Meet Our Team
Group Mortgage, LLC is a full-service mortgage banker of excellence, integrity and distinction. Our partnership between The Group Real Estate and Cornerstone Home Lending, Inc. means that our clients have access to a better customer service experience and seamless communication throughout the home buying process.
Jason Peifer
NMLS #655431
Branch Manager | Loan Officer
Colorado native Jason Peifer has fine-tuned his mathematic talents to a financing career focused on mortgage. He enhanced
these skills at Colorado State University then transferred them to sales in the real estate industry. After selling real
estate, Jason moved to home lending. He enjoys the challenge of assisting with complex loans, and feels rewarded when he
helps a buyer close on the purchase of a home.
When he is not working on a loan, Jason is with his wife and two daughters. He loves the snow as well as the water;
with skiing, fly-fishing, rafting, and mountain biking being some of his favorite hobbies. Jason brings drive, passion,
and extensive knowledge of the lending guidelines to his customers on every transaction.
Jeff Berthiaume
NMLS #680356
Loan Officer
Jeff Berthiaume brings more than 12 years of passion, knowledge, and dedication to the closing table when he helps his clients meet
their long-term financial goals. The Austin, Minnesota native came to Fort Collins in 2004, two years after deciding to work in the
home financing industry. His ethics, hard work and ability to structure loans led to early recognitions at previous companies, such
as Rookie of the Year in 2002.
After five years in consumer finance positions at major institutions, Jeff decided to focus on helping borrowers with their home
financing. Jeff explores options for his clients' loan approvals, and makes scenarios possible where other lenders turned them down.
When he is out of the office, Jeff enjoys spend time with his kids, as well as playing golf, racquetball, snowboarding, and traveling.
Jeff loves helping his clients make their homeownership dreams possible.
Brett Dewitt
NMLS #680612
Loan Officer
Nebraska-born Brett DeWitt has enjoyed calling Colorado home since 2001. As a Senior Loan Officer, Brett takes pride helping
buyers finance the homes of their own. With more than 14 years in the industry, Brett always brings honesty and integrity to
the table, while working toward his clients' goals.
The University of Kansas graduate began his career at a mortgage company where he drew upon his education in Business
Finance and Economics. Brett loves his job as well as his time out of the office with his wife of 25 years. They love
being outdoors camping, hiking and ATV riding. Brett and his wife can also be found cheering the Denver Broncos on to
victory.
Tara Doak
NMLS #680348
Loan Officer
Loan Officer Tara Doak has called Colorado home her entire life, and enjoys helping clients finance homes of their
very own. Born in Denver, and raised in Fort Collins, Tara attended Colorado State University, where she earned her
Bachelors of Science with a concentration in finance. She used these finance skills at major national banks where
she worked with first-time homebuyers as well as property investors.
Tara takes the time to form personal connections with her clients and works closely with them through each step
of the home financing process. As a proud team player, Tara is honored to earn the trust she has built through
superior customer service since 2002.
Outside of work, Tara and her husband stay active by snowboarding, wakeboarding, hiking, biking, and running.
Tara's other interests include reading, gardening and rooting for the Denver Broncos.
Scott Ellis
NMLS #680236
Loan Officer
Wisconsin-born and Colorado-raised, Loan Officer Scott Ellis has enjoyed helping people finance their homes since
2003. After earning his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Colorado State University, Scott discovered
home lending, and embarked on a career of customer service and building relationships. Scott works hard to ensure his
customers' transactions are handled correctly the first time, calling upon his talents in mathematics and problem solving.
Outside of the office, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He also enjoys working on home improvement
and landscaping projects, as well as weight training and movie watching.
Joey Hansen
NMLS #96996
Loan Officer
Joanna "Joey" Hansen takes great care of her clients. Her service delivery is governed by what she calls the three C's:
Courtesy, Competence, and Communication.
A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Joey worked in the human resources/recruiting field for seven years,
honing her excellent communication and people skills. In 2003, she took a friend's recommendation to heart and joined
the mortgage industry.
From the beginning of her career in the mortgage business, Joey knew she had found her calling. She loves seeing the pride and
enthusiasm homeownership brings to her clients, and she finds true purpose in what she does every day.
Originally from Texas, Joey now lives with her husband and two sons in Colorado Springs.
Outside of the office, you'll find her outdoors, enjoying all that Colorado has to offer. You might also find her trying a new
recipe, or playing board games with her family. Ask her about the two years she spent at a Colorado dude ranch —
it's a fun story and how she met her husband!
John Polansky
NMLS #684916
Senior Loan Officer
Born in England and raised in Spain, John Polansky has lived in Loveland since the late 1990s, where he has made
homeownership and real estate investing a reality for many people. Before settling in Colorado, John went to Brown
University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts and began his lending career. That career has included awards such
as Circle of Excellence, which he earned with attention to detail and focused customer service.
John spends his spare time taking advantage of the Colorado outdoors with activities such as swimming, hiking, and
rowing. He enjoys being with his family and helping other families finance their homes.
Leslie French
NMLS #1505792
Jr. Loan Officer
Check back soon to learn more about Leslie!
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