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Tony Benallo Owner and President | NMLS 384548 tony@venturefinancialinc.com | 303-422-6500 |
Having over twenty years of experience as a mortgage professional, Tony Benallo has owned and operated Venture Financial, Inc. since being established in 2003. He has extensive knowledge in originating a variety of loan types - including: First-time buyers, subsequent buyers and even individuals interested in investment properties. He works with conventional, high balance, jumbo, FHA and VA purchase programs as well as refinance programs. Tony’s highest priority is to ensure that his clients consider all of their options and then place them with programs that fit their financial and personal needs.
Tony has called the Arvada/Denver Metro area home his entire life. After graduating from Arvada West High School, he pursued his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance at the University of Northern Colorado, where he wrestled and played baseball for four years with three time Academic All American honors - two years Wrestling All American and a Baseball All American honors, respectively. Upon graduation from UNC, Tony began his career in the financial Industry and opened Venture Financial. As a true entrepreneurial at heart, Tony enjoys developing small businesses that positively support and impact our local communities.
Tony is a family man who continues his love of sports by spending a day on the golf course with his wife, coaching his two sons in wrestling, football and baseball and he has recently begun coaching baseball at the high school level.
Tony’s team of trained and experienced mortgage and loan professionals at Venture Financial would love the opportunity to assist you with your loan needs.
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Diane Tappy Operations Manager & Licensed Mortgage Originator | NMLS 168732 |
Having worked in the mortgage industry for over 30 years, Diane has an in depth knowledge of the financing process. She ran several branches for an inhouse lender with a builder for twenty years. Diane has been beyond thrilled to join the Venture team and continue to work with new and experienced homebuyers. The best part of her work continues to be helping people get to the finish line in their purchase or refinance transactions. As each borrower's circumstances can be arranged as a puzzle, it is her joy to place the pieces and successfully navigate us to closing.
Originally born in Wyoming, Diane has called Colorado home for over 30 years. She’s enjoyed raising her two daughters in Broomfield, Colorado. In her free time she can be found enjoying the beautiful sunshine Colorado has to offer, crocheting for her nonprofit, Mats for Cats, and spending time with my family and friends.
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Kenny Blair Licensed Mortgage Originator | NMLS 1719290 |
Kenny Blair, a true Colorado Native, was born in and still calls Arvada home. Kenny married the love of his life and enjoyed raising two children. He is an avid outdoors man who enjoys hunting, fishing, and anything to do with water. When not outside he can be found improving his billiards skills
Kenny, a true entrepreneur, owned and operated a retail liquor store for over 21 years. Upon selling his business, he explored several self employment ventures, which he still enjoys operating. Kenny found himself happiest serving his clients as a Loan Officer. He has decided to follow his dream in the mortgage lending business by taking a position with Venture Financial to help people achieve their dreams of home ownership, refinance a current home or purchasing another. He is no stranger to long hours and hard work, he is devoted to his family, work and hobbies to be the best he can to achieve his goals!
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Storm Pickens Lisenced Mortgage Originator | NMLS 2301439 |
Storm, born and raised in Kansas recently moved to Arvada, Colorado to begin a career in business at Venture Financial. After graduating from Peabody-Burns High School, Storm continued to play football while attending McPherson College and later Fort Hays State University. While at Fort Hays he pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance.
Joining the Venture Financial team is a perfect fit for Storm as he will have the opportunity to work with first-time homebuyers as well as experienced homeowners. Knowing that each borrower’s situation is different Storm will be able to use his skills and knowledge to find the best option for each borrower.
In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends, time on the water fishing, and keeping up with his favorite sports teams. Storm is an avid athlete and grew up playing many different sports.
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Carrie Hooper Senior Loan Processor |
Carrie has a long history in the banking and accounting industries. As personal banker at Wells Fargo for 16 years she has achieved extensive banking and lending experience. Then after ten years as an accounting manager for a local retail chain, she is excited to bring her experience and skill to the Venture team. Organized and detail oriented with in depth understanding of the mortgage process, she uses those skills to help get every loan Venture originates to the closing table, making the process as easy as possible for our clients.
Living in the Arvada area for over 45 years, she has established deep connections, is a board member of the Arvada-based non-profit The Two Angels Foundation. A proud wife and mother of two daughters and one neurotic Yorkie, Carrie enjoys traveling, Hallmark movies, home decorating and spending time with family and friends.
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Jeff Tufano Licensed Mortgage Originator | NMLS 1990651 |
Jeff was born and raised in the Northeast and moved to beautiful Colorado in 2006. He is happily married to his high school sweetheart who has helped raise five amazing boys! His undergraduate was at the University of Wyoming and completed his Masters at Wilkes University. Jeff is a two time division one national wrestling qualifier, a Western Athletic Conference Champion, and an Academic All-American. For the last 22 years he has been a teacher, realtor, and coach and started as a loan originator in 2020 to help individuals establish their financial goals and dreams! Jeff believes Venture Financial has the best team to support him and his clients.