6 minute read
July 2025 | Partner Spotlight Craig Weeks of First Coast Mortgage
A DYNAMIC CAREER ROOTED IN COMMUNICATION, MENTORSHIP, & PASSION
BYNICK INGRISANI
“I have a very boring life, and I think boring is good. I love my life. By boring, I mean it’s very much the same all the time, but I thrive in it, and I love it. I love what I do for my job, I love my family, and I’m excited about where First Coast Mortgage is going.”
Craig Weeks grew up in the small town of Florence, Alabama, nestled in the heart of the Quad Cities region. Known for its rich musical heritage — think Muscle Shoals and the legendary recording studios that hosted acts like The Rolling Stones and Lynyrd Skynyrd — Florence offered a humble but culturally vibrant backdrop for Craig’s early life.
He attended a local college where he double majored in economics and finance, a decision that would set the foundation for a dynamic and evolving career. After graduation, he stepped into the banking world through a management trainee program in Tupelo, Mississippi. The bank’s leadership quickly took note of his analytical mindset and asked him to take on a struggling department — mortgage lending. That assignment, back in 1987, would spark a lifelong passion.
“When I was assigned to the mortgage side, I absolutely loved being part of the process to get people into homes. It gave me purpose. I felt like I was doing something that was truly adding value to the world — and I still feel that today.”
Craig immersed himself in mortgage lending, and over five years in Tupelo, he gained hands-on experience in every aspect of the business. His career then led him to Birmingham, where he shifted into capital markets. That role, like many in Craig’s career, was shaped by change. When the company was acquired, he transitioned to Compass Bank. It was there that he encountered a pivotal opportunity.
A smaller institution in North Georgia, United Community Banks, was facing serious challenges with their mortgage operations. Craig conducted a review and presented his recommendations. Impressed by his insights, the bank’s president invited him to come on board and lead the overhaul himself. Craig and his wife, Tammy, packed up and moved to Blairsville, Georgia — a tiny mountain town with a mortgage operation in need of transformation.
After five years there, the desire for a new chapter brought Craig and his family to Jacksonville, Florida. He joined Barnett Bank’s mortgage team, only to experience more corporate transitions as the bank was acquired — first by Nations Bank, then by Bank of America. The changes pushed Craig to the wholesale side of the business, working as an account manager calling on banks and mortgage companies across the Southeast.
Eventually, one of his clients in Ocala invited him to work directly for their firm, and he worked there for five years before taking a job at Engle Homes’ in-house mortgage company as a loan originator. Five years later, the 2008 financial crisis reshaped the landscape. From there, he pivoted to Wells Fargo, which already had a joint venture with Engle Homes before its closing, then to Jet Home Loans, the in-house lender for Dream Finders Homes in Jacksonville.
It was there that Craig met Jason Kindler and Aaron Bacus, who would go on to found First Coast Mortgage. They brought Craig on as their sixth employee — and he’s been with them ever since. Today, Craig’s role has grown well beyond originating loans.
Craig is especially excited about their new 12-month mentorship program that was just launched in April 2025. Drawing on his decades of experience to help others succeed, this new initiative is designed to support newly licensed loan officers with tailored, hands-on guidance — covering everything from technical knowledge to real-world problem-solving. He works alongside Jason, who provides sales training, while Craig mentors participants through the full mortgage process.
Craig’s hobbies include landscape photography and growing peppers.
The program reflects Craig’s belief that with the right support, anyone can thrive in this industry — regardless of their starting point. His approach is practical and personal, grounded in communication, empathy, and a deep understanding of how to help clients and colleagues alike navigate complex terrain.
“We believe there’s an untapped market to provide support in the mortgage lending industry. We’re taking loan officers from all gamuts of experience and providing them with support, sales training, and technical training. I was thrilled that Jason and Aaron created a custom position for me to be able to do this. I make sure they’re going through all the steps and thinking about all the options to ensure they end up providing the best execution for their borrower.”
The love of teaching runs in Craig’s family — his mother was an educator, and her influence can be seen in his thoughtful, step-by-step approach to mentoring. Whether he’s walking a client through the home loan process or helping a new loan officer gain confidence, Craig takes pride in making the complex simple.
“I believe it’s important to set proper expectations, explain the process throughout, and be up front about any speed bumps along the way. It takes the mystery out of it. I think it’s paramount that everyone is kept in the loop throughout the process. By doing that, there aren’t any surprises. Most people don’t like surprises unless it’s winning the lottery.”
Craig and his wife of 37 years, Tammy.
Outside of work, Craig is a devoted family man. He’s been married to his wife Tammy since 1987, and together they’ve raised three children and now enjoy spending time with their grandchildren. When he’s not with family, you’ll likely find Craig behind a camera, capturing landscapes and wildlife with the same care and precision he brings to his work.
“I’m about as serious an amateur photographer can be without being a professional.”
Whether he’s training the next generation of mortgage professionals or capturing the perfect image on a quiet trail, Craig is driven by a desire to serve, to connect, and to leave things better than he found them. It’s a mindset that’s carried him through nearly four decades in the industry — and continues to fuel his passion today.
