The first day of this year’s National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association (NRMLA) Annual Meeting and Expo in San Diego concluded with an announcement that marks the end of an era.
The association recognized two of its most prominent past and present members with distinguished service awards. Peter Bell, NRMLA’s current CEO and former president, and Scott Norman, its former co-chair and current CEO of the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association (TMBA), were honored.
Bell also revealed that he will be retiring from the association but will continue working on affordable housing issues.
NRMLA will be separating from Bell’s association management company, Dworbell Inc., and will operate independently. Four NRMLA employees will join law firm Weiner Brodsky Kider for administrative support services.
Bell, with a career in housing policy since 1976, has been involved with reverse mortgages since the HECM program’s inception. He played a key role in founding NRMLA and has served as president and CEO. Bell will step down as CEO on Sept. 30.
During the association’s business meeting, Bell and Norman were recognized with distinguished service awards for their contributions to NRMLA. Norman, who recently became CEO of TMBA, expressed gratitude for the recognition and praised Bell as a mentor.
The announcement was made onstage with FHA Commissioner Julia Gordon during the event. Bell expressed his decision to focus on affordable housing in his remaining working years.
Norman reflected on his 25-year journey with NRMLA and acknowledged the mentors and friendships he developed in the industry. He described Bell as a great mentor and highlighted the importance of protecting seniors while utilizing home equity for retirement.
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