Our Leaders

The Leaders at VRM Mortgage Services

Get to know us.

 

We’re listeners, innovators, and doers. Collectively, the leadership team at VRM Mortgage Services bring decades of experience and are the driving force that guides growth and change to impact our customers, partners, and communities. Our team is focused on delivering tangible solutions to the employees and customers we serve.

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Micole Booker is a seasoned leader in the default servicing industry with over a decade of experience. Micole’s career began with Wolverine Real Estate Services, Inc., a national preservation provider. She has since held significant roles with industry giants such as Rocket Mortgage (formerly Quicken Loans) and most currently Flagstar Bank.

Micole’s expertise spans a wide array of areas including property preservation, eviction, single-family servicing, attorney/vendor management, property registration/compliance, auction, post-title, default hazard claims, and investor claims. A passionate advocate for team development and service-focused leadership, she is dedicated to fostering growth within her teams.

Originally from Michigan,  she relocated to Arizona in May 2021, Micole is a mother of three. Her interests outside of work include traveling, visiting museums, and painting.

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Steven Roark is Vice President of Portfolio Servicing Oversight Reporting at VRM Mortgage Services. With over 20 years of experience in default management, servicing, and vendor management, Steven has held leadership roles at loanDepot, McCalla Raymer, LLC, and Fannie Mae. A former U.S. Army servicemember with 12 years of military experience, he is a proven leader in driving revenue generation, risk reduction, and operational improvements. Steven holds a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from the University of Maryland and is PMP certified.

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Jane Larkin serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at VRM Mortgage Services, bringing over 20 years of experience in the mortgage and real estate industries. Winner of the 2023 Women in Housing, Corporate Social Responsibility Award at Five Star Conference, her career includes key leadership roles at Colonial Savings and American Home Mortgage Servicing, Inc. Jane’s expertise spans mortgage banking, loan servicing, default management, and real estate operations. She has a proven track record in developing strategic initiatives, managing high-risk portfolios, and ensuring regulatory compliance. With her comprehensive industry knowledge and leadership skills, Jane drives strategic growth and innovation at VRM Mortgage Services.

Jon Van Deuren serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of both Murcor, Inc. and Vendor Resource Management, Inc. (VRM), bringing over 35 years of financial leadership experience to these roles. A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Global Management Accountant, Van Deuren’s expertise spans finance, accounting, and US GAAP. His distinguished career includes serving as Partner at KPMG, LLP for 18 years and holding CFO positions at several prominent financial institutions. An alumnus of California State University, Long Beach, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Accounting, Van Deuren has been recognized as the university’s Accounting Alumni of the Year. His leadership has been instrumental in guiding both Murcor and VRM as certified, minority-owned companies serving top financial institutions nationwide.

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Brad Blancett serves as the Vice President of Client Operations at VRM Mortgage Services, where he is responsible for onboarding and supporting their largest client, the Department of Veterans Affairs. With over 15 years at VRM, Blancett has transitioned from tactical asset management to influencing policy for the 700,000+ assets managed in the default servicing space. His tenure includes implementing capacity modeling to ensure resource efficiencies and meeting client requirements effectively.

Before joining VRM, Blancett owned and operated The Blancett Group in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. His success was built on principles of right-pricing, exceptional customer service, and strategic business development.

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Leigh Gibson serves as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at VRM Mortgage Services, bringing 30 years of experience in emerging product and solution development. Since joining VRM in 2011, she has been instrumental in driving process improvement and expanding service channels across the financial services industry. Gibson holds a Masters in Computer Science, an MBA, and multiple certifications including Program Management Professional (PMP), Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and Kaizen Master, applying this expertise to develop scalable solutions for long-term market impact.

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What superpower would you love to have? Telepathy.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of work? Sewing and reading.

What’s your favorite childhood memory? Going to my grandparent’s house who lived on the Intercoastal Canal.

If you go go anywhere in the world, where would you go? Ireland. 

What’s your favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Read.

What’s your go-to meal? Lasagna.

What’s your favorite book? Where the crawdads sing.

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Clifton Wallace is a dynamic Vice President of IT at VRM Mortgage Services, based in Irvine, California. With an illustrious career spanning over 16 years at VRM Mortgage Services alone, Clifton has demonstrated an exceptional ability to drive technological innovation and foster strategic partnerships at all organizational levels. His skills in cloud computing, information security, and business process automation, backed by certifications such as CISSP, Certified Scrum Professional®-Developer, and CSSLP, highlight his comprehensive expertise. Clifton’s career is marked by a dedication to solving critical business challenges through cost-effective solutions and maintaining high team engagement for talent retention. His educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Government from UC Irvine, underscoring a well-rounded professional adept at navigating the complexities of IT within the mortgage services industry.

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Dawn’s legal background encompasses senior management positions at global institutions, such as Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. (RIHC), Charter One Bank, and Nordstrom, Inc. At PCV as Registered In-House Counsel, she is responsible for oversight and leadership of all legal aspects of the business, including corporate affairs, strategic corporate initiatives, mergers, acquisitions, and other complex transactions involving litigation, privacy governance, and board activities.

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Dr. Phyllis Wright serves as Senior Vice President Strategic Human Resources at VRM Mortgage Services, leading all HR functions and supporting VRMU’s educational initiatives. With over 25 years of experience in human resources and organizational development, she holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Studies from Dallas Baptist University, along with degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University, University of Dallas, and the University of Texas Dallas.

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Joe Morrow serves as Senior Vice President of Operations at VRM, bringing over 20 years of expertise in real estate operations and development. His extensive experience includes leadership roles at Freddie Mac and Saxon Mortgage, specializing in foreclosures, REO management, and first-time homebuyer programs. Morrow holds a BBA in Finance from Dallas Baptist University and continues to drive operational excellence in the real estate industry.

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Cheryl Travis-Johnson serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of VRM Mortgage Services, where she has driven innovation in mortgage servicing solutions since 2008. With over 30 years of industry experience, including leadership roles at Freddie Mac and other major financial institutions, she has consistently demonstrated excellence in client operations and loss mitigation. She founded the Council for Inclusion in Financial Services (CIFS) and developed VRMU, a leading training platform for real estate professionals. Travis-Johnson holds a BA from Mills College, an MBA, and a Doctorate from Walden University, and continues to champion diversity, inclusion, and community stabilization initiatives through various industry organizations.

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Tiffany Fletcher serves as Senior Vice President of Operations Support and Compliance at VRM Mortgage Services, where she leads end-to-end support services and operational risk management. With extensive experience including senior leadership roles at Bank of America and Fannie Mae, she brings strategic vision to regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Fletcher also serves as Executive Director of the Council for Inclusion in Financial Services (CIFS), championing diversity in the industry. She holds a BBA from the University of Houston, an MBA from Amberton University, and a JD from Texas A&M University School of Law.

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Keith D. Murray is the Founder and CEO of VRM Mortgage Services as well as PCV Murcor, a comprehensive real estate services firm he established in 1981. With over 30 years of experience and holding a California State Licensed Real Estate Broker license, Murray has collaborated extensively with federal agencies, GSEs, and major private sector institutions. His expertise spans real estate analysis, consultation, and valuation, complemented by prestigious industry designations including MAI, ASA, and IFAS. Murray earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration/Finance from California University, Northridge. Under his leadership, both companies have expanded nationwide, offering innovative solutions while maintaining excellence in service delivery. His pioneering work in the industry has established him as a key figure in developing modern mortgage and real estate services.