PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

February, 2008

The Mortgage Bankers Association of Southwest Florida is having an outstanding year.  Our membership is growing and attendance at our member meetings continues to increase.

Please be sure to visit our newly designed website: www.mbaswf.org  You will find the website up-to-date for our local MBA chapter and also the state and national associations.  If you have any questions or suggestions for our website, please contact Chairperson Candace Foster.  You can now use Pay Pal to pay for MBA member meetings and seminars via the website.

Our next member meeting will be 3/20/08, 11:30am – 1:00pm at Carrabba’s in Naples.  This meeting will present another opportunity to network with members, learn about what’s happening at our local chapter, hear an informative speaker and also be brought up to date on many legislative and industry issues – a presentation by Treasurer Erica Lolli that will broaden your knowledge.  We always have a 50/50 drawing at each meeting with the proceeds going to MPAC (Mortgage Political Action Committee).  Watch for the meeting flyer. 

On 3/31/08 we will be holding our third educational seminar for this fiscal year.  Our speaker will be Alan Thompson of Stewart Title.  Mr. Thompson has 25 years of experience in the real estate market, and was a Director of FAR 2004-2007.  He is also the co-author of “How To Soar in Sales”.  You won’t want to miss this motivational speaker!  The seminar will be held at NABOR starting at 12:00 noon and will include lunch.  Additional information will be e-mailed and available on the website.  You can also contact Nancy Merzweiler, Educational Chairperson.  A special thank you to Barbara Haman of Wells Fargo for sponsoring this seminar.

Our 4/17/08 member meeting will include a Spring Auction with proceeds going to MPAC.  Committee members are diligently planning for another “spectacular” auction.  Delphine Couchman has agreed to chair this auction, and reports that we will have many outstanding auction items.  Invite guests and staff members – it will be a lot of fun and include a delicious lunch by Carrabba’s.

If you have not joined the MPAC $99 Club, please do as soon as possible so that we can continue to support our legislative initiatives.  Contact Chairperson Jonathan Tomhave for MPAC $99 Club Membership.

At our 5/15/08 member meeting, we will be presenting a cash gift to Ed Ravish, the founder of The Gabriel House in Fort Myers.  This gift will be funded from our Giving Back Fund, which was established by Past President Kevin Robbins.

The officers for the 2008-2009 Board will soon be presented for election.  If you are interested in becoming involved with the Board, contact Tom Budzyn, President Elect.  The success of this organization is because of our prior leadership and the involvement of so many of our members.

Mary Harper
President
MBA of Southwest Florida