Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp, established in 1996, has emerged as a leading figure in the lending industry, earning recognition as one of the best places to work in the country. On Wednesday, April 17, the MBA Fellowship students were granted an exclusive behind the scenes glimpse into the operations of Fairway, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the staff and the Weinert Center of Entrepreneurship. Leading the tour was Kathy Bultman, the head of human resources.
The visit started with a discussion with Steve Jacobson, the founder and CEO of Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp and a distinguished graduate of the Wisconsin School of Business. Joining him were a couple members of the Fairway team, including Julie Fry, Sherri Anderson, Kathy Bultman, and Stephanie Dalton. This session provided valuable insights into the journey of building a successful enterprise, holding laughter from stories, lessons learned, and inspiring anecdotes.
Jacobson shared how his background in college athletics has taught him principles of discipline and excellence, which continue to form the foundation of Fairway’s mission today. In a world where the only constant is change, the ability to pivot swiftly is crucial. Steve says, “Competition is not going to be fair. Competition is going to be nasty, dirty, ugly. Now all you can do is serve people that are your customers in the best way possible.”
At the heart of Fairway is a dedicated team deeply committed not only to mortgage lending but also to community care. Their guiding principle of trust and support drives them to continually educate themselves through sharing books and company wide emails filled with inspiration and personal anecdotes. Jacobson underscores this importance of perpetual growth, urging the students to ““Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep getting better. Keep listening. Keep taking notes. Never, never, never, never, never think you’re the smartest person in the room.”
Today, Fairway has earned numerous awards, including a JD Power award, ranking #10 as a top mortgage provider. The upper floors of their building features a spacious conference room with a custom oak table- fostering an atmosphere of collaboration and welcome. Additionally, open lounges are equipped with sound-retaining frames to promote teamwork and creativity. On the lower level, facilities such as a yoga room, gym, and wellness spaces cater to the well-being of the employees. A special pub serves as a gathering place for staff to unwind and socializing, reflecting on Fairway’s commitment to fostering a supportive community.
Finally, the tour ended in a visit to a room that hosts their American Warrior Initiatives, a non-profit of Fairway dedicated to supporting veterans, active-duty military personnel, and first responders through grants and initiatives such as providing service dogs. In the same area, the students were able to see the warehouse location of Fairway Cares, another non profit funded by Fairway. Fairway Cares offers comfort, strength, and encouragement to those facing critical illness, loss of loved one, or sustained physical trauma through carefully selected and prepared packages and financial grants. These headquarters for the non-profits were inspiring to see- especially as an exclusive behind the scenes of what Fairways truly special.
Fairway is not just a company; it is an institution built on the foundation of trust and dedication to its customers. Never compromising on their core values, the first being, humility first sets Fairway apart in an industry that is often characterized by intense competition. Through its numerous initiatives, Fairway continues to set the standard for excellence in service and empathy, earning the trust and loyalty of all who encounter it.
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