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    There’s a lot to love about Embrace Home Loans, but one of our strongest assets has always been our employees. We have teammates who have been with us for 10, 20, even 30+ years. And we’ve also been hiring new employees at a furious pace this year — new employees that many of us haven’t met yet as we continue to work remotely during the pandemic.

    In this Employee Spotlight, we’ll be featuring two Embrace teammates — one new employee, and one employee who has already been with us for a while. Each will give different perspectives on the Embrace experience and a little more personal info so you’ll be able to get to know them better.

    Want to nominate someone to feature in a future spotlight? Email Mary Mack at [email protected]

    BONITA WYNN, Retail Processor

    What is your official title and what do you do at Embrace?

    My official title is Retail Processor and I work in our Timonium, MD branch. I process mortgage applications, order title and appraisal services, review and analyze documents, submit applications for approval, obtain conditions for approval, and prepare applications for closing.

    What made you want to work at Embrace?

    I wanted something different. When the opportunity to apply at Embrace was presented to me, I immediately thought of the definition of Embrace: to accept change. I also liked how long Embrace has been in the mortgage industry, the family atmosphere, and how long employees stayed with the company.

    How has it been starting a new job during COVID? And just working for Embrace in general?

    As with anything different than normal, starting a new job during COVID has been a challenge. I was already working remotely at my previous employer so the switch to 100% remote wasn’t too bad. I just had to get used to not having that physical connection.

    What did you do for a living before you came to Embrace?

    Prior to Embrace, I worked as a Senior Mortgage Processor for a credit union where I processed mortgage applications and home equity applications. I held multiple full-time positions. I was a Closer and prepared closing documents for purchase and refinances. I was a Post Closer and prepared documents to be shipped to the investor. I was a Customer Service Agent; at the credit union you were expected to assist all overflow calls. I also trained new employees in the mortgage department.

    We’d love to get to know you better! Tell us about yourself.

    I currently live in Owings Mills, MD and I grew up in Columbia, MD. I am a mother of three beautiful grown children — two boys and one girl. All three are doing great. I am a proud graduate of an HBCU University — Hampton University. I love to read and my favorites are mysteries. I love to eat! 🙂 And I love spending time with my family.

    Fun facts: During the initial shut down for COVID, I received my life insurance license. I also used to work at Horseshoe Casino in Baltimore, MD as a Cage Cashier in the bank.


    JOE TATULLI, Marketing Onboarding Specialist

    What is your official job title and what do you do at Embrace?

    My title is Marketing Onboarding Specialist. I am the first contact for all new and rehired sales (LO, SLO, MLA, BOM, PSM, etc.) and sales support (BDA) teammates.

    I reach out on their first day on the job and help them with their web bio, headshot photo, access to TE, MBS HWY, SocialSurvey, OSI (for Direct), and other marketing-related websites. I also help get them into the queue for their webpage and online application, and attend to all the small and large details of marketing onboarding.

    How long have you worked for Embrace?

    Five plus (5+) years.

    What made you want to work at Embrace?

    I have known about Embrace (formerly AFS) for most of its existence, and have also known Dennis Hardiman for many years. I followed the company and had been out to Middletown several times as well. Over time my own marketing business closed (after a 25-year run), and I thought I would reach out to Dana Fortin and see if there were any opportunities for an experienced marketing person at Embrace — there was, and here I am. :0)

    What’s one of your favorite Embrace memories?

    When I started at Embrace, Dana had me work closely with Jean Conroy and the Direct Mail operation. If you know Jean then you can understand some of this story. I started in early November of 2015, and right off the bat, Jean asked me if I would like to help with the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive. Of course, I said, “sure.”

    The next couple of weeks was a whirlwind of activity with announcements, resource gathering ($$$), and then came the shopping. I remember Jean calling me to come down to the main entrance to help her get the food from her car into the big conference room downstairs at 25, which I immediately did. Jean was poetry in motion. We got everything in and she proceeded to parcel out the different boxes of food and special surprises for the families who would get them. Jean knew who the food was going to, and she had a plan for each family. I am still in awe of her caring and godly ways.

    How has it been working from home for most of this year? Has Embrace made it easier for you in any way?

    Working from home has been awesome for me for several reasons. I live in Warwick, RI. That is my home base. I also have traveled and worked from the Lynchburg branch several times over the past couple of years so I could spend time with my son and daughter-in-law who live in Lynchburg.

    This year, I was able to travel down to VA and spend three weeks at a time with my son down there and work from his place in Appomattox, VA. I also have a small apartment in Wellfleet on Cape Cod, and I have spent some time down there working from that “home” as well. It’s been a Godsend, for sure.

    We’d love to get to know you a little better! Tell us about yourself.

    I am the oldest of three siblings, and until COVID hit hard last year, every Sunday night I had dinner at my sister’s home in Lincoln, RI. I miss that for sure. I grew up in Rhode Island as part of the baby-boomer generation.

    I have been in business for myself (in one form or another) since my college days (BS from Providence College in 1971), having owned a restaurant in Providence (1976-1983), and also an advertising agency and publishing company (1990-2018) in Providence as well.

    I lean towards the art side of the creative field, and spent many years as a designer, art director, CD, etc., and also love to draw and write for my own enjoyment.

    My #1 hobby is motorcycling. I love long-distance riding and have ridden from RI to the western states several times, with many rides down to VA and back, along with rides to WV, OH, PA, ME, TN, etc. as well. I’m good for fifteen to twenty thousand miles per year. I am also a God-fearing Christian believer, and I participate in a local church in Providence and am also part of the prayer team here at Embrace.

    “This is my 70th birthday party at work that includes some of my best friends at Embrace”

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