Each week, JWMI profiles students and alumni in its new featured series “Winning Voices.” Learn about our diverse community and what sets our program apart from those who have experienced it. For more great “Winning Voices” content, click here.
Peter A. Brock II
Residential Mortgage Loan Officer
Apex Home Loans
TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR ROLE AT APEX HOME LOANS.
I am responsible for building new business and properly structuring clients’ home financing. I oversee the pace and process for a working group of colleagues to ensure the smooth delivery of the home financing process.
WHY WERE YOU LOOKING TO GET AN MBA?
I embarked on an MBA with the goal of growing my business acumen. I am in a highly saturated industry, which is slowly but increasingly becoming more digital but with massive compliance regulations. I saw an opportunity to contribute more, participate in C-level strategy discussions, and for company growth in the industry.
DID YOU FIND THE CURRICULUM WAS IMMEDIATELY APPLICABLE?
The Jack Welch MBA met my goals. My first course was Leadership in the 21st Century, and I quickly learned how missions, values, and candor in communication could change the trajectory of not only my growth but that of my company.
My most significant areas of growth have been in my overall business acumen. Before this course, I only participated in conversations around my day-to-day work. I could easily explain mortgage information but was not confident or knowledgeable to discuss strategic objectives. Now, I frequently have conversations about revenue streams, brand awareness, hiring strategies and training, and company unification around our mission and values.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCE IN THE PROGRAM?
I was recently selected to pilot a program at my company and help lead new growth initiatives. I am also more active in the community now; I am involved in several foundation boards and school boards. This MBA program gave me the confidence to have C-level discussions around core competencies, product marketability, compensation plans, and margin capitalization. This confidence and knowledge expanded my circle of influence and put me in direct contact with those making critical business decisions.
My outlook on the future of my career is highly optimistic.
HOW HAS THE JWMI CURRICULUM HELPED YOU IN YOUR CAREER?
I learned a few key things throughout the program, which I’ve been able to take with me into my career. The marketing course, for example, opened my eyes to the critical necessity of driving engagement to keep the consumer focus. Within the mortgage business, micro-sites are especially relevant. Loan officers act like individual franchisees of the company they work for, so having a robust microsite for every loan officer provides a significant online presence to drive their book of business.
PLEASE SHARE ANY ADVICE FOR NEW STUDENTS EMBARKING ON THE MBA JOURNEY.
Be ready to go the extra mile. If you are looking for professional and personal development, this program will get you there. But it goes beyond what you experienced in your undergraduate degree. The curriculum and program test your ability to think outside the box; it will test your energy levels and commitment capabilities. It will challenge you to come up with ideas that you can use in your career. And it works if you commit to the experience.
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