John Cofiell

Recruited into the industry in 1987 by a major Bank, John has always proven those who sought his services correct for doing so. John's dedication to providing the best service along with his extensive knowledge and experience keeps his clients coming back and happy to refer him to others.

John's first few years were spent learning the lending industry from two major banks and becoming a top producer at each. Determining one bank cannot always provide the best program for each client, John turned to brokering loans in 1991 where he could tailor the correct loan for his clients to match each financial situation.

Providing a loan to a client is just the start of a financial relationship. John loves to see his clients succeed in their financial goals and is happy to help in structuring their debt to meet those goals. He works hand in hand with many CPA's and Financial Planners to ensure that the client is heading toward financial freedom.

Whether his client is purchasing or refinancing personal real estate or investment properties, John is there to guide you through the loan process to make one of the biggest investments one of the easiest.

President of First Rate Financial Group, John is committed to creating Lifelong Clients.
License #01141565

Mike Pfefferman

As a partner of First Rate Financial Group, Mike Pfefferman has a personal interest in the growth and development of the Company.

"My job really begins when the client's first loan closes with me," Mike reveals. "I'm not here to be a provider of debt for one-time transactions. I assist my customers in managing that debt and continually watch the market and provide updates to my clients with easy-to-read spreadsheets. I always let them know when it is in their best interest to refinance and save money. Because of the volume we do at First Rate Financial, I am able to do these loans at no cost to the consumer. I choose to take the approach of a consultant with all of my clientele."

First Rate Financial Group is the largest independent Mortgage Broker in Ventura County, serving clients throughout California. Mike Pfefferman has been with the company since its inception, and has worked in the mortgage industry for over 14 years. Both his peers and his clients have considered him a top produce of admirable character. For five consecutive years, from 2000 to 2004, Mike has ranked among the 200 top producing Loan Professionals in the nation by Mortgage Originator Magazine.

Mike resides in Westlake Village with his 3 children. Contact Mike Pfefferman for financing residential properties.
License # 01130048

Todd Fisher

Combining operations and sales experience-for smoother fundings. Todd's experience with all aspects of the loan business, and his intense interest in micromanaging every step of the transaction, gives a real comfort level to his clients.

Todd is one of our "new home" and resale" loan specialists, and thanks in no small part to the extraordinary value he places on every single client question, request or need, Todd has consistently placed in the prestigious President's Circle. Todd started his career 17 years ago with a Fortune 500 company where he learned the technical side of lending. Since then he has been able to use his operational knowledge along with his sales skills to fund hundreds of home loans.

Todd is always just a telephone call away. No matter what time of day, Todd will assist you. "I look forward to doing business with you, and meeting your lending needs in a fast and affordable manner."
License # 00970828

Fred Gruber

With over 30 years of experience as a COO and CFO in the Jewelry and Computer Software Industries, Fred has brought his financial and analytical skills to the lending industry. Over the past 5 years and with the same drive and passion used to build a business Fred has developed sound skills in lending. A broker himself, Fred chooses to focus 100% of his attention on creating value for his clients.

Fred has a unique ability of developing practical, easily understood financial solutions for a broad range of financial situations with a passion for developing computer based business solutions that assist in communicating and presenting advanced concepts. All recommendations are comprehensive and backed by his strong analytical and financial skills.

As a Certified Mortgage Planning Specialist I assist my clients with sound financial strategies to secure appropriate mortgages and strengthen their financial future. Fred?s commitment includes:

1. Ask questions and listen to our clients in order to fully understand their needs.
2. Create mortgage solutions that complement our clients' overall financial strategy, and allow them to most effectively accomplish their short and long term financial goals.
3. Be sensitive to the fears that many homeowners have about obtaining a mortgage loan and earn their confidence as a trusted advisor.
4. Respect our clients' time and minimize the amount of effort required of them by applying our knowledge, experience, and resourcefulness.
5. Use state-of-the-art technology to complement our customer service, making adjustments when necessary to avoid overwhelming our clients who are less technically proficient.
6. Communicate regularly and proactively with our clients to keep them informed of the status of the loan and to reduce the stress that is associated with uncertainty.
7. Ensure smooth, on time closings with anticipated costs and terms.
8. Provide our clients the luxury of home loans in the future with little effort on their part, by means of an Annual Mortgage Review.
9. Measure our success by our client's willingness to confidently recommend us.
10. Take full responsibility for our actions and be honest at all times.
11. Seek to improve the quality of service we provide by encouraging each client to critically evaluate our performance.

Fred enjoys helping his clients by engaging in deep conversations to help promote understanding about the best options available when searching for a mortgage. Fred works with clients to secure financing for home purchases as well as new mortgages to improve their current financial needs.

Fred has been happily married to his wife Susan for over 25 years and has two wonderful children, Adam and Tori. Fred enjoys skiing, tennis, reading and time with his family and friends.
License # 01455710

Sean Hart

With over fifteen years experience in the Real Estate and Financial Services industry, Sean Hart is a seasoned loan officer with rave reviews from his clients. More than a motto, "Integrity in Lending" has been earned from clients and lenders alike. Sean is a consistent top producer and winner of both the Presidents Club and Loan Officer of the year awards.

He enjoys time with his family and plays an active part in the children's academic and extracurricular activities. During the summer months you can find him panning for gold. As a long time area resident Sean's community involvement includes past President of his local Business Networking Chapter, participation in several charities focused on children and a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity.
License # 01274617

Mary Johnson

Mary grew up in Long Beach, Ca where she attended high school and college prior to moving to the Conejo Valley in 1986.

She has been involved in the mortgage industry since 1986 and has been with First Rate Financial Group since 1995. She has an extensive background in the loan origination and real estate financing fields which enables her to assure her clients the best in experience and knowledge of the mortgage industry. Her goal is to always maintain a "client for life" with a personal touch approach in consulting her client's individual financing needs and options. Mary enjoys spending time with her friends and family, which includes her husband, Jim and her grown son, Matt, as well as her 8 siblings, parents and many special nieces and nephews, who are all very dear to her heart.

She also enjoys traveling, cooking, gardening, sports, walking and "watching" the game of golf.
Mary has over 24 yrs of experience in the real estate lending field. I always strive to achieve the best for all of my clients by supplying the best in personal assistance, knowledge, honesty and integrity with a great support staff to assist in the loan process. We take pride in the special relationships we have built with our clients over the years and nothing makes us happier than to help them achieve their dreams and goals in regards to that special home purchase or the individual financing options that are made available to them by our experienced team. Keeping up with the new federal regulations in regards to loan originating is something that I take very seriously as does First Rate Financial Group. We pride ourselves in being a state of the art company. We will strive to achieve the best for our clients.

Licenses: State of California Real Estate License

Education: St. Anthony High School Long Beach City College
License # 00972360

Ray Laser

Ray has over 30 years experience in helping people make important financial decisions. He prides himself on making buyers feel relaxed and comfortable about the loan process and makes customer service and satisfaction his number one priority. Ray's goal as a mortgage loan officer is to assist each person professionally, ethically, and knowledgeably. "We start as friends and end as friends" is his goal on every transaction.

In addition to traditional loans for refinancing and home purchases, Ray is an expert in Reverse Mortgages, a great product for senior homeowners aged 62+.
License # 00908078

Doug Kroker

Doug Kroker has over 20 years of experience assisting California homeowners with real estate financing. Doug puts his extensive lending knowledge and expertise to work for each of his clients when he searches for a loan program that best meets their financial situation. With an experienced, professional staff and a determination to always go the extra mile, he has helped hundreds of his clients realize their dream of home ownership and achieve their financial objectives.

Doug has been at the top of the mortgage industry since joining Westlake based First Rate Financial Group in 2000 and remains consistently busy thanks to referrals from clients who recommend him to their friends. He is proud that much of his business today comes from relationships that began in 1988. "I'm still helping families that I assisted 18 years ago because they see me as a trusted advisor and friend, not just their mortgage broker."

A native of Rochester, New York, Doug received a B.S. degree in Business from Indiana University and remains and avid fan of IU Basketball. After moving to Southern California in 1981, he earned his MBA at Pepperdine University. Before joining First Rate Financial, Doug was a top loan agent for Downey Savings. Doug and his wife Sharon reside in Westlake Village with their son Shane, a sophomore and member of the baseball team at Westlake High School, and their English Foxhound, Jackson.