At FirstClose, our leadership team is rapidly expanding with some of the best minds in the FinTech industry. They know what our solutions can do for your business today, and have their eyes fixed on the horizon of what comes next. So get to know us—we look forward to meeting you soon.
Meet the authorities in Home Equity Lending.
Tedd Smith
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Tim Smith
Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer
Byung Choi
Interim Chief Financial Officer
John Aslanian
Chief Revenue Officer
Corey Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Dan Kellett
Chief Technology Officer
Ramiro Castro
Chief Product Officer
Katie Smith
Senior Vice President of Human Resources
David Bolin
Vice President of Marketing
Andria Lightfoot
Vice President of Client Success at FirstClose
Aslanian
John Aslanian
Chief Revenue Officer
John leads the FirstClose go-to-market activity, business development, sales, account management and the continued evolution of the FirstClose partner ecosystem. He has 25+ years of experience leading sales teams in the mortgage technology / SaaS space, including at nCino and ICE Mortgage Technology.
Bolin
David Bolin
Vice President of Marketing
David handles everything from brand image and product positioning to public relations and communications. A strategic thinker with creative problem-solving abilities, he brings 20 years of marketing experience in FINTECH, mortgage technology and SaaS spaces—with a strong track record of directing successful strategic marketing initiatives for industry-leading brands.
Castro
Ramiro Castro
Chief Product Officer
Ramiro defines and executes the company’s product vision and strategy and leads product development and implementation efforts. With 20+ years of experience, he has a successful track record of overseeing customer elicitation to solution delivery. With a knack for balancing pragmatic product visions and delivering tangible business value, he develops strategies that help users avoid the tedium and risks of their everyday tasks, increase productivity, and ultimately reduce costs—all while providing a seamless enterprise solution experience.
Choi
Byung Choi
Interim Chief Financial Officer
Byung is responsible for all financial planning and analysis, budgeting, AP & AR and human resources. His career spans extensive experience in the computer software industry, where he has consistently demonstrated a commitment to data-driven decision-making, agile management, and customer-centric product development. Known for his collaborative leadership style, Byung leverages Kaizen principles to foster teamwork and continuous improvement.
Kellett
Dan Kellett
Chief Technology Officer
Dan oversees the company’s IT and strategy spanning applications, data, cybersecurity and infrastructure. He brings a wealth of experience delivering new products with next gen technologies and running highly efficient and successful technology teams. Kellett is also a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and holds a certification with the International Information System Security Certification Consortium (ISC²).
Lightfoot
Andria Lightfoot
Vice President of Client Success
Andria leads implementation, account management, and customer success strategies. Committed to a customer-first approach, she has 20+ years of experience driving success in mortgage and technology. Recognized as a HousingWire Woman of Influence and one of National Mortgage Professional’s 40 Under 40, Andria is a frequent speaker and contributor to industry events and publications, including Forbes. She has also served on advisory boards for the Mortgage Bankers Association, ICE, and Women of ALICE.
Smith, Corey
Corey Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Corey oversees the daily operations of the firm. He has more than 30 years of technology and operational expertise. He implemented our Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), revolutionizing how we operate and fueling exponential growth. He’s drawn to opportunities where strategic vision, operational excellence, and a relentless focus on customer experience intersect—if it’s challenging, disruptive, or just too interesting to ignore, he’s in.
Smith, Katie
Katie Smith
Senior Vice President of Human Resources
Katie leads the human resources department core functions and ensures alignment of strategic goals. With 20 years of experience leading human resources in the technology / services / SaaS space, she is passionate about fostering collaborative teams and cultivating a strong workplace culture that empowers employees, drives innovation and enhances organizational success.
Smith, Tedd
Tedd Smith
Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Tedd launched FirstClose alongside his brother Tim in 2000, designing and developing the first and only home equity system. With more than 20 years of experience in the mortgage origination and settlement services space, he knows what works and what doesn’t—continually guiding the company towards excellence and innovation.
Smith, Tim
Tim Smith
Co-Founder & Chief Growth Officer
Tim launched FirstClose with his brother Tedd in 2000. Overseeing the company’s Business Development team, he has more than 20 years of executive experience in the mortgage origination and settlement services space. He leads the company’s strategic vision and direction, partnering with clients, providers, and stakeholders to create solutions that meet their needs and exceed expectations.