Chris Simms has joined Friday Harbor, an AI-powered platform that helps loan officers assemble complete and compliant loan files in real time, as head of strategic partnerships.
In addition, Gregory Buehler has joined the company as founding product manager.
Simms has 20 years of experience in mortgage sales, origination and capital markets. He has held roles at Mutual of Omaha Mortgage, First Integrity Mortgage Services, Pulaski Bank and other institutions. During his time at these lenders, Simms partnered directly with mortgage technology firms to help align software solutions with real-world industry workflows. He currently serves as president of the Mortgage Bankers Association of St. Louis.
In his new role with Friday Harbor, Simms will oversee the firm’s customer relationships as well as its strategic alliances with technology integration partners and industry associations. His initial focus will be on customer engagement and success as he works to ensure lenders see lower costs, shorter cycle times and a better experience for borrowers on every loan. He sees a clear opportunity to help lenders modernize in a space long overdue for change.
“Lenders are hindered by legacy systems and manual processes that haven’t kept up with the innovation in other industries,” Simms says in a release. “Friday Harbor is the first solution I’ve seen that truly understands and improves the process with real AI. This role felt like a natural opportunity to combine my passion for innovation with my industry experience to help transform how loans are manufactured.”
Gregory Buehler
Buehler has more than ten years of experience leading product development at early-stage B2B startups including Pebble Health, learning management software provider Skilljar (acquired by Gainsight) and social analytics firm Simply Measured (acquired by Sprout Social).
In his new role, Buehler will define and execute product strategy in close partnership with the
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