Equity Prime Mortgage honors 'The New Guard' at TAG 2025, celebrating industry trailblazers

Awards spotlight collaboration, innovation and empowerment shaping the next era of mortgage leadership

ATLANTA, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM), an Inc. 5000 independent mortgage family that includes Empower Mortgage and Vetted VA, today announced the winners of The American Gift (TAG) 2025 awards, recognizing a new wave of leaders in the mortgage industry.

"Winning in this market isn't a zero-sum game," said Eddy Perez, CMB, EPM founder and chief executive officer, as he opened the ceremony. "Collaboration, innovation and empowerment drive the wholesale channel forward and meet the diverse needs of American borrowers. That spirit defines The New Guard."

TAG 2025 Award Recipients:

• Loan Officer of the Year – Todd Albrecht, senior mortgage broker, Edge Home Finance Corp.
• Vendor of the Year – ARIVE, an all-in-one mortgage origination platform.
• Empower Brokers Award – Corrina Carter, owner and CEO, CMS Mortgage Solutions, recognized for relationship-driven leadership.
• Tenacity Award – Dana DeLory, honored for preserving the legacy of her late husband, former EPM Chief Lending Officer Kevin DeLory.
• Making a Difference in the Community Award – Jason Frazier, founder of BrokerCMO and coach at 2020 Vision for Success 
• Content Creator of the Year – Matt Gougé, mortgage loan originator, UMortgage.
• Icon Award – Jonathon Haddad, chairman and CEO, AIME, for unifying brokers nationwide.
• RBMF Award – Phil Mancuso, president and partner, EPM, for 12 years of leadership.
• Spirit Award – Kevin Peranio, chief lending officer, PRMG, for his competitive energy on behalf of the industry.
• Perspective Award – Kenny Phillips, chief sales officer, EPM, for stepping into new leadership after Kevin DeLory's passing.
• Rising Star – Thao McGowan, co-owner and chief marketing officer, McGowan Mortgages.
• Champion of the Community – Brendan McKay, owner, McKay Mortgage, and chief advocacy officer, Broker Action Coalition.
• Brokerage of the Year – NEXA, a full-service brokerage operating in nearly every U.S. state.

"These honorees prove leadership takes many forms," said Phil Mancuso, EPM president and partner. "Their success depends on collective success, and they are elevating new voices for a stronger, more inclusive industry."

TAG 2025 also featured panel discussions on technology and diversity, keynotes from actor-comedian Kevin Hart and entrepreneur Dave Portnoy, entrepreneur and author Jesse Itzler, psychologist author and professor, Dr. Jordan Peterson, a tribute to Kevin DeLory, and a performance by T-Pain.

Perez closed the evening with a challenge: "Tonight we celebrated the best among us. Tomorrow, we work together to push boundaries further. The New Guard is a mindset—open to anyone ready to innovate, include and empower."

About Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM)

Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Equity Prime Mortgage (EPM) is a leading national independent mortgage lender committed to empowering homeownership for all, with a special focus on first-generation American families. EPM serves as the parent company to a growing family of brands, including Empower Mortgage, the nation's first lender dedicated exclusively to first-generation homebuyers, and Vetted VA, the most trusted and well-supported community for accurate VA home loan education and resources.

Under the leadership of Founder and CEO Eddy Perez, EPM offers a full suite of residential mortgage products while prioritizing education, accessibility, and community impact. Operating on the core values of empathy, empowerment, and education, EPM helps clients, partners, and communities thrive. Licensed in all 50 states, EPM is proud to continue expanding access to the American dream of homeownership.

Learn more at www.epm.net.

Media Contact

Jenna Silverman

Chief Marketing Officer

EPM

E: Jenna@EPM.Net

P: 215-603-5522

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SOURCE Equity Prime Mortgage