In his own words: Ellis Ferguson of VanDyk Mortgage

Northern Nevada Business Weekly: Tell us a little about your company.

Ellis Ferguson: VanDyk Mortgage was established in 1987 by Tom VanDyk in Grand Rapids, Mich. VanDyk Mortgage and its many wholesale and correspondent lending partners offer many home loan products. This is a new branch that services the Nevada and California markets. I have two loan officers and a loan processor.

NNBW: What kind of boss are you?

Ferguson: Very easy going and fair! I do not micromanage. I am looking for hard-working professionals who are self motivators and not afraid to get out and knock on doors. I also want it to be an energized and active group of people that are having fun and look forward to getting up in the morning to take on the challenges and opportunities that present themselves.

NNBW: How did you get into this?

Ferguson: I began as a licensed residential real estate salesman in 1989 with Myers Realty 500. In 1999, I began working at Grubb & Ellis NCG as an associate handling commercial sales and leasing opportunities. In 2003 I was offered a position with GMAC Mortgage and shortly thereafter went to Chase Home Finance for the next six years. Prior to starting this branch I was licensed as a broker/salesman with a property management designation in Nevada. I have since traded my real estate licensing for a mortgage banker and mortgage broker designation with Nevada and California.

NNBW: What do you enjoy about it?

Ferguson: I love the people part of the business! Of the various areas of real estate, the mortgage side is the most complicated and confusing. I pride myself on being upfront and honest with my clients, friends and customers and helping them achieve the dream of home ownership.

NNBW: What do you find annoying or frustrating about it?

Ferguson: The current lending environment is very challenging, to say the least, with many changes to our loan products, guidelines and conditions over the last few years. The banking industry seems to be our biggest hurdle at this point. I say this not so much from the loan side, but as sellers and parties to the traditional buyer/seller relationship that existed before this crisis began. The process of getting a home today can be a long, frustrating process. I am looking forward to the day when banks no longer effectively control our industry.

NNBW: What effect has the changing economic environment had on your company?

Ferguson: It's all good. I thank Chase Home Finance for letting me go after six years of dedicated service, Flagstar Bank, first and only job I was ever fired from (after only 45 days) and Allied Bank. Each of these companies spurred me to begin this journey and without them, and this bad economy, I would have never made this commitment to begin taking control of my financial destiny.

NNBW: Do you have a favorite vacation memory?

Ferguson: No... by its very definition they're all good. I am however looking forward to creating lots of new ones!

NNBW: How do you spend your time away from the office? Why are these activities important to you?

Ferguson: I love spending time with family and friends and taking advantage of all the outdoor activities this area offers. I'm getting back into mountain and road biking. Water skiing, snow skiing and snowboarding, too. I enjoy working in the yard.

NNBW: Who were your childhood heroes?

Ferguson: My Dad, Captain Kirk, James Bond. They all had great adventures and always got the girl!

NNBW: What school activities and sports did you participate in?

Ferguson: Baseball, football, basketball. Most of these sports ended sophomore year in high school; had size 11.5 shoe and weighed 113 pounds at graduation. I was very slow and stung like a gnat!

NNBW: What's the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Ferguson: "The pain will stop!" Greg Peek. "Stay in school and get good grades!" Mom and Dad. Should have paid more attention to that one.

NNBW: What is the one thing you most want people to remember about you?

Ferguson: That I am fair, honest, and hard working. And my beautiful face.

The basics:

Name: Ellis Ferguson, assistant branch manager of VanDyk Mortgage

How long have you been in this job? Five months

How long in the profession? Eight years

Education: Colorado State University, 1984-1985; University of Nevada, Reno, 1985-1989: Majored in English with a minor in political science. Attended Truckee Meadows Community College 1987-1989: Majored in business.

What's on your iPod? I am very open to most genres. Some favorites are English Beat, Big Head Todd, Blue's Traveler, Joe Satriani, REM, Alice in Chains, Bush, Sheryl Crow, Hootie and the Blowfish, Nirvana, Pearl Jam.

The best movie ever? The last "Star Trek" was really good! If it's not nominated for an Oscar or something, it will affirm it is just a popularity contest. "Slumdog Millionaire," James Bond's "The World is not Enough," "Dumb and Dumber"... (Most anything Jim Carrey).

Do you have a nickname? Stud Muffin!