DAVID Stevens had a long-running career and served as the president of the MBA.
The accomplished mortgagebanker tragically passed away in January 2024.
Who was former MBA president David Stevens?
David Stevens was a mortgage banking industry “legend” who “helmed the Federal Housing Agency and the Mortgage Bankers Association” throughout his 40-year career, per Housingwire.
According to his LinkedInpage, he became the CEO of Mountain Lake Consulting, Inc., in September 2019, in Moneta, Virginia.
He previously served as the president and CEO of the MBA from May 2011 to August 2018 in Washington, DC.
Prior to that position, he was the US Assistant Secretary of Housing – Federal Housing Commissioner.
From July 2006 to July 2009, Stevens worked as the president and COO of Long & Foster Companies and as the EVP – National Wholesale Manager for Wells Fargo from July 2005 to July 2006, per his LinkedIn.
He was also a senior executive at Freddie Mac from July 1998 to July 2005, a group senior vice president for World Savings from 1983 to 1998, and a public policy advocate for CoPIRG Student Chapters Inc. from 1980 to 1983.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Colorado Boulder, where he studied from 1977 to 1980 after attending Hartwick College from 1975 to 1977, per his LinkedIn.
On the morning of January 17, 2024, the MBA announced Stevens’ “unexpected” death.
“The real estate finance community mourns the loss today of one of its great leaders and fiercest advocates,” MBA President and CEO Bob Broeksmit said in a statement.
“Dave Stevens grew up in the mortgage business before serving the industry and its customers both as FHA Commissioner during and immediately after the 2008 financial crisis and then as President & CEO of MBA, where he was instrumental in rebuilding our organization and leading the industry out of the Great Recession.
“To those who worked with him at MBA, Dave is remembered as a great mentor, boss, and friend. He was quick with a joke, sometimes at his own expense, and truly cared about those he worked with and those who worked for him.
“Dave and his wife Mary were instrumental in the 2011 creation of the MBA Opens Doors Foundation, which has helped more than 16,000 families with critically ill or injured children stay in their homes while their child is in treatment.
“Dave’s sincere belief in the value and benefits of sustainable homeownership led him to a career dedicated to making the American Dream achievable for more Americans,” he continued.
“He had endless energy to engage in the fights that needed fighting to ensure that the industry could safely serve qualified low and moderate-income and first-time homebuyers. He was an outside-the-box thinker when it came to trying to solve some of the industry’s greatest challenges.
“MBA and the entire industry will miss Dave’s voice, leadership, and friendship. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mary, his children, and the rest of his family.”
What was David Stevens’ cause of death?
As the National Mortgage Professional reported, Stevens had been battling cancer.
On June 26, 2017, he discussed living with the disease via a LinkedIn blog and revealed his August 15, 2016 stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis.
He discussed how his wife, Mary, and their kids had been by his side throughout his health struggles.
Stevens also emphasized the importance of regular physical exams, getting a second opinion, living life despite a cancer diagnosis, mental strength, employer support, sharing one’s cancer struggle with others, exercising, and making friends.
“Live: Dr Pienta, my urological oncologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital is so right – live life,” he said.
“Get every minute possible of family time and personal enjoyment when you have cancer. Don’t dwell on a death sentence, even with stage 4, as it will happen sooner. Live life. It’s important,” he continued, in part.
When was David Stevens the FHA commissioner?
According to his LinkedIn, Stevens was the FHA commissioner in Washington, DC from July 2009 to March 2011.
He oversaw “the FHA programs for Single and Multi-Family housing; HUD’s Healthcare programs that provide insurance for hospitals and nursing homes” and managed “the regulatory policy for RESPA, Manufactured Housing, and SAFE,” according to his position’s description.
“Our mission is to provide safe and affordable housing for all, and through HUD programs, to help grow sustainable communities throughout our country,” his LinkedIn continues.