Best in the Business Awards
The Illinois Mortgage Bankers Association Signature Best in Biz Awards was held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 at the Hyatt Lodge in Oak Brook, IL. Over 200 mortgage professionals attended to recognize and celebrate the Best in the Biz! The Silent Auction was also a big hit and a portion of the proceeds will benefit The 100 Club of Illinois, a non-profit proudly serving first responders and their families in Illinois.
Special thanks to our SIGNATURE Best in Biz Awards Sponsors:
Special thanks to our GOLD Best in Biz Awards Sponsors:
Congratulations to our 2025 Best in Biz Winners!
Star Leadership Award
Solomon Maman, Maman, LLC
Community Impact Award
Dan Houdek, Reno Manuele, Tony Ameti, Neighborhood Loans
SALES AWARDS
Best Loan Officer from a Community Bank
Joe LaGiglia, Oak Leaf Community Mortg/North Shore Trust
Best Loan Officer for an Independent Mortgage Banker
Carrie Stone, United Home Loans
Fabian Viera, Rate
Best Specialty Lending Loan Officer
Don Meadows, Wintrust Mortgage
Lori Rinaldi, Associated Bank
Best Rookie Loan Officer of the Year
Carmen Corona, Neighborhood Loans
Best Mortgage Loan Officer Assistant
Jonathan Ballesteros, Chase
Brissa McKinnon, U.S. Bank
Best Sales Manager
Ania Kozera, Rate
Philip LaGiglia, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage
OPERATIONS AWARDS
Best Mortgage Loan Processor
Daniela Goris-Gomez, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Sue Hartner, Fairway Home Mortgage
Brenda Love, Wintrust Mortgage
Best Mortgage Loan Underwriter
Shaq Gair, Wintrust Mortgage
Heather Giordano, United Home Loans
Best Mortgage Company Closer/Closer Funder
Rebecca Richardson, New American Funding
Anne Smith, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Best Secondary Marketing Manager
Jack Huizinga, United Home Loans
Best Compliance/Quality Control Manager
Aaron Klimek, Associated Bank
Best Operational Support Staff
Sara Hollenkamp, U.S. Bank
Gianna Stringer, American Pride Bank
Best Operations Manager
Mark Flores, Rate
Tiffany Jacobeli, A & N Mortgage
Esparanza Timothee-Lorda, Neighborhood Loans
SERVICE PROVIDER AWARDS
Best Title Insurance Account Representative
Ryan Horvath, Chicago Title Insurance
Best Mortgage Insurance Account Representative
Matt Reindl, Enact MI
Congratulations our 2025 IMBA Best in Biz Awards Nominees!
Community Impact Award
Jenyce Boolton, U.S. Bank
Dan Houdek, Reno Manuele, Tony Ameti, Neighborhood Loans
Paul Diamond, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Mark Mieczkowski, New American Funding
Andy Smith, A & N Mortgage
SALES AWARDS
Best Loan Officer from a Community Bank
Michael Goldstein, Wintrust Mortgage
Bill Katsoolias, Wintrust Mortgage
Joe LaGiglia, Oak Leaf Community Mortg/North Shore Trust
Tamara McNeany, Wintrust Mortgage
Monica Pineda, Associated Bank
Tracy Sorge, Wintrust Mortgage
Margaret Szelepinski, Associated Bank
Best Loan Officer for an Independent Mortgage Banker
Jet Ameti, Neighborhood Loans
Julia Chiquito, Rate
Mike Del Preto, A & N Mortgage
Christopher Diamond, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Landon Hoon, A & N Mortgage
Jan Leasure, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Mai Nanthavinh, Neighborhood Loans
Johnny Noriega, Neighborhood Loans
Brandon Poulos, Neighborhood Loans
Robert Ramirez, Neighborhood Loans
Justin Rodriguez, Neighborhood Loans
Sergio Soto, Rate
Carrie Stone, United Home Loans
Abby Torres, Rate
Grace Vega, Neighborhood Loans
Fabian Viera, Rate
Best Specialty Lending Loan Officer
Angela Davis, Rate
Ryan Eberhardt, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Jennifer Goldsby, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Jose Magana, Neighborhood Loans
Don Meadows, Wintrust Mortgage
Tammy Moore, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Neysa Padilla, Fifth Third Bank
Raul Perez, Chase
Lori Rinaldi, Associated Bank
Chanon Slaughter, Wintrust Mortgage
Best Rookie Loan Officer of the Year
Carmen Corona, Neighborhood Loans
Logan Rayburn, Compass Mortgage
Kendrick Rodgers, United Home Loans
Best Mortgage Loan Officer Assistant
Jonathan Ballesteros, Chase
Anthony Borrello, Neighborhood Loans
Yaritza Del Toro, Neighborhood Loans
Dani Ebert, Neighborhood Loans
Emmy Grinnan, A & N Mortgage
Kelley Hauser, Wintrust Mortgage
Eileen Hoots, Neighborhood Loans
Diane McAllister, Wintrust Mortgage
Brissa McKinnon, U.S. Bank
Melissa Menini, Chase
Tamar Neff, Wintrust Mortgage
Melissa Neihart, Neighborhood Loans
Maria Noriega, Neighborhood Loans
Angie Petrizzo, Oak Leaf Mortgage
Angel Vazquez, Neighborhood Loans
Aaron Waldron, Wintrust Mortgage
Elvira Zamora, Neighborhood Loans
Best Sales Manager
Brian Augustine, New American Funding
David Camp, A & N Mortgage
Declan Hartnett, United Home Loans
Dan Houdek, Neighborhood Loans
Ania Kozera, Rate
Philip LaGiglia, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage
Dwight Marroquin, Neighborhood Loans
Maggie Martinez, Rate
Matt Porter, U.S. Bank
Todd Probasco, Lakeside Bank
Roy Taylor, New American Funding
OPERATIONS AWARDS
Best Mortgage Loan Processor
Veton Ameti, Neighborhood Loans
Dace Balama, New American Funding
Riley Beernink, Rate
Jaclyn Busse, Neighborhood Loans
Kristy Garcia, Neighborhood Loans
David Gaulke, Wintrust Mortgage
Jamie Godzicki, Neighborhood Loans
Daniela Goris-Gomez, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Sonya Gutierrez, Neighborhood Loans
Evette Habinka, United Home Loans
Lori Sink Hanson, United Home Loans
Sue Hartner, Fairway Home Mortgage
Reyna Hernandez, Associated Bank
Laura Hutchins, Wintrust Mortgage
Ema Kotlarczyk, Wintrust Mortgage
Maggie Koelling, Wintrust Mortgage
Melanie Lambie, Associated Bank
Jamie Licht, Rate
Brenda Love, Wintrust Mortgage
Stephanie Maldonado, Neighborhood Loans
Angela Morales, Neighborhood Loans
Suzanna Morales, Neighborhood Loans
Michelle Mulero, Neighborhood Loans
Alexis Murray, Chase
Melissa Najdowski, Key Mortgage
Tonya Phillips, CIBM Mortgage
Stephanie Pineda, Neighborhood Loans
Dawn Roth, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage/North Shore Trust
Laura Sandoval, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Rossana Schiola, U.S. Bank
Shelia Stance, Wintrust Mortgage
Paloma Timothee, Neighborhood Loans
Letcie Torres, Neighborhood Loans
Danielle Tull. Fairway Home Mortgage
Steven Vandegeval, Wintrust Mortgage
Angie Vega, Neighborhood Loans
Best Mortgage Loan Underwriter
Michele Adams, A & N Mortgage
Sue Alvarez, Neighborhood Loans
Dureill Ballinger, Neighborhood Loans
Fatima Banhura, Neighborhood Loans
Michele Deitz, Neighborhood Loans
Rick Dillon, Neighborhood Loans
Shaq Gair, Wintrust Mortgage
Heather Giordano, United Home Loans
Daniel Harlan, Neighborhood Loans
Tricia Hartzell, Neighborhood Loans
Mark Huff, Home State Bank
Matthew King, Neighborhood Loans
Catherine Mosely, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Debbie Rabac, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Linda Raffel, Rate
Kaye Stahr, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Kathy Stawiarski, Neighborhood Loans
Best Mortgage Company Closer/Closer Funder
Lucie Delre, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Theresa Ensey, Neighborhood Loans
Donna Fielder, Wintrust Mortgage
Jean Handzic, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage
Cathy Hernandez, A & N Mortgage
Addam Kahl, United Home Loans
Lisa Kufer, Neighborhood Loans
Lisa Lancaster, Neighborhood Loans
Shannon Miller, Rate
Vanessa Pascente, Wintrust Mortgage
Rebecca Richardson, New American Funding
Anne Smith, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Jenny Thill, Wintrust Mortgage
Best Secondary Marketing Manager
Jack Huizinga, United Home Loans
Dave Mueller, Key Mortgage Services
Paula Smith, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Best Compliance/Quality Control Manager
Aaron Klimek, Associated Bank
Gloria Castaneda, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Jennifer Sperry, Neighborhood Loans
Best Operational Support Staff
Kyle Cooper, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Elizabeth D’onofrio, A & N Mortgage
David Erdal, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Lauren Fischer, Neighborhood Loans
Kimbery Hermosillo, Neighborhood Loans
Sara Hollenkamp, U.S. Bank
Martina Ibarra Neighborhood Loans
Deliela Maldonado, Neighborhood Loans
Sandy Nommensen, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Kara Norcross, Neighborhood Loans
Rachel Ready, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage
Brenda Schwartz, Wintrust Mortgage
Tina Stanley, Neighborhood Loans
Rachel Stawiarski, Neighborhood Loans
Thayna Schuerman, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage
Andrew Smith, A & N Mortgage
Gianna Stringer, American Pride Bank
Kristina Vedder, Diamond Residential Mortgage Corp.
Best Operations Manager
Jamie Balkman, Associated Bank
Rick Berry, Neighborhood Loans
Anne Dick, Neighborhood Loans
Theresa Ensey, Neighborhood Loans
Susan Ethridge-Tatro, Wintrust Mortgage
Mark Flores, Rate
Dorthy Gunther, Diamond Residential Mortgage
Tiffany Jacobelli, A & N Mortgage
Alison Knight, Neighborhood Loans
Paola Patino, Neighborhood Loans
Amy Piotraschke, U.S. Bank
Laurie Pitner, Wintrust Mortgage
Kat Potoczny, Wintrust Mortgage
Gene Raso, Neighborhood Loans
Michele Rich, Associated Bank
Teresa Saenz, Neighborhood Loans
Dolores (Dee) Taylor, U.S. Bank
Esparanza Timothee-Lorda, Neighborhood Loans
Andy Trakszelis, Oak Leaf Community Mortgage
David Wescher, Rate
Diana Whitmire, Diamond Residential Mortgage
SERVICE PROVIDER AWARDS
Best Title Insurance Account Representative
Ryan Horvath, Chicago Title Insurance
Kim Leland, Old Republic Title
Ray Manuel, National Title Solutions
Best Mortgage Insurance Account Representative
Annie Chae, National MI
Faith Henderson, Arch MI
Amy Michalak, Radian
Matt Reindl, Enact MI
THE CRITERIA
Best in the Business Award Nominees must meet the following criteria:
- Be employed with a member Company of the IMBA and have at least 2 years of experience in the business.
*Best Rookie Loan Officer and Best Rookie Operations nominees are the exception and can have 2 years or less experience. - Demonstrate excellence, outstanding performance and achievement in the mortgage business.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO CRITERIA:
Include any additional information you feel is important for consideration of your nominee. The more relevant, thoughtful information that is shared on the nomination form, the better the chances that the committee will seriously consider the nominee for an award. You are limited to 1000 characters on the nomination form to describe why this person should receive the award. You can also attach a word document if you need than 1000 characters in your description. Provide specific examples of how the nominee has demonstrated excellence, outstanding performance and initiative in their position. In addition to the completed nomination form, a brief bio can be included along with a photo if possible. Other supporting documentation may include awards, honors received, publications or articles supporting the nominee’s service to his/her profession, industry or community. Nominators must be employed with IMBA member companies. Please note individuals cannot nominate themselves.
These are the items the committee considers when reviewing nominations, so please consider this consider when nominating an individual in the future. They include but are not limited to the following:
Residential Loan Originator Awards:
- Customer Satisfaction Ratings (very important)
- Production (Units and Volume)
- Purchase and Refinance %
- Conventional and Government %
- Team vs. Individual Production
- Affordable Lending/LMI lending
- Pull-through ratio (Application to Funding)
- Community Involvement (organizations, volunteer work, etc.)
Residential Loan Operations Award:
- Customer Satisfaction Ratings (very important)
- Number of loans processed/underwritten/closed
- Pull-through ratio
- Turnaround time
- Community Involvement (organizations, volunteer work, etc.)
Industry Service Providers Awards:
- Customer Satisfaction Ratings (very important)
- Outstanding service and performance in his/her position at the company
- Mortgage/housing industry involvement (industry associations, boards, etc.)
- Community Involvement (organizations, volunteer work, etc.)
THE PROCESS
The Best in the Business Awards Committee, consisting of a diverse group of directors from the IMBA Board, screen all nominations and may contact nominators for additional information. The committee selects the winners. Winners will be announced at the event. All nominees receive a congratulatory email along with the Best in Biz Nominee logo that can be displayed in your email communications and on social media.
