The History

Ken Turkington begins employment for Metropolitan Title Company.
Pioneer Mortgage opens in Novi, Michigan with one employee.

1993
Jeff Kennedy is 1st Loan Officer hired by Pioneer Mortgage.

1994
Kirk Chivas begins selling Real Estate and works with Pioneer Mortgage as the preferred lender for his buyers.

1996
Ken joins Pioneer Mortgage as a Loan Officer leaving the title insurance business.

1997
Kirk joins Pioneer Mortgage as a Loan Officer leaving the Real Estate business.

1998
Pioneer Mortgage adds employees and moves into new facilities; core business from Builder, Realtor and past client referrals.

1999
Pioneer Mortgage is named to the INC. 500 list of fastest growing privately held companies in the US.

2000
Phoenix, AZ office opens giving Pioneer Mortgage a west coast presence.

2001
Sara Grillo joins Pioneer Mortgage as a loan officer.

2002
Pioneer Mortgage makes the INC. 500 list for the 2nd time in 3 years.
Pioneer Mortgage becomes the 2nd largest mortgage lender in the state of Michigan.

2003
Pioneer Mortgage goes public and is bought by Sallie Mae, a fortune 500 company.
Sallie Mae Home Loans is formed; core business from existing student loan holders.

2004
Boston, MA office opens giving Sallie Mae Home Loans an east coast presence.
Betsy Cline joins Sallie Mae Home Loans as a loan processor.

2005
Ken becomes Sr. VP of Sales.
Kirk becomes VP of Sales.

2006
Chad Lavey joins Sallie Mae Home Loans as a Loan Officer.

2007
Sallie Mae Home Loans closes.
Ken and Kirk form First Commerce Financial on11/30/07.

2008
First Commerce Financial closes 1st loan in March.
First Commerce Financial obtains FHA license in December.
Chad Lavey joins First Commerce Financial as a loan processor.

2009
Mark Hoensheid joins First Commerce Financial as Chief Information Officer.
Betsy Cline joins First Commerce Financial as a loan processor.