Our Team

As a Senior Mortgage Advisor, Brett is well-versed in what it takes to structure and originate loans, seeing clients through to the finish line (a new house!). Over his nearly 20 years of experience, he’s been recognized for his customer service and genuine care throughout the loan origination process. Since he started doing home loans in 2003, Brett has helped secure nearly 2,000 loans. He leverages this experience and a love for problem solving to help see clients through to the finish line. Brett holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Linfield College in Business and Economics. With his strong analytic, organizational, and relationship-building skills, he’s a natural fit for Hixon’s lending team.

As a Central Oregonian, through and through, Randy is deeply invested in helping the area grow and blossom into a vibrant and thriving community. With over 23 years of experience as a mortgage professional and a keen understanding of what makes Central Oregon great, he’s passionate about helping people realize their dreams of home ownership. Randy pairs concierge service with expert opinions and analysis to guide homebuyers through the biggest transaction of their lives. He’s committed to Hixon’s people-first mission, catering mortgage options around what works best for each individual! An avid outdoorsman, you can find him enjoying “the outdoor playground of the West” every chance he gets.

Derek is the co-founder and VP of Mortgage Lending at Hixon Mortgage Co. He founded Hixon to provide better service and expanded loan products to homebuyers navigating a competitive and complex housing market. With over 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, Derek has seen firsthand how the industry has changed in recent years. He’s here to create a local mortgage company that offers personalized home lending and exceptional customer service to homebuyers in or relocating to the Pacific Northwest.

Brian has been invested in creating a better borrower experience for nearly two decades. Whether he’s helping clients find the best loan for their unique needs or explaining the loan process in an accessible way, he’s here to support and educate Hixon’s clients. Brian leads by example, using his depth of experience to teach employees and loan officers how to be successful. Everything he does comes from a place of empathy and wanting to truly hear his clients’ goals and help them reach them.

For over a decade, Jillian has been in the business of making homeownership dreams a reality. She believes that goals are goals, no matter how big or small. Whether she’s working with first-time homebuyers or helping investors build a portfolio, she gives each borrower the time, attention, and energy they need. As a former escrow officer, she knows how to keep many plates spinning, no matter how much pressure she’s under. She’s invested in the relationships she gets to build with each client she meets during the loan process.

For Jamie, this work is all about the people, whether that’s helping people reach their homeownership dreams or helping the Hixon team. She loves taking every opportunity to get to know Hixon’s borrowers, understand their goals, and help them achieve their objectives. Having started in the industry two years ago, Jamie has a good understanding of the entire process from start to finish and brings a fresh perspective to home lending. She is thankful for the opportunity to help people own the home of their dreams!

Kelsey serves as one of Hixon’s Mortgage Advisors where she works with clients to help secure a loan for their dream home. Prior to becoming a loan officer, Kelsey had 16 years of experience in the financial industry—ranging from part-time teller to banking management. This background serves her well when it comes to navigating the mortgage process. She loves working with her clients through every step of the loan process (and sometimes beyond), helping them make informed decisions about their loan options. As a self-proclaimed perfectionist and numbers person, she loves reviewing details. But her favorite part of the job is seeing the end result and happy clients. When not processing loans, Kelsey enjoys running her local clothing business and spending time with her family.

Jake’s role as a Loan Officer is to guide clients through the mortgage process, making sure they’re informed every step of the way. His favorite part of the job is crossing the finish line with his clients and seeing their joy. Whether he’s working with first-time homebuyers or clients looking to expand their real estate portfolio, he does the legwork to put them into the best financial position possible. A single father of three boys, Jake has his work cut out for him on the homefront. He loves the flexibility and work-life balance that Hixon’s company culture provides.

With over 25 years of lending experience, Retta brings a passion for homeownership. She strives to create positive experiences for first-time and seasoned home buyers by offering the best financial product for their situations. With Retta’s compassion and tenacity, you have a professional in your corner when purchasing your dream home.

Jack started with Hixon as an intern, eager to learn more about the mortgage business. He quickly found out that he would like to serve his community by becoming a loan officer. Jack’s mission is to serve his clients by making the process of obtaining a home loan as stress-free as possible. He enjoys connecting with others on the golf course as Jack has played the game his entire life. Jack holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Oregon State University in Business Management. Go Beavs! With his team-oriented personality, Jack is a great fit with the Hixon family.

For over a decade, Gretchen has been originating home loans differently. With her background in residential development and public relations, she knows how to communicate what’s most important. Whether you’re a first time homebuyer or looking to buy for the first time in 20+ years, she can help put your mind at ease. By thinking more like an underwriter and less like a salesperson, Gretchen sets the new bar on customer service within the mortgage industry. Whether you need her in the evening or on the weekend, she’s there to pick up the phone or answer your email. There’s no “9-5” mentality with Gretchen.

Katie has been in the banking and mortgage industry since 2007 with experience in consumer lending, mortgage processing, mortgage servicing. She’s been originating mortgage loans right here in TriCities since 2015. Katie has found her passion in helping clients finance their new home and build wealth by investing in their community. To achieve this, she works hard to communicate well and educate her clients to establish expectations and ensure transactions run as smoothly as possible.

Katie views mortgage loans as a unique challenge. They require the ability to think on your feet and find creative solutions. Because each loan is different, Katie truly values what each client brings to the table. With her depth of experience, she can help homebuyers navigate the obstacles on their journey to home ownership.

Alyssa is the first face you’ll see when you walk into our Central Oregon office. And it’s a good thing, too. With her knack for detail and always-on energy, Alyssa leverages her role as Loan Coordinator to build an office environment where we can work as hard as we play. Whether she’s handling loan opening procedures, planning Hixon’s next community event, or dreaming up marketing efforts to get more potential homeowners in the door, she’s always keeping an eye out for growth opportunities. 

Our Operations Manager, Blake Hensley, is an Oregon native with strong Central Oregon roots. He grew up in the small mountain community of John Day, visited Bend frequently throughout his early life, and has called it home for nearly a decade. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, Blake has been involved in almost every aspect of the industry. He leverages this experience—banking, lending, commercial, and consumer—to better serve his mortgage clients. After nine years of focusing solely on mortgage lending, his favorite part is still helping people realize their homeownership dreams.

Traci has been helping homebuyers achieve their homeownership dreams for over 10 years. With her background in banking, first as an escrow officer and now as a proud lending partner with Hixon, she understands the process from beginning to end. As an empathetic people-person, Traci has built her book of business on creating relationships. Her favorite part of the job is getting to know each person and helping them achieve their immediate and future investment goals.

As a relative newcomer to the mortgage world, Ian has been in the industry for just over a year now, but he’s no stranger to customer service. He taps into his customer service experience to help people realize their dreams of home ownership! His favorite part of the job is helping his clients achieve their life goals while working towards reaching his own. He takes great joy in being part of the homebuying process. Ian originally moved to Central Oregon for the sun and the great outdoors, but he stayed for the incredible sense of community that the area offers. He’s excited to grow into his role with Hixon and further our “Tech-Forward, People-First” mission.

As a Senior Loan Advisor, Mike Martin brings extensive knowledge and experience to Hixon Mortgage Company. Since 1993, he’s helped clients obtain financing for their dream homes. His experience with today’s diverse lender programs helps his clients navigate the marketplace and optimize their loan decisions. From jumbo mortgages to conventional financing and first-time homebuyer loans, Mike is with clients every step of the biggest financial decisions of their lives.

A community bank in Little Rock, Arkansas, was Mike’s first training ground and the perfect environment to learn the strong compliance skills and procedures he brings to the job today. In 1995, Mike moved to Bend, Oregon, and quickly found the true mortgage brokerage model to be the optimal solution for his clients. He remains a fierce advocate of this model as it allows his clients to secure the best possible financing for their unique situations.

In addition, Mike’s history of managing rental properties since 2001 makes him a perfect partner for first-time or well-seasoned investment property buyers.

When not in the office, Mike enjoys Central Oregon’s many outdoor activities with his wife, two children, and Australian Shepherd. His favorites include cycling, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, running, kayaking, boating, and camping. He’s a strong supporter of his children’s activities in soccer, ice hockey, and flying remote airplanes.