As the organization’s 2017 Annual Convention and Expo drew to a close, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) President and CEO David Stevens announced that he plans to retire Sept. 30, 2018. Stevens cited the perspective he gained during his battle with cancer as a contributing factor to his decision.
“With my cancer in remission, focusing on family, friends and staying healthy is my priority,” Stevens said, according to a press release. “This was a difficult decision; it’s hard to walk away from supporting an industry that shaped my career. It’s been an honor to work with the talented staff, strong leadership and diverse membership of the MBA.”
Stevens plans to continue to head up the MBA until that day comes and, in the meantime, the association has launched a search for a new leader, using a “diverse MBA member search committee,” chaired by MBA’s immediate past Chairman Rodrigo Lopez, the release states. The release further stated that under Stevens’ leadership the association has been restored to “its strongest financial health in its 104-year history.”
Stevens joined MBA in May 2011. The association underwent a rebranding during his tenure and consistently experienced higher than anticipated membership growth year over year.
“We all support Dave in his decision,” 2018 MBA Chairman David Motley said in the release. “MBA has never been stronger and is well positioned to manage this transition. Dave has given his heart and soul to MBA for nearly seven years and on behalf of the entire membership, we are incredibly grateful for his leadership.”
Stevens has guided the association’s regulatory and legislative priorities and was instrumental in the creation of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation in 2011. The foundation is focused on helping families with critically ill children. Stevens’ cancer diagnosis came in 2016, but he announced during this year’s convention that the disease is no longer traceable in his body.
The search committee is made up of 12 volunteer MBA members and intends to begin its nationwide search for Stevens’ replacement immediately.