Company Info
We treat your loan like it's our own
Franklin Loan Center
Franklin Loan Center has been servicing Southern California since 1989. We have grown from a small, local mortgage banker into a thriving regional enterprise across Southern California. Expanding into the Los Angeles and San Diego, Franklin now provides clients with the means to purchase the homes they have always wanted spanning a large part of the state, while growing the heart of the business here in the Coachella Valley as a strong local employer.
Franklin Loan Center provides a premiere lending experience to clients. All processing, underwriting, docs and funding functions are handled on site by an expert team that follows the loan from application to close—unlike other organizations that ‘farm out’ the loan functions to separate divisions or companies. Mortgages are processed in our state of the art system, and available to clients online to handle document submission and tracking for their convenience. Franklin offers a wide variety of tailored products to the borrower, from conventional and FHA loans to more specialty portfolio products for more complex transactions. This integrated product/team/system approach allows us to speed the process along and pay special attention to detail for each of our clients and gives them the flexibility to work with their Loan Officer anytime, anywhere.
Meet Our Leadership Team
Walter K. Neil
President & CEO
Noemi Martinez
Chief Operations Officer
Jennifer Meckstroth
Chief Compliance Officer
Woody Woodruff
Chief Financial Officer
Curt Kessler
Director of IT and Marketing
Michael Garmon
Human Resources Manager
Mike Luong
Secondary Marketing Manager
Walter K. Neil
President & CEO
Walter K. Neil is the President and CEO of Franklin Loan Center, the largest independent mortgage lending company in the Coachella Valley, located in Palm Desert, California. Under Walter’s leadership, Franklin has grown to become a thriving part of the business community and focused on bringing the best mortgage lending experience to Southern California borrowers and beyond. Providing personalized, expert service is a hallmark of Walter’s commitment to the community and, as a leader in the field, frequently provides seminars and educational sessions to the area’s real estate industry on the changing nature of the mortgage business, programs and regulations. Additionally, Franklin has been closely associated with local real estate brokers and developers for over twenty-nine years, partnering with the leading companies to provide their clients with premier services focused on their customers.
Walter has grown Franklin Loan Center from a small mortgage broker company into a thriving regional enterprise spanning the Southern California region providing clients with the homes they’ve always wanted; serving as a well-regarded leader in the local business communities; and as a growing strong organization as an employer. Recently, Walter has led Franklin in tremendous growth, doubling the size of Franklin’s presence in Southern California and plans to expand to service clients in more states and regions.
Mr. Neil graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is married with three beautiful children (two girls and one boy) which keep him and his wife very busy. Walter is currently a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the California Mortgage Bankers Association.
Walter has grown Franklin Loan Center from a small mortgage broker company into a thriving regional enterprise spanning the Southern California region providing clients with the homes they’ve always wanted; serving as a well-regarded leader in the local business communities; and as a growing strong organization as an employer. Recently, Walter has led Franklin in tremendous growth, doubling the size of Franklin’s presence in Southern California and plans to expand to service clients in more states and regions.
Mr. Neil graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Business Administration. He is married with three beautiful children (two girls and one boy) which keep him and his wife very busy. Walter is currently a member of Young Presidents Organization (YPO) and the California Mortgage Bankers Association.
Noemi Martinez
Chief Operations Officer
Noemi Martinez has been with Franklin Loan Center since 2010, serving in multiple operational and leadership capacities before stepping into her current role as Chief Operating Officer. With a deep background in mortgage operations, underwriting, and compliance, she has been instrumental in strengthening FLC’s internal infrastructure and service model. Known for her strong work ethic, hands-on leadership, and strategic mindset, Noemi drives operational efficiency, cross-departmental alignment, and continuous team development.
Noemi holds her degree in Computer Information Systems. She has earned multiple professional certifications and designations including FHA Direct Endorsement Underwriter GS61, VA SAR Designation, and Mortgage Banking Certifications. Originally from Southern California, Noemi enjoys spending time with her family, bodybuilding, traveling, and pursuing personal and professional growth.
Noemi holds her degree in Computer Information Systems. She has earned multiple professional certifications and designations including FHA Direct Endorsement Underwriter GS61, VA SAR Designation, and Mortgage Banking Certifications. Originally from Southern California, Noemi enjoys spending time with her family, bodybuilding, traveling, and pursuing personal and professional growth.
Jennifer Meckstroth
Chief Compliance Officer
Jennifer Meckstroth brings over two decades of expertise in the mortgage industry, with a strong emphasis on compliance, risk management, and quality control across both loan origination and servicing. As a hands-on leader, she excels at building strong teams, driving results, and ensuring regulatory compliance. At Franklin, Jennifer oversees a broad range of responsibilities including the disclosure desk, licensing, internal audit, quality control, vendor management, regulatory examinations, audits, fair lending compliance, and all other related compliance functions.
Jennifer holds a Master of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from Walden University and a Master of Science in Criminology from Regis University. She has earned multiple professional certifications and accolades, and has served on influential industry committees and boards. Notable honors and contributions include:
Jennifer holds a Master of Philosophy in Criminal Justice from Walden University and a Master of Science in Criminology from Regis University. She has earned multiple professional certifications and accolades, and has served on influential industry committees and boards. Notable honors and contributions include:
- Elite Women, Mortgage Professional America (2025)
- Women with Vision Award, Women With Vision (2023)
- Women in Lending Leadership Award, Colorado Mortgage Lenders Association (2021)
- Board of Mortgage Loan Originators, Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (2020-2024)
- Certified BSA/AML Officer, BankersWeb (2019-2021)
- Certified Fraud Examiner, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (2018-present)
- Member of ACFE Advisory Council, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (2018-present)
Woody Woodruff
Chief Financial Officer
Woody has spent over 20 years in the mortgage industry, serving as CFO and managing diverse responsibilities, including risk management, legal affairs, and operations. Before joining Franklin Loan Center, Woody ran his own CPA firm where he advised over twenty mortgage companies on a range of issues, from strategic planning to expert witness work.
Woody is a CPA licensed in Texas, with degrees from The University of Texas and the University of Houston. He also trained in mediation at UT Law and is a member of the AICPA’s forensic and valuation services section.
Woody lives in Texas with his wife. They enjoy hiking with family in Washington State and encountering humpback whales and Alaska brown bears during their cruises to The Last Frontier.
Woody is a CPA licensed in Texas, with degrees from The University of Texas and the University of Houston. He also trained in mediation at UT Law and is a member of the AICPA’s forensic and valuation services section.
Woody lives in Texas with his wife. They enjoy hiking with family in Washington State and encountering humpback whales and Alaska brown bears during their cruises to The Last Frontier.
Curt Kessler
Director of Information Technology and Marketing
Curt Kessler is a long-time information systems professional with over thirty years of experience in information technology and marketing, and fifteen of those with Franklin Loan Center. Joining Franklin in 2010, Curt currently serves as the Information Technology and Marketing Director at Franklin Loan Center. Curt is responsible for overseeing the IT infrastructure, applications, and marketing departments combining technical services and company communications.
Curt's expertise spans a wide range of areas, including the implementation of modern workplace and cloud-native infrastructures for a multi-site regional mortgage bank, branding and marketing management, and the development of creative business communications for the company. He has a proven track record of managing large-scale enterprise technology organizations and projects, focusing on cloud architecture, security, server, business continuity, fully deployed remote work solutions, and application services. Under Curt's technology stewardship, the company has successfully grown from 55 to supporting nearly 200 employees across multiple states and branches.
Curt is known for creating positive, solutions-focused teams, delivering projects, and has an excellent track record in recruiting and retaining high-caliber technical professionals, and found a home with Franklin Loan Center that supports a collaborative, people focused, culture. In addition to his professional achievements, Curt is actively involved in various technical advisory boards and professional associations. He attended the University of Texas, MIS/College of Natural Sciences with a math minor, previously worked with/for large technology companies, consulting, legal services, and has received numerous management, technical accreditations, and awards throughout his career. Curt lives in Rancho Mirage, California.
Curt's expertise spans a wide range of areas, including the implementation of modern workplace and cloud-native infrastructures for a multi-site regional mortgage bank, branding and marketing management, and the development of creative business communications for the company. He has a proven track record of managing large-scale enterprise technology organizations and projects, focusing on cloud architecture, security, server, business continuity, fully deployed remote work solutions, and application services. Under Curt's technology stewardship, the company has successfully grown from 55 to supporting nearly 200 employees across multiple states and branches.
Curt is known for creating positive, solutions-focused teams, delivering projects, and has an excellent track record in recruiting and retaining high-caliber technical professionals, and found a home with Franklin Loan Center that supports a collaborative, people focused, culture. In addition to his professional achievements, Curt is actively involved in various technical advisory boards and professional associations. He attended the University of Texas, MIS/College of Natural Sciences with a math minor, previously worked with/for large technology companies, consulting, legal services, and has received numerous management, technical accreditations, and awards throughout his career. Curt lives in Rancho Mirage, California.
Michael Garmon
Human Resources Manager
Michael Garmon joined Franklin Loan Center in early 2017. He has over forty years of human resources expertise with multi-state employment laws and guidelines from coast to coast. At Franklin, Michael takes care of our employment inquires, new hire onboarding and training orientations. He manages our employee benefit programs and handles FLC's employment related policies, procedures, and initiatives. Not only has Michael been the Human Resources Manager for many years, but he has also been a very satisfied residential mortgage loan client of Franklin Loan Center on several occasions. With Michael's prior experience and his experiences with Frankin, he is a primary go-to for our Franklin Loan Center Team Members.
If you would like to find out more about Franklin Loan Center's employment opportunities, Michael would be glad to hear from you. He can be reached directly by email at mgarmon@franklinlc.com.
If you would like to find out more about Franklin Loan Center's employment opportunities, Michael would be glad to hear from you. He can be reached directly by email at mgarmon@franklinlc.com.
Mike Luong
Secondary Marketing Manager
Mike has been with Franklin Loan Center since 2021 and is currently working as the Secondary Marketing Manager. He started his career in the mortgage industry as a staff accountant for Indymac Bank. He obtained his Series 7 and 63 license from TD Waterhouse in early 2000. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance/real estate from California State University, Northridge. Outside of work, he enjoys going to the gym and watching Los Angeles Dodgers baseball.