While for the last several years I have been blogging as partner and "President" of a busy but small mortgage lender licensed in Georgia, Florida and for a time North Carolina things have changed mightily over the last few weeks. Many of you knew I was considering mothballing my Novation Mortgage and indeed had spoken to some about various opportunities around the industry.

Early on in the change process I decided if I were to continue with my experience in the mortgage industry it would be at Regional Director or above or good old Loan Officer. Several people contacted me through Active Rain or as a result of Active Rain I should say and others with whom I interviewed rapidly found my 3 plus years of blogging here as well as proliferated around the Internet. Some liked the idea and others did not - understandably - as keeper of the keys to my own company I was often more outspoken than I will be henceforth.

Be all that as it may I have landed at a new company. So far I like it very much. I know most of the underwriters and even my own underwriter for the last several years works right here in the office with me. Most of you know my lovely wife Myra. Of course she can't do my files here but that's okay I can still see her smiling face every day.

The best news is yet to come about my new employer and cannot yet be publicly discussed. Still, as of today, the company has multiple branches across the nation and we are licensed in over half the states in the US and growing every day. I checked out every company which recruited me and felt my talents and experienced best matched to be a Loan Officer with America Home Key based in Dallas, Texas.

Why did I decide on Loan Officer vs. continuing to hash it out with overly pretentious young bucks and wannabe middle managers trying to get to the Executive Board? I'm 50. I've had very successful years. I've been kicked in the teeth by the economy, Congress and deflated investments. Something is very appealing to me about concentrating on nothing but my relationships with networks of good people, real estate agents, builders, and other industry people. As a Loan Officer I can concentrate on what gives the customer the best outcome.

Middle management was good. Ownership definitely had its perks but it also has and had its drawbacks. Let me do what I do best and that's service my relationships and clients. (To the numbskull who says, "they're not clients you're not a lawyer", I say "buzzz - you're wrong". Merriam-Webster defines a client as "a person who engages the professional advice or services of another".) Having time to get out and see the agents and brokers in my area as representative of a well funded bank is going to be enjoyable. Playing golf with some will be even better!