#United States #Atlanta #TAG Awards #mortgage industry #Equity Prime Mortgage

Equity Prime Mortgage Celebrates 'The New Guard' at TAG 2025

On June 25, 2025, Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM) held a memorable event, the TAG (The American Gift) 2025 awards in Atlanta, celebrating emerging leaders who are redefining the mortgage industry. As an Inc. 5000 independent mortgage family that includes Empower Mortgage and Vetted VA, EPM set the stage for a night that honored those who exemplify collaboration, innovation, and community impact.

Eddy Perez, CMB and the founder of EPM, addressed the audience with inspirational words, emphasizing that success in the mortgage market does not mean competing against each other. Instead, he highlighted that “Winning in this market isn't a zero-sum game.” His remarks set the tone for an evening dedicated to recognizing individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to pushing the industry forward.

TAG 2025 Award Recipients

Throughout the ceremony, multiple awards were given to outstanding contributors in the mortgage sector, including:

• - Loan Officer of the Year: Todd Albrecht, who was acknowledged for his exceptional performance as a senior mortgage broker at Edge Home Finance Corp.
• - Vendor of the Year: ARIVE, recognized for its innovative all-in-one mortgage origination platform.
• - Empower Brokers Award: Corrina Carter, owner and CEO of CMS Mortgage Solutions, honored for her relationship-oriented leadership style.
• - Tenacity Award: Dana DeLory, celebrated for keeping the legacy of her late husband Kevin DeLory, who was the former EPM Chief Lending Officer, alive.
• - Making a Difference in the Community Award: Jason Frazier, founder of BrokerCMO, who is actively coaching in the 2020 Vision for Success program.
• - Content Creator of the Year: Matt Gougé from UMortgage, recognized for his engaging content creation.
• - Icon Award: Jonathon Haddad, who received the honor for uniting brokers across the country through his work as the chairman and CEO of AIME.
• - RBMF Award: Phil Mancuso, EPM’s president and partner, recognized for his decade-long contributions to the company.
• - Spirit Award: Kevin Peranio, noted for his enthusiastic representation of the mortgage industry as Chief Lending Officer at PRMG.
• - Perspective Award: Kenny Phillips from EPM, acknowledged for stepping into a leadership role during a period of transition after the passing of Kevin DeLory.
• - Rising Star: Thao McGowan, co-owner and chief marketing officer of McGowan Mortgages, noted for her achievements in a relatively short time.
• - Champion of the Community: Brendan McKay, who received praise for his advocacy work within the mortgage sector.
• - Brokerage of the Year: The honor went to NEXA, a full-service brokerage well-established across the United States.

Phil Mancuso, EPM's president, stated, “These honorees prove leadership takes many forms... Their success depends on collective success, and they are elevating new voices for a stronger, more inclusive industry.”

An Evening of Insight and Entertainment

TAG 2025 was not just about awards; it included enlightening panels discussing important aspects of technology and diversity within the industry. The event was graced by notable personalities, including actor-comedian Kevin Hart, entrepreneur Dave Portnoy, best-selling author Jesse Itzler, and clinical psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson, who shared insights on leadership and success. To top it off, attendees enjoyed a stellar performance by the renowned artist T-Pain.

In closing, Eddy Perez reiterated the essence of the event by stating, “Tonight we celebrated the best among us. Tomorrow, we work together to push boundaries further. The New Guard is a mindset—open to anyone ready to innovate, include and empower.”

About Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM)

Founded in 2008, EPM is a national independent mortgage lender based in Atlanta, Georgia. The company’s mission empowers homeownership for all, particularly focusing on supporting first-generation American families. As a parent company of various brands, including Empower Mortgage and Vetted VA, EPM strives to make a significant impact by providing extensive resources and education. Licensed in all 50 states, EPM is dedicated to enhancing access to homeownership and fostering a spirit of community through its core values of empathy, empowerment, and education.

For more information, visit www.epm.net.