Elizabeth Burkholder began her mortgage career in the early ’80s after earning a degree in sculpture—back when rates were 16 percent or higher, there were no fax machines, and all verifications were mailed out. Back when credit reports were mailed in and forms were three-part carbon which had to be typed and carefully corrected if needed. Remember when disclosures were hand-calculated? When processing and closing a loan took up to 120 days?

The industry has changed a lot since then, and Elizabeth has always been among the first to understand and adapt new methods and technologies to make sure the mortgage process remains smooth. Her creative background, combined with her legal education, give her a unique perspective on what is really important. Ultimately, the mortgage business is a people business—no matter how much technology is involved—and clients, loan officers, borrowers, realtors, and title agents are people.

While working at a Maryland-based savings and loan association, Elizabeth attended law school at night, received her law degree, and was admitted to practice by the Virginia State Bar. Her experience includes saving and loans, federal and private mortgage banks, small broker shops, and large national companies. She has been a loan processor, a compliance officer, a manager of quality control, and oversaw a department of more than 100 underwriters at a large national lender.

Elizabeth has remained focused on one thing, and that is making sure the entire mortgage process is as painless as possible for everyone involved.