day is different and with each support ticket received comes new challenges and opportunities to learn and educate at the same time. There’s certainly nothing boring or mundane about Mortgage Support.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I’m a father of three and enjoy playing with my little ones every chance I get. They are my reason for being.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I’m a huge Dave Matthews Band fan. I’ve seen them coast to coast and over 50 times live. I was also inspired to learn guitar after my first DMB concert and can play nearly every Dave song on acoustic.
Connor Cullip (Sales Manager, Corporate)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I spent eight years as a Black Hawk Crew Chief in the Alaska Army National Guard specializing in Dynamic Hoist operations in a Medevac unit.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? From the top of the company all the way down, this company is eager to see both personal and professional growth in your life.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? The commitment they have to each and every one of us is far beyond any company I have worked for. When they say they will do something, it always gets done.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Most of the time it involves cars, drives, cars and coffee, car shows, etc.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I just left the military after eight years of service in September 2021 so that I can focusing my energy on business. Ultimately, I hope that I can buy my own helicopter.
Mary Gardner (Licensed Mortgage Professional, Corporate)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I was an active-duty Air Force Officer from 1994 – 2000, and my rank at separation was Captain. My last tour of duty was here at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona as the Squadron Section Commander for the 61st Fighter Squadron.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? I chose to work at Homeowners mainly because of Bill Rogers. I interviewed with him in 2011, and I felt that he was honest, down to earth, caring, and I enjoyed the company culture. People that worked here seemed happy, so I decided this was the place for me.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? What I like most about Homeowners is the people. I cannot say enough about processing, underwriting, closing, and management, and best of all, I have made some amazing friends here in the last 10 years.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? My favorite thing to do outside of work is travel. I travel as much as I can get away with and still keep my business healthy and my pocketbook intact. 🙂
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I am the youngest of 12 children and I am also in the .00001% of Americans to say that they have flown in an F-16 fighter jet.
Daphni Hagen (Sales Transition Coordinator, Licensed Mortgage Professional, Corporate)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I worked in law enforcement/security forces.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? I love the environment here.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? It feels like a family.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I enjoy camping, helping other veterans, and traveling.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? I worked in law enforcement for 21 years prior to getting into mortgage.
Erik Hanson (Underwriter, Corporate Ops)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I was in the Army in the late 1980s to early 1990s. My MOS was as a 74D.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? I chose Homeowners because the company resembles what I feel is the best part of our business. Taking care of our community, having integrity, and using our skills to better people’s lives. I know it sounds corny, but I believe that.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners ? The people. Everyone works as a team. Despite the company getting larger, it has maintained the ‘family’ dynamic, rather than a corporation feel. I love that.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? I love concerts, I always have. I have been to over 150 concerts from age 14 to 54. Recently, I have been able to see Bruno Mars, REO Speedwagon and Eric Clapton within the past 45 days and I have tickets to two other shows and one music festival within the next 3 months.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? What ISN’T fun and interesting about me 🙂
Glena Stachey (Underwriting Team Lead, Roseville)
What was or is your involvement in the military? I served in the ARMY National Guard working full time at the USPFO in Camp San Luis Obispo, California. I was a Finance Specialist from 1981 – 1987.
Why did you choose to work at Homeowners Financial Group? I chose to work at Homeowners because of the culture and leadership team.
What do you like most about working at Homeowners? I like working at Homeowners because of the people here. We have a great group of professionals that really exhibit the culture of the company.
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? Outside of work, I prefer to be doing something outdoors from gardening to riding my bike to being pool side.
What is a fun or interesting fact about yourself? Fun fact – I grew up in Washington State and I’m an Avid “12” a.k.a. Seahawks Fan!!
