FormFree announced that its CEO and founder Brent Chandler has been recognized by HousingWire magazine in its second annual HW Vanguard Awards program. Created to recognize outstanding leadership in the housing and mortgage finance sectors, this year’s awards honored 40 C-level and business unit executives.

Chandler’s award marks another honor in what has been a banner year for FormFree. In addition to being named to the HW TECH100 in March, the company was announced as the first vendor for asset verification for Fannie Mae’s Day 1 Certainty initiative. Through this initiative, lenders who use AccountChek for asset verification through Fannie Mae’s Desktop Underwriter Validation Service will receive reps and warrants relief, beginning December 10, for the validated components of the loan.

As the magazine noted in its December issue, “These leaders from all segments of the mortgage ecosphere demonstrate that our industry is more than capable of meeting the challenges that lie ahead. Our Vanguard winners excel in a variety of skill sets, but all share the ability to energize and mobilize their employees.”

“The HW Vanguards continued to impress going into its second year; the winners are second-to-none, and this list represents the finest cross section of mortgage talent available,” said Jacob Gaffney, HousingWire editor-in-chief.

Winners were determined by the HousingWire editorial board, who evaluated nominees based on tangible leadership displayed within their companies and the industry at large. Of this year’s winners, eight are founders of their company, and 23 serve as president/CEO.

“Our industry’s future is bright thanks to its diversity and willingness to innovate,” Chandler said. “It is both humbling and gratifying to be included among this peer group receiving HousingWire’s Vanguard Award.”