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300+ lending partners. Flexible loan options. And now a direct lender, NEXA Lending. Our partnership with NEXA Mortgage gives you wholesale pricing and a 300+ lender network — with the local, personal service Stairway is known for.
Reviewed by Jim Blackburn · NMLS #1072866 · Stairway Mortgage
We partnered with 300+ lenders — all standing by to compete for your loan. Here's a glimpse of just 12 of our top partners delivering unbeatable pricing, cutting-edge technology, and lightning-fast closings.
At Stairway Mortgage, we focus on helping clients build real, lasting wealth through strategic real estate leverage. To do this well, we partnered with the most powerful mortgage brokerage platform in the country — NEXA Mortgage, founded by visionary leader Mike Kortas.
Conventional, VA, FHA, jumbo, DSCR, non-QM, and more.
Mortgage network expanding all through the states.
Trusted by thousands of loan officers nationwide.
Lower costs. More savings. No retail markup.
NEXA’s Loan Operating System speeds up every step.
Stairway Mortgage trains Certified Stairway Advisors™ to go beyond traditional lending. We guide clients to make strategic financial decisions that grow wealth over time. We teach our clients how to:
NEXA’s proprietary Loan Operating System connects everything — processors, underwriters, title, and even insurance — into a single platform. It’s modern, fast, and built to serve.
The name NEXA comes from the Latin nexus, meaning connection. To build on this, Jim Blackburn created the NEXA acronym — defining the core values of the types of elite financial professionals that we like to partner with.
CEO of NEXA Mortgage
Mike Kortas, CEO and founder of NEXA Mortgage, has over 20 years of industry experience and has built NEXA into one of the nation’s largest mortgage brokers since its launch in 2017. With 2,500+ loan officers across 48 states, his bold, disruptive leadership is driving rapid growth and innovation. Focused on doubling the company’s size by 2025, Kortas is reshaping the mortgage landscape with relentless ambition and a clear vision for continued growth.
CIO of NEXA Mortgage
Paul Adams, CIO at NEXA Mortgage, brings 40+ years of IT leadership, overseeing strategy, innovation, and AI integration across NEXA and Jet NEXA. He ensures enterprise efficiency, security, and compliance through certified expertise in SOC and cybersecurity. Paul has led major infrastructure transformations, including for the U.S. Air Force, and founded Arizona Onsite Computer Services. His work consistently enhances operational resilience and drives competitive growth through cutting-edge technology.
Director of NEXA Lending
With a proven track record in mortgage lending, I’ve helped grow a start-up to $18M in revenue and earned recognition as a top producer by Mortgage Broker Magazine. As a Loan Officer and Recruiter at NEXA Mortgage, I’ve consistently achieved Presidents Club honors while mentoring others. I also serve as Chairman of the Board at Broker’s Care/NEXA Cares and have supported the Boys & Girls Club of the East Valley for over 30 years. Now, as Director of the Non-Delegated Correspondent division at NEXA, I focus on building strong teams and simplifying processes to drive collective success.
General Counsel of NEXA Mortgage
Christopher “Chris” Porter, General Counsel at NEXA Mortgage, oversees all legal affairs, providing strategic guidance to the executive team and managing litigation, regulatory matters, and business operations. With deep experience in financial services and the mortgage industry, he brings expertise in contract negotiation, risk management, and compliance, playing a key role in supporting NEXA’s growth and governance.
LOS Director of NEXA Mortgage
Dan Fouts began his career at NEXA Mortgage as a Loan Officer and quickly advanced to leadership, becoming Director of Loan Officer Support and NEXA University. He mentors loan officers across the company and leads training initiatives to enhance skills and drive performance. Through NEXA University, he curates educational webinars and resources that support loan officer growth and success nationwide. His leadership fosters a culture of collaboration and continued learning within NEXA.
Executive Director of NEXA Mortgage
Rana serves as Executive Director at NEXA Mortgage, working closely with CEO Mike Kortas to drive the company’s strategic vision and support all departments. She founded “Women of NEXA” (WON) to empower women within the organization and the industry. Known for her integrity and drive, Rana is committed to fostering excellence and long-term success for NEXA and its partners.
BDM Director of NEXA Mortgage
With over 30 years in Real Estate and Finance, she began her career at NBT Bank and held roles at Navy Federal and Bank of America. Her passion for real estate led her to NEXA in 2020, where she now serves as Business Development Director for Corporate NEXA. In this role, she combines her coaching strengths and analytical skills to support growth across both industries.
Payroll and Ledger Director of NEXA Mortgage
Joining NEXA in March 2022 as an Accounting Specialist, she quickly rose through the ranks to become Director of the Ledger Department by January 2023. By July 2024, she expanded her leadership to include the Payroll Department, managing two critical functions of the business. Her rapid growth reflects her accounting expertise, leadership strength, and dedication to driving results and team collaboration.
Easy and quick refinance with great rates and expert advice.
I recently refinanced my existing mortgage with Jim and his team, and I was so pleased with how easy and quick the whole process was. Jim and his team were very responsive to my questions, and I feel confident that I got the best rate and shaved 9 years off my mortgage. He is very knowledgeable and helped me determine the best option for myself and my family. Definitely recommend him.
Complex loan scenario handled with expertise and care.
The process went smoothly. Jim Blackburn is a lending saint. He knows the market well and cares about his clients tremendously. The team made it really easy to do business, uploading documents and getting forms signed. Our situation is a bit complex. Rather than turn us away for some added work, they dug in to get it done right. They like the complexity, whereas other lenders don’t want to roll up their sleeves. Highly recommend Jim Blackburn for new loans and refinances!
Closed in time for Thanksgiving! Jim and his team were amazing, and we got a much stronger experience than our previous lender.
We closed our loan within 19 days. Just in time for Thanksgiving!! Jim and his team are amazing! We initially had gone with a different loan office and the interest rate and down payment was ridiculous. The owner of the company where my husband works referred us to Jim and we are very grateful for that. We had such an amazing experience with Jim and his team! Since our transaction, we’ve been referring Jim to anyone we know that are thinking of purchasing a house.
Secured financing despite market challenges and self-employment.
Run, don’t walk to work with Jim and his team. Jim helped us get financing when it seemed like an impossible feat. It was hard enough to be managing a home purchase 2000 miles away, but add to that an extremely competitive market and being self-employed, and it seemed impossible until Jim’s team got involved. Jim was not only responsive; he consistently went above and beyond by making clear recommendations, working his magic, and ensuring that financing wasn’t a barrier for buying our dream house in one of the most competitive markets in the country.
Smooth, fast, and hassle-free mortgage and refinance process.
Jim and his team are great to work with! We have used Jim twice with our home mortgage. Both times, the process was smooth and uneventful (which is what I wanted). He has kept in touch with us and contacted us when he felt it was the right time for us to refinance! I was amazed at our refinancing process — it took them about a little over two weeks to process all our information and close! I love the new online process of submitting all the information they require — it made it super easy for me to organize and gather all the documents.
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