Jason Dallo has been a loan officer with Transcontinental Lending Group since February.
WHERE WAS HE BEFORE?
He was a recruiter with Executive Search Solutions for a little more than a year. “It was a mortgage recruiting firm. We recruited for companies like Wells Fargo and SunBank.” Prior to that, he worked for his family’s dry cleaning business for 15 years.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO LENDING?
Through his recruiting experience, he noticed a lot of younger people getting into the business. “If they could do it, I could do it. I also saw the money they were making, so I thought I’d try it. I made good money in the recruiting firm, but I was stuck behind a desk all day and I really wanted to be out in the field meeting people.”
HOW DID PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE HELP?
The dry cleaners helped him learn customer service and dealing with certain situations with customers. “I’ve learned how to deal with situations
where the customer is upset, how to fix it and make everyone happy. I’ve always been the customer service guy, so that gave me the strength to be able to talk and bond with people. I’m really good for people.” In the recruiting firm, he dealt with mortgage people on a daily basis and really learned how they market themselves before he jumped into the business himself. “I started learning more about the business and what is involved.”
HOW ARE REALTORS AND BUILDERS IMPORTANT TO YOU?
“They are very important. They can make you or break you in this business. Their customers are your customers and you have to treat them superior.”
WAYS TO BUILD BETTER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM?
Dallo said keeping in contact with the builders and Realtors is most important. “You let them know that you are there to help them out in any way you can.”
ADVICE FOR NEW LOAN OFFICERS?
“Don’t quit and keep in contact with everyone.”
AREA YOU COVER?
All of Nassau County, but he is willing to stretch outside his territory to Jacksonville.
NEW TERRITORY?
Transcontinental Lending Group opened a main office in Southpoint in February. Dallo is the company’s representative in Nassau County and is planning to open a branch office there in a few years. The company has three branches: Southpoint, University Boulevard and in the Regency area.
LESSONS LEARNED?
He had a recent debacle with an appraisal that held up the loan and now realizes that if he had kept in contact with his clients, he would have been able to get the closing done earlier.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT LENDING?
“Being out and about and meeting people.”
HOW DO YOU PROMOTE YOUR COMPANY?
“I’m trying to get a Web site going. I hand out my business cards everywhere I go and I am recruiting for the company as well.”
WHEN DID YOU MOVE TO NASSAU COUNTY?
In 1991, with his family to get into the dry cleaning business. They started the Quality First Dry Cleaners chain and bought an original store, Mr. Drycleaner.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS?
Amelia Island/Nassau County Board of Realtors and Nassau Chamber of Commerce.
PERSONAL SIDE?
Dallo lives with his significant other, Amy Kalem, in Paige Hill in Nassau County. When he is not working, he enjoys racing motorcycles, working on automobiles, grilling
out and having barbecues. A movie he saw recently was “Final Cut” with Robin Williams. “It was kind of a weird movie, but OK. One I would recommend is ‘Troy.’” His favorite book is “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill. When traveling, he enjoys visiting Miami and Orlando. When dining out, he likes Kubuki Japanese Restaurant. “They have the best food.” When relaxing at home, he enjoys tuning into “The Simpsons.” “I’m just a nut for them.”
- by Michele Newbern Gillis