BLACK
2020
Branch Manager
LEADERS Worth Watching
TM
AWARD
Dwayne A. Graham
Education: Studied criminal justice, Texas Southern University Company Name: New American Funding Industry: Mortgage Company CEO: Rick Arvielo Company Headquarters Location: Tustin, California Number of Employees: 4300+ Your Location (if different from above): Sugar Land, Texas Words you live by: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t, you’re right.” –Henry Ford Who is your personal hero? My dad What book are you reading? The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy What was your first job: Customer service representative at Pizza Hut Favorite charity: Alzheimer’s Association Interests: Family time, going to the movies, and going to the beach Family: Lindsey Graham (wife), Kalaya Graham (daughter), and Kaiden Graham (son)
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Being both a borrower and a loan officer really helps me understand what individuals go through in the home-buying process. This keeps me grounded.
I Hope My Children See Me as a Role Model Most people would be surprised to know that I was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. I learned from a very young age that hard work was part of my culture. When I was 19 years old, I came to the United States to advance my education and attract opportunities. I was going to school and working two jobs, but was happy because I knew that I was on the right path. At 21, I purchased my first home and felt an enormous sense of pride and accomplishment. I wanted others to know the same feeling of homeownership that I had felt. However, I wanted to make the home-buying process friendlier. My first mortgage was an
52
Fall 2020
Adjustable Rate Mortgage. When the interest rate increased, I followed the general practice at the time of going back to the same mortgage company and refinancing with them. However, I realized a different mortgage would have better suited my financial needs. I was overwhelmed by the inflated mortgage rate, and I felt I had been taken advantage of. I knew I needed to do something, but wasn’t sure what. A good friend of mine suggested that I go to school to become a loan officer, so I could protect myself and others from predatory loan practices. After I obtained my loan officer license, I worked for many years
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in this very competitive industry, building relationships with clients who are now friends. Over my career, I have helped hundreds of people attain the American Dream of homeownership. Being both a borrower and a loan officer really helps me understand what individuals go through in the home-buying process. This keeps me grounded. Regardless of how many hours I work, I always come home to my wife and children with a sense of accomplishment. I hope that as my children get older, they will take note of my hard work, kindness, and appreciation, and see me as a role model.
