Jonathan L. Kempner, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), plans to step down on December 31. Kempner was hired in March 2001 to lead MBA through a turnaround in its operations after three especially rough years. Under his leadership, the association doubled its revenues and operating reserve fund, while scoring a host of policy and advocacy victories.
During his tenure, major strides have been recorded in MBA's various member-focused departments, including communications, research, conferences, education and technology – in both the realms of residential and commercial/multifamily real estate finance, the group adds.
John A. Courson, former chairman of the MBA, has been appointed chief operating officer effective August 1. Courson will assume the position of president of MBA effective January 1, 2009.
Courson served as chairman of MBA in 2003 and served as a member of the MBA's board of directors, the Residential Board of Governors (RESBOG) and the Commercial Real Estate/Multifamily Finance Board of Governors (COMBOG). He has previously served as chairman of the MBA's RESBOG, Legislative Steering Committee, Political Action Committee, State and Local Liaison Committee, and Mortgage Reform Task Force.
He has also served as president of the California Mortgage Bankers Association and Michigan Mortgage Bankers Association, and as a director of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association.
Source: Mortgage Bankers Association