People on the Move: New England Mortgage Bankers Hall of Famers and Much More
Friday, October 14, 2022
GoLocal's People on the Move is an update on new hires and promotions across southern New England. If your organization has an announcement, email it to us at [email protected].
RIMBA Announces New England Mortgage Bankers Conference Hall of Fame Inductees
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The Rhode Island Mortgage Bankers Association (RIMBA) announced that two of its members have been inducted into the 2022 New England Mortgage Bankers Conference (NEMBC) Hall of Fame. Deborah Imondi (current RIMBA Board Member and Past President) and Jay Rowley (Past President of RIMBA) were recognized at the event on September 21, 2022.
The annual NEMBC two-day conference was held at Gurney’s of Newport in Newport, RI. Mortgage professionals attend this event to receive the most recent and up-to-date information to help them develop strategies for success. Additionally, Hall of Fame inductees were honored for their valuable contributions, past and present, to their state associations, to NEMBC, and the mortgage industry at large.
Imondi is currently on the RIMBA Board, serving as Co-Chair of the RIMBA Legislative Committee for many years. She is also a Past President of the RIMBA Board and past Chair of the Massachusetts Mortgage Bankers Association. Imondi has over 40 years of experience in the mortgage industry, specifically in originations, underwriting, and operations. Rowley is a Past President of RIMBA and worked for close to 50 years in the banking industry.
Al Grant, President of RIMBA, congratulated his colleagues on this tremendous recognition, stating: “Deborah and Jay are truly experts in their fields of expertise. They have worked for decades helping to improve the mortgage industry, and, most importantly, are dedicated to helping everyone achieve the dream of homeownership. They deserve this honor and on behalf of the Association, I commend them on this award.”
Gregory Eccleston is Kent Washington's 2022 REALTOR of the Year
The Kent Washington Association of REALTORS is pleased to announce Gregory Eccleston of CENTURY 21 Access America in Coventry, RI as the Kent Washington Association Of REALTORS (KWAOR) 2022 REALTOR of the Year! Each year KWAOR members nominate their selection for this honor, highlighting those who demonstrate REALTOR spirit, professionalism, and volunteer commitment. Greg has contributed exceptional time and energy to the betterment of this REALTOR® organization, the real estate industry, and our community.
A member of the Kent Washington Association since 1985, Greg has been actively involved in all levels of the Association, volunteering his time and talents locally and on the state level. He was the 2021 KWAOR Board President, after serving several years on the Board of Directors. Additionally, he has served on several KWAOR committees including Grievance and Professional Standards to name a few, as well as other task forces over the years. At the State level, Greg has been KWAOR’s representative on the Rhode Island Association of REALTORS® Board of Directors and served on their Executive Committee. He is also a Trustee for the REALTOR® Foundation: Rhode Island.
Greg’s commitment to our industry and his community is far reaching. He has mentored high school seniors with an interest in Real Estate and has volunteered for KWAOR community outreach projects such as Save The Bay and South County Habitat for Humanity. He is a great supporter of nonprofits such Easterseals, ASPCA, the National Audubon Society and the Sierra Club, among others.
Greg was honored as the KWAOR REALTOR of the Year at the Kent Washington Association’s Annual Meeting and Installation at Quidnessett Country Club on September 27th. Greg will now be competing for the Rhode Island REALTOR of the Year award which will be announced at the RI REALTORS® Installation & Awards Presentation later this month.
Idrees Lanre Ajakaiye joins United Way of R.I. as Chief Development Officer
United Way of Rhode Island has hired Idrees “Lanre” Ajakaiye as Chief Development Officer.
The organization said he brings a deep and diverse range of experience to United Way’s work to transform the future by building racial equity and creating opportunities for all Rhode Islanders. He begins his new role on Oct. 11.
“Lanre is a native Rhode Islander who has been at the center of achieving some our state’s most recent, high-level initiatives toward building racial equity – he’s about action and getting things done,” said Cortney Nicolato, United Way’s president and CEO. “As we embark on our 100th year and realizing the LIVE UNITED 2025 goals of dismantling systemic and institutional barriers in our state, Lanre is just the right person to lead our development growth into the future.”
The executive leadership position of Chief Development Officers plays a vital role in achieving the ambitious goals put forth by United Way of R.I. in its current strategic plan, LIVE UNITED 2025. The plan outlines United Way’s commitment to achieving racial equity and creating social justice in the Ocean State, with the organization committing to invest $100 million over five years (2021-2025) in support of this mission.
“This role of Chief Development Officer is rooted in having a passion and vision for breaking down the generations-old barriers holding back our state – this work is at the core of who I am and what I believe,” said Ajakaiye. “I’ve been doing this for more than 30 years and am beyond excited to collaborate, grow, and expand United Way’s work and impact in a state that I love. It’s an honor to join a team that is so focused on seeing Rhode Island thrive, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Lanre has a proven track record of strategic leadership and driving growth, drawing upon his experience across the Fortune 50, nonprofit, and startup sectors with a particular focus on CRM, technology, membership, marketing, and institutional and direct sales. He is well-known as a driving force behind the 25 Bough Street community initiative in the Olneyville neighborhood of Providence. His vision, and that of others, is to transform the vacant, blighted property into an in-demand public space used to empower the community through workforce and career development, education and mentorship, innovation, entrepreneurship, the celebration of life, and more. The effort boasts a robust operations and property management plan which will tend to its day-to-day.
Among his community involvements, Lanre serves on the boards of Hope & Main, and the R.I. Youth Basketball Association, where he founded the City of Providence’s travel team.
Lanre earned a Master’s in Business from Boston University and graduated from the University of Rhode Island TD Program with academic excellence. In 2022, he was inducted into the MLK City of Providence Hall of Fame for Community Service and is also a Leadership Rhode Island alumnus.
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