Today, during the Washington Association of Mortgage Professional’s State “Connect” Convention, Raincityguide author Rhonda Porter was presented with the Jim Fitzgerald Distinguished Service Award for her outstanding contribution to the mortgage broker and lender community. Presenting the award was Rhonda’s brother-in-law John Porter who received the same award from his father, Bob Porter, who ALSO received the award. Yes, mortgage lending does have a way of running in the family.
Jim Fitzgerald passed away in April of 1999 at the young age of 48. He was President of the Washington Association of Mortgage Brokers in 1994 and an active member of WAMB,* working tirelessly on behalf of the membership. “Jim worked hard to bring the Association up to a new level.” John Porter said, “People knew Jim all over the country even before social networking started. This is the most honorable award I ever received and I am so proud to present this to my sister-in-law.”
This year Rhonda volunteered to be the WAMP Social Media Chairman. She created a facebook page for the Association and helped organize two Social Media RE Bar camps during these last few months and has volunteered her time to help mortgage professionals here in Washington State and in other states learn how to effectively and professionally participate in social media.
Rhonda, we are all proud to know you.
*WAMB is now WAMP
Wash Assoc of Mortgage Brokers changed their name in 2008 to the Wash Association of Mortgage Professionals
Below, WAMP President Jason Bloom with Rhonda Porter.
Congratulations Rhonda!
Jillayne – I slipped the photo in at the bottom. Let me know if you want it moved elsewhere. Rhonda looks fabulous!
Thanks Ardell and Jillayne. Jillayne, you come from a mortgage family too! 🙂 It was fun to see Gordy
yesterday and to catch him up on Bob (my father in law)…they’ve known each other how many years?….
Way to go, Rhonda, and great work on the organizing with REBar this morning, too. It’s amazing how quickly those sessions come together. Make sure you keep roping Ardell into giving away her blogging secrets to the rest of us.
Sam, I didn’t have to “rope” Ardell (I doubt roping Ardell is possible LOL)…she gladly volunteered. I heard that session was great…I think I was in the lender’s session at that time.
Yes, Congrats Rhonda.
It was a pleasure meeting you, Jillayne, and Ardell in person. In speaking for my Agents we all agreed on the ride home there is just so much more we need to be doing in social media.
Rhonda you taught the Twitter Class quite well and I was impressed!
Keep up the good work and thanks for your time!
Ray, it’s nice to meet to you. I don’t know what I enjoy more at these events…meeting the people behind the blogs (and/or mystery avatars) or what I learn. It’s all good.
Trying to explain Twitter on a piece of paper w/out a computer is a brain-teaser…I enjoyed our session and the interaction with everyone.
Yes, Congrats Rhonda.
It was a pleasure meeting you, Jillayne, and Ardell in person. In speaking for my Agents we all agreed on the ride home there is just so much more we need to be doing in social media.
Rhonda you taught the Twitter Class quite well and I was impressed!
Keep up the good work and thanks for your time!
Thanks so much everyone. I was really surprised to receive the award…I never expected to receive recognition for the work I’ve done with WAMP this past year. I used to call on Fitz when I was a title rep and he was a very kind man…receiving an award named in his honor and the history of the award with my in-laws just makes it even more special to me.
I do hope to see more mortgage originators getting involved with thier association if they are not satisfied with the status quo…this has been my first year of doing. Anyone can make a difference if they take action.
Congrats Rhonda!
Congratulations Rhonda! Great work and glad to see you are recognized for it 🙂
Congrat! It was good to learn about all the things going on at the event.
Thanks Gene, Michael and Tim. Tim–I was wondering what your thoughts were of the luncheon. 🙂
Fun event and I found the program to be helpful in understanding the issues before the lending community. While I know that it is difficult for the industry to work with changing regs, I’m hopeful that the lending community will exert pressure where needed to modify the modified reg’s to make them work as intended but without unintended consequences.
Regarding the FHA proposed changes: In spirit they are good for the longer term health of FHA and eventual taxpayer bailout coming (my opinion only) soon. Wall Street Journal reported that FHA makes Countrywide and/or subprime lenders look good.
btw, the gentleman in the photo with me is Jason Bloom, President of WAMP (not John Porter).
I made the change in the post for Jillayne from John Porter to Jason Bloom, without changing the story line of 3 Porters having received the award. Awesome!
Congrats, Rhonda!
Atta girl Rhonda…well deserved, and I am SOOO sorry to hav emissed the event!
Thanks for all you do, I marvel that are able to keep it all going so capably!
Hi Ardell,
The story was changed back to its original form. John presented the award. The WAMP president stepped in for a photo opp after the award was presented.
Jason had to step in to give the award because my brother in law didn’t present it to me on the stage… I thought I was getting recognition, a handshake and a hug 🙂 I didn’t expect any of this let alone the plaque.
LOL…Thanks Jillayne. Anyone have a pic of Rhonda actually getting the award (from John)?
Dana (from WAMP) took “official photos” of us on stage…I’ll see if I can track one down. I just have video from my cheap-o camera.
Congratulations, Rhonda! Well-deserved. To your continued success!
Thanks again everyone. 🙂
Hey Hon! Olivia Newton John DID NOT, I repeat, did not die!
Congratulations!
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