Employee Spotlight
Name: Kristen Verbos
Title: Loan Processor
Years at Rain City: 4.5
What you do at Rain City Capital?
You mean, besides make inappropriate comments?
When a deal is approved by underwriting, my job is to make the loan happen. I complete the loan docs, work to get escrow everything they need, and make sure all the conditions in underwriting are met. On the day of funding, I help make sure the wire goes out and make sure it’s recorded. I work very closely with escrow and the brokers.
How did you come to work for Rain City?
I interviewed with a temp agency and started as a receptionist. A few months later, they hired me permanently. I was promoted to loan servicing after a year and a half and then became a loan processor after another six months.
Wow, you’ve done a little of everything in the company. As one of the first employees, what’s changed since you started?
Everything! Well, the culture really hasn’t changed. Fred’s worked hard to make sure our office is still like a family even as we’re growing.
We’ve grown a lot. When it comes to how we do business, we’ve really stepped up our technology game. We can do more loans and faster. We provide more services, break into new niches. We’ve really carved out our place in the market.
How would you describe Rain City’s culture?
It’s fun. It’s lively. It’s all of us running around trying to make a deal happen for the borrower. It’s not a mechanical process. Each loan is unique because every deal is unique. Because each deal special, we get to treat it and everyone involved with it that way. We work with what the borrower wants. It’s fixing a problem, solving a puzzle. It’s very satisfying.
What are some other favorite things about working for Rain City?
The laid back atmosphere. We’re allowed to be people, not corporate drones. But we all have this drive to be better. That really feeds into my personality. I’m constantly wondering how we can improve, both personally and professionally.
Do you have any tips for a good work/life balance?
I actually enjoy getting called at home. My husband gets to listen to me solve problems while he makes dinner—it’s great. I like having a little bit of both all the time—work and leisure. Because I think work’s fun!
Do you have a guilty pleasure?
I don’t believe in guilty pleasures. You should just enjoy what you enjoy without guilt!
If you were to win a high school year book award right now, what would it be?
Most Inappropriate.
If you could travel back in time, what advice would you give yourself?
You know, I was actually thinking about this the other day. There are three Kristens: Past Kristen, Present Kristen, and Future Kristen. Past Kristen sucked and didn’t do anything right, Future Kristen, I can’t do anything about (and I shouldn’t rely on her)… the only person I can control is Present Kristen and the decisions I make today.
Staying in the present. What a great outlook! What is the best, worst, or weirdest job Past Kristen ever had?
My last job at Harley Davidson in the heart of Alabama. The guys we used to meet in the store were the real deal—very tough. I actually had a wall of canes in my office. And if they were surly, I’d show them the wall and told them if they didn’t shape up, I’d have to use one of these on them. They all thought it was hilarious.
What are the top 3 highlights of your life?
When I became captain of my Airforce JROTC squad my senior year of high school. That was the moment that created the person I am today. I went from being a kid who didn’t pay attention in school to somebody who is constantly striving for more. It also started my interest in project management.
That’s also where I got to know my husband, Trevor. Five years later I showed up at his house with my best friend and we bonded over that class. We were engaged a couple of months later.
I got mad at Trevor because he was having issues signing up for college, so to show him how easy it was, I called a college and signed up myself. And all of a sudden, I nearly have my bachelor’s degree.
And last, but not least, if you had to be stuck on an island with a Rain City employee, who would it be?
I would choose (sales executive) Lesa Say. I feel like I could follow her around the island while she yelled at people to make things happen so that we could get off the island. It would entertain the hell out of me!
Pam Drexler, executive vice president of Rain City Capital, had this to say about Kristen:
“Kristen started out as a temp, but after seeing her quest for learning and consistently positive attitude, we just had to hire her. When I first met her, I asked what she wanted to do in her career. She said “I want your job.” I laughed, but it’s true. She wants to learn everything she can. She is always thinking, always learning, and always seeking ways to be more efficient. If things are slow, she is like a heat-seeking missile. She takes initiative all the time to stay busy. The best thing about her? Kristen has a wicked, funny sense of humor.”