Jason Dale Bates · Houston, TX

Curious about the world & Learning as I go.

I build things, play disc golf, read, and follow the questions that catch my attention. Some lead to a new project. Others take me outside, into a book, or give me something to sit with.

People & ConnectionDisc Golf & OutdoorsBooks & IdeasSpirit & ReflectionBuilding & ExploringWork in Progress
About

A little more about me.

My interests don't fit neatly into one category. I'm drawn to technology and making things, but also to a good book, music, time outside, and questions about how I want to live. I like learning by trying something real.

I work in mortgage operations and team leadership. The people I work with matter to me, as do the people I care about, the things I enjoy, and the parts of myself I'm still getting to know. This site is a place to share a little of all of it.

What I build

Things I've built. Learning by doing.

Some builds solve a practical problem. Others start with curiosity or something I want in my own life. These are a few of the things I've made and am learning from.

Work & Career

A big part of my life.
Not the whole of it.

I've built a career in mortgage operations and team leadership, starting as a Loan Origination Assistant. The people, the lessons, and the work I'm proud of have their own place here.

Connect

Let's talk.

A shared interest, a good question, something you're making, or just a hello. If something here resonates, I'd be glad to hear from you.

Jason Dale Bates · Houston, TX · NMLS #406344

I started as a Loan Origination Assistant.Now I lead a national team that supports 110+ loan originators. I'm learning to build.

I've spent 15+ years working through every level of the mortgage business—from origination to operations to national team leadership. Now I'm adding AI to the mix: capacity models, full loan lifecycle workflows, and tools that give time back to the people doing the work.

Operations ManagementNational Team LeadershipAI & AutomationMortgage LifecycleWork in Progress1% Better Daily
30
LOAs managed nationally
110+
Loan originators supported
75%
Of company production supported
15+
Years in mortgage
How I work

Operator first.
Always learning.

I've spent 15 years working through every level of the mortgage business — starting as an LOA, learning the craft, and eventually building and leading a national team that now supports the majority of company production. I know what slows teams down because I've lived it — and collaborated on solving it — throughout the loan manufacturing process.

Now I'm adding AI to that foundation — not as a buzzword, but as a practical tool. Capacity models, loan lifecycle workflows, automated reporting, daily intelligence. I'm learning to build things that make real work easier, and sharing the process as I go.

The people behind the work →
Professional builds

Putting experience to work.

Tools and workflows shaped by the problems I've worked through in mortgage operations.

Tools & Stack

My tools. A growing range.

AI has opened doors I didn't know how to walk through. Now I'm using these tools to build websites, automate useful tasks, and try ideas of my own. Some are part of live projects; others are local prototypes or experiments.

The foundation — tools I've worked with for years

Encompass LOS AUS (DU / LP) Microsoft Power BI HubSpot CRM Microsoft Office Suite

AI partners & APIs — what I build with

I use AI for research, drafting, design, and coding assistance. My briefing and document projects also use API calls for specific tasks; I test the output rather than treat it as a final authority.

ChatGPTCodexClaudeOpenAI APIAnthropic API

Websites & apps — what I'm making

I build lightweight pages with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. I'm also exploring TypeScript, React, Next.js, and Tailwind CSS in my local Leaves prototype.

HTML / CSS / JavaScriptTypeScriptNode.jsReact / Next.jsTailwind CSS

Hosting, storage & access — behind my sites

I keep source in GitHub, host sites on Cloudflare Pages, and use Workers for server-side features. I use D1 for stored app data and Access for protected areas. My Supabase / PostgreSQL work is a separate local pilot.

Git / GitHubCloudflare Pages / FunctionsCloudflare WorkersCloudflare D1Cloudflare AccessSupabase / PostgreSQL · Local pilot

Workflows & testing — how I connect the pieces

I use Python and GitHub Actions for scheduled generation, and Make.com with Google Drive and Sheets for my document-classification experiment. I check application logic and browser behavior with automated tests. I also turn my UDisc and Garmin exports into charts and personal field notes.

PythonGitHub ActionsMake.comGoogle Drive / SheetsJSON / SQLPlaywright / VitestChart.jsUDisc / GarminWindows / PowerShell

Local AI — my hands-on lab

I've run models locally and compared their answers. My Docker-based lab brings together Ollama, Open WebUI, and AnythingLLM. I've also explored LM Studio. I'm learning how local inference and document retrieval fit together, starting with the limits of the models themselves.

DockerOllamaOpen WebUIAnythingLLMLM Studio

I work with AI assistance and learn by building. Solid tags mark my established tools and project work; dashed tags mark local prototypes and exploration. I'm also exploring Copilot. My experience is growing, and it isn't the same depth across every tool.

Career & Experience

Where I've been.

Aug 2023 — Present

Operations Manager & National Production Fulfillment Group LOA Manager

Envoy Mortgage / PLACE — Houston, TX (Remote/National)

I built and scaled a national LOA team from 2 to 30 members across 3 specialty roles—covering Broker, Renovation/Construction, and Onboarding—serving 110+ Loan Originators nationwide. My team supports the originators behind 75% of company production. I partnered with executive leadership to design end-to-end workflows, develop AI-assisted capacity models, and shape company-wide process standards.

May 2018 — Aug 2023

Operations & Pipeline Manager

Envoy Mortgage — Houston, TX

I managed the active loan pipeline for Houston, Kingwood, and The Woodlands branches. I was the primary operations resource for file restructuring, AUS execution, condition clearing, and cross-departmental escalations. I delivered monthly production projections and pipeline status updates to branch leadership.

May 2016 — May 2018

Branch Captain / Loan Officer Assistant

Waterstone Mortgage Corporation — Houston, TX

I supported the Branch Manager's full pipeline from pre-qualification through funding. I was the primary contact for resolving complex income scenarios, rush requests, and suspended files. I maintained referral partner databases and collaborated with Realtors, builders, and title companies.

Jul 2012 — May 2016

Loan Officer Assistant / Mortgage Banker

Envoy Mortgage — Houston, TX

I assisted the Branch Manager in converting leads to closed loans. I managed my own pipeline, took mortgage applications, structured deals, priced rates, and hosted client meetings. I earned and maintained NMLS #406344.

Oct 2010 — Jul 2012

Home Mortgage Consultant

Wells Fargo Home Mortgage — Missouri City, TX

I consistently met and exceeded production quotas. I was selected for multiple bank-wide pilot programs including Builder Team, Accelerated HMC, and High Performing Sales—ranking among top performers in my first year. I mentored new hires on systems, loan guidelines, and client management.

Prior to 2010

Earlier Career

Sales Leadership · Account Management · Recruiting · Team Development

I built my earlier career across diverse industries—MotorSkill Venture Group (National Account & Sales Manager), SearchPath Houston (SAP Recruiting), PWM Electronic Price Signs, The Lead Dogs / Adobe Systems (Inside Sales Lead & Trainer), Dell Computer Corporation, and Janus Capital Group (Investment Specialist, Series 6 & 63 Licensed). I carried that foundation in sales, communication, and leadership directly into 15 years in mortgage.

B.B.A. Marketing · B.A. Japanese Language — University of Texas at Austin, 1999  ·  ↓ Download Résumé
Work & Connection

Let's talk.

I'm not looking — I'm building. This site exists to document the journey, share what I'm learning, and connect with people who are thinking about the same problems. If something here resonates, reach out.

Get in touch →
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