A.W. Pickel, III founded LeaderOne Financial in 1992 as a local mortgage brokerage. As CEO, he has grown the corporation into a full service mortgage bank, with the distinctive capability since 1995 to underwrite conventional, VA and FHA loans in house throughout the United States. A.W. has assembled a team of top mortgage professionals from around the country, establishing LeaderOne ‘s unparalleled ability to provide each client with the right loan and direct, personalized service through every step of the process. LeaderOne Financial currently services over $100 million in loans, meeting the needs of clients for the life of the loan. That commitment to clients will not change with A.W.’s vision to grow LeaderOne to $1 billion in loans with 20 regional offices around the country. From 1999 to 2006, A.W. was a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Mortgage Brokers, serving as President from 2003 to 2004. He has testified before Congress about protecting homeowners from abusive lending practices. He served as a member of the Fannie Mae Housing Impact Advisory Council from 2003 to 2005. He has served on the Freddie Mac Loan Prospector Advisory Committee since 2004. As a respected voice in the mortgage industry, A.W. has been quoted in the Associated Press, the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News & World Report, CNNfn, and the Washington Post. A.W. continues to lend his knowledge of the inner workings of the mortgage industry as an expert for both the legal community and the media. A.W. received his Bachelors of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and attended Wheaton Graduate School. A.W. has been married since 1981, successfully raising four daughters. He holds the rank of captain in the New Century Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol flying search and rescue missions for an Auxiliary Unit of the United States Air Force.

Brent Symonds is revered to many as their mentor. He has held numerous leadership roles throughout his career that include: Private Mortgage Banking, Retail Mortgage Area Sales Manager, as well as the Reverse Mortgage Business Channel. Brent has experience managing diverse business channels over large geographic territories spanning 15 states. Among his responsibilities at LeaderOne Financial as Regional Sales Manager, Brent will focus on retail growth throughout the company’s ever expanding footprint, leading the Reverse Mortgage business channel and Third Party Origination with Banks and Credit Unions. Brent is a proud graduate of Northwest Missouri State University. He received both his B.S. and M.B.A. from NMSU. Brent, his wife Kelli, daughter Lexi, and son Braxton make their home in Overland Park, KS. He enjoys time with family, volunteering as a coach, and participating in numerous sporting activities.

David Pearson brings nearly twenty years of mortgage experience to his position as Chief Operating Officer of LeaderOne Financial. With his expertise in handling every aspect of the loan process from origination to delivery, David plays a key role in the smooth operation of the company. David’s oversight allows LeaderOne to provide the personalized, efficient service of a small company with the resources of a large corporation. Previously David created similar business building model with a small to mid-sized lender, as well as experience with operations management with Bank of America in Charlotte, NC and as branch manager for Countrywide Home Loans in Florida. He was a training consultant for over ten years, including serving as a faculty member of the American Bankers Association’s Consumer Credit School and the National Association of Mortgage Brokers. He has developed mortgage industry training programs, reference materials, text books and leader’s guides. David has been married to Jacki for 16 years, with two children. He enjoys staying active with his family in youth soccer and baseball leagues.

As the Chief Financial Officer for LeaderOne, Adam Schwartz is responsible for direct management of the accounting department. He plays an integral role in banking relationships and cash management for LeaderOne Financial, maintaining the company’s distinctive role in the mortgage markets. Adam is a member of the Executive Management Team, playing an essential part in LeaderOne’s critical decision making, risk management and business growth analysis. Adam is responsible for not only hiring, but also staff development through mentoring and evaluation. His oversight includes expense management, financial reporting and analysis, budgeting and forecasting, as well as the day-to-day accounting operations. Adam brings a solid accounting background to LeaderOne, having started his career in New York City as the senior staff accountant for the International Council of Shopping Centers. From there he spent 13 years as the division controller and accounting manager for Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company in Overland Park, Kansas. Adam graduated with a bachelor’s of science in Accounting from York College of the City University of New York. He is a member of the AICPA and the Kansas Society of CPAs. Adam is married with three children and enjoys baseball, golf and fishing.

As Chief Production Officer for LeaderOne Financial, Brent Duhaime has more than 19 years of experience in financial and lending services. Working toward LeaderOne’s continued growth and partnership development, Brent uses his vast expertise for the implementation and execution of innovative growth strategies, business acquisition and diversification, as well as cross sales. Brent serves on the Executive Board for LeaderOne Financial. He is proud to be a vital part of LeaderOne’s distinctive position in the mortgage lending market as both a broker and banker. With its access to a myriad of lending resources, LeaderOne can offer its clients the lowest rates with unparalleled efficiency and the highest quality service. Prior to coming to LeaderOne Financial, Brent spent 16 years serving in Wells Fargo branches throughout the heartland of America. Brent is a Six Sigma Black Belt and a member of both the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association. He has a Bachelor’s of Science in business management from the University of South Dakota and is currently raising his family in Frisco, Texas.

LeaderOne Financial tapped the diverse background of Michael Brady to be the Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Sales. Michael started his professional career in pharmaceutical sales and then transitioned into the logistical management of time-sensitive shipments for several large air carriers. An opportunity to run the Midwest installation division of a national satellite company gave Michael several years of invaluable management experience. When the demands of traveling for work began to compete with the demands of raising a family, Michael moved into mortgage banking. Michael uses the knowledge he gained in his ten years of working in the mortgage industry for his current focus of supporting the LeaderOne Loan Production Offices throughout the country. LeaderOne has the distinct position of being both a mortgage broker and banker, with Michael as an integral part of the unparalleled resources LeaderOne has to efficiently offer the lowest rates with the highest quality service. In addition to his extensive professional experience, Michael has a BS from Boise State University and played AA baseball in the San Francisco Giants organization. He has been married to Shannon Brady for seventeen years and enjoys watching their son, Connor, play sports.