Jeff Kern has been the vice president and director of marketing with Embassy Mortgage and Realty Services since February 2000.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
“I coordinate marketing, advertising and our for-sale-by-owner program. I am also broker and president of Embassy Realty Services.”
HOW DID YOU GET INTO LENDING?
“I have over 10 years in general real estate and development. I am licensed in Arizona, Missouri and Florida. I relocated to Jacksonville in 2000 with my wife, Doreen Kern, who was involved with World Golf Village. We also have family here. My neighbor was Bob Ward, the owner of Embassy Mortgage. Ward, Tom Cravey, who owned Paradigm Mortgage, and Ed Bonneau, who owned PV Properties were looking to develop a hybrid mortgage and real estate company and that’s when I came on board.”
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LENDING BUSINESS?
“It changes on a daily basis and you have to keep abreast of a number of variables that affect mortgage pricing and interest rates.”
BEFORE CURRENT COMPANY?
He was the broker/marketing manager of Cliffside Realtors in Missouri. Before that he was the broker/sales manager at The club at Old Kinderhook and development sales broker of Tan-Tar-A Estates, also in Missouri.
WHERE IS YOUR COMPANY LOCATED?
The office is located in the Baymeadows area.
WHAT IS MONTHLY LOAN PRODUCTION THAT YOUR COMPANY DOES IN JACKSONVILLE?
Approximately $6 million a month.
HOW MANY ARE ON YOUR STAFF?
Fourteen loan officers, six processors, six real estate agents and one administrative assistant.
NAMES OF LOAN OFFICERS HERE?
Robert Ward, Tom Cravey, John Drago, Ken Suber, Penny Broughton, Charmaine Cattnell, Rodney Watties, Dan Kelty, Carlos Miranda, Lynn Forbes, Tricia Van Zant,
Aron Beaty, Mike Dent and Ed Santiago.
HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY?
“Print advertising, directly to consumers and to real estate professionals.”
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LENDING OF EMBASSY MORTGAGE?
Embassy Mortgage offers fixed and adjustable Federal Housing Authority and Veterans Administrations and conventional products. “We represent over 360 different loan products.”
BIRTHPLACE
Cincinnati.
COLLEGE
He has a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from University of Cincinnati.
FAMILY
He has been married to Doreen, a rooms controller at the Marriott at Sawgrass, for 11 years. They have two dogs.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
He is a member of the Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS and the Florida Mortgage Brokers Association.
OTHER LIFE
When he’s not at the office, he can be found waiting tables three nights at week at Augustine Grill at the Marriott in Sawgrass. “It’s the
best lead source I’ve
ever had.”
RESIDES
Southside.
FAVORITES
The most recent movie he saw and would recommend is “Tin Cup.” A book he is reading and would recommend is “Retirement Development in the New Millennium” by Dr. Mark Fagan. His favorite restaurant is the Augustine Grill and his favorite place to visit is Sea Island. When relaxing at home, he enjoys “The West Wing.”
— by Michele Newbern Gillis