Radian Group adds two mortgage vets to its board of directors

Radian Group has tapped David Stevens, former president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association, and Debra Hess, former board member of NorthStar, as new members of its board of directors.

Stevens joined the MBA in 2011 and retired as president and CEO in September. Before joining the MBA, Stevens served as assistant secretary of housing and federal housing commissioner during the Obama administration. He was also the president and COO of the Long & Foster Companies, which included the core real estate company and all affiliated mortgage business, settlement services and insurance.

Stevens’ track record includes 30 years of experience in mortgage finance. He has held executive-level positions in sales, acquisition, investment, risk management, and regulatory oversight for organizations like Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac, and World Savings. Stevens currently works In Mortgage Media, providing advisory efforts in real estate finance as well as technical and strategic consultation to financial institutions and intermediaries.

Hess was the former chief financial officer of NorthStar Realty Finance and NorthStar Asset Management Group from 2011 until 2017, when both companies merged with Colony Capital to form Colony NorthStar. The mortgage industry veteran also held various roles at Goldman Sachs & Company, Chemical Banking Corporation, and Arthur Anderson & Company. She served on the boards of AG Mortgage Investment Trust and CenterPoint Properties Trust.

"Radian is pleased to have Debra and Dave join our board of directors," said Herb Wender, chairman of Radian. "Their leadership, strategic insight and depth of experience in the mortgage and real estate industries and government affairs will help strengthen Radian’s position as a market-leading residential mortgage and real estate services enterprise. The addition of two highly qualified directors with skills that complement our strategic focus reinforces our commitment to strong corporate governance and enhancing stockholder value."

"Radian has a strong, independent board of directors composed of proven leaders in mortgage banking, real estate, government, business operations, and capital and secondary markets,” said Radian CEO Rick Thornberry. “The addition of Debra and Dave will further strengthen our Board and provide us with valuable insight and guidance to execute our strategic plan for strong growth, value creation, and stockholder returns.”