Kurt is the founder and current President of Legend Mortgage. Kurt owned and operated a real estate brokerage and investment company before starting Legend Mortgage, Inc. in 1993.  The frustrations of dealing with “banker types” as a real estate agent gave Kurt the idea to enter the mortgage lending field.  He saw a need for mortgage lenders with a more thorough understanding of the real estate transaction.  Additionally, he saw mortgage brokerage as the most flexible organizational platform to offer his services.  Kurt has engaged a staff of highly experienced mortgage professionals able to offer mortgage lending services a “cut above” what you will find with the average mortgage bank.  Kurt is proud of the excellent reputation Legend Mortgage possesses both with borrower clients and within the mortgage lending community.  He has built Legend Mortgage into a “user friendly” organization adept at understanding the clients unique borrowing needs and creating a financing package to satisfy those needs. He insists that good lending is nothing more than “problem solving”. Despite Kurt’s management responsibilities, he continues to work directly with borrowers.  It is his way of staying in touch with his clients’ needs and remaining familiar with the ever-changing menu of mortgage products available.  Kurt holds an MBA in finance and Bachelors degree in marketing.  Interests include time with family, fly fishing, hiking, skiing and travel.

Joel D. Hutton
Senior Vice President
jhutton@legendmortgage.com

Joel has been with Legend since 1996 after moving to the Valley of the Sun from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Prior to working in the mortgage industry, Joel spent 10 years at Merrill Lynch and Company as a senior advisor. Joel's financial background also includes a degree in Business Administration from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. Joel specializes in Super Jumbo multi-million dollar loans, and has an extensive client list of luxury homebuyers in the Paradise Valley and Scottsdale area. Joel also works exclusively with several luxury home and golf course community realtors. In his spare time Joel is an avid golfer and enjoys the performing arts.

Leslie Carlson
Senior Loan Officer
lcarlson@legendmortgage.com

Leslie Carlson has been with Legend for over eight years. She joined the company following her move from South Florida where she was a Senior Vice President with a large mortgage banking firm.  She is knowlegeable in all aspects of mortgage lending and specializes in the the luxury home market.  Prior to her move into lending, Leslie was involved in both general Real Estate and new home sales for many years.  This affords her a unique understanding of the entire transaction from point of sale to closing.  She earned her degree from Boston University.  Leslie is married and the mother of two children.

Lindsey Scheel
Loan Officer
lscheel@legendmortgage.com

Lindsey’s background in real estate and mortgages began with a degree in Marketing and Finance at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Lindsey, originally from Phoenix, spent three years of her real estate career in Las Vegas, NV selling new homes for Fortune 250 homebuilder, Pulte Homes, Inc. Upon returning to Phoenix in 2005, Lindsey joined the team at Legend Mortgage with a thorough understanding of real estate transactions, and eager to use her creativity and problem solving on the financing end. Lindsey’s favorite things include: Exploring Arizona, enjoying music, and cheering on the Suns and D-Backs.

Ofelia Cooper-Montoya
Senior Operations Manager
ocooper@legendmortgage.com

Ofelia has been with Legend since 2000 and has worked in all aspects of mortgage lending since 1975 to include: loan servicing, loan processing, underwriting, and secondary market. Ofelia is in charge of Legend’s daily operations and manages the processing of every loan. Ofelia has established excellent rapport with all of the investors as she pre-underwrites every file, making the underwriter’s job easier, and ensuring a smooth transaction for her borrowers. She is a native of Navojoa, Mexico, and has a degree in accounting from Colegio Guadalupano in Mexico. She moved to Phoenix in 1983 from California. When she’s not managing the office, Ofelia enjoys classical music and flying.

Tracy Oliver
Assistant Processor
toliver@legendmortgage.com

Tracy began her mortgage career as a receptionist with SCME Mortgage, and that is where she met Ofelia Cooper-Montoya. Tracy decided to join Ofelia again at Legend Mortgage in 2000, and has been Legend’s assistant processor ever since. As assistant processor, Tracy ensures that each loan file is correctly packaged and assists in requesting verifications and appraisals. She is also the friendly voice that greets Legend’s phone callers. Tracey loves spending time with her husband and two adorable children. When Tracy has some free personal time, she enjoys Country dancing.