"I think that membership is our most important priority at this point. Building the membership and showing the force that this state's brokers can muster must be our first priority," says Don Merlo, member of the new group's board of directors. Having a strong membership will aid the group in forming its legislative and educational programs, adds WVAMB secretary John Asseff.

The WVAMB board of directors includes president John Turner, Asseff, treasurer Marc Savitt and directors Merlo and Ludi Hurley. By joining the NAMB, the West Virginia group gains access its Capitol Hill lobbying efforts, networking and educational programs.

The NAMB is trying to set up contracts with other state affiliates. "It is terribly important for NAMB to continue reaching out to new state affiliates so that the whole industry is represented," says NAMB president Neill Fendly. "We want each and every state to be represented because of the geographical differences that exist in the mortgage broker industry. Having a NAMB state affiliate in every state creates synergy throughout the industry."