About Us

The Counsel Mortgage Group®, LLC., is founded on the principle that borrowers need straight-forward and competent counsel so they can make well-informed decisions regarding their mortgage needs. Counsel Mortgage is founded by John Rapasky. In addition to being a licensed mortgage broker, Mr. Rapasky became a CPA in 1986 and an attorney in 1991. As more mortgage products and options came into the market, he saw a need to counsel consumers to help them find the right mortgage. He started Counsel Mortgage for this purpose.

Mr. Rapasky currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Arizona Association of Mortgage Professionals and is their Government Affairs Chair, and is a Past-President of the Central Chapter, serves as Treasurer on the Board of Directors of the Luxury Home Tour, Inc. (Paradise Valley) and the Pinnacle Peak Luxury Home Tour, Inc., served on the Board of Directors of the Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors from 2016 – 2017, and is on their Member Relief Administrative Committee (Hutch Fund).  He is licensed to broker loans in Arizona, California, Hawaii, and Illinois, as well as a licensed attorney in Arizona and Illinois.  He also owns Counsel Mortgage School which teaches continuing education hours to real estate agents, and is certified to teach courses in Real Estate Finance.

John Nicholls is licensed in Arizona as a Mortgage Loan Originator. He has been with Counsel Mortgage since 2012, first as a loan processor. He is a licensed attorney in Vermont having been in practice with his firm Abare, Nicholls and Associates since 1976 where his areas of practice were Real Estate Law, Corporate Law, Wills and Trusts and Elder Law. He also was on the Board of Northfield Savings Bank in Vermont and served as the Board Chair for three years.

 

 

Mike Green has been a commercial loan officer in Arizona for over 25 years, and began with Counsel Mortgage in October 2013. While capable of brokering loans in all segments of commercial real estate, he specializes in gas station and convenience store financing. Prior to coming to Arizona he was a  stockbroker, a managing partner of his own investment banking company, and a business consultant in the San Francisco area for 15 years.  Mr. Green was the founding Managing Member and Designated Broker of MJG Gas Station Specialists LLC, a real estate and business brokerage firm in Glendale specializing in gas stations Arizona-statewide.  He received his BS from Purdue University and his MBA from JFK University in Orinda, CA. Mr. Green was a member of the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Assn. and the West Valley Commercial Real Estate Group.

Nicole Cameron started originating loans as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in 2001. Nicole went into brokering loans exclusively in 2003.  Nicole has special interests in helping commercial real estate investors find better options, serving veterans in obtaining VA loans, and helping seniors understand if a reverse mortgage is right for them.

Nicole earned her Bachelor of Science at Arizona State University in 1992.

 

Sherry Harrison is a licensed Loan Originator in the State of Arizona.  As a paralegal, Sherry did her internship in probate law and worked for over a decade in this arena.  Learning that a majority of issues that end up in probate court, actually start with improperly executed real estate documents, she decided to take the real estate agent classes at Hogan School of Real Estate. Ultimately, she became a Loan Officer and Certified Closing Agent. In her spare time, Sherry supports law enforcement. The only time she is not available to assist you is on Saturdays from 8 to 9am while she is hosting the Law Matters live radio show in Tucson on AM1030 KVOI.com radio or stream live on the www.LawMatters1030.org website. Podcasts can be found on ITunes, Google play, and our website. In fact, John, the founder of Counsel Mortgage was a guest on 5.13.23 check it out!

Ninveh Wanna has been a dedicated loan originator since 2016, specializing in assisting clients in Arizona and Illinois.  With years of experience in the industry, Ninveh has built a reputation for providing excellent customer service and a commitment to finding the best loan solutions for each client.  Working alongside two other skilled loan originators, Ninveh and her team pride themselves on a collaborative approach to tackling even the most challenging loan scenarios.  Whether it’s a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned investor, they work tirelessly to get loans approved and help clients achieve their financial goals.  Driven by a passion for helping others and a deep understanding of the loan process, the team ensures that each client receives personalized attention and expert guidance when buying/refinancing a home.  At Counsel Mortgage, the team benefits from John Rapasky’s great wisdom and knowledge, while offering a fresh perspective and insights, especially for millennial and newer generation clients.  This combination creates a well-rounded and effective service for a wide range of customers.

Since 2017 at Counsel Mortgage Group, LLC, Flint Andrew Crump, Mortgage Loan Originator, strives to build strong client relationships by assisting clients to achieve their financing goals while providing excellent customer service with extend hours of availability.  Developing a niche focus or two relevant to current market trends is a constant study, like reverse 1st and reverse 2nd mortgages as well as commercial mortgage foreclosure bailouts.  Staying updated with industry knowledge and regulations is his baseline to be actively brokering.  If Flint doesn’t know the loan related answer, he will find the answer to help expedite applications, credit reports, appraisals, income documentation, processing, underwriting, closing and funding.

Flint studied communications at Brigham Young University. He worked as a commercial mortgage account executive at American Life Financial in 2011 where he promoted loans to brokers and borrowers, provided commercial property valuations, calculated debt service ratios, ordered and reviewed appraisals, ordered and screened preliminary title reviews and packaged all for underwriting and finance committee approval as well as issued both Letters of Interest and Proposals to Lend.  Flint also served as a mortgage technology trainer for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Division traveling interstate weekly and working with assigned loan originators, processors, underwriters, closers, funders and mortgage branch managers. Flint has 14 children and 14 grandchildren so far.

Kirk Shaw is an experienced Loan Consultant with more than 35 years in the mortgage and real estate industry, helping buyers, homeowners, and investors navigate financing decisions with confidence and clarity. Licensed as both a Mortgage Consultant and Realtor, Kirk brings a comprehensive understanding of lending strategy, real estate markets, and transaction execution—allowing him to deliver solutions that are both competitive and practical.

Kirk specializes in residential purchase and refinance loans, including primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. He is particularly skilled in credit optimization, strategic loan structuring, and identifying opportunities to help clients secure favorable terms, even in challenging rate environments. His approach is consultative and transparent, focused on aligning financing with each client’s short- and long-term financial goals.

Throughout his career, Kirk has held leadership roles at national banks, wholesale lenders, and retail mortgage companies, where he launched branches, built high-performing sales teams, and guided thousands of clients through successful closings. Today, he brings that depth of experience directly to his clients at Counsel Mortgage Group, combining institutional knowledge with personalized, hands-on service.

Kirk is known for clear communication, creative problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to doing what is right for his clients. At Counsel Mortgage Group, he is proud to offer trusted advice, competitive loan options, and a smooth, well-managed mortgage experience from application to closing.

Counsel Mortgage has a Mortgage Broker License in Arizona, a Financing Law License in California, a Mortgage Loan Originator Company License in Hawaii, and a Residential Mortgage License in Illinois.  We have relationships with many banks, insurance companies, and private investors and have access to wholesale rates and products that are not directly available to the public. We canvass our resources daily to find the lowest rates and costs for you. Even if you have a long-term banking relationship, we have been successful in finding lower rates and costs in the wholesale market.

We believe borrowers deserve honest, ethical and competent service, enabling them to make informed decisions regarding their mortgage needs. In today’s dynamic environment, this service and counseling is invaluable.

We have access to the same mortgage products advertised on radio and TV which promise low interest rates and no closing costs. HOWEVER, be careful, these products may not be as they appear. We will inform you about these and other types of loans with hidden costs and terms so you can make an informed decision.

Contact us today for a complimentary mortgage review. No strings attached!