I grew up in Redondo Beach, California and received my bachelor’s from University of California Irvine with an emphasis on Marine Biology. I worked for the City of Los Angeles for almost 10 years as a marine biology technician and industrial waste inspector, and in 1997, an opportunity arose from a college friend that led me into the real estate industry. Changing careers allowed me to grow and help others as an entrepreneur, and my mathematical skills made it a smooth transition for me.

After two years doing sales in real estate, I decided my background in economics, statistics and math made originating mortgages a more sensible choice than real estate. It allowed me to analyze ...