About Us | Great Oak Mortgage Corporation

Our Mission

Above all else, we put the senior first. We pride ourselves in providing
peace of mind and financial security every step of the way.

Our History

Great Oak Mortgage Corporation was founded and incorporated in 1993 by its sole owner, Charles "Andy" Wathen. Great Oak offers a product mix of reverse, traditional and non-traditional mortgages. Great Oak operates from its single Buckhead location.

Why the name Great Oak? Because Andy Wathen loves trees. He’s been hugging trees before it became a trend. As mentioned in one of Great Oak Mortgage’s brochures, Atlanta, “the city of trees”, loses over fifty acres a day of old, growth forest to clear-cutting developers and has the least amount of tree-shaded streets than any other major city. This mortgage company, an essential cog in the booming real estate industry has donated to charities that promote tree growth in Atlanta.

The name Great Oak Mortgage conjures images of majestic trees in old growth forests. Oak trees easily grow for two to three hundred years providing homes to numerous forms of life, supporting over two hundred types of insects, over three hundred types of lichens, and incalculable numbers of birds, reptiles and other animals. In the wild environs of the real estate industry, there is a company tapping deep into various financial institutions and branching out to support homeowners throughout Georgia. That Company is Great Oak Mortgage.

Our Team

Steve Rothstein, CSA, RMS

Steve has more than 30 years in residential mortgage banking. He began his career in 1971 with J. I. Kislak Mortgage Corp. located in Newark, New Jersey. In 1972, Steve was transferred to Atlanta, where he quickly established himself as one of the premier residential mortgage originators in the metro Atlanta area. In 1977, Steve started his own residential mortgage company, Gulf States Mortgage Corporation. In 1985, Gulf States Mortgage Corp. was ranked #89 in the INC. 500 listing of America's Fastest Growing Privately-Held Companies. Steve has been active in many civic activities. He was appointed to the Fulton County Bicentennial Commission as well as being an active member of the Housing Committee of the Atlanta Project. Steve graduated from Temple University in 1969 and has completed extensive coursework at the New York Institute of Mortgage Banking and the Mortgage Bankers Association's School of Single Family Lending. Steve is a Certified Senior Advisor. In addition, he is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

Steve can be reached by telephone at (404) 683-0761 and by email at Steve Rothstein Email Address

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Tommy Whitley, RMS, PT

Tommy is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist (RMS) who is an expert in discussing what makes a senior an appropriate candidate for a reverse mortgage. An FHA-insured Reverse Mortgage can allow seniors 62 years and older to “age in place” in the comfort of their own home without having to move or take on any monthly mortgage payments. This is an option that can also help Georgia seniors have the financial means to be able to pay for various “aging” expenses. Whether through the FHA-insured program or a Jumbo Reverse Mortgage for high-valued homes, Tommy is prepared and committed to helping seniors achieve the peace of mind that comes with taking control of your financial independence.

As an only child and the sole caregiver to his aging parents, he has been provided with a unique appreciation and perspective of the changing financial needs as we begin to age. He understands and knows first-hand, the pressures that come with being “sandwiched” between taking care of your children’s financial needs and those of your parents.

Tommy has been featured in Christian Living Magazine and has written several articles on Reverse Mortgages in various publications. He received his BA degree in Business Management from Georgia State University in 1985 and is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

Tommy can be reached by telephone at (404) 231-3933, office or (678) 517-3353, cellular and by email at Tommy Whitley Email Address

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Maria Pollard, RMS

Maria is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist who has also worked for a number of years providing nursing care for seniors. Her compassion for seniors has lead her into the field of reverse mortgages because she would love to provide as many seniors as possible with an opportunity for financial independence.

Maria can be reached by telephone at (404) 231-3933 and by email at Maria Pollard Email Address

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George Antonini, RMS

George is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist dedicated to helping Georgia seniors to understand the value of a reverse mortgage, especially the FHA-insured HECM product. George understands how this special mortgage program can be an integral part of financial planning in a person’s retirement years.

While publishing Road to Recovery-A Guide For Seniors After Hospitalization for Atlanta area seniors, he became acutely aware of the intense desire many of our seniors have to continue living in their homes. The home, in most cases, has become a vital part of their lives and they wish to stay there if at all possible. A reverse mortgage can play a vital role in accomplishing this.

George’s approach is one that is simple yet thorough in dealing with seniors interested in pursuing a reverse mortgage. An in-depth education of how a reverse mortgage works is a must. This includes not only the senior, but their family members as well. Understanding the senior’s needs must be ascertained in order to better determine the appropriateness of a reverse mortgage for the individual in question. And, he does so with the patience and attentive listening that is so very important to clearly understand each client’s situation.

George can be reached by telephone at (770) 677-9656 and by email at George Antonini Email Address

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Rebecca Cohen

Rebecca Cohen joined the Reverse Mortgage industry after 17 years in banking and finance. She became involved with the Reverse Mortgage program because of her love of working directly with people as opposed to the structure of the traditional bank. Rebecca is known for working extremely hard on the senior’s behalf during the reverse mortgage process and is a great problem solver when faced with a difficult situation.

In addition to working with seniors one on one to meet their financial needs, Rebecca has also traveled much of the Southeast conducting educational seminars with senior groups about the details of the Reverse Mortgage program.

Rebecca received her BA decree in 1988 and is a member of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association.

Rebecca can be reached by telephone at (404) 556-9050 and by email at Rebecca Cohen Email Address

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About Great Oak Mortgage