AmeriFirst Home Mortgage [1] (AmeriFirst), a division of AmeriFirst Financial Corp., has announced the appointment of Ronald Bergum as President of its newly formed Southwest Division. As a recognized mortgage industry leader, Bergum has held numerous executive level positions in the mortgage industry, with his most recent position of CEO at Prospect Mortgage, LLC, as well as serving as Co-CEO of Indymac Bank’s Retail Lending Group, and EVP of Production and Sales for the Western Retail Division of American Home Mortgage.
“Ron has the unique ability to take his vision, passion and in-depth understanding of the mortgage industry’s competitive landscape and motivate his talented team to achieve exceptional results,” said David Gahm, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of AmeriFirst. “He has a track record of establishing a solid business foundation and building it into an industry leader and doing so in an industry that is often volatile and challenging. We are confident in his ability to successfully take us through this new phase of growth in Southern California.”
AmeriFirst, headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, opened its first Southern California branch in Rancho Cucamonga in mid-March of this year. Bergum will oversee the advancement of the company’s entrance in this market by with an initial team of 12 personnel who will offer a full range of purchase, refinance, renovation and construction loan options.
The new full-service home loan center is operating under the name “AmeriTrust Home Mortgage,” to avoid confusion with Amerifirst Financial, Inc., which also operates in the southwest region.
Bergum joins an organization comprised of over 600 professionals aimed at expanding homeownership opportunities, improving local communities, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. “I am excited and proud to be part of such an amazing company,” said Bergum. “We are fortunate to have recruited an incredibly talented team here in Southern California who is dedicated to delivering the same excellent customer experience for which the organization is known.”