Kiara Johnson is the first African-American president of the trade association.
Washington, D.C., – February 19, 2019 – Appraisal Logistics, a leading provider of high quality appraisal management technology and compliance solutions for the residential/commercial mortgage industry, congratulates Kiara Johnson, a senior mortgage banker for First Integrity Mortgage Services, on her election to President of the Mortgage Bankers Association of St. Louis, the second oldest MBA chapter in the country. Johnson is the organization’s first African-American president.
“I’m proud to step into this position and work with our incredible board and members in 2020,” Johnson said. “My biggest objective for this year is to diversify our organization. To be successful, we must attract and serve industry professionals from all backgrounds. We can only do that if we do a better job of getting the word out about what we have to offer. Many area lenders are not yet involved with us. I think that’s because they don’t know we’re here.”
Johnson has been volunteering for the organization for the last three years. She began working in publicity and marketing, working to promote the MBA through social media. She was soon promoted to the executive board and assumed the role of Secretary-Treasurer. She will serve as President through 2020.
“Moving Kiara into this leadership position is one of the best things to happen to our state trade association,” said Steven Rouse, Midwest Region Account Manager for Appraisal Logistics, who also volunteers for the St. Louis MBA. “She has already demonstrated her abilities and made our association stronger. I can’t wait to see where she will lead us in 2020.”
Johnson said the St. Louis chapter benefits from a Board of Directors with over 100 years of industry knowledge and expertise, made up of professionals from every part of the home finance industry. Together, she says the membership can make it easier to serve borrowers and improve the lives of new homebuyers throughout the region.
“There is great power in numbers,” she said. “With more members coming together to work for industry improvements, we can build stronger businesses and make credit more accessible so it’s easier for more of our neighbors to become homeowners.”
To find out more about the St. Louis Mortgage Bankers Association, visit the organization’s website.
About Appraisal Logistics
Annapolis, Md.-based Appraisal Logistics is a nationwide appraisal management company for the residential and commercial mortgage industry. With a team of industry experts and a nationwide network of highly qualified and trusted appraisers, Appraisal Logistics provides immediate and exceptional services to regional and community banks and standalone mortgage originators to ensure each appraisal is 100 percent compliant in a customized, customer-focused environment. The company also owns and maintains the secure proprietary communications platform – AIM-Port®. For more information, please visit http://www.gotoals.com or call (443) 949-7862.
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