March 2, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Thomas Shaner, CAE

BALTIMORE - Eric Gates of Apex Home Loans in Bethesda was presented with the Maryland Association of Mortgage Brokers (MAMB) Broker of the Year Award on March 1 during ceremonies at the Center Club in Baltimore.

Gates currently serves on the board of directors of the 1,300-member non-profit association and was recognized with this award for his extraordinary support of the Montgomery County law suit and the association's state legislative activities.

In addition to honoring Gates, Christine Wagner of Aegis Wholesale in Frederick, was presented with the Affiliate of the Year Award. Wagner, who currently serves on MAMB's board of directors, was honored for her long-term leadership as a member of the board and as chair of the membership and community service committees.

MAMB presented seven mortgage broker professionals with the President's Award. This award was given as a unit to those brokers who joined together to challenge in court the Montgomery Country law that would have caused great harm to county mortgage brokers and homeowners. Award recipients included: John Councilman of AMC Mortgage Corporation in Fallston; Max Etheart of Vision Mortgage, LLC in Rockville; Eric Gates of Apex Home Loans in Bethesda; Gary Gertler of Legacy Financial Corp. in Potomac; Mike Parsons of Nationwide Home Mortgage, Inc. in Rockville; Larry Pendleton of Legend Mortgage Corporation in Olney; and Steve Summers of The Mortgage Link, Inc. in Gaithersburg.

Rudolf Smith of RS Mortgage Network in Baltimore was bestowed the 2007 Legislative Award for his long-term service to the MAMB legislative committee.

The award ceremonies took place on the first day of the 2007 MAMB Convention for which nearly 1,000 mortgage professionals and affiliates were in attendance. MAMB leaders are already at work planning the 2008 MAMB Annual Convention and Exposition.