Meet Jammie Jelks | Product Manager & Consultant

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jammie Jelks and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jammie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The number of people looking to transition to tech is growing each day. Many have been successful. The key to my success was leveraging my existing experience in the real estate finance space. Spent over 10 years working in mortgage and had zero interest in leaving the industry, so focusing on Mortgage Tech made since to me.

Getting into tech was half the battle. Your success once you are in is on you and the team around you. Since jumping into tech, I have committed myself to mastering the product, increasing my overall product management knowledge, and building my technical skills. I was not interested in simply doing my job and getting a paycheck, I wanted to learn, grow and build and was serious about it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a Product Manager for an Atlanta based fintech startup. Spent over 10 years helping individuals and families get into new homes or refinance their existing ones. I am now creating the software that makes peoples homeownership dreams, a reality. I have helped build an AI powered digital underwriting software capable of completing a home loan underwrite in under 90 seconds.

I have played every role in the loan life cycle. I have been a buyer, real estate agent, loan officer, processor, and underwriter. I have led processing, underwriting, and closing teams. Have supported sales operations and had my own mortgage brokerage. I have literally done it all.

Since I joined the mortgage industry, my goals have been the same. One, to make a lot of money, which I have over time and two, to expand access to homeownership to those historically left out.

I am a firm believer that the home loan process can be easier and more efficient for all. The process doesn’t have to be as daunting as it is, and that with the right technology, we can in fact make it a better experience for all involved.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am LOVING Atlanta thus far. Its a change of pace from Los Angeles, but I love it. I am a hoop fan so I love having the Hawks and Dream right here. Have caught a couple Falcons and Braves games too.

My favorite brunch place has become The Breakfast Boys in College Park. Spice House Midtown is now my go-to spot for a dinner and drinks. Team outings at Top Golf and Puttshack have been dope too. If you have a family and small kids like me, the Children’s Museum, Coco-Cola Museum, and Aquarium have been life savers.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My tribe has been amazing. I have friends in the mortgage and tech space that have consistently encouraged me, but my wife is my biggest fan, She is my sounding board, she brainstorms with me, she challenges me, corrects me, and supports my personal and professional development. Iron truly sharpens iron, and most of the times men use that saying when referring to other brothas, but my wife helps me get right for sure.

Instagram: www.instagram.com/jelksmba

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jammiejelks

Twitter: www.twitter.com/jelksmba