When Tony Florence joined our firm in April 2021 after a 17-year tenure as Director of the Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending, he brought with him a wealth of regulatory expertise and industry knowledge. Five years later, he remains a trusted resource for clients and colleagues navigating licensing, compliance, and regulatory challenges.
While Tony’s role has remained largely unchanged since joining the firm, his satisfaction in helping clients remains as strong as ever.
“I enjoy contributing to our team and helping clients who need support,” he says. “Whether it’s a licensing issue, an examination issue, or helping connect someone with the right regulator, I’m always happy to help.”
Tony’s experience on both sides of the regulatory process gives him a unique perspective that benefits clients facing complex situations. He says that having been on both sides of the fence, he knows how regulators think and process information. Further, he understands the industry perspective and the nuances of state regulation, allowing him to help clients achieve a successful outcome.
An Ever-Evolving Industry
As the mortgage industry continues to evolve, Tony is keeping a close eye on one development in particular: artificial intelligence.
“AI is the number one thing I’m watching right now,” he says. “There are still a lot of questions about how it will be used and how regulators will approach it.”
Tony remains actively engaged with industry leaders through conferences such as the NMLS Conference & Training event held in Orlando earlier this year and the AARMR Annual Conference in Bellevue, Washington, in August. Those opportunities, combined with the industry’s ever-changing nature, help fuel his enthusiasm for the work.
“I start my day asking, ‘What can I do today to make things better?'” he says. “And whenever I attend conferences, I tell people I couldn’t ask for a better firm to work for.”
A Return to His Roots
Five years ago, shortly after joining BM&G, Tony and Susan moved to East Texas near his hometown. Today, they enjoy reconnecting with lifelong friends, spending time with family, and working together on their ranch.
Away from the office, Tony and his wife, Susan, enjoy spending time with their growing family. Their grandson and granddaughter, who live in Fort Worth, keep them busy with frequent visits and plenty of memorable moments. Their grandson enjoys helping Tony with ranch chores and affectionately refers to the cattle as “moos,” while their granddaughter recently started walking.
As Tony celebrates five years with our firm, we are grateful for the experience, dedication, and insight he brings to our clients and team. His commitment to helping others continues to make a lasting impact throughout the mortgage industry.
Thank you, Tony, for five outstanding years and for being an important part of the Black, Mann & Graham team!