In this episode, we sit down with Erin Dee, Chief Operating Officer at InterLinc Mortgage, to talk about what it really takes to scale revenue in today’s mortgage environment—and why strong teams and disciplined operations matter more than ever.

With more than 20 years of mortgage industry experience, Erin has built a reputation as an operator who knows how to turn complexity into clarity. Her career spans nearly every corner of the business, including underwriting, operations, technology, capital markets, compliance, quality control, and executive leadership. That breadth of experience gives her a rare, end-to-end view of how mortgage organizations actually perform—and where they break down when growth outpaces structure.

Before joining InterLinc Mortgage, Erin served as Chief Operating Officer at LoanPeople, Chief Strategy Officer at Thrive Mortgage, and Chief Operating Officer at Infinity Mortgage Holdings, where she managed multi-department organizations and led initiatives that improved efficiency, accountability, and customer outcomes. She has also played a critical role in helping build and scale independent mortgage banks from the ground up, giving her firsthand insight into what sustainable growth really requires.

Since joining InterLinc Mortgage, Erin has hit the ground running. In just a few months, she has already led efforts to improve operational turn times across processing, underwriting, and closing, helping teams deliver loans more efficiently without sacrificing quality. She is also spearheading updates to corporate operational procedures to ensure the company’s infrastructure is aligned with long-term growth goals. These changes are designed not just to improve speed, but to create consistency, reduce friction, and support both frontline teams and borrowers throughout the loan process.

Erin’s leadership style is rooted in clarity, accountability, and people-first execution. Her ability to quickly integrate into InterLinc’s culture has strengthened team morale and reinforced a collaborative environment where performance and support go hand in hand. It’s a reminder that scaling revenue isn’t just about volume—it’s about building systems and teams that can perform under pressure, market shifts, and continued growth.

Beyond her role at InterLinc, Erin is a recognized industry leader. She currently serves as Secretary and Treasurer of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA) and is the incoming Vice President for the 2024–2025 term. She is also a frequent guest on respected industry platforms including The Mortgage Collaborative, Lykken on Lending, and The Connect with TSAHC, where she shares insights on leadership, operations, and the future of mortgage banking.

In this conversation, Erin breaks down how strong operations fuel revenue growth, why leadership matters most during periods of change, and how mortgage companies can build teams that perform consistently—not just when markets are easy. This episode is essential listening for mortgage executives, operations leaders, and anyone responsible for scaling people, process, and performance in a demanding industry.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is a capital markets technology platform that helps lenders optimize pricing, manage margin, and execute loans efficiently in real time.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify provides a borrower-focused point-of-sale solution that streamlines document collection, communication, and workflow from application through closing.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork delivers fast,...

In this episode, we sit down with S. John Murray, a mortgage professional whose career spans more than four decadesand reflects a rare combination of longevity, discipline, and deep commitment to people over transactions. With over 41 years in mortgage banking and more than 10,630 families served, John’s work represents what long-term success in lending actually looks like when it’s built on trust, consistency, and community impact.

John specializes in mortgage planning as a tool for long-term wealth building, particularly through real estate. Rather than focusing on short-term wins, his approach centers on helping clients understand how financing decisions fit into their broader financial lives. From first-time homebuyers taking their first step into ownership to experienced real estate investors managing complex portfolios, John’s guidance is rooted in education, clarity, and strategy.

As a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist (CMPS), John brings a planning-first mindset to every conversation. He helps clients evaluate financing options based not just on today’s rate environment, but on long-term goals, cash flow, equity growth, and overall financial health. His deep experience in jumbo mortgages and advanced financing structures allows him to support high-net-worth borrowers while still maintaining the same care and attention he gives to every client.

A graduate of the University of Michigan with a degree in economics, John leverages his academic foundation to help clients better understand market cycles, interest rate movements, and timing decisions. That perspective has proven especially valuable in volatile markets, where confidence and clarity matter more than ever. John’s ability to translate economic trends into practical advice is one of the reasons clients continue to rely on him year after year.

Throughout this conversation, we explore what it means to build a career that lasts in mortgage lending. John shares insights on maintaining relevance through changing market cycles, why consistency matters more than volume, and how strong community relationships create durable businesses. We also discuss how mortgage professionals can better serve clients by shifting from a transactional mindset to a planning-based approach that builds trust over time.

This episode is a reminder that success in mortgage banking isn’t just about production numbers. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and serving people well—year after year, market after market. If you’re a mortgage professional looking to build a sustainable career, or a consumer interested in making smarter long-term financing decisions, this conversation offers perspective that only experience can provide.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is a capital markets technology platform that helps lenders optimize pricing, manage margin, and execute loans more efficiently in real time.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify is a mortgage point-of-sale solution that streamlines borrower communication, document collection, and workflow from application to close.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork provides fast, secure income and employment verification, helping lenders reduce friction and speed up loan approvals.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders, borrowers, and settlement agents from wire fraud and transaction risk through real-time verification and closing protection.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Matthew Patterson, the President of First Alliance Home Mortgage and one of the industry’s most grounded and quietly influential leaders. Matthew’s path is not the typical decades-long climb—his rise has been marked by rapid advancement, authentic leadership, and a commitment to building teams that put the borrower first.

Before taking the helm at First Alliance Home Mortgage, Matthew held leadership roles at Draper & Kramer Mortgage Corp, Rate, Superior Mortgage, Greentree Mortgage, and Wells Fargo. His experience spans originations, retail lending, corporate sales, business development, and executive leadership—giving him a rare, 360-degree understanding of what loan officers, lenders, and consumers actually need to succeed.

At First Alliance Home Mortgage, Matthew leads a company rooted in local service, in-house processing, and real relationships. With underwriting, processing, and closing all handled locally, First Alliance has built a reputation for speed, clarity, and borrower-first decision-making. Matthew’s leadership extends that mission—ensuring that loan officers feel supported, consumers feel understood, and the company stays committed to the communities it serves.

In this episode, we unpack Matthew’s approach to leadership that lasts, including:

• What separates temporary leaders from impactful ones

• How to build teams that stay focused when the market is uncertain

• Why “leadership energy” matters more than leadership titles

• The importance of borrower trust and relationship-driven service

• What Matthew learned from working across nearly every role in mortgage

• How First Alliance Home Mortgage maintains speed and quality without losing its personal touch

• What it really takes to grow a regional lender without losing its culture

Matthew’s story is not just about career growth—it’s about impact, service, and creating an environment where people can do the best work of their lives. If you’re a loan officer, branch leader, mortgage executive, or anyone working to build something that lasts, this episode will give you clarity, perspective, and practical leadership takeaways you can use immediately.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is the industry’s most powerful and flexible capital markets platform, helping lenders optimize pricing, margin management, and loan execution with real-time precision.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify is a modern point-of-sale platform that streamlines document collection, borrower communication, and workflow automation for mortgage professionals.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork simplifies income and employment verification with secure, fast, and borrower-friendly technology that reduces friction and speeds up approvals.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders and consumers from wire fraud and closing-table risk with real-time verification and unmatched transaction security.