Kenneth Travis is the President and CEO of Greenlight Mortgage, a modern, service-driven brokerage closing loans across East Texas. An 8-year U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Kenneth brings a mission-first mindset to the mortgage industry, specializing in VA loans and proudly serving fellow veterans and active-duty families.

In addition to leading Greenlight Mortgage, Kenneth serves as the Lender Partner Director for AIME (the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts), where he helps strengthen the independent broker channel by building powerful, strategic relationships between brokers and lender partners nationwide.

Outside of mortgages, Kenneth is a dedicated CrossFit athlete with a well-known passion for the plank...he’s actively training to break the world record for the longest plank. The same discipline, grit, and mental toughness he brings to training are the qualities that define his leadership, his business, and his commitment to the East Texas community.

In this episode of Coaching with Chris, host Chris Vinson sits down with Mylo Draven, Broker/Owner at Inclusive Lending, to talk about his unexpected journey from hairstylist to mortgage leader, lessons learned from building a business, and how authenticity and inclusion are shaping the future of the mortgage industry.

Mylo shares how a frustrating homebuying experience inspired his transition into mortgage lending, the challenges of moving from retail to brokerage, and what it really means to build an inclusive company that empowers both clients and loan officers. From mentorship to mindset, this episode dives deep into leadership, self-awareness, and how to find purpose in your career.

🎧 Topics Covered:

Mylo’s unconventional path into mortgage lending

Building Inclusive Lending and embracing authenticity

What 2025 taught him about balance, self-care, and leadership

How to generate leads through social media and connection

The importance of mentorship and being fearless in your career

Whether you’re a new loan officer, an experienced mortgage professional, or just someone looking for inspiration to grow personally and professionally, this episode will hit home.

Comment your favorite takeaway and tag a friend who should hear this story!

Mortgage podcast, Coaching with Chris, Mylo Draven, Inclusive Lending, Windsor Mortgage, broker owner, mortgage leadership, mortgage journey, real estate podcast, mortgage coaching, how to grow in mortgage, mortgage mentorship, social media for loan officers, mortgage broker success, mental health in mortgage, authenticity in business, mortgage industry 2026

Looking for the secrets top AEs use to help loan officers close more loans and grow in 2026? This episode breaks down what great Account Executives actually do for brokers behind the scenes.

In this Thanksgiving episode of Coaching with Chris, Chris Vinson sits down with Windsor Mortgage account executives Tiffanie, Eric, and Shelby to talk about what truly makes a great AE and how they help loan officers win more in 2026.

They share how they got into mortgage, the roles that prepared them to be AEs, and why they see themselves as an inner part of each loan officer’s team. The group covers how to clean up applications, avoid surprise conditions, and use your AE and underwriting help desk to get smoother approvals.

You will hear:

• Simple ways LOs can set loans up for success with clean apps, job history, and VOEs

• How Windsor AEs think about availability, problem solving, and advocacy for their brokers

• Why VIP lists, coaching, calendars, and power hour are non negotiables for 2026 growth

• How AEs and underwriters at Windsor collaborate to restructure tough files and get them closed

They wrap with why a broker should consider Windsor, what separates good AEs from great ones, and what loan officers should start doing now instead of waiting for January.

00:00 Thanksgiving intro and gratitude challenge01:00 Why this episode is all about great AEs02:10 Meet Windsor AEs Tiffanie, Eric, and Shelby03:10 How each AE got into mortgage06:40 Roles that prepared them to be strong AEs09:30 How LOs can set loans up for success in 202613:30 Goals and words of the year for 202621:30 What makes Windsor AEs different from other AEs27:00 How AEs help LOs grow production and stay out prospecting40:20 Calendars, power hour, and non negotiables for 202647:00 Why Windsor, how the AE team works behind the scenes53:00 Recent wins and examples brokers can learn from57:00 Final advice for planning 2026 and closing Thanksgiving send off

#CoachingWithChris #WindsorMortgage #AccountExecutive #MortgageBroker #LoanOfficerTips #WholesaleMortgage #MortgageAE #MortgageCoaching #PowerHour #VIPList #MortgagePlanning2026

In this episode of Coaching with Chris, host Chris Vinson sits down with award-winning mortgage leader Wade Betz to talk about building consistency, developing strong teams, and giving back to the broker community.Wade shares his inspiring journey from his early days breaking into real estate to becoming one of the most respected voices in the mortgage space. He and Chris discuss what it means to “lay bricks every day” — staying disciplined, producing at a high level, and leading with integrity even when the market shifts.

Together, they dive into:

✅ Transitioning from retail to the broker world and what that experience taught Wade

✅ The importance of mentorship and community in the mortgage industry

✅ How daily habits and routines drive success (including Wade’s simple but powerful weekly review method)

✅ Building long-term relationships with your team, and why turnover might say more about leadership than employees

✅ Highlights from AIME FUSE 2024 and what’s coming at MortgageCon 2025 at Universal Studios Orlando, complete with amazing speakers, industry insights, and after-hours fun at Hogsmeade and Diagon Alley

Wade also shares his excitement about winning an MVP Award at the Windsor Mortgage Hall of AIME Awards, reflecting on how collaboration and mutual support are key to elevating the industry.

💬 Want to connect with Wade?

Check out Winning with Wade or send him a DM. He’s always ready to help other mortgage professionals grow their business and mindset.

https://www.facebook.com/BetzWade

https://www.instagram.com/winningwithwade/

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to Coaching with Chris

01:00 – Wade’s journey into the mortgage world

04:00 – Lessons from switching from retail to broker

10:00 – Balancing risk and reward in business

18:00 – Building winning routines and habits

30:00 – Leadership, teamwork, and accountability

42:00 – Giving back to the industry

43:00 – MortgageCon 2025 preview + AIME FUSE recap

44:00 – Hall of AIME MVP win and closing thoughts

#MortgageCoaching #CoachingWithChris #MortgageBroker #AIMEFUSE #MortgageCon2025 #WadeBetz #ChrisVinson #BrokerCommunity #MortgageLeadership #WindsorMortgage #WinningWithWade #MortgageIndustry

Kimber White has nearly 40 years in the mortgage industry. He is Branch Partner at RE Financial Services and incoming President of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB). A nationally ranked Top 1% mortgage broker for the past five years, Kimber is recognized for his integrity, mentorship, and advocacy on behalf of brokers nationwide. His leadership continues to shape the future of mortgage finance through excellence, innovation, and industry advancement.Valerie Saunders is Chief Executive Strategist at the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB) and Vice President of RE Financial Services, bringing over 30 years of leadership in advocacy, compliance, and industry growth. A past President of both NAMB and the Florida Association of Mortgage Professionals, she has helped reform regulations, advanced consumer protections, and supported broker success nationwide. A nationally recognized speaker, educator, and award winner—including MPA Elite Women and Global 100—Valerie continues to drive meaningful change as a respected voice in the mortgage industry.

Jonathon Haddad is the Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME). Jonathon entered the wholesale mortgage channel in 2019 with Next Door Lending, where he advanced from Vice President to Managing Partner and President. Under his leadership, the company achieved $800 million in mortgage volume in 2023, with Jonathon personally originating $20 million across 60 loans to stay connected to the borrower experience and the realities of the business.

Before joining wholesale, Jonathon spent six years with one of the largest retail mortgage companies in the country, where he rose to Regional Vice President. Over his 11-year career, he has facilitated more than $5 billion in mortgage transactions, including both his personal production and team performance.

Since becoming CEO of AIME in 2024, Jonathon has drawn on his experience in both retail and wholesale to educate, empower, and advocate for the broker community and homebuyers nationwide. His mission is simple: help brokers close more loans. Through his leadership, AIME is focused on delivering practical business support for independent mortgage brokerages while driving industry-wide awareness of the critical role brokers play in the future of homeownership.

JJ Mazzo is widely regarded as a transformative coach who fuels growth through grit, perseverance, and purpose.

A decorated entrepreneur and eight-figure business owner, JJ built multiple income streams after overcoming one of life’s greatest financial setbacks, filing for bankruptcy at 32 and becoming a multimillionaire by 37. His story is one of relentless determination, resilience, and reinvention. As one of the highest-producing mortgage leaders in the industry, surpassing billions in funded volume, JJ has become a symbol of triumph over adversity and a beacon for those seeking financial freedom.

He has authored numerous articles as a Forbes Coaches Council member and currently serves as a producing Executive Vice President at CrossCountry Mortgage with The Mazzo Group. JJ is also the cofounder of Impact Coaching and Training, an elite leadership development company launched in 2024 alongside other top industry professionals. Previously, he served for over a decade as a senior coach and director at The Core Training, retiring in 2023 after cementing his legacy in mortgage coaching.

Throughout his career, JJ has consistently ranked among the top 1% of mortgage originators nationwide and has been recognized as one of Orange County’s premier mortgage bankers.

JJ lives in San Juan Capistrano, California, with his wife and two daughters. He is an active member of the Orange County Association of Realtors and serves on the board of First Home IQ. He is also a proud supporter of the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, the Orange County Rescue Mission, and Giveback Homes, organizations that align with his passion for giving underserved families access to safe and secure housing.

are seasoned mortgage professionals at Plains Commerce Bank, known for delivering exceptional service and results.

With nearly 20 years in mortgage, Steve is dedicated to finding the best financing solutions for his clients, with a focus on VA loans and affordable housing for first-time buyers.

Bella has deep experience in mortgage operations and lending, allowing her to guide clients through a smooth, stress-free process.
With over 10 years in mortgage, Jeremy helps clients navigate buying, refinancing, or future planning with ease, making the process simple, fast, and tailored to their needs.

Together, they offer a strategic, solutions-driven approach to home financing.

Tom Ahles is the Chief Growth Officer at Edge Home Finance, one of the largest independent mortgage brokerage in the U.S., where he has helped grow the company to over 1,200 loan officers nationwide. With over two decades in the mortgage industry, Tom is also the National Director of Membership for the Association of Independent Mortgage Experts (AIME), advocating for the broker channel and driving industry-wide growth. Recognized as the #1 broker in Minnesota, Tom is passionate about helping retail loan officers transition to wholesale, leveraging his experience, relationships with 150+ lenders, and a proven track record of leadership, training, and strategic growth.

Ashley Bedford is a top-producing mortgage broker who has built her business almost entirely through referrals and real relationships. Known for her consistency, heart, and integrity, she shows up for her clients and partners with the kind of reliability that builds trust—and long-term success.

She’s a mom, a wife, and a woman of faith who believes in doing things the right way, even when it takes longer. Ashley’s strength lies in staying grounded in what matters most while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.

She is passionate about helping others rise, creating space for real connection, and leading with purpose. For Ashley, growth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about becoming better, staying true, and lifting others along the way.