JEFFREY M. LISINICCHIA
Upon graduating from Drexel, Jeff began his professional career at the "Big-4" accounting firm, Deloitte. A licensed certified public accountant, Jeff's tenure includes roles as: divisional chief financial officer of GMAC Mortgage Corporation's Real Estate Investment Trust "REIT" and vice president of finance of GMAC's retail lending division; and CFO of Greenlight Financial Services, an Irvine, California-based nationwide mortgage lender. In 2012, Jeff joined Rushmore Loan Management Services, a leading nationwide mortgage servicing and lending company, as divisional CFO of the mortgage lending division. In 2014, Jeff was named senior vice president and chief accounting officer of the company.
Jeff's service to Drexel began shortly after graduation, as one of the founding officers of the Chester County Alumni Club. Since relocating to southern California, Jeff has played a key role in helping to cultivate and develop the alumni base in Orange County, where he serves as network leader helping to organize and host alumni events. Jeff is also an active Alumni Ambassador, helping the University recruit the next cadre of Drexel students. Since 2008, Jeff has served on the Alumni Association Board of Governors and currently serves on its Executive Committee. Jeff has been a member of the A.J. Drexel Society and a financial supporter of the Drexel Wrestling Program and LeBow College of Business.
Jeff received the Silver Dragon Society Award at Alumni Weekend 2015.
If you could share a meal with anyone – dead or alive – who would it be and why?
Benjamin Franklin - statesman, author, inventor, diplomat, and scientist.
What is a little-known fact about you?
In school, my grades were "ok" in math, and it was not my favorite subject. This may sound strange coming from someone who is now a financial executive, certified public accountant, and who immerses himself in numbers all day as part of his job.
Why did you go to Drexel?
Drexel was always my top choice. I applied "early decision" and thankfully was accepted in the fall of my senior year. The Co-op program and Drexel's fine academic reputation were very attractive to me. Having grown up in a small town, the idea of going to a college located right in the heart of a major city, with all that it has to offer, was really exciting for me. Looking back, I am thankful that as a teenager, I had the wisdom to choose Drexel because it has had such a profound impact on my life both personally and professionally.
What inspires you?
My youngest brother, Carmen who tragically passed away 14 years ago was and still is an inspiration to me and even though he is no longer here, he still impacts my life every day. He was born with Cerebral Palsy, and despite his physical handicap, he was the most positive, outgoing person I ever knew and his "can-do" spirit was truly inspiring. In addition to overcoming obstacles all of his life, about five years before his unexpected passing, he courageously and unselfishly became a living donor and donated one of his kidneys to my older brother who had succumbed to a kidney disease. Now, Carmen's legacy continues through my older brother who carries his donated kidney in his abdomen. They are both heroes to me.
What is the toughest decision you've ever had to make?
In 2000, I was working for a major financial services company in the Philadelphia area who had just acquired a company in Orange County, Calif. I was chosen to manage the integration of the acquired company's finance, accounting, and treasury functions in what was supposed to be a two-year assignment in California. The first decision, to take the assignment, meant that I would have to leave my family and friends and relocate over 3,000 miles away. I accepted the assignment and now 15 years later, still call Orange County my adopted home. The decision to take the assignment and later to leave the company and stay in California was pivotal in my professional development because it offered me the opportunity to work with industry pioneers in the field of mortgage finance. In 2002, I became the first CFO of a start-up mortgage company which later grew to be a nationwide lender with over 900 employees and $5 billion in annual lending volume.