Matthew VanFossen is the CEO of the Absolute Home Mortgage Corporation, a mid-size Independent Mortgage Banker located in Fairfield, NJ, and Mortgage Automation Technologies, a financial technology provider specializing in consumer mortgage technology. Matthew has been a driving force in the mortgage industry and is a respected figure in the community. Additionally, he serves as the president of the New Jersey Mortgage Bankers Association.

Matthew commands an extensive knowledge of the broader housing industry, with over a decade of experience in residential mortgage lending and overseeing over $10 billion in retail originations as CEO of Absolute Home Mortgage. Throughout his career, he has taken on an executive role at several successful mortgage companies and has worked as a consultant for various fintech start-ups and mortgage lenders nationwide.

VanFossen’s passion for innovation and the industry is evidenced by his numerous industry achievements. He has been named a “Top Mortgage Professional Under 40” by National Mortgage News and has been featured in various publications, including Forbes, Scotsman Guide, and HousingWire. In 2023, he was awarded the ICE Mortgage Technology Innovators Award for Best Use of Next-Generation Mortgage Technology by Encompass.

Ari Karen represents businesses and financial institutions in litigation matters, government investigations, and advises clients on regulatory compliance matters. He is widely praised for his business-friendly style of representation that combines aggressive advocacy with a sensitivity to practical business considerations. Ari’s approach looks at the impacts of legal strategy in real life scenarios, allowing his clients to remain both compliant and competitive.  

His practice is diverse, covering subject matters including banking regulations, consumer protection regulations, Dodd-Frank financial reform laws, contractual disputes, employment and labor statutes, wage-hour class actions, employment discrimination and fair lending matters, whistleblower complaints, and non-competition claims. This combination of expertise in employment, litigation, and regulatory matters allows him to develop and implement multifaceted strategies drawing from diverse experiences that provide his clients an edge in litigation and competitive environments.

Ari litigates before state and federal trial and appellate courts nationwide. He has won precedent-setting decisions against the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, blocking the EEOC’s efforts to establish that employers could be held liable for violations of Title VII dating back to its passage in 1964. He has also counseled mortgage banks and financial services firms on their development of cutting-edge employment policies and procedures, as well as developing creative but compliant business strategies.  These procedures have allowed institutions to solve legal and regulatory challenges without disrupting proven business models or undermining competitive advantages.

Rick Scherer is a dynamic and accomplished mortgage banking professional with more than 20 plus years in all aspects of the mortgage banking and real estate industries. As a founding partner and Chief Executive Officer for OnTo Mortgage, Rick has taken his passion and his experience to build a state-of-the-art and customer-centric mortgage business in the New England area. He is responsible for the direction and oversight of all aspects of the company, including mortgage origination, marketing, and strategy, as well as creating and growing a positive work culture by training, leading, and inspiring business partners and employees alike.

With his 20-plus years of increasing mortgage banking and real estate experience, Rick leads the team of professionals focused on providing exceptional residential mortgage lending experiences from 1st time home buyers to the more experienced repeat customer. He asks his employees to share his passion and duplicate his past experiences in providing customer care and quick turnaround for each client that has brought him success and satisfaction. For seven years consecutively, he has been listed in the top 1% of National Residential Mortgage Originators.