Name: Steve Johnson
Title: President
Company: Security National Mortgage Corp.
In the Mortgage Business Since: 1982
Number of Employees He Manages: 825
Security National Mortgage Corp. is an independent non-bank mortgage company that does business in 45 states, with branches in 23 of them. The majority of its volume, 80%-85%, is generated from five states: Utah, Texas, Nevada, Arizona and Florida. Security National originated $2.3 billion in loans during 2018.
How’d did you get into the business?
I came out of graduate school with a degree in international finance from the American Graduate School of International Management, now part of the University of Arizona. But I couldn’t get a job in that field. I knew nothing about the mortgage business, but the opportunity to be a loan originator came up. I asked, “Does it have health insurance?” It did, and I accepted the position.
What are the characteristics of leadership that you think are most important?
It starts with having the right people. Being careful on who joins the team, but without looking for a cookie cutter type of person. There has to be confidence in each other—and we need to pull together with the same direction and goals. If you do that, despite all the egos and desires, we can move in the same direction. The key to attaining common goals, such as volume and financial stats, is communication.
How do you see the difference between a manager and a leader?
That’s an interesting question. A clinical definition is that for people to follow you, you have to have a leader. A manager can chart X’s and O’s, but a manager can broadcast that out to the troops. You have to have both of these skills. And recognize weak spots and work to overcome them. In this position, you are obligated to perform as expected. So, you have to constantly be trying to improve.
Who has inspired you during your career?
There have been so many that have inspired me, including my current boss, who is CEO of our parent company and the mortgage company. The trait is very hard work. These people that I have been privileged to work with now, and in the past, have been willing to do what it takes to be successful, and that’s a lot of hard work. That’s very important.
What do you look for in mentor?
I’m not sure I picked them. I have had really good bosses over the years. My first boss was a great example of someone that worked hard, was ethical and honest. She taught me to pay attention to details, to dot the I’s and cross the T’s. That was very important when I moved into secondary marketing.
Also, I've served as a mentor to people just getting started in the business. They've done well and advanced to executive positions. I've tried to pass on to them the same attributes I learned from my bosses.
