Partner Spotlight: CJ Bobola, Heroes First Home Loans

Born to Serve

CJ Bobola, Heroes First Home Loans

By Zachary Cohen

“Our mission is simple: to give back to heroes. There are a lot of companies that do mortgages. There are a lot of companies that close loans fast. There are a lot of companies that have great interest rates. But being with a company that has a purpose and mission to serve the community is what I’m all about.

A Navy veteran and a former law enforcement officer, CJ understands what it means to serve his community. Today, as branch manager of Heroes First Home Loans in Jacksonville, his role is to support heroes in their quest to purchase a home.

BORN TO SERVE

CJ’s father was in the Navy, and like many military families, CJ’s moved often. CJ’s father was stationed at Naval Station Mayport four times, and Jacksonville became home.

After graduating high school, CJ enlisted in the Navy, where he spent five years as a military police officer. He then became a civilian law enforcement officer in Virginia Beach, VA. By 2015, however, CJ was craving a return home to Florida. He had a cousin in the mortgage business in Jacksonville and decided to return home and change careers.

CJ served as a military police officer in the U.S. Navy for five years. Thank you, CJ, for your service!

“My cousin looked like he was doing well, and he had nights and weekends off. So I decided to come down and give it a try,” CJ reflects.

CJ began in call centers, drumming up refinance business. He found enjoyment in the mortgage lending business and soon transitioned into helping individuals and families with purchase business as a loan originator.

During this time, CJ formed a niche helping veterans and the families of those who serve our communities and nation. His passion for serving others eventually led him to Heroes First Home Loans.

HEROES FIRST

CJ and Heroes First Home Loans National Director Sam Royer found themselves in similar circles. Both are prior military service members who specialized in working with veterans, and eventually, a real estate agent introduced them. CJ quickly realized that Heroes First Home Loans had increased capabilities to help his military and veteran clients. They also focused on other heroes CJ worked with — law enforcement, firefighters, teachers, medical workers and pastors.

“We went to lunch, he told me about the mission, and it fit what I was seeking,” CJ explains.

In June 2020, CJ joined Heroes First Home Loans, opening the Jacksonville branch office. At Heroes First, CJ’s goal is straightforward: to serve those who serve.

“We have a hero program where we waive lender fees. We also purchase an accidental death and dismemberment policy to help protect our heroes’ families,” CJ explains. “We’ve all served in the communities we’re giving back to.”

Our goal is to help heroesin every communityacross the U.S.

These programs, alongside a deep understanding of military, veteran and service member culture, have helped CJ expand his niche. CJ and his team understand how to go the extra mile and get their clients to the closing table.

ACCOMPLISHING THE MISSION

As a loan originator and branch manager, CJ continues to draw on the skills he learned in the Navy and law enforcement.

“A lot of the stuff I learned from the military and police department was attention to detail. In the Navy, everything has to be in the right place, and you have to follow a process. Everything has to be done in a controlled manner for things to be safe,” CJ explains. “In mortgages, I create a process that looks at every aspect of the system. What are the proper steps and procedures? That’s helped me develop a streamlined process that we can walk first-time homebuyers through smoothly and effectively, so the mission gets accomplished.”

BEYOND MORTGAGES Outside work, CJ is a family man. He and his wife, Erin, have two daughters, Madi (3) and Charlee (1). They enjoy relaxing at home, traveling and exploring national parks and reserves around Florida.

Heroes First is working to secure even more benefits for the heroes who serve our communities. One of their current projects is working alongside Congressman Rutherford and Senator Rubio to pass the Helper Act, a bill extending FHA loan benefits with no mortgage insurance to teachers, EMTs, police officers and firefighters.

“My goal is to continue to grow this branch big enough so when the Helper Act hits, we have a process in place to assist those customers. Our goal is to help heroes in every community across the U.S.”

For more information, visit heroesfirst.com.