MBA celebrates new class of certified experts
MBA Education, the educational arm of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), recognized 21 commercial real estate professionals this week for achieving the Commercial Certified Mortgage Servicer (CCMS®) designation.
The graduates were honored at a ceremony during the 2025 Commercial/Multifamily Finance Servicing and Technology Conference.
“Congratulations to the 2025 CCMS graduating class. Your achievement represents a deep commitment to excellence, professionalism, and leadership in the commercial/multifamily servicing industry,” said MBA 2025 chair elect Christine Chandler. “Earning the CCMS designation reflects years of hard work, dedication, and a passion for career advancement. This designation will set them apart as trusted experts in a complex and evolving sector.”
To qualify for the CCMS credential, candidates must accumulate 100 points across three categories: professional work experience, documented education, and industry participation. Eligibility requires a minimum of five years’ experience in commercial or multifamily servicing.
Applicants must also pass a two-part exam, one multiple choice, the other oral, that evaluates their grasp of industry complexities and best practices.
To support applicants, MBA Education offers preparatory coursework that also helps fulfill educational credit requirements.
The following professionals were recognized for earning the CCMS designation:
- Marty J. Allen, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC
- Patrick Dähnert, Essex Financial Services
- Kyle Daugherty, Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company
- Jeff Davis, Northmarq
- Dakota Dowell, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital
- Peggy Downs, Newmark
- Melanie Follstaedt, Colliers Mortgage
- Angela Gaither, PNC/Midland Loan Services
- David Gregg, Essex Financial Services
- Ryan C. Hager, PNC/Midland Loan Services
- Emily Haugh, PNC/Midland Loan Services
- Cindy L. Ina, Freddie Mac
- Diana Stewart Jones, Freddie Mac
- Frankie T. Jones, Jr., Lincoln Financial Group
- Michael J. Lindsay, Trimont, LLC
- Jacky Salazar, Mortgage Bankers Association
- Michelle Antoinette Shaw, SS&C Technologies
- Lee J. Van Asselt, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC
- Bailey Watson, Greystone
- Elise White, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC
- Pamela York, Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, LLC
The recognition of new CCMS designees comes as commercial and multifamily mortgage activity shows strong signs of recovery. According to the MBA, loan originations were up 42% year-over-year in Q1 2025, though down 40% compared to Q4 2024, reflecting normal seasonal patterns.
“Commercial and multifamily mortgage originations posted a strong rebound in the first three months of the year,” said Reggie Booker, associate vice president of commercial research at MBA. “The first quarter of the year is typically the slowest, so this level of activity, particularly the strong gains in office, health care, and multifamily lending, signals renewed momentum and growing confidence in key segments of the market.”
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Booker also noted that despite ongoing market volatility, both borrowers and lenders are increasingly identifying viable opportunities to push forward on new deals.
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