Five Star Conference Sessions Highlight New Business Opportunities

Wednesday’s agenda at the Five Star Conference at the Omni Hotel in Dallas was filled with many learning opportunities for real estate professionals.

The Property Preservation Executive Forum Member Breakfast drew representation from the nation’s most prominent field services companies, and the member meeting brought together property preservation executives and leading mortgage servicers for transparent conversations about the state of the industry and interactions with clients. The event was limited to PPEF members and Five Star invited guests.

Investment & Lending Forum

The Managing Risk Across the Mortgage Lifecycle forum featured discussions on risk management strategies.
Economic uncertainty, natural disasters, fraud risks, and borrower stress continue to challenge the industry. Experts discussed enterprise risk management strategies spanning origination, servicing, portfolio monitoring, loss mitigation, and operational resilience. The session focuses on how organizations can identify emerging risks before they become major disruptions.

The panelists included:

• Candace Russell, VP | Carrington Mortgage Services
• Joanne Gonzalez, SVP, Loan Servicing Administration | Servbank
• Eric Lapin, VP and Head of Strategy & Market Intelligence | Fico
• Timika Scott, SVP, Default Ops, Asset Disposition, Claims & Default Analysis | U.S. Bank

The New Economics of Mortgage Lending forum talked about a balancing act.

Margins remain under pressure while borrower expectations continue to rise. Industry leaders examine how lenders are balancing growth, cost management, pricing strategy, and operational efficiency in an increasingly competitive market. Discussion includes profitability drivers, production strategies, and the role of technology in improving performance.

The panel included:

• Matthew Clarke, President and Chief Operating Officer | Churchill Mortgage Corporation
• Darryl MacNair, Fractional CFO/Consultant
* David Sober, VP – Automation Sales | Indecomm
• Keith Ustler, Partner | McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLC

Mortgage AI FOMO

What are others doing? With generative AI dominating every corporate agenda, mortgage leaders face intense pressure to adopt these tools, but distinguishing true operational ROI from marketing hype is a persistent challenge. Mortgage AI FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) tackles the anxiety of rapid tech adoption head-on. Phoenix Team executives cut through the noise to provide a pragmatic roadmap for mortgage originators, subservicers, and asset managers. This session looked at where AI delivers measurable lifts in efficiency—such as automated data extraction, MISMO alignment, and predictive risk analytics—and where hasty implementation risks costly compliance and security missteps.

The panelists included:

• Tela Mathias, Chief Technology Officer, PhoenixTeam; CEO, Phoenix Burst | Phoenix
• Luke Grizzaffi, VP of Technology | Xome
* John Hubbarth, VP, Servicing Governance & Oversight | Rocket Mortgage
• Bhupinder Singh, SVP, Head of Product & Operations | BSI Financial Services
• Arvind Sinha, SVP – Digital Mortgage Solutions | Consolidated Analytics
• Luke Grizzaffi, VP of Technology | Xome

The Five Star Academy – Powered by the FORCE was open to all attendees.

The Five Star Academy allowed attendees to elevate their expertise through industry certifications and professional development courses. Whether they were looking to deepen their knowledge, sharpen their skill set, or stay ahead of regulatory changes, the academy’s curriculum offered targeted training led by seasoned professionals designed to deliver immediate impact and unlock new opportunities in their field.

Build the Machine: Creating a Plug-and-Play Business

For agents and brokers who feel like every transaction depends on them personally. This session focuses on creating repeatable systems, workflows, and transaction management processes that reduce bottlenecks, prevent missed deadlines, improve consistency, and make it easier to onboard and train team members without reinventing the wheel every time. Attendees will learn how to build a business that saves time, reduces daily stress, creates a more predictable client experience, and allows them to step away with confidence knowing the work is still getting done.

The session was conducted by Beth Golding, Founder | Beth Golding TMC.

Commercial REO Reimagined

The commercial REO market is evolving, creating new opportunities for agents and brokers who understand today’s challenges and client expectations. This session explored current market trends, emerging asset classes, changes in disposition strategies, and what servicers and asset managers are looking for in their brokerage partners. Whether they’re expanding into commercial REO or looking to strengthen your existing business, they gained practical insights to help identify opportunities, position services, and successfully navigate today’s commercial default landscape.

The session was conducted by GayLynn Chavez, VP | Commercial ForeclosureMAX and Louis Chavez, CEO | Chavez & Associates.

Become the Investor’s Go-To-Agent

Investors need agents who understand more than the market—they need partners who know how to navigate financing, avoid closing delays, and keep deals moving. Attendees joined Valya Fisher, Vice President of Loan Processing and Head of Transaction Coordination at Built Lending, to learn how financing strategies, streamlined transaction management, and strong coordination can help them better serve investor clients or grow their own investment business. The session also covered asset-based lending and how understanding investor financing can help agents identify opportunities earlier in the transaction. Walk away with practical tips to close deals more efficiently, build stronger investor relationships, and create more opportunities for repeat business.

The session was conducted by Joseph V. Scorese, SVP of Business Development | Built-Lending, and Valya Fisher, VP Processing | Built Lending

Unlock New Income: Opportunities in Probate & Receiverships

The session was aimed at expanding your business by exploring two growing opportunities in the default mortgage space. It introduced real estate agents and brokers to the basics of probate and receiverships, including how these processes work, where opportunities exist, and how they intersect with distressed properties. Attendees learned the roles of the key parties involved, common challenges, and best practices for working with attorneys, courts, lenders, and property owners. Whether they were looking to diversify their business or better serve existing clients, this class provided practical insights to help navigate these specialized areas with confidence.

The class was conducted by Keith Stone, Realtor | The Keith Stone Real Estate Group.

Run the Machine: Accountability, Leadership, and AI for Growth

For leaders managing growing businesses, increasing transaction volume, and multiple moving parts, this session focused on accountability, delegation, oversight, risk management, and the practical use of AI to support operations without sacrificing quality, compliance, or control. Attendees learned how to build dependable teams, create accountability without micromanagement, use AI responsibly, and spend less time chasing people and deadlines while maintaining high standards and protecting their business.

The session was conducted by Beth Golding, Founder | Beth Golding TMC.

Wisdom from the Well

New to the default servicing industry? This interactive mentoring session paired newer agents and brokers with experienced industry veterans for candid, small-group conversations about building relationships, avoiding common pitfalls, navigating career growth, and finding success in today’s market. Bring your questions, gain practical advice, expand your network, and leave with insights that can only come from years of experience.

Legal League also held its Default Insights – A Collaborative Classroom Series.

Critical Decision Points in the Life of a Defaulted Loan

From the first missed payment through an eviction lockout, this session examined the key decisions that can alter the trajectory of a file.

Essential Soft Skills for Loss Mitigation

Successful mediation requires preparation, authority, and the right approach. This session covered common mistakes in loss mitigation mediations and how to better navigate the process. Learn why having the right decision-makers present, understanding the full loan history, and being prepared with options are critical to reaching resolution. Topics included mediation etiquette, communicating effectively, avoiding bad faith concerns, and focusing on compromise rather than winning the case. Attendees will leave with practical guidance for making mitigation more productive and successful.

Code Violations & Super Liens: Hidden Risks in Distressed Assets

Distressed properties can come with hidden issues that impact timelines, costs, and successful resolution. This session covered code violations, municipal liens, and super liens that can create challenges for property professionals.

NMSA Fall Member Meeting

This invitation-only session will brought together National Mortgage Servicing Association members and industry leaders focused the discussion on key priorities, emerging issues, and developments impacting the mortgage servicing industry.

Distressed Assets Forum

The Distressed Assets Forum held several sessions.

Fireside Chat

This was a candid conversation with industry leaders as they shared their perspectives on today’s market and what’s ahead.

The panel included Molly Merchant, REO Manager | Statebridge Company; Dorothy Macias, Reo Realtor/Sr Escrow Officer | Commonwealth Home Realty.

Creating New Opportunities

The REO and foreclosure market requires professionals to have specialized skills, strong relationships, and the ability to navigate complex transactions. Those same skills can open the door to new opportunities and solutions for managing distressed assets. This session explored how you can leverage your experience to expand into new solutions for your clients and revenue streams for your business. Attendees learned how to turn your existing expertise into new business opportunities and build a more resilient real estate career.

The panel included Eric Delgado, Director | MCM Capital; Louis Amaya, Founder & CEO | Pemco; Glenn Brooks, President, Genstone Asset Disposition | Genstone; Cristina E Gaspar, President | Mr. Short Sale; Windy Keefe, Business Development Director | REO Network.

Table Talk Discussions: Expanding Your Business Beyond Traditional Real Estate

The market is changing, and successful real estate professionals are looking for new ways to grow, adapt, and create additional revenue streams. These interactive table discussions brought together industry peers to share ideas, strategies, and lessons learned across a range of opportunities. Topics included becoming a real estate investor, building property management services, diversifying your business for any market cycle, and understanding the opportunities within reverse mortgages.

This panel included Justin Askew, COO | AREMCO; Norris Bishop, Broker | Norris Bishop Realty; GayLynn Chavez, Vice President | Commercial ForeclosureMAX; Barry Owens, CEO & Co-Founder | Asset Bridge Solutions LLC; Tony Disano, Broker & Receiver | Parkvue Realty.

Back to the Future: What to Expect in the 2027 Foreclosure Market

In this session hosted by the National Association of Default Professionals (NADP), a data-driven, up-to-the-minute analysis of today’s foreclosure market and what’s in store for 2027. The information-packed session included expert commentary from industry analysts, default servicers, asset managers, and real estate professionals, offering insights into delinquency, default, and foreclosure trends and the real-world implications for professionals across the entire default servicing ecosystem. Attendees learned how Learn how to separate hype from reality in today’s foreclosure headlines. Where tomorrow’s foreclosure volume will come from – how high it will be, what it will look like, and when to expect it.

The panel was Rick Sharga, Founder & CEO | CJ Patrick Company; Glenn Brooks, President, Genstone Asset Disposition | Genstone; Bryce Fendall, Vice President | Statebridge Company; Talia Ramirez, President | Spectrum Solutions Acquisitions; Nolan Turner, Managing Director | Carrington Holding Company;
Stephanie See, Broker/ President | Results Real Estate, Inc.

The closing remarks were given by Paul Viguerie, VP, Head of Commercial and Retail Brokerage | Altisource.

Mortgage Servicing Forum

The Next Chapter in Loss Mitigation

Loss mitigation continues to evolve as servicers manage changing economic conditions and updated program requirements. This session covered key updates impacting the industry, including the impact of stagflation and recent FHA and VA guideline changes. Industry experts discussed what these changes mean for servicers, borrowers, and default teams. Attendees learned what to watch for and how to adapt strategies in today’s servicing environment.

Panelists included Ryan Bourgeois, Partner | Barrett Daffin Frappier Turner and Engel, LLP; Michael Blair, COO | Livegage Inc.; Benjamin Gottheim, VP, Policy and SQA | Freddie Mac; Alex Verget, VP Business services | Aspen Grove; Reneau Longoria, Managing Member and Owner | Doonan, Graves & Longoria LLC

The Good, The Bad & The Crazy
Mortgage servicers continue to face changing legal interpretations, regulatory challenges, and new theories that may impact default servicing and loss mitigation. This session covered recent developments — from lessons learned and best practices to new legal arguments raising questions for the industry. Such topics as the “$1 judgment” theory and claims that default judgments may be extinguished.

Panelists included Michael Chisholm, Director of Client Relations | Friedman Vartolo; Jennifer Rogers, Managing Attorney | IDEA Law Group; Candace Russell, VP | Carrington Mortgage Services; Sally Garrison, CEO | The Mortgage Law Firm

Managing Growth During Industry Change

Mortgage servicing is seeing increased volumes while the industry continues to consolidate through mergers and acquisitions. This session discussed how servicers, law firms, and vendors can manage growth while maintaining quality, compliance, and efficiency.

Panelists were Roy Diaz, Managing Shareholder | Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A.; Deloise Browne-Milner, Sr Operations Manager, Foreclosure, Bankruptcy & Distressed Properties | Freddie Mac; Patrick O’Brien, Chief Operations Officer | Stern & Eisenberg; Neil Sherman, President | Schneiderman & Sherman, PC
Erika Garcia, COO | Global Strategic; Jackie Torres, SVP of Loan Operations | Cenlar

Closing Remarks were made by David Demers, Partner | Cooke Demers, LLC.