2020 Board Members
President
Past President
Past President
Sarah Leone started her mortgage career in 2016 after buying her first home and enjoying the application process. Sarah is honored to hold the position of President Elect of the Western North Carolina association for the 2020/2021 term and enjoys the support and camaraderie of her peers. The mortgage industry is an exciting and fun indus
Sarah Leone started her mortgage career in 2016 after buying her first home and enjoying the application process. Sarah is honored to hold the position of President Elect of the Western North Carolina association for the 2020/2021 term and enjoys the support and camaraderie of her peers. The mortgage industry is an exciting and fun industry because of the people who work in it and Sarah is excited to collaborate with others in the Association!
Office: 828-229-1521
Email: sleone@unionhomemortgage.com
Past President
Past President
Past President
Christine Aiken has been a mortgage lending professional for 23 years in the Western North Carolina market. Christine has served as President of MBA of WNC from March of 2019-March of 2020, when she became the first sitting President to serve on the Board’s new 2 year terms. Christine felt it an honor to serve, but stepped down in March
Christine Aiken has been a mortgage lending professional for 23 years in the Western North Carolina market. Christine has served as President of MBA of WNC from March of 2019-March of 2020, when she became the first sitting President to serve on the Board’s new 2 year terms. Christine felt it an honor to serve, but stepped down in March of 2020 to pursue her new position as a Renovation Specialist for NC and SC, spend more time with her family and do more hands on work with her entertainment company, Asheville Aerial Arts.
Office: 828-412-4339
Cell: 828-301-5615
Email: christine.aiken@rate.com
Vice President
Past President
Vice President
Jeff Rice has been a mortgage advisor since 1994 and joined the Board of the Western North Carolina association in early 2020. Jeff has been married to his wife, Misty (who is also a mortgage advisor), for 22 years and they have two daughters together - Alyssa and Paige. Jeff is active in congregation and enjoys working with the youths at
Jeff Rice has been a mortgage advisor since 1994 and joined the Board of the Western North Carolina association in early 2020. Jeff has been married to his wife, Misty (who is also a mortgage advisor), for 22 years and they have two daughters together - Alyssa and Paige. Jeff is active in congregation and enjoys working with the youths at Brookstone Church. When Jeff isn't helping his clients in their home financing needs, he enjoys hiking, fishing and camping.
Office: 828-708-6267
Email: JRice@unitedfedcu.com
Treasurer
Treasurer
Vice President
Donna King has been in the mortgage industry for over 25 years and nearly all of those she has been active in the Mortgage Banker's Association. Currently she holds the Treasurer role but she is also a Past President. Donna's business is about building relationships and she prides herself in providing excellent customer service and knowl
Donna King has been in the mortgage industry for over 25 years and nearly all of those she has been active in the Mortgage Banker's Association. Currently she holds the Treasurer role but she is also a Past President. Donna's business is about building relationships and she prides herself in providing excellent customer service and knowledge about the mortgage industry. As a native of the mountains, Donna enjoys spending time with her two beautiful daughters and extended family in her spare time.
www.unionhomemortgage.com/dking
Office: 828-229-1528
Email: dking@unionhomemortgage.com
Secretary
Treasurer
Secretary
Kate Burger is a Loan Officer with Carolina Farm Credit. She works with the local farming community and rural home buyers to help them achieve their goals. Raised in upstate New York, Kate has been a part of the Asheville community for thirteen years. She enjoys serving her community as a member of the Buncombe County Cooperative Extensio
Kate Burger is a Loan Officer with Carolina Farm Credit. She works with the local farming community and rural home buyers to help them achieve their goals. Raised in upstate New York, Kate has been a part of the Asheville community for thirteen years. She enjoys serving her community as a member of the Buncombe County Cooperative Extension Advisory Council and the Vice Chair of the Buncombe County Strategic Partnership Grants Committee. When not at work, Kate can be found on hiking trails in Western North Carolina.
Office: 828-545-1842
Chaplain
Treasurer
Secretary
Wayne Higgins is Senior Vice President at Carolina Farm Credit. He is responsible for the overall management of the home loan division of Carolina Farm Credit and serves as a member of the management team. Wayne is a graduate of Mars Hill University with a degree in business administration and accounting. He is a member of the Board of Tr
Wayne Higgins is Senior Vice President at Carolina Farm Credit. He is responsible for the overall management of the home loan division of Carolina Farm Credit and serves as a member of the management team. Wayne is a graduate of Mars Hill University with a degree in business administration and accounting. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Mars Hill University and is the immediate past chair of the Board. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Mortgage Bankers Association of Western North Carolina and is a past president. Wayne is also a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of the Carolinas. He is a past governor of the North Carolina West District of Optimist International of which he is a member of the Hall of Fame and currently serves as President of the North Buncombe Optimist Club. He is involved in his church and numerous community activities, boards and organizations.
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Matthew Young, owner and president of GEICO Greensboro, is an active Board member and a dedicated servant to the Mortgage Banker's Association. He has a dedicated and experienced team of Home and Auto Insurance professionals, including Spanish speaking representatives, who can get you the best price for your policy and who know what is ne
Matthew Young, owner and president of GEICO Greensboro, is an active Board member and a dedicated servant to the Mortgage Banker's Association. He has a dedicated and experienced team of Home and Auto Insurance professionals, including Spanish speaking representatives, who can get you the best price for your policy and who know what is needed to get your clients to the closing table. They offer policies for just about any type of property; standard homes, mobile homes, condos, rental property, vacant property etc. It’s important to support local, so please be sure to reach out to them versus the 800 number!
Office: 336-852-7283
Email: myoung@geico.com
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Amy Congdon is an Asheville native. She attended North Buncombe High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Salem College. She entered the mortgage business in 1997 as an assistant in the origination department of a local regional bank. She then joined a local lender where she first met and partnered with Amy Hanks in 2000. Since th
Amy Congdon is an Asheville native. She attended North Buncombe High School and earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Salem College. She entered the mortgage business in 1997 as an assistant in the origination department of a local regional bank. She then joined a local lender where she first met and partnered with Amy Hanks in 2000. Since that time, she has worked as a Processor, an Underwriter, Loan Officer, Operations Manager, Sales Manager and Manager of Closing/Post Closing. Amy became part of the BHMS team in April 2014 and helped them transition from a Broker to an approved Lender in the state of North Carolina. She remains active with her local Mortgage Bankers Association for which she served as President in 2009. She is also active at a state level with Mortgage Bankers Association of the Carolinas.
www.beverly-hanks.com/offices/mortgage
Office: 828-209-0904
Email: acongdon@beverly-hanks.com
Board Member
Board Member
Board Member
Melonie Tyner believes in MBA of WNC because we are a group of mortgage professionals collectively working for the betterment of our local community. We are involved in supporting our local food bank, food and school supplies for our schools, homeless shelters, educating our neighbors to help them navigate the lending process, as wells a
Melonie Tyner believes in MBA of WNC because we are a group of mortgage professionals collectively working for the betterment of our local community. We are involved in supporting our local food bank, food and school supplies for our schools, homeless shelters, educating our neighbors to help them navigate the lending process, as wells as
local, state, and national issues that affect the housing industry. She had the pleasure of serving as president for our association from 2016 -2017 and thoroughly enjoyed this leadership role. She began her career in banking in 1989 and has focused on mortgages since 1993. This experience has
introduced Melonie to many wonderful individuals and situations that enable her to provide exceptional customer
service.
Office: 828-232-8818
Email: melonie.tyner@rate.com