Former HUD Assistant General Counsel Ken Markison Joins MBA as Senior Director and Regulatory Counsel

July 14, 2004

Washington, D.C. - The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) today announced the appointment of Ken Markison as senior director and regulatory counsel in MBA's Government Affairs Department. Markison is retiring from the federal government after a distinguished federal legal career, having most recently served as U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) assistant general counsel for government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs) and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA). Markison is one of the country's top experts on RESPA - a cornerstone law for protecting consumers during the mortgage lending process - as well as regulation of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

"We are honored to have Ken join our government affairs team," said Jonathan L. Kempner, MBA's president and chief executive officer. "It is a testimony to MBA's existing talent that HUD's leading legal expert on RESPA reform and GSE issues has found a good fit here."

Markison personally developed several important RESPA rules during his three decades at HUD and has played a major role in HUD's RESPA reform effort. He also has worked extensively on GSE issues, including developing and drafting legislation and regulations establishing the GSEs' affordable-housing goals, fair lending and other regulatory requirements. He brings excellent negotiation and coalition-building skills to MBA, having worked closely throughout his career with industry and consumer groups and other government organizations.

Throughout his HUD tenure, Markison served in a variety of positions, including chief attorney for business claims and information, liaison to the oversight board for the Resolution Trust Corporation (RTC), assistant general counsel for administrative law and, most recently, assistant general counsel for GSEs and RESPA. Over the course of his career, he has earned HUD's highest awards for exceptional legal and government service.

"I am proud to have served at HUD for more than 30 years. It was an honor to serve as part of a team of hard-working professionals dedicated to achieving HUD's mission of increasing homeownership and affordable housing for all Americans, " said Markison. "I look forward to joining MBA and working with the industry to achieve this same mission."

Markison's MBA portfolio will include the strategic oversight and development of industry positions on a host of regulatory compliance and legal issues affecting residential mortgage finance, including RESPA and the Truth in Lending Act (TILA).

Markison received his J.D. with honors from George Washington University National Law Center and his B.A. in political science, also from George Washington University. He is a member of both the Maryland and District of Columbia Bars.

Source: MBA<


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