When Stacy Bray founded her mortgage company Texas Lone Star Lending in 1997, she adopted the mantra "Your Loan Educator" because it was important to her that her customers truly understood what for many is the most important financial decision of their lives.

"Education is my passion," Stacy said. "I think I was a teacher in a former life. It is very important to me that people understand how to use mortgages to make their lives better. I want my customers to be able to choose the best mortgage to fit their life goals."

Stacy applies this passion to every customer she meets and every loan she closes. She uses her 17 years of industry experience to analyze her customers' needs and educate them on available mortgage products. And because closings can be stressful, Stacy always tries to attend to support her customers through the closing process. It is important that her customers understand the documents they are signing.

Recently, Stacy has taken this passion to a new level with her appointment to chair the Financial Literacy Subcommittee for the National Association of Mortgage Brokers (NAMB). In this position, she intends to push for programs to educate Americans how to make responsible choices for their financial future. This will include programs on managing credit and family financial planning.

Her position also makes her responsible for the association's outreach to high school students through DECA. DECA, or Distributed Education Clubs of America, is an organization for students to develop business and leadership skills beyond what a classroom can provide. Stacy will spearhead the collection scholarship funds and organization of volunteers within the broker's association.

"I think the most enjoyable part of this position is I get to interact with the kids," commented Stacy. "This spring, I judged the DECA state finals in Corpus Christi. So much of the news about kids is negative. These kids were so incredible and so appreciative. It was very rewarding be a part of helping them map out their futures."

Stacy originally got started in education through teaching mortgage classes to other mortgage brokers. She was appointed to chair the Education Committee for the local broker's association several years ago. Last year, she was asked to serve on the Education Committee for the national association and served as the DECA liaison for the State of Texas.

Her company specializes in loans for investment and second home properties. Most of her customers are referrals or repeats. This is a testament to Stacy's focus on education. Customers come back because Stacy makes them feel comfortable with the loan process.

Texas Lone Star Lending has grown to include Stacy's husband Steve. Steve focuses on commercial investment properties. The company recently hired a processor and is actively recruiting loan officers.

You can learn more about Stacy and her company on its Web site, www.LoneStarLending.com. Or email her at Stacy@LoneStarLending.com

Members doing business with members - I think that's a reason a lot of us join business organizations. We're looking for other people who will refer business to us.

I'm sure we've all heard the sage advice that you have to give referrals if you want to receive them. A referral is a great compliment for a business. It's a statement of trust. It's that spirit, of trust and giving, that we want to reward at our Chamber luncheons.

Starting in August, we will add a segment to our luncheons called "Members doing business with members." If you have made a referral to another member since the last luncheon, you'll be invited to stand and introduce that other member. You are encouraged to be effusive. After all, you trusted the other member with your reputation.

It's hard to make a referral if you don't know what other members do, so I want to encourage you to get to know the other businesses in our Chamber. It's all about members doing business with members.