Willis Bryant Award
The Willis Bryant Award recognizes outstanding academic achievement in MBA Education’s School of Mortgage Banking (SOMB) program and is awarded yearly to a top student graduate at MBA’s Annual Convention. To be eligible, a student must achieve a grade of "excellent" on all SOMB exams, demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities in the classroom and have made a significant contribution to the mortgage industry.
This award was established in the name of Willis R. Bryant, following his death in 1965. Bryant, a mortgage banking pioneer of the 1950s, was a former lecturer at the SOMB who authored Mortgage Lending Fundamentals and Practices, a former SOMB textbook.
The winner will receive a Willis Bryant Award plaque, complimentary enrollment in the CMB program and waived fees for the CMB exam and a CMB prep course. The winner will also be publicly recognized across MBA online and social media platforms.
2025 Award Eligibility
- Achieve final exam scores of at least 90% in School of Mortgage Banking I and II
- Successful completion of School of Mortgage Banking III between August 1, 2024 and July 31, 2025
- Demonstrate exceptional leadership in the classroom and a significant contribution to the mortgage industry
How to Apply/Application Deadlines
2025 Application Deadline: September 1, 2025
Application Requirements
- Describe a recent leadership experience, a substantial contribution to the industry and career aspirations
- Submit a Letter of Recommendation from a supervisor or mentor describing the applicant's talents and strengths, future in the industry and leadership abilities
2025 Award Timeline
- September 1: Applications deadline for 2025 award
- September 30: Winner is notified by MBA Education
- The winner is recognized during MBA's Annual Convention and Expo in Fall 2025
Contact
Amanda Straub
Senior Training Coordination Specialist
Mortgage Bankers Association
Phone: (202) 557-2921
Email: [email protected]
From Past Willis Bryant Winners
“Having been named to receive the prestigious Willis Bryant award has left me feeling truly humbled and honored. It’s a recognition that goes far beyond just a personal achievement; it also signifies all the hard work and dedication to the mortgage banking industry. Pushing oneself to learn, grow, and step outside of one’s comfort zone is one of the best things you can do for yourself, both personally and professionally.”
2023 Willis Bryant Winner: Karley Bond
"Winning the Willis Bryant Award means the world to me. When attending the School of Mortgage Banking courses, I wanted to learn as much as possible and meet as many amazing people as possible. Doing both allowed me to expand my knowledge and network in a significant way. By winning this award, it demonstrated my commitment to the mortgage industry and gives others the opportunity to see what hard work and dedication can bring."
2022 Willis Bryant Winner: Natalie Weaver
"The School of Mortgage Banking helped speed up my transition from an IT-centric role to a business-centric one. It not only gave me a good perspective of the different players and activities in the Mortgage Banking industry, but also the important role that Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and FHFA play. The Willis Bryant Award was the “icing on the cake” and has motivated me to double-down on my commitment to the industry and the continuous learning that is needed to succeed.”
2020 Willis Bryant Winner: Frederico Pereira, CISA, CISSP, AMP, Freddie Mac
Recent Willis Bryant Award Winners
2022
Natalie Weaver, AMP
Senior Business Development Specialist
Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
2021
Daniel Jensen, AMP
Information Technology Specialist
Federal Housing Finance Agency Office of the Inspector General
2020
Frederico Pereira, AMP
Audit Director
Freddie Mac
More Past Willis Bryant Award Winners
Stanislav Kornienko, AMP
Steven D. Smolik, AMP
Susan Brown, CMB, AMP
Carol Placek, AMP
Andrew Wideman, CMB, AMP
Steve Shoemaker, CMB, CLO, AMP
Rebecca Wright, AMP
Jodie D. Morgan, CMB, AMP
Margaret Felts, AMP
Brett Mills, CMB, MBA, AMP
2000s
James Parsons, AMP
Paulo Rodriguez, AMP
Rodney Gayle, AMP
Christopher Ercol, CMB, AMP
Robert Bates, AMP
Tom Harms, CMB, AMP
Tom Kenny, CMB, AMP
Kevin Myler, AMP
Karen R. Jenkins, CMB, AMP
Karen Mastro, AMP
Michael Greenwood, AMP
Jonathan Miller, AMP
Robert V. Taylor, AMP
Wanda R. Sanchez, AMP
David E. Frase, AMP
Lori Minshall, AMP
G. William Elliott, Jr., AMP
Greg A. Tallmadge, CMB, AMP
Rocky I. Planck, AMP
Michael J. Royal, AMP
Dana Wilkinson
