Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Work Preference
Timeline
Generic
YOLANDA WOODS

YOLANDA WOODS

Summary

Dynamic professional with a robust background in loan management and customer service, complemented by expertise in financial analysis, risk assessment, and regulatory compliance. Recognized for fostering effective team collaboration and adapting seamlessly to evolving business needs. Proven track record of delivering results through strong problem-solving abilities and meticulous attention to detail. Committed to driving success and enhancing operational efficiency in fast-paced environments.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Loan Specialist

USDA Rural Development
08.2021 - Current
  • Hours per week: 40 (Full-time) GS-1165-11
  • Supervisor: Nicki Whitley
  • Single-Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program Origination and Processing Division
  • Review and analyze underwritten single-family housing guaranteed loan applications across multiple states for completeness and compliance with agency regulations; regularly communicate with lenders to ensure applications contain all necessary documentation; review credit and income documentation; verify applicant eligibility; ensure appraisal, environmental and flood regulations are met; and issue conditional commitments accordingly.
  • Utilize internal web applications such as GLS, GUS and ECF for the processing and approving of applications and archiving of agency documentation.
  • Selected for and currently participating in a 120-day detail to the Single-Family Housing Direct Surge Team assisting South Carolina with alleviating the state's backlog and providing excellent customer service to applicants and agency staff; review applications, update UNIFI, determined eligibility or denial as well as issue Certificates of Eligibility.
  • Selected for and completed a 30-day detail to the Single-Family Housing Direct Surge Team assisting South Carolina with their application backlog, September 2022; reviewed applications, updated UNIFI, determined eligibility or denial as well as issued Certificates of Eligibility.
  • Provided mentorship to a new Direct Surge member, offering ongoing guidance and support throughout the detail.
  • Received recognition from the SFH Deputy Administrator for participating in the FYE 2022 Direct Surge detail.
  • Received a cash award for building team comradery in a virtual environment, FY 2022.
  • Received a time off award for my participation in the Direct Surge Team Detail FY 2023.
  • I am currently detailed to the Direct Surge Team again for the FY 2025.
  • Honorary recipient of the 2023 Rural Development Under Secretary's Award.

Loan Specialist

USDA Rural Development
01.2018 - 08.2021
  • Hours per week: 40 (Full-time) GS-1165-11
  • Supervisor: Angela Smith
  • Acted as the Single-Family Housing Coordinator.
  • Independently managed all activities related to SFH foreclosures and REO properties, from acceleration through the foreclosure sale; included careful review of title commitment policies and all security instruments (deeds of trust, real estate mortgages, promissory notes and assumptions) to ensure correct information regarding owner of record, other interests, and any liens against the property; recommended and submitted foreclosures to OGC and the US Attorney, prepared legal pleadings, complaints, lis pendens, and affidavits; provided proof of claims to attorneys; reviewed appraisals and calculated net recovery values to determine agency bids or short sale approvals; updated Fiserv foreclosure and loss mitigation templates, tasked the appropriate sections at NFAOC with information regarding foreclosure sales and recommendation for collecting any remaining debt, if applicable; kept Area office apprised of the foreclosure proceedings in a timely manner;
  • Communicated with applicants, brokers, borrowers, and investors in sales of acquired property; independently monitored this process from start to finish, making adjustments and initiating necessary actions as the foreclosure progresses to completion.
  • Analyze the programs regulations and guidance for overburdening requirements; then develop resources to address the issues and modify the effectiveness of the resources.
  • Principal problem case coordinator, for resolving rural housing program issues received from Area Office specialists and technicians, attorneys, and the general public; independently researched and provided agency references and guidance in interpreting agency regulations and policies; reviewed, analyzed, and audited borrower accounts to ensure resolution of the problem; remained in direct contact with NFAOC in order to resolve the case; stayed abreast of changes in handbooks, instruction, and procedures.
  • State liaison between NFAOC and the Area office to resolve SFH problem accounts, reviewed case histories, notes, payment assistance agreements and servicing actions.
  • Coordinated contracts for REO properties including caretaker services and BPA appraisals; monitored contract compliance throughout the performance period; reviewed invoices for contract compliance, authorized payment upon completion.
  • Maintained and reconciled funding spreadsheets for 502 and 504 loans and grants, including review and approval of funds for hardship cases; performed obligations, ACH disbursements and ACH audits with separation of duties within those actions.
  • Created training materials and instructions for UniFi, Fiserv, ECF and SFH direct programs, and personally provided training at state-wide meetings as well as classroom settings and one-on-one in individual offices; answered questions and worked through program issues with Area staff, OGC, the US Attorney's office, and the public daily via telephone, email, and written correspondence.
  • Fostered relationships with two self-help partners; assisted the partners through the application process; coordinated homeownership month events spotlighting these partnerships.
  • Developed policy guidance for others to follow; and submitted a memorandum of understanding between them and the agency.
  • Created materials for and presented training on ECF to all staff statewide.
  • Provided leadership, development, and guidance in the development of new staff; sponsored and mentored two newly hired specialist; reviewed and approved multiple direct loan and grant requests in support of their receipt of loan approval authority.
  • Interviewed applicants for SFH technician and specialist positions; counseled subordinates on performance and recommended for awards accordingly.
  • Received multiple achievement awards, including for ECF training provided to staff, FY 2018; rating-based award, FY 2018; rating-based award, FY 2019; for above and beyond customer service in support of Florida Rural Development, FY 2020; quarterly performance-based, FY 2021.

Loan Specialist

USDA Rural Development
05.2014 - 01.2018
  • Hours per week: 40 (Full-time) GS-1165-11
  • Supervisor: Arlisa Armstrong
  • Managed a multi-county office portfolio specializing in single-family direct loans and grants.
  • Provided in-depth program training for all office staff on a regular basis; established standards and practices for new hires to positively impact program delivery; improved operational efficiencies and quality of services provided to borrowers, packagers, realtors, and housing partner agencies.
  • Trained newly hired technician in direct single-family housing loan and grant origination, underwriting and servicing; reviewed loan dockets for compliance with established regulations; recommended actions as needed to assist in underwriting and servicing of difficult loan cases.
  • Originated, underwrote, approved, and closed all single-family housing direct loans and grants.
  • Completed in-depth financial analysis of each applicant; conducted applicant interviews to counsel applicants on program guidelines, credit, budgeting, and homeownership responsibilities.
  • Conducted homebuyers education counseling sessions in both one-on-one and group settings.
  • Reviewed appraisals for compliance with program policies and regulations.
  • Completed environmental reviews to ensure compliance with NEPA, flood hazards and historic preservation.
  • Serviced all first-year delinquencies in the single-family housing direct loan program; collaborated with the state office to mitigate agency losses, referred loans to foreclosure and divested the agency of real estate owned properties.
  • Reviewed and approved all single-family housing packager loans as well as self-help loans.
  • Developed marketing, outreach, and training material for single-family loan programs; fostered relationships with and provided training to local housing agencies and authorities which resulted in better organized and completed applications sent by packagers.
  • Regularly met and exceeded agency, program, and performance goals.
  • Attended and presented at various community meetings to foster interest in all agency programs; completed a three-month rotation within the Guaranteed Rural Housing program, assisting with application processing on a statewide level.
  • Received loan approval authority, June 2015.
  • Received multiple achievement awards, including for efforts and contributions for serving on the Section 502 Streamline Staff Subcommittee, FY 2015; for significant contributions serving on the State Training Committee, FY 2015; for outstanding 504 loan production and efforts in promoting loan packages in the 502 Direct program, FY 2015; in recognition of efforts in assisting with sending SFH files to the record center during the Jackson office relocation, FY 2016; in recognition of significant contributions to the Agency's mission and strategic goals plan, FY 2016; for leading the nation in guaranteed loan production, FY 2017; rating-based award, FY 2017;

Education

Technical/Occupational Certificate 4 - Retail Marketing

Hickey Business College
Richmond Heights, MO
01.1990

Skills

  • Class D Security License, September 2025
  • 504 Borrowers Following Covid 19 Moratorium Training, 2022
  • Single-Family Housing University – Guaranteed, 2021
  • 504 Loan & Grant Training, 2021
  • American Rescue Plan Training, 2021
  • Environmental Training, 2021
  • SFH Direct Origination Appraisal Request, 2019
  • SFH Direct Program Training Curriculum, 2018
  • Decision-making
  • Active listening
  • Documentation review
  • Customer support
  • Issue resolution

Accomplishments

28 years of excellent customer service with the same company and proud to have served the public.

  • Supervised team of 15 staff members.
  • Implimented electronic file processing of a loan by introducing an electronic customer filing system to the state of Florida.
  • Collaborated with team of 30 in the development of a Direct Surge Team.
  • Honorary recipient of the Rural Development Under Secretary's Award for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Certification

Recently obtained a Class D Security Guard license to start a new career as I enter into retirement.

Work Preference

Work Type

Part Time

Location Preference

On-Site

Timeline

Loan Specialist

USDA Rural Development
08.2021 - Current

Loan Specialist

USDA Rural Development
01.2018 - 08.2021

Loan Specialist

USDA Rural Development
05.2014 - 01.2018

Technical/Occupational Certificate 4 - Retail Marketing

Hickey Business College

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