Mortgage Bankers Association President and CEO David H. Stevens will retire from his post next year to spend more time with family and friends and to focus on his health. Stevens was diagnosed with cancer last year and says it’s now in remission.

David Stevens
David Stevens

In the announcement, which came Wednesday, Stevens said he plans to retire on September 30, 2018. He joined the MBA in 2011 and, according to the organization, his “leadership has restored MBA to its strongest financial health in its 104-year history. The association was rebranded under his direction and membership growth has surpassed expectations consistently year over year.”

"With my cancer in remission, focusing on family, friends and staying healthy is my priority," said Stevens, in a statement. "This was a difficult decision; it's hard to walk away from supporting an industry that shaped my career. It's been an honor to work with the talented staff, strong leadership and diverse membership of the MBA."

According to the MBA, Stevens has guided the association's “regulatory and legislative priorities with a unique talent for synthesizing issues and articulating industry impacts which has elevated MBA's voice and influence inside the beltway.” In 2011, Stevens was instrumental in creating the MBA Opens Doors Foundation which helps families with critically ill children.

"We all support Dave in his decision," said David Motley, 2018 MBA Chairman. "MBA has never been stronger and is well positioned to manage this transition. Dave has given his heart and soul to MBA for nearly seven years and on behalf of the entire membership, we are incredibly grateful for his leadership."

The MBA has created a search committee and said the process to identify candidates for the position will begin immediately. The search committee is being chaired by MBA immediate past Chairman Rodrigo Lopez and is comprised of 12 volunteer MBA members.