CrossCountry Mortgage hires Sam Sharp as regional EVP in Chicago

CrossCountry Mortgage (CCM) announced Friday that it has hired Sam Sharp as regional executive vice president, expanding the lender’s presence in the Chicago market.

Sharp, who brings more than 23 years of mortgage industry experience, is known in the Chicago area for a borrower-focused approach and long-standing referral relationships, according to the company.

“When you see big names making moves, they’re coming to CCM. Top producers are choosing us because we’ve built a business where you can maximize your mortgage potential,” said Ron Leonhardt, CrossCountry’s founder and CEO. “Sam is already a monster of a producer. We’re excited to have him on our team and to keep watching him dominate.”

Sharp most recently worked at Rate as its executive vice president of mortgage lending for 17 years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Before Rate, Sharp was a loan officer at Wintrust Mortgage.

“CCM offers the platform, depth of products and operational support to take my business to the next level,” Sharp said. “The company’s focus on execution and long-term growth is simply unmatched, and I’m looking forward to expanding my presence in Chicago while continuing to serve clients nationwide.”

In the past nine months, Sharp has posted a volume of $93.33 million, according to Modex. In 2024, he finished the year with a volume of $137.88 million.

Founded in 2003, CrossCountry Mortgage is a national retail mortgage lender. The company said it originated more than $51 billion in loans in 2025, serving more than 131,000 borrowers.

In the fourth quarter of 2025, CrossCountry financed approximately one in every 35 homes sold nationwide by volume, according to company data.