Executive Vice President
120 Newport Center Drive, Suite 233 & 239
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(310) 293-7092
Join our team. Love our culture.
What is that special sauce that you look for in a team? Is it size? Is it experience? Is it profitability? Our special sauce is our small firm feel, backed by one of the largest lenders in the industry.
We pride ourselves on a unique culture built of a highly seasoned Sales and Operations team. The head of our pack, Brett Dillenberg, started Platinum Capital back in 1993. He successfully grew the company for over 14 years before deciding to combine forces with RPM Mortgage to provide his team stability in an unstable time following the mortgage meltdown. The team was with RPM Mortgage for another 14 years when, again, it was in the best interest of the team, for stability and growth, to join forces with a bigger team, and we joined CrossCountry Mortgage in April of 2022.
Why CrossCountry Mortgage?
Brett Dillenberg
Partnering with one of the biggest players in the industry is a no-brainer. More products, lightning-fast service, more pull, better pricing, more marketing — the sky’s the limit here.
- Our team has averaged just under $1 billion/year over the past 6 years
- Our team has been in the top 7 since joining CCM in April of 2022
- We are part of one of the largest divisions at CCM and should do close to $3 billion in 2025
- Our team is comprised of over 15 branches (and growing) and 50+ originators, many being with me for over 10 years
- We offer a vast library of loan products to help all types of borrowers and a highly efficient process driven by advanced technology
- CCM is ranked the #1 retail mortgage lender by Scotsman Guide and Mortgage Executive Magazine and has been recognized 10 times on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
We changed the mortgage game — so you can change people’s lives
How we help you own your role, run your business, and control your success
Product power is selling power
We back your business with loans to suit nearly any financial situation with the help of 170+ approved investor outlets, broker channel options, and a non-QM product suite.
Stand out & elevate your brand
Set up your marketing strategy with our in-house marketing team. Get custom marketing materials for events, lead generation digital ads, and paid social media campaigns.
Gain your competitive edge
Our digital lending platform streamlines the customer experience by maximizing productivity, building relationships, and generating data to help customize your business.
You have our full backing
From in-house underwriting and appraisals to condo assistance, construction, renovation, and HECM expertise, we’ve got you covered. With minimal overlays, we help you secure more approvals and close more sales.
Meet our regional leadership team
Jennifer Hayday
Assistant Branch Manager
“When I dipped my toes into the mortgage industry 20 years ago, I had to learn from the ground up.”
Jennifer got her start in mortgage on The Dillenberg Team in the early 2000s as a marketing assistant/part-time. She very quickly moved into a full-time role and up the ranks only to find herself overseeing the day-to-day branch operations and IT. Over the years, her role has grown, and she is now our Regional Administrative Manager, which oversees the day-to-day regional and branch operations. Her role provides non-loan-related support to the staff and helps everyone exceed their goals. From P&Ls and spreadsheets to staffing and facilities, Jennifer is our safety net.
Melisse Volkmann
Branch Operations Manager
“I’ve been with The Dillenberg Team for 2½ years, and it’s a testament to Brett and his team that I can truly say I have no intentions of leaving until it’s time to retire.”
Melisse has 27 years of experience in the mortgage industry, performing various operations roles ranging from loan opener to DE underwriter. For the past 10 years, Melisse has been in management, which has allowed her to assist individuals in achieving their dreams of homeownership by exploring creative solutions to make loans viable. Melisse oversees the Operations team by providing daily direction on workflow, protocols, and problem-solving. Additionally, she collaborates closely with managers from other departments to ensure seamless file processing within the system and timely completion. Melisse takes the complex, internal world of loans and simplifies it, allowing the Sales team to go out and do what they do best — sell.
Sarena Talbert
Regional Sales Manager
“When I walked into my interview with Brett 12 years ago, the giant words on the lobby wall said ‘Can Do Will Do’ and I knew I had found my team and my forever work home.”
For over 25 years, Sarena has worked in just about every role there is in the mortgage industry. She’s our utility player. Not only does she help to navigate product, pricing, marketing, and operations for all of the Sales and Ops teams, but she also originates her own book of business, so she’s on the front lines with the rest of the Sales and Ops team. Helping others to succeed lights her fire and drives her to always learn more and do more. She prides herself on her problem-solving abilities and making herself available early, late, and on the weekends. Just because the office is closed, doesn’t mean that business stops.