Randell Gillespie named president of LeaderOne

Veteran mortgage executive Randell Gillespie has been named president of Kansas City-based mortgage shop LeaderOne.

Gillespie joins LeaderOne following a long stint at Thrive Mortgage and Lower, which merged in early 2024. He most recently served as chief production officer at the combined company before his departure in February 2025.

“This company was built for these times — with an incredibly strong capital base, a genuine care culture, and forward thinking creativity supported by proprietary innovations,” Gillespie said in a prepared statement. “But most importantly, the company empowers local leadership through a unique collaborative ownership model that delivers real authority to those closest to the customer.”

Gillespie will work closely with the company’s leadership and market teams to identify new opportunities for expansion and success.

Founded in 1982, LeaderOne operates in 48 states. According to Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data, LeaderOne originated $1.32 billion last year. Modex reports the company has more than 200 producing loan officers, and its strongest branches for production are in Illinois and Missouri.

Gillespie lives in the Chicago area and previously held executive leadership roles at Countrywide and Bank of America. He was a HousingWire Vanguard award winner in 2023.

“Randell brings a unique blend of character, commitment, and contribution that aligns perfectly with our culture,” said David Hopper, chairman of LeaderOne. “He combines passion with an impressive depth of experience, and we are thrilled to have him leading and supporting our team, while helping drive our vision and long-term strategy.”