First Class Mortgage

Bios

• Dan Van Winkle

  President

  NMLS# 8495 ABOUT: Originally from Devils Lake, ND, Dan moved to Fargo in 1998. Dan and his wife, Jill, were married in May of 1999 and have two daughters: Lauren and Taylor. EXPERIENCE: Dan started First Class Mortgage in 2003 with his business partner, Greg Dean. Before starting First Class Mortgage, Dan worked in the financial/banking industry for nine years. EDUCATION: B.S. in Financial Management along with a minor in Marketing and Accounting from the University of North Dakota. OTHER THAN WORK, DAN ENJOYS: Spending time with his family and friends, spending time at the lake, and watching/following his two favorite sports teams: The Dallas Cowboys and UND hockey. He is an active member of the programming and entertainment committee for the Fargo-Moorhead Area Association of Realtors.

  Link: Dan Van Winkle

• Greg Dean

  Vice President

  NMLS# 8499 ABOUT: Greg currently lives in Fargo with his three kids. EXPERIENCE: Greg started First Class Mortgage in 2003 with his business partner, Dan Van Winkle. EDUCATION: Graduated from Concordia College, MN with a degree in Business Management. OTHER THAN WORK, GREG ENJOYS: Spending time with his kids and attending their various sports and extra-curricular activities.

  Link: Greg Dean

• Dawn Johnson

  Mortgage Consultant

  NMLS# 178349 ABOUT: Dawn is originally from Kindred, ND, where she resides with her two boys: Tyson and Brock. EXPERIENCE: Dawn has been with First Class Mortgage since 2004. Prior to joining First Class Mortgage, she spent four years in the title insurance industry. She is also an active member of the Kindred Community Club and Davenport Lutheran Church. EDUCATION: Associates degree in Financial and Credit Services Administration from MSCTC, Moorhead, MN. OTHER THAN WORK, DAWN ENJOYS: Time with family and friends, spending time at the lakes, watching and cheering for the Minnesota Vikings, playing volleyball, running and just spending time outside.

  Link: Dawn Johnson

• Ameen Darwish

  Mortgage Consultant

  NMLS# 1811843 ABOUT: Originally from London, Canada, Ameen moved to Lisbon, ND in 2010 EXPERIENCE: Ameen started with First Class Mortgage in April of 2019. Before starting with First Class Mortgage, Ameen worked for financial institutions as the accounts manager and operations manager for 20 years EDUCATION: Bachelors in Mathematics from the University of Western Ontario OTHER THAN WORK, AMEEN ENJOYS: Spending time with his golden doodles, playing golf and softball, enjoying the outdoors on Ottertail Lake and spending time with friends and family

  Link: Ameen Darwish

• Samuel Macarthur

  Mortgage Consultant

  NMLS# 2255709 ABOUT: Originally from Marshall MN, the youngest of 4, Samuel graduated from NDSU in December of 2020 and currentlyI lives in Fargo with college friends. EDUCATION: B.S. in Finance from NDSU EXPERIENCE: Before First Class I worked at an Insurance Company here in Fargo. OTHER THAN WORK SAMUEL ENJOYS: Playing/watching sports with friends.

  Link: Samuel Macarthur

• Faye Ni

  Mortgage Consultant

  NMLS# 2366410 ABOUT: Faye came to the U.S. with family from China to achieve the American dream! Faye has a passion for helping others in all directions and especially with homebuyers to achieve their homeownership goals EXPERIENCE: Faye became a Licensed Mortgage Originator in June of 2022 EDUCATION: Faye holds a Bachelor of Science from Binghamton University, with a Major in Finance and Management OTHER THAN WORK, FAYE ENJOYS: Traveling, spending time with family and volunteering in church services

  Link: Faye Ni

• Brenda Harder

  Mortgage Consultant

  NMLS# 1803602 ABOUT: Brenda currently lives in Rural Ulen with her husband. EXPERIENCE: Brenda started in banking in the loan department in 2009. She has worked in State Banks and a National Bank before getting her mortgage license in April, 2021. She is licensed in MN and ND. EDUCATION: Brenda attended College of St. Benedict and Bemidji State University before receiving her degree from Reno Business College. OTHER THAN WORK, BRENDA ENJOYS: Brenda enjoys traveling and especially time with family her granddaughters. Brenda also works at the Ulen-Hitterdal High School as a special Ed Para.

  Link: Brenda Harder

• Kim Kainz

  Mortgage Processor

  NMLS# 820951 ABOUT: Kim is originally from Brainerd, MN. She currently lives in Moorhead, MN with her husband, Troy, and their three children, Logan, Tanner and McKenzie. EXPERIENCE: Kim has been with First Class Mortgage since 2011. Prior to joining First Class Mortgage, she spent nine years in the mortgage industry and five years in the title company industry. EDUCATION: B.S. in Elementary Education from Minnesota State University. OTHER THAN WORK, KIM ENJOYS: Her family and friends, photography and the chaotic schedule of life with three active children!

  Link: Kim Kainz

• Troy Hertz

  Mortgage Consultant

  NMLS# 986247 ABOUT: Troy is originally from Fargo, ND. Troy and his wife Kelli live in West Fargo and have one daughter Katie and two grandchildren – Jaden and Taylnn. EXPERIENCE: Troy has been with First Class Mortgage since 2012. Prior to joining First Class Mortgage, he spent 20 years as a Consumer Loan Officer. EDUCATION: B.S. in Business Administration and Minor in Economics from North Dakota State University. OTHER THAN WORK, TROY ENJOYS: Spending time with Family, watching his grandson Jaden play hockey, granddaughter Taylnn play soccer, bow hunting, golfing and being outdoors. IF YOU WON THE LOTTERY, WHAT WOULD BE THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD BUY AND WHY? The first thing Troy would do, is gift money to his immediate family.

  Link: Troy Hertz

• Reanna Schmidt

  Mortgage Processor

  ABOUT: Reanna grew up in and still lives in West Fargo EXPERIENCE: Reanna started with First Class in July of 2019, before that she worked as a leasing agent. EDUCATION: Graduated from NDSU with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. OTHER THAN WORK, REANNA ENJOYS: Working out, boxing, and spending time with family, friends, and her dog Locs.

  Link: Reanna Schmidt

• Stacy Kjelshus

  Mortgage Processor

  ABOUT: Originally from and continue to live in Fargo, married for 16 years to Travis, 2 daughters (Madilyn, 14, and Lauren, 12) EXPERIENCE: Project controls assistant in construction for approximately 10 years, mortgage loan processor just over 3 years at a local bank EDUCATION: Administrative degree from what used to be Aaker’s Business College (now Rasmussen College) OTHER THAN WORK, STACY ENJOYS: Spending time with family and friends, enjoying the outdoors with camping, boating, or skiing (cross country or downhill skiing), reading, music, crafts, movies & concerts!

  Link: Stacy Kjelshus

• Jone Otis

  Mortgage Processor

  ABOUT: Jone grew up in Wayzata Minnesota and graduated from Orono High School in 1974. She has lived in North Fargo for 37 years EXPERIENCE: Jone has 13 years of mortgage loan processing local bank and mortgage company experience EDUCATION: 2 years at the University of Minnesota OTHER THAN WORK, JONE ENJOYS: Being with her two married kids and 7 grandchildren. She also enjoys Cooking, wine tasting and boat time on the lake with kids

  Link: Jone Otis

• Katie Janssen

  Marketing Director

  ABOUT: Originally from Moorhead, MN, Katie graduated from high school in 2005 EXPERIENCE: Katie has over 12 years of Managerial, Marketing and Graphic Design experience, and has worked in multiple different industries during those years EDUCATION: Katie graduated from the Salon Professional Academy of Fargo in 2008 OTHER THAN WORK, KATIE ENJOYS: Spending as much time as she can with her son Cade, Jeep rides in the Summer, and furthering her education in Marketing and Graphic Design.

  Link: Katie Janssen