How we Started

The Story of Champions

Champions Funding, LLC was founded in 2021 as a wholesale mortgage banker with a CDFI (Community Development Financial Institution) designation. Founded by proven industry leaders Evan M. Stone and Patty Arvielo, the company addresses the inequalities in homeownership that exist today.

Champions Funding offers unique Non-QM loan solutions for credit-worthy borrowers who don't fit traditional agency guidelines such as Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA, etc. As the need for modern and flexible programs grow, the Champions team adapts to serve its most diverse population of borrowers.

OUR CORE Business is 100% Non-QM

What We Do

Champions Funding offers a full suite of Non-QM loan products through our wholesale broker & correspondent (fully delegated and non-delegated) partnerships. The products have been designed for borrowers and real estate investors who may not qualify through traditional agency lending criteria.

We help approved business partners win the deal by offering a mix of relevant loan programs together with top-tier operation and fulfillment support.

Direct access and communication with empowered underwriters and decision-makers

1:1 support through daily live trainings, a staffed scenario desk, and self-service videos/tutorials

Frictionless loan processes combined with the industry's most broker-friendly LOS platform

Company Culture

Our Core Values

At the heart of the company is a dedicated team of mortgage professionals who are committed to upholding the company mission while providing the best client experience for mortgage brokers and loan officers as well as their borrowers. We offer the most inclusive Non-QM products in the mortgage industry.

Our team strives to uphold these three core values in our daily work to serve our greater mission.

#WeAreChampions

Service of Champions

Champions think Yes before NO. We act as catalyst in solving complicated challenges with simplified solutions.

Inspiring Champions

As Champions, we listen to understand versus listening to respond. We strive for a better way through learning from the team and embracing new ideas.

Integrity of Champions

Champs "Do the right thing. Period." We are committed to honesty, trust, and full transparency within our internal and external team members, as well as our community.

Proven mortgage professionals ready to help you win.

Meet Our Sales & Leadership Team

Your goals are our goals. Together, we'll position you as a Champion in the market.

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Evan M. Stone

CEO & Founder

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Bryan Filkey

President

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Eric Lenarz

EVP Correspondent Lending

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Dalton Rucker

SVP Capital Markets

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Brenda Reyes

VP Correspondent Operations

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John Ball

VP Correspondent Sales Manager

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Chrisi Gordon

VP Client Experience Manager

Company Culture

Our Core Values

At the heart of the company is a dedicated team of mortgage professionals who are committed to upholding the company mission while providing the best client experience.

Our team strives to uphold these three core values in our daily work to serve our greater mission.

#WeAreChampions

Unparalleled Expertise at Your Service

Benefit from a highly experienced Correspondent Sales, Support, and Operations teams dedicated to ensuring seamless execution and unparalleled guidance at every step.

A True Correspondent Investor Platform

Champions Funding provides a dedicated Correspondent platform designed exclusively for Correspondent partners who expect consistent and reliable service every time.

The Industry's Deepest Non-QM Product Line

Gain access to a robust and diverse range of Non-QM loan products that surpass industry standards, providing solutions tailored to unique borrower needs.

Commitment to Exceptional Service

Experience unmatched service excellence, where a genuine dedication to your success guides every client interaction.

Independently Owned, Focused on Mortgage Lending

Partner with an independent mortgage company that prioritizes Correspondent Lending and aligns its mission with your growth and success.

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Angela Castillo

SVP, Talent Acquisitions

Angela Castillo is a dynamic talent acquisition professional with a proven track record in full-cycle recruiting and strategic talent development. With extensive experience in the mortgage industry, Angela has effectively collaborated with C-level executives and hiring managers to address recruitment needs, boost company productivity, and enhance team morale. Angela’s skills in talent sourcing, ATS management, and market strategy, coupled with her knack for headhunting top industry talent, have been instrumental in expanding organizations' footprint nationwide. She also brings strong capabilities in onboarding, social media branding, and negotiating to her role at Champions Funding.

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Chrisi Gordon

VP Client Experience Manager

With 27 years in the mortgage industry, all in Correspondent Lending, Christina Gordon brings deep expertise, strong leadership, and a commitment to exceptional client service. She has held senior roles in operations, client services, and business consulting, specializing in managing relationships, enhancing client satisfaction, and driving strategic collaboration. As an Accredited Mortgage Professional, Christina is known for her ability to build resilient partnerships and foster seamless communication between internal and external stakeholders. Her mission is to align client needs with operational excellence, making her a trusted leader in the industry.

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Brenda Reyes

VP Correspondent Operations

Brenda Reyes is a dynamic leader known for building efficient, scalable operations that drive growth. She has played a key role in launching and optimizing correspondent platforms, ensuring high-quality, compliant loans while delivering white-glove customer service. A hands-on leader, Brenda immerses herself in all aspects of operations to streamline processes, mentor teams, and foster a culture of collaboration and excellence. Passionate about her work, she is committed to continuous improvement, strong business relationships, and always giving 120%.

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John Ball

VP Correspondent Sales Manager

As a seasoned correspondent lending executive with over 25 years of sales experience at Wells Fargo and Freddie Mac, John has cultivated strong relationships with mortgage companies, banks, and credit unions across the nation. With an MBA in marketing and a deep understanding of the mortgage industry, he specializes in developing and managing client relationships. His passion lies in providing exceptional customer service and crafting tailored solutions that align with his clients' strategic objectives. Furthermore, he fosters collaborative relationships with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure seamless and compliant transactions. His mission is to lead our sales team and build enduring partnerships that drive sustainable growth for our clients.

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Eric Lenarz

EVP Correspondent Lending

Eric Lenarz joins Champions Funding with nearly 24 years of experience, primarily in Correspondent Lending. His career highlights include 14 years as VP of Sales and successfully launching a correspondent channel as EVP in 2021. Eric’s longstanding professional relationship with CEO Evan Stone began in 2007, and their reunion at Champions Funding reflects a shared commitment to excellence.A Finance graduate of St. Cloud State University, Eric resides in Coto de Caza, CA, with his wife, two daughters, and their corgi. His leadership and innovation will be key to the success of the Correspondent Lending Division.

"We listen to understand, not to respond."

Evan M. Stone

CEO & Founder

Evan M. Stone has cemented his place as a leader in the mortgage industry. As the former Founder/CEO of Pacific Union Financial and owner of ClearVision Funding, he has repeatedly grown mortgage companies to the ultimate level of success. In Champions Funding, he is hyper-focused on building a team to serve underserved and underbanked communities of borrowers by providing access to loan products that fill a significant gap in the mortgage industry. Evan is also the Chairman of Community Savings Bank and a Co-Owner and Partner for Rep1 Sports agency – representing top names in the NFL, and MLB, including Cooper Kupp, Super Bowl LVI’s MVP, and Rafael Devers, current face of the Boston Red Sox.

"express the story of our people through the art of numbers."

Rob Bernabe

Chief Financial Officer

Rob Bernabe is a passionately engaged industry veteran with 35 years in a variety of roles. He has successfully served to navigate companies through explosive growth, such as E*Trade Mortgage and H&R Block Mortgage Corporation, and helped build other companies from start-up to maturity in a variety of business climates. Rob’s broad depth of industry knowledge helps him, as he likes to say, “express the story of our people through the art of numbers”. Rob’s CPA pedigree was founded at KPMG, where he served financial services clients in the United States and Australia. He is a published author, speaker, volunteer, and most importantly – a husband and a father of two children.

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Maria Coh-Prospero

Chief Administrative Officer

Maria is our Chief Administrative Officer, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience. With more than ten years of specialized experience in the mortgage and servicing industry, Maria is an expert in managing HR, IT, Servicing Oversight, and Client and Broker Management. Maria is known for her ability to get things done. She has a proven track record of driving organizational effectiveness through strategic leadership, team building, and talent management. Her extensive industry knowledge and keen eye for emerging trends enable her to create innovative solutions that meet the needs of our clients and partners, both internal and external.

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Aron Rofer

General Counsel

Aron is an accomplished and seasoned attorney with extensive experience in mortgage banking, lending, fintech, and consumer financial services. He brings a wealth of expertise in regulatory compliance, commercial litigation, data privacy and security, and employment and HR matters. Before joining Champions, Aron served as General Counsel for over a decade at a leading Non-QM lender, overseeing all mortgage compliance and legal matters for the company. He also served as Deputy General Counsel of Origence and its wholly owned subsidiaries Origence Lending Services and FI Connect. Aron’s career began in private practice, where he spent several years at the prestigious law firm Bingham McCutchen (now part of Morgan Lewis), focusing on business litigation for high-profile clients such as PricewaterhouseCoopers, KPMG, Washington Mutual, Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, and celebrities like Larry King and Tom DeLonge of Blink 182. Following this, he founded his own firm, representing borrowers and consumers in real estate transactions, mortgage restructuring, foreclosure defense, and bankruptcy.

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Christy Mindell

EVP of Marketing

Christy Mindell brings over 20 years of experience in financial services marketing, project management, event planning, business intelligence, corporate branding, targeted email marketing, social media strategies, niche product marketing, direct mail, blogging, print and online advertising, client acquisition, plus retention strategies and tactics. Throughout her career, she has proven she is a multi-talented product management leader with a strong understanding of an array of marketing and communication strategies that drive engagement and communicate value. Her approachable style makes her a tremendous value to sales teams fostering their growth, plus the ultimate brand ambassador during traditional, digital, and event marketing opportunities. Christy fosters a motivating internal culture that motivates marketers and mortgage professionals to increase their roles and personal brands.

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Annette Arevalo

SVP of Operations

Annette brings a decade of Customer Support experience as the Senior Vice President of Customer Relations. Her ingenuity, transparency and friendly approach to resolution of challenges foster a “can-do” environment for our internal and external clients. Her acute ability to identify opportunities for enhancing the customer experience paired with her positive disposition empower our Champions Customer Relations Team to effectively make real time impact and change to the overall customer experience. Her passions outside of work are her family and love of her 4 legged furry pups.

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Dalton Rucker

SVP Capital Markets

With more than 15 years of expertise in financial analysis, Dalton Rucker, SVP Capital Markets, possesses a wealth of experience in investment, margin, and capital market management. His meticulous approach to strategic planning and market trend analysis has consistently enhanced Champions Funding's strategic positioning. His unwavering dedication remains fixated on achieving financial growth and propelling Champions in the Non-QM space. Dalton's Champion spirit was demonstrated in his decision to play college basketball at Hardin Simmons University, despite the offer of a full ride to Wharton School of Business.

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Bryan Filkey

President

Bryan has extensive experience and expertise in capital markets, product development, operations, technology and management. He has overseen more than $3 billion in non-agency originations and has experience running successful wholesale and correspondent divisions for national lenders. As President of B2B at a national, publicly traded mortgage company he oversaw capital markets, wholesale & correspondent divisions, Non-QM production and was the head of IT R&D where his team pioneered proprietary AUS, automated conditioning engine, data integrity module, a custom portal and enhanced rules & reporting. He is regarded as one of the pioneers & thought leaders of Non-QM and is passionate about growing the alternative lending market in a responsible way. His previous employers include prestigious firms such as: PIMCO, Capital One Bank & Credit Suisse.

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About Champions Funding

Angela Castillo

Chrisi Gordon

Brenda Reyes

John Ball

Eric Lenarz

Evan M. Stone

Patty Arvielo

Rob Bernabe

Maria Coh-Prospero

Aron Rofer

Christy Mindell

Annette Arevalo

Dalton Rucker

Bryan Filkey

Building a Culture of Champions

Evan M. Stone (CEO)

The True Value of Partners

Natalie Verrette (COO)

Mission Drive Lending

Patty Arvielo (Chairwoman of the Board & Co-Founder)