Katie Brewer Takes the Helm at LERETA as John Walsh Retires After a Decade of Leadership

Leadership Change at LERETA: A New Era Begins with Katie Brewer

LERETA, LLC, recognized as a premier provider of real estate tax and flood services for the mortgage servicing industry, has entered a transformative phase by appointing Katie Brewer as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). This strategic leadership transition comes as the long-serving CEO, John Walsh, steps down after a remarkable tenure spanning nearly ten years, during which he effectively led the company since 2015.

Located in Pomona, California, LERETA serves a vast clientele of over 4,000 customers across the nation, handling more than $17 billion in tax payments annually and monitoring the flood assessments for 25 million loans. Under Walsh’s stewardship, the company achieved outstanding operational performance, meeting 99.9% of its service level agreements over the past three years while also expanding its loan servicing by nearly 20% in the last year alone.

John Walsh expressed a sense of pride in the achievements made during his leadership, highlighting a strong focus on innovation, customer service, and operational excellence—principles that have solidified LERETA's status as an industry leader. As he prepares to transition to a board member role, he anticipates collaborating closely with Brewer and the team on strategic initiatives to propel the company forward.

Katie Brewer arrives with a wealth of experience, boasting over 21 years in various leadership roles within mortgage servicing, valuation, and title sectors. Her most recent role was as President of Selene Finance. During her tenure at Selene, she played a pivotal role in tripling the size of the company’s portfolio. Her previous appointments include Senior VP of Real Estate Services at Radian and COO of Green River Capital, as well as key positions at Ocwen and GMAC.

Gene Mergelmeyer, Chairman of the Board at LERETA, welcomed Brewer, emphasizing her proven track record in invigorating and expanding companies within the mortgage servicing space. He acknowledged Walsh's significant contributions and noted that the leadership board is enthusiastically looking forward to the new direction under Brewer's guidance.

In her acceptance, Katie Brewer expressed her excitement about leading LERETA, especially during this crucial phase of growth. She recognized the ever-evolving nature of the industry but affirmed that LERETA’s innovative technology and service offerings play a vital role in shaping strong outcomes for their clients and the consumers they serve. She is keen on working closely with the leadership team to unlock LERETA's full potential and strategize the company’s future growth.

Founded in 1986, LERETA has consistently delivered accurate and comprehensive property tax data and flood hazard status information across the United States. With a commitment to exceptional service and cost-effective solutions, LERETA strives to enhance efficiency, mitigate risks, and optimize processes for mortgage originators and servicers. The dedicated professionals at LERETA ensure the firm maintains its leadership position in the industry in service delivery and technological prowess.

As this new chapter unfolds at LERETA, both Katie Brewer and the company’s stakeholders are poised for exciting developments that could redefine their operational landscape and enhance client relationships for years to come.