Industry Leader Steve Nadon Named President of ARDRI

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ARDRI, the upcoming leader in intelligent non-QM lending solutions, is officially open for business. With a bold vision to transform the mortgage industry through technology and transparency, ARDRI launches under the leadership of industry veteran Steve Nadon, who steps in as the company’s President.

CEO Brian O’Shaughnessy expressed, “We are excited to announce Steve Nadon as President to lead ARDRI’s launch in the non-QM lending market. We have assembled the strongest talent and the most powerful and user-friendly technology solution in the industry. Our mission is to simplify non-QM lending. Steve Nadon is the best person to lead what will be an efficient, focused ramp-up to leadership in this market.”

Nadon brings over 40 years of experience to ARDRI. With a background spanning the evolution of the lending industry—from early days in traditional finance to subprime lending to the modern landscape of non-QM— Nadon is uniquely qualified to lead ARDRI to success.

"I am thrilled to be joining ARDRI," said Nadon. "I am eager to work alongside Brian O'Shaughnessy, Brent Houston, Yvonne Brumett, and the exceptional ARDRI team to drive a culture of ownership, transparency, and excellence. Our people, technology, and customer service are all unsurpassed in today’s industry. By aligning these superior resources, we will enable mortgage brokers and independent mortgage banks to deliver the most outstanding financial solutions to their clients."

A Storied Career in Mortgage and Financial Services

Steve Nadon began his career in the mid-1970s at Transamerica Financial Services when lending was primarily the domain of large banks. Early on, he honed his skills working with unsecured personal loans and fixed-rate second mortgages. In 1984, Nadon was pivotal in launching Nova Financial Services as a wholly owned subsidiary of First Interstate Bancorp. Under his leadership, the start-up expanded to 70 branches across three western states, achieving the highest return on assets within the group.

In 1992, Nadon transitioned to mortgage banking by co-founding Option One Mortgage. Over 15 years, he grew the company into a robust organization of over 6,000 associates. He facilitated the origination of more than $40 billion per year through wholesale, retail, and correspondent channels. His career flourished with leadership roles at O2 Funding (which later merged with New Penn Financial), Emporium TPO as co-founder, and Plaza Home Mortgage.

Vision for ARDRI

Nadon will build upon ARDRI’s core mission: Serving mortgage brokers and independent mortgage banks by deploying the best technological tools available and delivering the most exceptional customer experience in the industry. Nadon emphasizes that outstanding customer service begins with a company culture where everyone thinks and acts like an owner. "We are not in business to be just another mortgage lender," he noted. "We are here to set ourselves apart by ensuring every interaction—internal and external—is marked by fairness, transparency and excellence."

Personal Insights and Values

Throughout his extensive career, Nadon has consistently credited his success to listening, learning, and working alongside exceptionally talented leaders. His approach is grounded in humility and honesty—principles that have guided him since his early days at Nova Financial Services and Option One Mortgage. These values will continue to shape his leadership at ARDRI as he works to create an environment where all team members' contributions drive meaningful, long-term value for clients, investors, and stakeholders.

Outside of his professional endeavors, Steve and his wife, Elizabeth, share a long-standing passion for wine. For nearly 30 years, they have enjoyed wine-tasting trips to Napa Valley and curating an impressive collection of Cabernet and Bordeaux wines. This passion underscores his belief in the importance of savoring life's professional and personal achievements.

About ARDRI

ARDRI is a technology-forward non-QM and Business Purpose mortgage lender dedicated to simplifying the complexities of modern lending for TPO mortgage brokers. By integrating the newest intelligent technology with a client-first approach, ARDRI delivers efficient, accessible financing solutions for today's dynamic mortgage landscape.

For more information about ARDRI and to stay updated on industry insights, please visit www.ardri.ai and follow Steve Nadon on LinkedIn.

Simplifying Non-QM Lending with Personal Service & Technology