GENERAL SESSION: The Wave of Industry Consolidation

2026 MBA Vice Chairman; Vice Chairman, ICE Mortgage Technology

John Hedlund is the 2026 MBA Vice Chair and Vice Chairman of ICE Mortgage Technology. Hedlund is an experienced, entrepreneurial, business leader specializing in strategic design, effective application of technology integration, execution, and leadership of large, diverse financial services organizations. A prominent MBA voice and industry volunteer over the years, Hedlund has served as a board member for several organizations, including as a member of MBA’s Board of Directors, Board Chairman of MISMO, Chairman of MBA’s Residential Board of Governors (RESBOG), Board Member and past Chairman of the California Mortgage Bankers Association, and Advisory Board Member for Automated Mortgage Systems, Inc., and FundingShield, LLC. Hedlund has served in senior leadership positions in the mortgage divisions at several large financial institutions during his career. He also co-founded and served as Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer at AmeriHome Mortgage Company, where under his leadership, AmeriHome quickly grew to become the second-largest correspondent lender in the country. He helped lead the company’s sale to Western Alliance Bank in 2021, where he was a member of the leadership and executive team until 2024. He also founded and led Adanac Advisors Group, a boutique advisory and consulting firm. Hedlund holds a Masters of Business Administration from Dalhousie University and Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, Economic, and Marketing from Simon Fraser University.

Chief Executive Officer and Director, Guild Mortgage Company

Terry L. Schmidt is the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Guild Holdings Company. Terry has served as Guild Mortgage Company LLC’s Chief Executive Officer since July 2023 and as a member of its board of managers since August 2020. From 2006 to October 2020, she also served as a member of Guild Mortgage Company LLC’s board of directors. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, Terry served in a number of leadership positions at Guild Mortgage Company LLC, including as President from 2020 to 2023. Terry joined Guild Mortgage Company LLC in 1985. She is currently a member of the California Mortgage Bankers Association, a member of the board of directors of the Guild Giving Foundation, a non-profit organization, and a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association. Terry earned a bachelor of business administration degree in accounting from the University of San Diego and is a certified mortgage banker.

Chief Executive Officer, NFM Lending

Bob Tyson is the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of NFM Lending, following his impactful tenure as President and Chief Operating Officer. With more than 25 years of leadership in the mortgage industry, Bob has been instrumental in driving NFM Lending’s remarkable growth and national recognition. His forward-thinking approach has driven the expansion of the company’s divisions, the enhancement of its product suite, and the adoption of innovative operational models – including a successful transition to direct agency sales. Bob’s strategic vision and unwavering commitment to excellence have firmly established NFM Lending as one of the nation’s top mortgage lenders. His expertise spans both the financial and operational aspects of the business, and he has contributed his insights in key advisory roles with Freddie Mac and ICE. In addition to his professional achievements, Bob is a proud U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, having served as an Officer from 1995 to 1999. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Potomac Community Resources, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes the participation of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) in all aspects of community life. Bob’s ongoing commitment to service and leadership continues to inspire colleagues at NFM Lending and throughout the industry.

VP Business Operations, Zillow Home Loans

Eric Wilson is a seasoned leader in the U.S. mortgage and real estate industries, with more than 15 years of experience building and scaling operations at the intersection of technology and teams. He serves as vice president of business operations at Zillow Home Loans, where he leads growth initiatives for Zillow’s mortgage origination business, with a focus on modernizing the home financing experience for buyers. In this role, Wilson oversees strategy and execution across lending operations to deliver a more seamless, transparent and consumer-centric mortgage journey. With deep experience in mortgage lending and housing finance, Wilson has spent his career navigating market cycles, regulatory complexity and evolving consumer expectations. Previously, he co-founded Better.com and served as head of operations, helping scale the company from an early-stage startup through its first $2 billion in total originations and launching Better Real Estate. He began his career at Provident Funding, where he supported the company’s re-entry into the channel and facilitated one of the CFPB’s earliest mortgage servicer examinations following the 2008 financial crisis. Wilson is passionate about aligning financing more closely with the digital home shopping and purchase experience, helping borrowers make more informed choices in one of the most important purchases of their lives. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Pepperdine University.