We are thrilled to introduce the newest member of our executive team, Rich Harkwell!
As our SVP - Chief Sales Officer, Rich will oversee the strategic sales growth of Waterstone Mortgage, leading the company’s sales staff at branch locations across the country. He will also focus on our long-term sales goals, continuing to build Waterstone Mortgage’s nationwide presence as an innovative, retail-focused, technology-driven mortgage lender.
Rich joins our team with an impressive amount of experience under his belt – more than 30 years of strategic leadership in the financial services industry, to be specific.
Previously, he held senior roles with organizations such as Norwest/Wells Fargo and Citicorp. In addition, he collaborated with industry veterans and funding partner Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR) to create a private label mortgage lending platform, Nexstar Financial.
Along with the Nexstar team, Rich designed an award-winning high-tech/high-touch digital lending platform, propelling the online mortgage lending model throughout the industry (something we’re particularly passionate about here at WMC).
In 2007, Rich pivoted to the insurance industry and founded an independent insurance agency, ultimately merging his business with AHM Financial Group (AHM) and becoming the CEO of the combined organization post-merger. He also recently led the launch of a mortgage lending operation for LoanSnap – a FinTech startup founded by serial tech entrepreneurs and backed by Richard Branson’s Virgin Group and leading venture capital investors.
In short, Rich is a wealth of knowledge and we can’t wait to see him collaborate with our already outstanding group of leaders.
Rich earned his B.A. in Business and Economics from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He is currently based in St. Louis – and he’s in good company, as St. Louis is also home to our President & CEO, Jeff.
Ready to see Rich in action? Visit our Careers page to learn more about the Waterstone Mortgage sales team and view openings in your area.
