Q: Please tell us a bit about yourself and your family.
I grew up on Long Island in Suffolk County, right near the water and close to Fire Island and the ferry. I grew up with one sister in a family where both parents worked in finance. My mom in banking and my dad in real estate and higher-level finance. Naturally, I worked very hard to avoid that path for myself.
I went to Bayshore High School and then to the University of Scranton, where I made lifelong friends I’m still close with today. After college, I bounced around a bit, lived in Florida for a few years, and eventually landed back up North. I have a beautiful wife and two kids, Nate and Grace.
I met my wife first in 2001 during my first job in advertising. I became friends with a coworker named Lucy. We stayed in touch over the years. Fast forward to 2012. Lucy gets married and decides to set me up with someone at her wedding because she was convinced we’d hit it off. That someone ended up being my wife.
The only catch was right after we met, I was leaving for New Zealand for a month to visit my sister, who was living there at the time. My wife lived in New York, I lived in Philly, and she figured that was probably the end of that. But I called her from New Zealand and told her I wanted to see her when I got back. After about 40 hours of travel home, I dropped my bags, got on a train to New York that same night, and took her on our first real date. It was amazing. I then went home and slept so long I missed an entire day.
We started seeing each other every weekend after that. Less than a year later, we were engaged in Paris (yes, cliché, but I’m okay with it). We got married in 2014.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career.
I started college as a biology major because in high school we had this big marine biology focus. They were supposedly going to build an aquarium in town (they never did), but it sparked my interest. I gave biology two solid years, but 8 a.m. classes were not for me.
I switched to communications with a business minor, which is where a lot of people land when they’re figuring it out. After graduation, I worked in advertising for about a year. The commute was two hours door-to-door, the pay was about $25,000 a year, and I quickly realized it wasn’t the long-term plan.
My first real move into finance was with Ford Credit in King of Prussia, starting in auto loan collections, not the glamorous side of finance. From there, I moved into their credit division approving auto loans.
Then a friend connected me to an opportunity in Fort Myers, Florida, so I packed up and moved. A month later, they laid us off. Welcome to banking during a freeze. Somehow, I ended up transitioning into commercial lending during that time. It was an unusual season in the financial world with not a lot of deals happening, but it gave me valuable experience.
Eventually, I moved into mortgage loan processing, which is where I really learned the business from the ground up. I worked my way through operations, became an operations manager, and have now been a full-time loan officer since 2017.
I absolutely love what I do. Every file is different. Every client has a story. And I get to help people navigate one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives in a way that feels clear, strategic, and (hopefully) a lot less stressful.
Q: What’s your favorite part about what you do?
Working with first time homebuyers. I’ve always had a soft spot for them because it’s such a fragile, emotional, and exciting time. A lot of them come in convinced they can’t afford to buy, or that they need 20% down, or that the monthly payment will be impossible. And I love being able to say, “Let’s actually look at this.” Helping people realize they can do this and that they’re more prepared than they think is incredibly rewarding.
I have a lot of conversations where someone says, “I want to put 20% down,” and after reviewing everything, I’ll say, “What if you put 10% down and pay off your high-interest debt instead?” They’re focused on lowering the mortgage payment, but sometimes the smarter long-term move is improving their overall financial position.
I also encourage clients to work with financial advisors and think beyond just the house. The goal isn’t just to close a loan, it’s to set them up for success.
It’s really about education and strategy. Watching someone go from “There’s no way I can buy” to holding the keys to their first home never gets old.
Q: What are some of your favorite restaurants in the area?
We love going to Isaac Newton’s and The Green Parrot with the kids. They are both relaxed, family-friendly, and we don’t feel like we’re disrupting anyone’s evening if things get a little chaotic at the table.
For date nights, we used to love Rocco’s at The Brick. That was kind of our go-to spot before it closed. We’re still in the process of finding its replacement. We occasionally head to La Stalla for date night as well.
Q: Are you guys involved in any local sports or activities?
Oh yeah. My son plays baseball, and this year I’ll actually be head coach for the first time, which is equal parts exciting and slightly terrifying. I’ve been an assistant coach for the last couple of years, so I have a general idea of what I’m walking into, but being “the guy” is a little different.
I love baseball. I try to share that passion with my son. Last year, we went to a game in Baltimore, and this year we’re planning to hit Pittsburgh and maybe DC. My goal is to see a new stadium each year.
My daughter is six and currently exploring her interests. Both kids also do jiu-jitsu through the township, which they actually love. They’re in the same class, which makes it even more fun. It’s once a week for eight weeks and incredibly reasonable. One of those great local programs that makes you appreciate the community we’re in.
Right now, we’re just trying to let them try things, figure out what sticks, and keep it fun.
Q: What is your favorite type of music?
I’m honestly not a huge music person.
If I’m in the car, there’s a good chance I’m listening to an audiobook instead. People give me a hard time about it, especially if we’re hosting and the music mysteriously isn’t on. I’m usually just not thinking about it.
When I do listen to music, it’s mostly classic rock. I love The Beatles. That’s probably my staple. As far as newer music goes there is nothing I really go out of my way to put on. I tend to stick with what I know.
Q: What are some of your favorite books?
Most of what I read/ listen to is history-based.
I loved 1776. Anything centered around the American Revolution and George Washington is always interesting to me. I’ve read biographies on John Adams and Andrew Jackson, too. I guess that’s the history minor in me.
I also enjoy the “Killing” series by Bill O’Reilly. Books like Killing England, Killing the SS, and Killing the Rising Sun. They’re rooted in historical fact but written almost like a story, which makes them really engaging. You learn a lot without feeling like you’re reading a textbook.
Q: What are some of your favorite movies and TV shows?
My all time favorite movie is, The Princess Bride. I’m planning to introduce it to the kids this summer; they’re finally at the right age for it. I can’t wait to see their reactions.
As for TV, I’m into a mix. I’ve enjoyed watching the newer Game of Thrones series, and my wife has me watching Bridgerton, which, to be honest, I don’t hate. I also enjoy sci-fi shows.
Q: What’s your favorite place you’ve ever traveled, and what’s next on your travel bucket list?
That’s a tough one, but I’d probably say New Zealand. I spent a month there, and it was incredible, the scenery, the beaches, the culture, everything. I had family there, which made it extra special. It’s probably the only time in my life I could take that much time off.
As for the next big trip? We’re still deciding. Greece is high on the list, maybe Portugal or Morocco. With kids and work schedules, we’re looking for something epic but manageable with not too much time in transit.
Q: What’s something on your bucket list?
Skydiving for sure!
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
That’s a tough one. Probably Christmas, just because the kids are so excited and happy. Halloween is fun with them too. Every holiday has really changed now that the kids are in the mix.
Personally, I love Thanksgiving, mostly because I get to fry the turkey. And even though I’m 0% Irish, I also love St. Patrick’s Day. My wife is Irish, so we make a big corned beef dinner every year.
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Start saving as early as you can. My dad used to tell me, “Take 10% out of your first paycheck and put it in an account, you’ll thank me later.” At the time, I thought, “10% less to spend? No thanks.” But now, looking back, I couldn’t agree more.
I really wish schools taught practical finance like how to invest, save for a mortgage, or plan for the future. Those skills are so important, and if kids learn them early, it sets them up for success. That’s exactly what I try to do with my own kids: little savings accounts, teaching them how to manage money, even giving them debit cards early to start understanding finances in a real-world way.
Talking about money can still make people nervous, even adults, which is why I focus on making it approachable whether it’s with my clients or at home.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite smells?
I’d say a fire pit, freshly cut wood, sawdust, things being built. I also love the smell of a new car. Weirdly, gasoline too, for some reason. I guess I’m mostly drawn to wood-related smells, things that remind me of creation or the outdoors.
Q: What words or phrases come to mind when you hear the word “home”?
Family, security, togetherness.
Q: Where can people find you or your business?
| M 239.565.1075 |
| W ccm.com/Greg-Roth |
| E greg.roth@ccm.com |
