Our Team
First Choice Mortgage of South Florida
Phillip J. Logue
president
Phil graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University in Maryland in 1984 and started his career at MCI as a telemarketer. After 4 years he obtained a position as a loan originator with Dime Mortgage until 1988 and became one of the founders of First Choice Mortgage in 1992.
He has been President for First Choice Mortgage for more than 21 years. After a decade in the banking business he has developed an in-depth knowledge of the whole loan business process from advertising, marketing, and communications to the various stages of the mortgage lending (origination, processing, underwriting, secondary and closing/funding). We have a great team of dedicated loan originators with vast mortgage knowledge serving our multicultural community.
Phil is also a member of the Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers and currently a member of BNI Energy Chapter in Miami, Florida. You can always count on Phil to take center stage with a personation or two.
Nicole (Nikki) Watarz
NMLS # 375779
Nikki began her career with First Choice Mortgage of South Florida in 1995 as their loan processor and after 6 years acquired her license as a loan originator. Her 6-years processing experience helps her understand loans from an underwriter’s perspective which helps structure loans for a smoother process. Nikki and her husband are very active in the community he is a firefighter and they are very involved in their two children’s activities. As a Miami native, Nikki finds time to develop her passion for photography and boating with family and friends.
Bruce Goeser
NMLS # 271981
Bruce was born in Miami, played varsity basketball for Columbus High School, and obtained a BA from University of South Florida, in Tampa. Master’s Degree in Management from FIU. Bruce entered the residential loan business in 1992. Loan rep, appraiser, underwriter and loan center manager at World Savings / Wachovia. His first account at World Savings was First Choice Mortgage and we funded many loans together for many years. Fast forward, Bruce joined First Choice Mortgage in 2011. Bruce is the reigning champion for the Knights of Columbus Annual Tennis Tournament as well as enjoys singing in the choir for The Church of the Epiphany.
Lauren Bernal
NMLS # 1791156
Lauren is a Miami native and has been in the real estate industry since 2012. When she’s not working she enjoys traveling and living an active healthy lifestyle with her husband and young son.
Martha Jerez
NMLS # 1655493
Martha has been in the real estate industry since 2016. She is Nicaraguan born and enjoys cross-country trips on her Harley. She is just as wild about riding as she is about finding the perfect mortgage loan for her clients.