Eddy Perez, CMB, is President and CEO of Equity Prime Mortgage based in Atlanta, Georgia where he oversees overall operations, sales, revenue, marketing, compliance, and technology. As co-founder of Equity Prime Mortgage, recognized as part of the Inc. 5000, he has excelled within the mortgage industry being named one of the nation’s top mortgage bankers, recognized in National Mortgage Professionals Magazine’s “40 Most Influential Mortgage Professionals under 40.” Throughout his distinguished career, he has held multiple executive-level positions. Prior to co-founding Equity Prime Mortgage, in 2008, he operated the top producing office for Global Mortgage, Inc. He holds the prestigious Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) designation which he earned in October 2014. Perez is the chairman of the MORPAC, panelist for MBA future leaders’ program, holds a seat on the Board of Directors with the MBA, and now co-chair of the new MBA affordable housing council.
1. What other leaders inspire you? Why? There are a lot of leaders to choose from, but in my mind, there are four who rise above all others. To me, it is Abraham Lincoln, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, and Nelson Mandela. If there was a Mount Rushmore of excellent life leaders, it should have these four faces on it. These people really set things apart by setting what was possible. Ultimately each of these paid for their beliefs and their courage to lead through adversity. They embody the human spirit, courage, adversity, positive energy, leaving the world a better place. These are 4 of the greatest humans of all time.
2. What is the best way for a CEO to authentically connect with their employees? It is pretty simple -just talk! Ask questions and have a genuine interest in hearing the responses. As Janine Driver says, be interested, not interesting. You do not need to go around to everyone being a propaganda machine for you or the organization. Ask them personal questions that show you care and then actually care! It is amazing what you can learn if you ask questions and just listen.
3. How do you stay on top of your workload while motivating your staff? You must be organized, and understand that whatever it is you do, it has a purpose behind it. Make sure that purpose makes sense to the business overall!
4. How do you set goals for your business? Strategic planning.
5. What would you say is your “secret recipe” for success? Showing up every day. Understanding that, success is not a Hail Mary pass. It is going at it little by little, brick by brick, stone by stone. Again, making sure that what you do is organized and has a purpose that makes sense to the business overall. Also, I believe in always be working on yourself. It’s making sure you are improving others and yourself because that will lead to an overall improvement of success.
6. In your opinion, what are the qualities of a good leader? A good leader needs to be empathetic, a good listener, and know how to have fun. An empathetic leader knows how to put themself in the shoes of others. A good listener is caring and plugged into the needs and wants of their employees. Fun is being good-natured and is an important component of good leadership. If you are not having fun, then why are you doing it at all? You do not know when the ride will end; you better enjoy every day like it is your last.
7. What is a valuable life lesson that you have learned as CEO of Equity Prime Mortgage? Be yourself!
8. How does EPM commit to embracing diversity in the workplace? It starts with the consumer. If you are addressing the first-time home buyer, then you are definitely getting a diverse and inclusive crowd. Then you must hire with that same perspective. I also believe you must include diversity and inclusion in thought. I do not think that enough emphasis is put into this component of diversity. It’s one thing to all look different, but we have to also think differently. That is how progress can happen. We must be ready to address different thoughts to push us forward.
