#United States #Phoenix #Geri Farr #NEXA Lending #Mike Kortas

NEXA Lending's Leadership Transition: Geri Farr Takes the Helm

In a significant shift within its leadership framework, NEXA Lending has announced the appointment of Geri Farr as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), succeeding Mike Kortas, who will now serve as an Executive Partner. This transition underscores NEXA's commitment to evolving its operational and strategic goals while allowing Kortas to focus on innovation and growth.

New Beginnings for NEXA's Leadership

This leadership change reflects a well-thought-out decision to delineate the everyday operational responsibilities of running the company from the visionary aspect of steering its future growth. Mike Kortas, who has been pivotal in the growth of NEXA, expressed that his new role as Executive Partner enables him to dedicate more time to the essential aspects of the business that require his visionary insight.

Highlighting this shift, Kortas stated, "I have never cared about being called CEO; what I care about is growth and finding new ways for our loan officers to maximize their earnings." His comment emphasizes the importance of placing the right individuals in leadership roles and enabling them to excel in their capacities. With Farr taking the CEO position, Kortas aims to champion the innovative and expansive strategies that will propel NEXA forward.

The Dynamic Relationship Between Geri Farr and Mike Kortas

The professional relationship between Farr and Kortas dates back nearly two decades. Farr previously managed Kortas at NOVA Home Loans, and the bond they formed has strengthened through their shared experiences in the mortgage industry. Farr's tenure at NEXA began in 2025, and since then, her leadership has been instrumental in navigating the organization through its growth phases.

Farr remarked, "What has never changed is how Mike’s mind works; he sees opportunities that others often overlook and relentlessly pursues them to fruition. My responsibility as CEO will be to ensure NEXA has the necessary support structure to back Mike and our Executive Partners as they aim for greater heights."

NEXA's Executive Partnership Model

At NEXA, the title of Executive Partner possesses a greater purpose rather than simply being a title within the C-suite. This role signifies a powerful opportunity for proven leaders to collaborate with executive leadership, develop innovative concepts, and challenge conventional methods. NEXA is paving a path that allows leaders to step away from everyday operational tasks while still shaping the organization’s future.

Kortas stressed the importance of this model, stating, "Many founders fear that relinquishing a title equates to losing significance. This is simply ego-driven thinking. If I encourage our loan officers to prioritize what is best for their business, I must embrace that philosophy myself. Geri’s elevation to CEO strengthens NEXA, and my shift to Executive Partner enhances our potential growth."

A Vision for the Future

Farr aims to harness her experience and the strength of her executive team—comprised of leaders like Chief Administrative Officer Rana Mortensen and Chief Operating Officer Jason duPont—to build operational capabilities that can support the future expansions of NEXA. The expectation is that Farr will enable the organization to execute efficiently, while Kortas and others will explore and design strategies for future growth.

Both Kortas and Farr believe that this leadership evolution could serve as a model for other mortgage company owners facing the dilemma of maintaining control versus considering a merger or sale. This new structure at NEXA invites proven leaders to engage in innovative thought leadership, allowing them to relinquish some daily responsibilities while still playing a crucial role in defining the future of the organization.

Embracing Change for Growth

As NEXA expands its technology platform, compensation models, and processes, Farr will oversee the operational integrity required to support these ambitious plans. At the same time, Executive Partners like Kortas are freed to pursue novel business opportunities, partnerships, and market innovations.

"This leadership structure permits us to build an organization where the CEO doesn’t need to dominate discussions and established entrepreneurs don’t vanish in a larger setting,” Farr stated. “Everyone should operate where they add the most value, and that’s exactly what our new structure aims to achieve."

In this model, NEXA demonstrates how a significant leadership transition can not only empower individuals but also energize an organization toward ambitious growth and a promising future.