This self-proclaimed "Most Huggable Person" (Editor's note: We second that!) loves to travel. So while giving him a bear hug at our upcoming Annual Conference, be sure to ask him about recent adventures, or his all-time favorite destination, Instanbul. He says he also loves Mercedes, but we're pretty sure he's talking about the car brand, not [...]
Communities are revitalized at every level when private lenders invest in affordable housing. The need for more affordable housing in the U.S. could not be more severe. There needs to be more of it—and it needs to be of better quality. According to a report from the National Association of Realtors, new housing construction in [...]
The American Association of Private Lenders and sister company Think Realty meet with legislative staff to voice industry concerns. October 21, 2021 – Members of the American Association of Private Lenders and Think Realty gathered virtually for a day of meetings with staffers in Washington, D.C. to discuss proposed legislation that would impact housing providers [...]
Cindy Nasser's early life experiences taught her lessons about business, empathy, and leadership that drive her success. Cindy Nasser’s career path has been anything but typical. But her life experiences have equipped her with insights that uniquely qualify her to lead teams at PCV Murcor. As chief operating officer, she touches nearly all parts of [...]
Update 10-28-2021: We have been notified by our contacts on Capitol Hill that sections 138312 and 138314 have been removed from the new draft of the bill. He expressed surprise that they had been removed so quickly as they were viewed as "non-tax-increase payfors" that would help cover the bill's spend. While it is [...]
A development project near the West 7th neighborhood in Fort Worth, Texas, provides much-needed housing inventory in one of DFW’s hottest districts. The DFW area has experienced astounding growth in recent years. Companies like Charles Schwab, Toyota, and Amazon have moved to the area, and in 2020, DFW ranked first in raw population growth. The [...]
Each quarter, we ask one of our committees to weigh in on a topic. These broad, open-ended questions allow for a wide range of responses to better explore the full scope of an issue. This quarter, we asked our Ethics Advisory Committee to tell us what they think private lenders can (and should!) be doing [...]
When asked to tell us about his hobbies, Saurabh Shah, co-founder of InstaLend, told us he loves playing sports and eating ice cream. For a second we thought he said playing sports while eating ice cream — we are definitely now disappointed to realize this isn't the case. Anyway, when you run into Saurabh at [...]
When asked what he does for fun, Chris Baggett, Director of Business Development at Essex Financial Services (new members as of July 2021!) will tell you fun is relative, but that he likes to stay active with cycling, hiking and lifting weights nearly every day of the week. So we guess Chris isn't into fun? [...]
Kristina Sawyer draws on experience in all aspects of real estate to offer a cohesive product and experience. When she was young, Kristina Sawyer never thought she’d work in real estate. As it turns out, she’s worked in nearly every aspect of the business, giving her valuable perspective for her role as vice president of [...]
Membership Questions?
Call 913-888-1250
Nominations are open until August 30, 2026, with voting from September 7-30, 2026. We’ll announce recipients at our Annual Conference.
Member of the Year (MOTY): This award goes to a member based on their deep expertise, unique value, and strong commitment to clients and the industry.
Rising Star: Rising Stars are members who have accomplished outstanding growth in their company or industry sector over the past year.
Community Impact: Recipients improve their local communities or our industry through volunteering, development programs, or civic efforts.
See past award winners, award rules, and participate in the 2026 nomination and voting process here.
VIP RECEPTION // Enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres while catching up with VIPs from across the country, all overlooking the gorgeous Las Vegas Strip. AAPL Members may RSVP during conference registration at no additional cost; for non-members it is $199/ticket.
NETWORKING BREAKFASTS & SESSION BREAKS // Early-risers will appreciate plentiful coffee and a selection of pastries, protein, and more – along with the opportunity to talk shop in a quieter atmosphere. Session breaks feature an energetic environment with a variety of snacking options.
AFTER-HOURS RECEPTION // Continue conversations with fellow attendees, sponsors, and speakers in the Exhibit Hall while enjoying complimentary hors d’oeuvres and two drink tokens.
OFFICIAL AFTER-PARTY // For those who hate to say goodnight, each year a few sponsors plan a little something extra to wrap up your day … or help segue from all-business to all-fun. We’ll mark the party as official and provide information about how to attend.
AAPL APP // The app is your insiders’ guide to getting the most out of #AAPLANNUAL and includes your personalized schedule, conference navigation system, and more! Download now!
Grand Prize – Custom Championship Belt & VIP Admission to Power Room event in St. Augustine, FL (February 27th – March 1st, 2023)
2nd Place – 2023 AAPL Annual Conference Bundle to include Individual Membership, 1 Conference Ticket and 1 VIP Reception pass.
3rd Place – 1 year AAPL Individual Membership
