Branch Manager, Advisors Mortgage Group, LLC
It’s a long way for the Mendenhall glacier in Alaska to a mortgage company in Plattsburgh, but that’s the route Adam Crosley has traveled. With majors in both Hotel Restaurant Tourism Management and Expeditionary Studies from SUNY Plattsburgh Adam’s dream was to work in adventure tourism and he did just that for more than two years. “I worked for a company that offered helicopter tours of the glacier,” he explained. “Our largest client was Princess Cruises.” Adam lived in his truck, slept in a small tent and, to make extra money, was a dog musher. When he decided it was time for a change he shaved his beard and headed south to reunite with his college friends in Plattsburgh. The rest is history.
What is your biggest Professional Success?
My biggest professional success is where our team sits today. In April, we went from being a satellite branch of Advisors Mortgage Group to opening a new Branch location on Bridge St. and internally becoming our own entity within the company. This was a huge step for our team as it allowed us to be the only lender in the North Country that processes the entire mortgage in house. Also, the new location will allow us to expand the company so that we will be able to have underwriting in house within the next few years as well.
Last year we were able to help 107 families purchase homes in Clinton County and this year we are on track to help 130 families purchase homes. Our vision is that by moving everything in house we will be able to make the mortgage process fun again.
What is your Dream Job?
My Dream Job is to own and operate a Mortgage Bank that is a regional player in the Northeast.
How do you maintain a work/life balance?
The honest answer is not very well. My job consumes me most of the time but I try my very best to give my family the best of me; not the rest of me when I am home. We are working on having written goals at home with what we all want to accomplish for the year; so we ensure that all of our individual needs are being met.
What important lessons have you learned in your career?
#1. Be “real” with people. This is especially true in the banking and lending world, too many people are fake and set unobtainable expectations. Maybe I just have that small town mentality but if you’re honest with people, break the process down into laymen’s terms so that they clearly understand and under promise what you can deliver; people are happy to work with you and refer you to their friends and family.
#2 ALWAYS ask for the referral. In my opinion, if you do good work, you have earned the right to ask for the referral. And most of the time people will refer you if they know that it’s ok to refer and more importantly, if they know how to refer you.
These seem like basic concepts but the simplest truths are always the most impactful.
What is the most exciting trend happening in the north country right now?
I am by no means on the forefront of this topic but from the outside looking in, it seems that our area is on the verge of bringing in some large manufacturing companies that could potentially, bring in a lot of high dollar jobs. Our economy needs help and job production is the #1 way to impact the local economy.
What would make the North Country a more enjoyable place to live and work?
It always seems like there are a lot of things happening in the area but I never seem to hear about any of the events until after it happens. I wish there was a consolidated place, and maybe there is, where events are published and promoted.
Describe your personal Brand in 3 Words:
Deliver WOW Service. This principal comes from one of my favorite books, Raving Fans by Ken Blanchard. In lending the 2 biggest complaints across the country are always that lenders don’t communicate and that they don’t close on time. We have built the company on trying to deliver on both.
Who is your mentor and what have you learned from Him/Her?
Although we’ve never met, the person that has had the most impact on my life is Brian Tracy. Just after college, I discovered Audible and for my first free listen, I choose “Success Mastery Academy” by Brian Tracy. At the time, I literally only choose it because it was 12 hours long and was the longest seminar for free. And since, I was so broke, it took me about 3 years to buy my next download. I listened in on that course so much it got to the point I could finish Brian sentences. The course covered everything from saving and investing, to sales, to being a better leader. Just absolute gold that any business person needs to know. Thankfully, I was fortunate enough to stumble on that information in my early 20’s.
How do I contribute to the culture of the company?
As the face of the team, I primarily try to lead by example and establish that Wow Service from the get-go. I set the standard for the team on how to deal with our clients and our referral partners.
I try my best to love on my team and build them up as much as I can. Showing appreciation and making sure they are heard goes a long way. While I am the face, they are the vitals; Without them, we wouldn’t exist.
I was lucky enough to realize at a young age, that I am not perfect and so I am always trying to improve on everything both personally and professionally. As soon as we hit a goal, we pause for a quick celebration but then we stretch the goal and go after it again.
What is the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
Hands Down, starting our own branch was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done. We lost all of our processing support and had to rebuild the entire process. It was further compounded by just purchasing a commercial building and remodeling it simultaneously to starting the branch. Despite having to make so many changes at once, when I look back 10 years from now, I know without a doubt that will be the point in which we started to launch towards the next level.
What is something that no one would guess about you?
My previous career was as a Dog Musher on a glacier in Alaska.
Write a note to your younger self…
Think big. No, think bigger. Then Go for it. Set high expectations on yourself and the ones you surround yourself with. Feel the fear and do it anyway. You are going to get knocked down; it’s part of life. Learn from your mistakes and stand up quick and just keep plugging ahead. Never stop grinding.