Two top Rocket executives retiring

A pair of top executives at Rocket Companies announced plans to retire during the fourth quarter, although both will remain in advisory roles at the Detroit-based firm.

Julie Booth, the chief financial officer, will retire on Nov. 15. Booth joined what was then called Quicken Loans in 2003 and became its CFO in 2005. She stayed in the post after the company went public in August 2020.

Brian Brown, Rocket’s current chief accounting officer, will take over as the CFO and Treasurer.

“During her time as CFO, Julie has been a tremendous leader in our organization, helping guide our company through significant growth and expansion, culminating with our IPO in 2020,” said Jay Farner, Rocket’s vice chairman and CEO, in a press release. “Even more impressive is the tremendous team Julie has built and the deep care she has shown for everyone in our company, including Brian, who has already proven himself to be an incredible financial mind who will help lead us well into the future.”

Brown started at Quicken Loans in June 2014 as the director of finance, according to his LinkedIn profile. After the August 2020 initial public offering, Brown moved into his current role, where he leads the company’s accounting, finance, treasury and procurement teams. He is also a part of Rocket’s investor relations efforts.

Prior to joining Quicken Loans, Brown was a senior manager at Ernst & Young.

Angelo Vitale, general counsel and secretary, retired as of Oct. 3. He had taken the position after a management shakeup in January, when he was replace by Jay Farner as CEO of Rocket Central. That business line, which until January was called Rock Central, is described as the centralized hub for the parent company’s fintech platform.

Vitale, effective immediately, is “of counsel” to Rocket. It is a term more commonly used at law firms and it applies to an individual who has a relationship with an organization but is neither an associate nor partner.

Before he was named as CEO of Rock Central in March 2020, Vitale was executive vice president and general counsel of Quicken Loans, a position he took in April 1997. Before then, he was vice president and senior counsel at Source One Mortgage Services for 12 years.

“His wise counsel and passion for our business is legendary,” said Farner. “Whether it was sharing his expertise or stepping up to take on a new role, he has always been willing to do whatever it takes to make the business successful.”

Tina John, since September 2020 Rocket’s deputy general counsel and assistant secretary, replaced Vitale. Prior to joining Rocket, John was at Abercrombie & Fitch for six years, the last three as director, assistant corporate secretary.

John was an associate at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, and prior to that, at Shearman & Sterling.

“Since joining the company, she has worked very closely with its leaders,” Farner said. “It’s clear that her skill, strong knowledge and ability to build a team will make her a significant asset to our business.”