Our Mission
Our mission is to empower mortgage loan originators to achieve independence beyond big banking constraints, enabling them to provide exceptional services and competitive pricing for their customers.
Building Community
Create a thriving community of independent loan officers that benefits industry professionals and makes significant impacts in their communities, helping people build wealth through homeownership.
Our Vision
To impact future generations by keeping more money with families to build wealth and improve their quality of living.
Co-Founder
Championing independence for loan officers with over 20 years of industry expertise.
Ryan Davis
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Butler University in 2002, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude with honors. He is a top-producing LO with over 20 years of mortgage lending experience. He worked on the captive banking side for over 10 years as an LO and Branch Manager.
During Ryan’s time in retail banks, the common denominator he saw was greed. The business model was always the same. Get the LO and their team in the system with all their clients and realtors and slowly increase rates and/or cut pay. Then make it hard for them to leave, knowing that if they did, their past clients and realtors would be solicited. The retail banking model lacked competitive rates, compensation, technology, and programs.
When Ryan transitioned to the broker model, there was little to no support, training, structure, sense of community, or sharing of best practices, so he created IMB™ with partner founders Ryan Hillard and Nathan Jennison. The company’s vision was based upon servant-leadership and a company where the LO and borrower always come first. The IMB™ team wanted a company where support and service were not mutually exclusive with the best rates, compensation, & programs. A platform where Loan Officers can operate under a DBA of their choosing, which is licensed to IMB™, enabling them to establish a distinct brand identity.
Ryan spent years creating the IMB™ portal to give LOs and processors the ability to chat, video conference, and screen share with one another. It gives IMB™ a sense of community to share best practices and help one another with loans. It also gives everyone access to 20 lender summaries, a portfolio product matrix, vendors, resources, and any other guideline chart or cheat sheet you could imagine. No other company has a portal with all the information you need in one place for ops, sales, and navigating the broker world.
Ryan’s favorite quote is: “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.” -Zig Ziglar. Ryan does his best to live out his Christian faith daily by serving others and helping them achieve their goals.
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Co-Founder
Award-winning broker ensuring seamless operations and empowering MLOs to succeed.
Nathan Jennison
Awarded Broker of the Year for 2023 by NAMB (National Association of Mortgage Brokers).
Nathan brings 20-plus years of operations experience to IMB™. He started as the Operations Manager for Nathan Mortgage, and subsequently became a mortgage broker himself and founded The Mortgage Architects.
Nathan has been a driving force in helping launch and run IMB™. He is passionate about the experience that IMB™ provides, and its ability to empower fellow MLOs to bring change to the mortgage industry. Much of his work at IMB™ is behind the scenes serving in a relational and operations role, ensuring that the entire system runs smoothly.
He is passionate about the experience that IMB™ provides, and its ability to empower fellow MLOs to bring transformative change to the mortgage industry. His recent recognition as Broker of the Year for 2023 by the National Association of Mortgage Brokers not only acknowledges his unwavering dedication to service but also assures prospective loan officers that they are in the most capable hands for achieving success in the industry.
VP of Business Development
Connecting loan officers to the tools and support for thriving in the wholesale mortgage market.
Kari Buffington
Kari moved from Montana to Colorado after college, and started her first job in the mortgage industry at Transamerica Financial Services. She has spent her entire career in the mortgage industry, and is passionate about home ownership and financial literacy.
At IMB, Kari is thrilled to offer solutions for loan officers to make the change to the wholesale mortgage side, with the support of owners that originate and understand current issues.
Reach out to Kari for a confidential demo.
Sales Manager
Dedicated to educating and supporting MLOs with a relationship-first approach.
Seth Wilcock
Seth Wilcock brings a deep passion for education and client advocacy to his role as Sales Manager at IMB™. With a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Small Business Management, Seth has dedicated his career to making the mortgage experience smooth and stress-free for all parties involved. His journey began as a snowboard instructor at Wolf Creek, where he discovered a love for teaching—a skill he carried into the mortgage industry, where he continues to coach with the heart of a teacher.
Seth is committed to building strong relationships with his referring partners and clients, ensuring that they are fully educated throughout the mortgage process. His expertise in residential mortgage lending, coupled with his constant drive to stay ahead of industry regulations, has earned him a reputation as a go-to expert in his field. Seth’s goal is to help his partners grow and thrive, fostering success through a supportive and educational approach.
At IMB™, Seth plays a key role in supporting independent mortgage brokers, helping them to operate under DBAs while benefiting from the community and support that IMB™ offers. His dedication to making the mortgage process an enjoyable experience, rather than a stressful one, continues to set him apart as a leader in the industry.
Branch Manager
Empowering MLOs with the tools and support to thrive independently.
Cory Balthaser
Cory is a dynamic leader with a proven track record in sales, coaching, and management. With extensive experience in building strong relationships with both clients and employees, he is passionate about helping mortgage loan officers (MLOs) transition from captive banks to the independent mortgage broker channel.
As a Branch Manager at CLF Mortgage powered by IMB™, Cory specializes in guiding MLOs through the process of evaluating, launching, and growing their own business. He provides essential tools, resources, and personalized support to help loan officers access better rates, higher compensation, and industry-leading technology.
With a focus on efficiency and long-term success, Cory empowers MLOs with the knowledge and systems needed to thrive in an independent model. His expertise makes him an invaluable partner for loan officers ready to take control of their careers and maximize their potential.
Loan Solution Specialist
Helping loan officers structure smart loans and navigate systems with confidence.
Scott Hesseman
Scott’s decade in the hospitality industry built a strong foundation in client care, teamwork, and operational efficiency. Bringing those skills to the mortgage world, he quickly became adept at structuring and processing a wide range of loans—including FHA, VA, conventional, DPA, and non-QM. With more than ten years of mortgage experience, Scott pairs technical expertise with a relationship-focused approach to support loan officers at every stage of the process.
Loan Solution Specialist
Helping loan officers structure smart loans and navigate systems with confidence.
Garrett Schueller
Garrett partners with independent mortgage brokers and loan officers to design clear, compliant loan strategies and streamline file flow from first look to clear-to-close. With a background as a Mortgage Loan Officer and Loan Partner, he brings deep product knowledge—especially in VA lending—alongside practical know-how in pricing engines, LOS/CRM workflows, and guideline navigation. Originally from Wisconsin and now based in Colorado, Garrett pairs steady communication with a teacher’s mindset so teams move faster with fewer surprises. His goal: equip LOs with smart options tailored to each borrower’s goals.
VP of Operations
Driving operational excellence with energy and organizational expertise.
Erin Lahey
Erin Lahey serves as IMB™’s VP of Operations, bringing her talent for organization and her love for a dynamic, fast-paced work environment to every project. Outside of work, Erin’s life centers around her faith, her family—including her husband, two children, and their dog, Spur—and the peaceful rural life she enjoys on their land, complete with two beloved horses. Erin is passionate about reading, baking, and staying active at the gym, balancing her professional and personal life with grace. Her commitment and vibrant energy make her an invaluable part of the IMB™ team.
Executive Assistant
Building authentic connections through operations support and the Realtor Referral Program.
Paula Curry
Paula brings a unique blend of operational expertise and authentic connection to IMB™. With a background spanning executive support, marketing, and team coaching, she leads our Realtor Referral Program and supports daily operations with precision and care. Passionate about depth in relationships, learning, and collaboration, Paula creates meaningful connections that strengthen our community of loan officers and referral partners. Outside of IMB™, she’s an experienced rowing coach and researcher, channeling the same dedication and discipline into her work and life. Paula and her son can be found having great adventures together as they bike, hike, SUP, swim and ski their way through the amazing Colorado landscapes.
Office Manager
Keeping daily operations on track with a keen eye for detail and creative problem-solving.
Isabelle Grubbs
With 6+ years of management skills, Isabelle thrives in a fast-paced, detail-oriented environment. Her passion for organization and creative problem-solving makes her a valuable and dedicated member of the team.
Direct-to-Consumer: The Future of Home Lending
The mortgage process is changing as the world is shifting to a direct-to-consumer model— Business owners are able to connect directly with their customers and cut out the fat cats. Home lending is no different.
We become a stronger community when local mortgage experts can help their local customers. Both shielding them from less-than-ethical big business practices and keeping business local to invigorate local economies.