First-class service. First-class knowledge. A first-class experience.
We are staffed and operated by people who understand that each customer is special and individual attention is necessary to satisfy each unique financial situation. That's why at First Class Mortgage, we have simplified the mortgage process.
Dan Van Winkle President
NMLS# 8495
ABOUT: Originally from Devils Lake, ND, Dan moved to Fargo in 1998. Dan and his wife, Jill, were married in May of 1999 and have two daughters: Lauren and Taylor.
EXPERIENCE: Dan started First Class Mortgage in 2003 with his business partner, Greg Dean. Before starting First Class Mortgage, Dan worked in the financial/banking industry for nine years.
EDUCATION: B.S. in Financial Management along with a minor in Marketing and Accounting from the University of North Dakota.
OTHER THAN WORK, DAN ENJOYS: Spending time with his family and friends, spending time at the lake, and watching/following his two favorite sports teams: The Dallas Cowboys and UND hockey. He is an active member of the programming and entertainment committee for the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of Realtors.
Greg Dean Vice President
NMLS# 8499
ABOUT: Greg currently lives in Fargo with his three kids.
EXPERIENCE: Greg started First Class Mortgage in 2003 with his business partner, Dan Van Winkle.
EDUCATION: Graduated from Concordia College, MN with a degree in Business Management.
OTHER THAN WORK, GREG ENJOYS: Spending time with his kids and attending their various sports and extra-curricular activities.
Dawn Johnson Mortgage Consultant
NMLS# 178349
ABOUT: Dawn is originally from Kindred, ND, where she resides with her two boys: Tyson and Brock.
EXPERIENCE: Dawn has been with First Class Mortgage since 2004. Prior to joining First Class Mortgage, she spent four years in the title insurance industry. She is also an active member of the Kindred Community Club and Davenport Lutheran Church.
EDUCATION: Associates degree in Financial and Credit Services Administration from MSCTC, Moorhead, MN.
OTHER THAN WORK, DAWN ENJOYS: Time with family and friends, spending time at the lakes, watching and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, playing volleyball, running and just spending time outside.
Ameen Darwish Mortgage Consultant
NMLS# 1811843
ABOUT: Originally from London, Canada, Ameen moved to Lisbon, ND in 2010
EXPERIENCE: Ameen started with First Class Mortgage in April of 2019. Before starting with First Class Mortgage, Ameen worked for financial institutions as the accounts manager and operations manager for 20 years
EDUCATION: Bachelors in Mathematics from the University of Western Ontario
OTHER THAN WORK, AMEEN ENJOYS: Spending time with his golden doodles, playing golf and softball, enjoying the outdoors on Ottertail Lake and spending time with friends and family
Samuel MacArthur Mortgage Consultant
NMLS# 2255709
ABOUT: Originally from Marshall MN, the youngest of 4, Samuel graduated from NDSU in December of 2020 and currentlyI lives in Fargo with college friends.
EDUCATION: B.S. in Finance from NDSU
EXPERIENCE: Before First Class I worked at an Insurance Company here in Fargo.
OTHER THAN WORK SAMUEL ENJOYS: Playing/watching sports with friends.
Faye Ni Mortgage Consultant
NMLS# 2366410
ABOUT: Faye came to the U.S. with family from China to achieve the American dream! Faye has a passion for helping others in all directions and especially with homebuyers to achieve their homeownership goals
EXPERIENCE: Faye became a Licensed Mortgage Originator in June of 2022
EDUCATION: Faye holds a Bachelor of Science from Binghamton University, with a Major in Finance and Management
OTHER THAN WORK, FAYE ENJOYS: Traveling, spending time with family and volunteering in church services
Brenda M. Harder Mortgage Consultant
NMLS# 1803602
ABOUT: Brenda currently lives in Rural Ulen with her husband.
EXPERIENCE: Brenda started in banking in the loan department in 2009. She has worked in State Banks and a National Bank before getting her mortgage license in April, 2021. She is licensed in MN and ND.
EDUCATION: Brenda attended College of St. Benedict and Bemidji State University before receiving her degree from Reno Business College.
OTHER THAN WORK, BRENDA ENJOYS: Brenda enjoys traveling and especially time with family her granddaughters. Brenda also works at the Ulen-Hitterdal High School as a special Ed Para.
Kim Kainz Mortgage Processor
NMLS# 820951
ABOUT: Kim is originally from Brainerd, MN. She currently lives in Moorhead, MN with her husband, Troy, and their three children, Logan, Tanner and McKenzie.
EXPERIENCE: Kim has been with First Class Mortgage since 2011. Prior to joining First Class Mortgage, she spent nine years in the mortgage industry and five years in the title company industry.
EDUCATION: B.S. in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University.
OTHER THAN WORK, KIM ENJOYS: Her family and friends, photography and the chaotic schedule of life with three active children!
Troy Hertz Mortgage Consultant
NMLS# 986247
ABOUT: Troy is originally from Fargo, ND. Troy and his wife Kelli live in West Fargo and have one daughter Katie and two grandchildren – Jaden and Taylnn.
EXPERIENCE: Troy has been with First Class Mortgage since 2012. Prior to joining First Class Mortgage, he spent 20 years as a Consumer Loan Officer.
EDUCATION: B.S. in Business Administration and Minor in Economics from North Dakota State University.
OTHER THAN WORK, TROY ENJOYS: Spending time with Family, watching his grandson Jaden play hockey, granddaughter Taylnn play soccer, bow hunting, golfing and being outdoors.
IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY AND WHY? The first thing Troy would do, is gift money to his immediate family.
Reanna Schmidt Mortgage Processor
ABOUT: Reanna grew up in and still lives in West Fargo
EXPERIENCE: Reanna started with First Class in July of 2019, before that she worked as a leasing agent.
EDUCATION: Graduated from NDSU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
OTHER THAN WORK, REANNA ENJOYS: Working out, boxing, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Locs.
Stacy Kjelshus Mortgage Processor
ABOUT: Originally from and continue to live in Fargo, married for 16 years to Travis, 2 daughters (Madilyn, 14, and Lauren, 12)
EXPERIENCE: Project controls assistant in construction for approximately 10 years, mortgage loan processor just over 3 years at a local bank
EDUCATION: Administrative degree from what used to be Aaker’s Business College (now Rasmussen College)
OTHER THAN WORK, STACY ENJOYS: Spending time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors with camping, boating, or skiing (cross country or downhill skiing), reading, music, crafts, movies & concerts!
Jone Otis Mortgage Processor
ABOUT: Jone grew up in Wayzata Minnesota and graduated from Orono High School in 1974. She has lived in North Fargo for 37 years
EXPERIENCE: Jone has 13 years of mortgage loan processing local bank and mortgage company experience
EDUCATION: 2 years at the University of Minnesota
OTHER THAN WORK, JONE ENJOYS: Being with her two married kids and 7 grandchildren. She also enjoys Cooking, wine tasting and boat time on the lake with kids
Katie Janssen Marketing Director
ABOUT: Originally from Moorhead, MN, Katie graduated from high school in 2005
EXPERIENCE: Katie has over 12 years of Managerial, Marketing and Graphic Design experience, and has worked in multiple different industries during those years
EDUCATION: Katie graduated from the Salon Professional Academy of Fargo in 2008
OTHER THAN WORK, KATIE ENJOYS: Spending as much time as she can with her son Cade, Jeep rides in the Summer, and furthering her education in Marketing and Graphic Design.
Locally owned. Connected nationwide.
As a locally owned company, we are staffed and operated by people who understand that each customer is special and individual attention is necessary to satisfy each unique financial situation. That's why at First Class Mortgage, we have simplified the mortgage process.
Visit or contact one of our offices today!
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