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A day in the life of ...

Mike Mange has been in the mortgage business for over 12 years. Mike is above all dedicated to helping his clients through the home buying or refinancing process, and gives each one his personal cell phone number just to make sure they can reach him during this important time. Mike is always at your service!

Mike and his wife Heather live in Ashland, Mo., with their 11-year-old boy and girl twins, Cooper and Jakely, and their 6-year-old son, Teller. When Mike isn't working hard in the office for his veterans, he's out coaching soccer, playing guitar, hiking or playing outdoors with the kids and their numerous pets. "Some will, some won't, so what ... NEXT!" — Terry Sullivan Just recently I was a part of the Veterans United Island club as a reward for both my efficiency and for being a top producer. We spent several days in the Caribbean, and though I can't pinpoint one particular memory, it was a great time with great people. I'm happy to call these coworkers my friends. Communication, communication, communication. Both with my assistants and the veterans we work for. As a VA Loan specialist with a company that does so much online business, it's important to establish a great rapport with clients that helps them feel comfortable as we handle their largest asset. I have made great leaps in my technological skills which have been very helpful. Also having a team working for me has greatly helped both my personal and professional growth. I have a lot of people depending on me to come through for them! I have been in the mortgage business for over 13 years, and have worked on both the retail and wholesale sides. Being on the wholesale side gave me a window into many different mortgage brokers and lenders, so I knew what I was looking for. I have seen the rest, and I am now with the best.

Ryan has been in the mortgage business since 2001. When he isn't at work, Ryan likes to catch live music, travel and sing in the car with the windows down, but he works most of the time.

Not only is Ryan a great assistant loan officer for Veterans United Home Loans, but he's also a First Lieutenant in the Army National Guard. Ryan is passionate about helping people in everything he does. He feels best when he can lay his head down at night feeling like he's done some good in the world that day. "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7) The morning I sat back down at my desk and put my headset on after being gone a long while with the Army. It was great to be with my team again! I think that communication and a competitive drive are essential. Having a leadership background with the military, I am able to relate and relay information quickly and efficiently to veterans to help them feel comfortable moving forward and working with us. My motivation to be #1 in everything I do has contributed to our team's success. My time at Veterans United has taught me that the better employees are treated, the better quality and quantity of work they produce. Veterans United has a great management system in place and takes really good care of its people, who in turn are responsible for the company's success. It's an excellent example of "you get out of it what you put into it." I started in the mortgage industry in 2001, and then in 2006 I joined the military to serve my country. Shortly after this, I connected with former co-workers who now worked at Veterans United. I realized that a job at Veterans United would be a great way to link my civilian and military careers, and joined their team. Every chance I get now, I tell people how gratifying it is to work here.

Gina Hult's coworkers describe her as knowledgeable, upbeat and passionate about her job: key components for a demanding position like underwriting. When she's not hard at work reviewing and approving loans for veterans, Gina loves spending time with her husband of 21 years, Bob, and their three kids and three grandkids. Gina grows tomatoes and herbs in the backyard to fuel her passion for Italian cooking, and makes lasagna and shrimp fettuccine alfredo for the family at least once a month. In her free time, she likes to kick back and watch hockey or football, occasionally mixing it up with a little baseball. She'll read any scary novel she can get her hands on (Stephen King is her favorite) but she's not a fan of scary movies. "Through humor you can soften the worst blows that life delivers. And once you find laughter, no matter how painful your situation might be, you can survive it." — Bill Cosby

Definitely the Rock and Roll Out party. I was still new to Veterans United and when Nate, our CEO, rolled in on a Harley, I knew I'd made the right decision to work here! Communication skills are the most important, with attention to details being a close second. As underwriters, we need to be able to effectively communicate conditions on a loan and to explain and or defend them when necessary. VAMC has helped me grow as an individual and as a member of the community. The "give back" mentality here is so refreshing. While most corporations are only worried about the bottom line, VAMC really cares about our veterans and making a difference in their lives. I chose Veterans United because I was looking for a place to call home. A place I could respect and grow. I did my research and what I found made me realize this was the place to be. The longer I am here, the more convinced I am that I made the right decision!

Dureill Ballinger started at Veterans United Home Loans as an intern. Six months later he was hired for a full-time position in our processing department, and 12 months after that we promoted him to a spot in the closing department where his skills really shine. Whenever he's not tying up loose ends at work, Dureill enjoys watching Mizzou basketball and football, rooting for the Lakers and kicking back playing a good video game. "I want to know to know God's thoughts, the rest are details" — Albert Einstein Going to Las Vegas with a few of my coworkers from Veterans United. It was my first time in Vegas, and definitely memorable! My job requires attention to detail and the ability to multitask, as well as organization and effective communication. I have to be able to work on multiple items quickly and accurately, and explain information to everyone else involved in the closing process. Working at Veterans United has helped me realize that hard work and attention to detail don't go unnoticed, and that these things will continue to help you achieve your goals, in and outside of the workplace. I heard about the great atmosphere and liked what the company stood for, and figured that I would fit in well. I started here as an intern while I was finishing up college, and kept working after graduation. I was promoted to a processor and then to my current position in loan closing. I am excited to continue to grow and advance in a company with such a bright future.

Sarah Boehm tries to love working out and running, but she sometimes finds that having a beer and a burger is just more fun. She comes from a big family with lots of cousins and wouldn't trade it for the world. Her consistently upbeat attitude makes her as popular around the office as she is with her clients, and you get the feeling that there's very little that she can't do once she puts her mind to it. This makes her a great fit in our credit repair department where she helps clients work toward home ownership every day. "Choose not a life of imitation" — Red Hot Chili Peppers There are so many! Of course all the parties and events the company throws for us are amazing, but I also have some great memories from regular work days. My favorite has to be the first approval I got on my own as a consultant. My client was the nicest guy I think I have encountered in this job. He was willing to do whatever it took to get his credit in shape, and was so excited when we were able to approve him for a loan. He did everything I asked and then some, and was so grateful throughout the whole process. I'll never forget him calling to thank me after he closed his loan. Without a doubt, compassion, patience, and the ability to motivate. You cannot help borrowers if you don't have these three traits. People want to tell you their stories and you have to know how to balance caring about their stories and listening while also being able to help them push through the hard times and work to rebuild. This is a tough question for me to answer because I feel like VAMC has helped me grow in every aspect. I have become more patient, developed my listening skills, and improved my efficiency as an employee. These are all things that help me get my job done throughout the day, but I feel more importantly that VAMC has helped me with my overall outlook on life. I have learned not to take things for granted, to be more positive and to always dream big. I had a friend who worked here who wore shorts, flip-flops, and a t-shirt to work every day over the summer, and I won't lie: that made a pretty good first impression on me. Then when I came to interview, I fell in love with the atmosphere. I was introduced to Brock (one of the brothers who founded the company) on my first day, and he seemed genuinely excited to meet me, as did the other employees I met. Everyone seemed so willing to help and welcome me, and it was unlike any traditional office job I had experienced before. The main reason I am still with Veterans United and plan to be for a long time is very simple. If I am having a bad day, work is where I come to cheer up. Not many people can say that their co-workers genuinely care about one another, but I can. If my day has been rough, I know I can turn to anyone in the office for a laugh or support, and that is invaluable.

Around the office, Phil is known for his quick smile and winning attitude. Combine these with his intuitive approach to programming, and you've got a recipe for success. Phil grew up all over the Midwest and has lived in South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri. He is a big fan of the Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis Cardinals. Even though he misses his fellow Vikings fans, he prefers the weather here in Cardinals territory. When Phil isn't working or following sports, he enjoys playing basketball and board games with friends and family. He is also an avid movie buff, and a self-admitted addict of the TV show, 24.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others." — Marianne Williamson, as quoted in the movie "Coach Carter" This would have to be the Friday that our programming team played laser tag. I'm not sure there was any real significance behind the event, but I had just started at Veterans United and it was a great way to break the ice and get to know everyone here at work. First and foremost, I must be knowledgeable about programming. Beyond that, I need to interpret and understand the specifications given to me. My team gets handed some tough issues and we must be able to think on our feet, brainstorming and analyzing projects while completing the job and producing the highest quality product. Veterans United has helped me gain professional experience. Since starting here, I've had many opportunities to further my skills as a programmer. To name a few: I conducted my first interview, saw my work used by every employee in the company, and helped launch a new website for VAMC to close third-party originated loans. I could tell immediately that Veterans United offered an exciting work environment. Perks like Monday lunches and Thursday/Friday massages are a great addition to every week. I love the laid back atmosphere, and feel that it helps my production as an employee. On top of all that, my coworkers know how to have fun and crack a joke or two. It would be hard not to like working here.

Because no job is complete without perks ... we've got them by the boatload.

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