In this episode, we sit down with one of the most respected operators in modern mortgage banking — James Hecht, the newly appointed CEO of OneTrust Home Loans. With more than 30 years of executive leadership across the largest and most influential lending institutions in the country, James brings a rare combination of operational discipline, strategic clarity, and vision for what sustainable growth looks like in today’s market.

Hecht’s career spans some of the most transformational chapters in mortgage history. From 16 years at Bank of America, where he rose from Managing Director to National Retail Fulfillment & Underwriting Executive, to his tenure as Chief Operating Officer at Stearns Lending, and later Head of Production for National Retail Lending at Newrez (formerly Caliber) — James has repeatedly been at the helm when companies needed scale, structure, and leadership that inspires performance.

Now, as the newly appointed CEO of OneTrust Home Loans, James is spearheading the next era of expansion across distributed retail, joint ventures, and portfolio lending. Backed by a sophisticated operational foundation, approved with Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae & Freddie Mac, and strengthened by a growing portfolio platform and construction lending division, OneTrust is positioned to compete with lenders far beyond its size. And under James’ direction, the company is tightening its alignment across business channels to unlock growth opportunities in a tightening housing market.

In this conversation, James breaks down:

• How to align business units for long-term performance

• Why joint ventures remain one of the most powerful growth engines

• What differentiates fiscally disciplined lenders from those who collapse under market pressure

• Why operational excellence still wins — even as technology reshapes the industry

• How to recruit, develop, and retain top-tier originators

• What leadership looks like in an era where lenders must do more with less

You’ll hear insights from a leader who has managed teams through booms, contractions, acquisitions, pivots, and reinventions — all while keeping a relentless focus on service, partnership, and disciplined execution. For mortgage executives, branch managers, and operators looking to understand where the industry is heading and how to build an organization that thrives through uncertainty, this episode is essential.

Polly — https://polly.io
Polly is the mortgage industry’s leading pricing and capital markets platform, helping lenders unlock speed, accuracy, and profit through modern, cloud-native technology.

Floify — https://floify.com
Floify empowers lenders with a fast, customizable, borrower-friendly point-of-sale system built to simplify applications and accelerate closing timelines.

TrueWork — https://truework.com
TrueWork streamlines income and employment verification for lenders with secure, automated verification workflows that reduce friction and shorten the approval process.

FundingShield — https://fundingshield.com
FundingShield protects lenders and consumers from wire fraud and closing-table risk with real-time verification solutions that secure transactions from funding to recording.

In this episode of MikedUp, we sit down with Gene Thompson, a mortgage leader whose story is built on loyalty, grit, and an unwavering belief in serving people—without exception. After 16 years of dedication to InterLinc Mortgage, Gene is now the majority owner of the company, stepping into a new era of leadership rooted in authenticity, accountability, and long-term impact. But this isn’t a corporate takeover story—it’s a leadership journey.

Gene started at InterLinc in 2007 during one of the toughest markets in history. Rather than run from the storm, he leaned in. He built relationships. He built teams. He built trust. He quickly rose through the ranks—from sales leader to President in 2010, and then President & CEO in 2021. And now, as owner, he’s doubling down on the mission that built InterLinc’s reputation: do business the right way and take care of people first—always.

This episode is packed with insight for loan officers, branch managers, IMB executives, team leaders, and anyone who believes service is a strategy—not a slogan.

• Gene’s path from loan officer to CEO and now majority owner

• Lessons learned from building in a down market

• Why investing in people—not markets—is the smartest strategy

• Culture as a business model: Service Without Exception

• How InterLinc is expanding while others are shrinking

• Why leadership must be personal—not performative

• The future of tech and human connection in lending

• How discipline, faith, and consistency shaped Gene’s success

• The mindset required to thrive when the market is tough

• What legacy really looks like in modern lending

Gene brings a grounded, no-fluff philosophy to leadership. He shows that you don’t need slogans to win—you need standards. He reminds us that mortgages aren’t just transactions—they’re life decisions that deserve care, clarity, and commitment.

If you’re tired of buzzwords and want to hear real talk from a leader who walks his values daily, this episode is for you.

Polly
Powering modern mortgage capital markets. Polly delivers flexible, fast, and intelligent pricing and pipeline management solutions built for today’s lenders.
Website: https://polly.io

Floify
The secure, customizable mortgage point-of-sale platform that gives lenders speed, transparency, and borrower satisfaction.
Website: https://floify.com

Truework
Fast, secure income and employment verification for mortgage lenders—reducing friction and speeding up approvals.
Website: https://truework.com

FundingShield
The industry’s #1 wire and title fraud prevention platform—protecting lenders and borrowers at closing.
Website: https://www.fundingshield.com

In this week’s episode of MikedUp, we go inside the engine room of one of the nation’s most successful mortgage brokerages — C2 Financial — with its President, David Temko. Known for his sharp vision, leadership discipline, and deep understanding of financial systems, David has helped solidify C2 Financial’s position as the #1 Mortgage Broker in America, driving innovation that blends technology, trust, and long-term value for loan officers and borrowers alike.

As President, David oversees all company verticals — from technology integrations and operational performance to strategic growth — all with a single focus: empowering loan officers to deliver superior client experiences. His background as a top performer at Wells Fargo’s Commercial and Business Banking Group in Southern California gives him a rare perspective that bridges the precision of commercial lending with the creativity and agility of modern mortgage banking.

In this episode, David breaks down the architecture of C2’s success — the systems, culture, and mindset that keep the company ahead in a fast-evolving mortgage landscape. He shares how C2 continues to adapt, innovate, and lead with purpose, even amid tightening markets and technological disruption.

Listeners will learn:

• How C2 Financial grew into the largest independent mortgage broker in the U.S.

• The leadership philosophy that keeps C2’s loan officers performing at their best

• How technology and human connection coexist in the company’s growth model

• The operational architecture that enables scalability and efficiency

• Why empowerment, not control, drives loyalty and innovation within C2

• The future of broker-channel lending and what it means for independent professionals

David also opens up about his leadership evolution — from his early days in traditional banking to leading a dynamic, tech-empowered organization — and what it takes to build sustainable growth in an industry that’s constantly reshaping itself. His story is equal parts strategy and heart, showing how structure, service, and shared purpose can elevate a company beyond numbers.

“At C2, our mission is simple — to maximize the value we bring to every loan officer and every borrower we serve.”
This episode captures that mission in action: clear vision, smart execution, and a culture designed to last.

Polly
The modern mortgage capital markets platform that empowers lenders with smart pricing, hedging, and pipeline management solutions.
Website: https://polly.io

Floify
A secure, easy-to-use point-of-sale platform that helps lenders streamline borrower communication and document collection.
Website: https://floify.com

Truework
Simplifies income and employment verification to accelerate mortgage approvals while maintaining data accuracy and compliance.
Website: https://truework.com

FundingShield
The industry leader in wire and title fraud prevention, protecting lenders and borrowers with real-time verification tools.
Website: https://www.fundingshield.com