But Doug Long, CEO and co-founder of Pinnacle Financial, says he selected the former contestant on New York developer Donald Trump's television show, the Apprentice, because "Troy is a successful, licensed mortgage broker who understands the business of mortgage banking."

McClain was one of the five final contestants on the reality TV show. The 33-year-old native of Anchorage, AK is married and lives in Boise, ID. Following the Phoenix campaign, McClain will represent Pinnacle in San Diego in September and Houston in October. "These are incredibly dynamic housing markets, full of potential for Pinnacle Financial," Long says.

Long and Jeff Vratanina founded Pinnacle Financial in 1988. The company is a full-service lender in 48 states; closed $3 billion in residential mortgage loans in 2003; and projects to close $4.4 billion in 2004.