
Presidential Bank Mortgage Expands Team with the Addition of Armond Knowles, Christina Avalos, Dimitar Benchev, Kimberlee Lenz, and Américo Amat y Leon
January 27, 2025
Presidential Bank Mortgage is pleased to add five experienced mortgage professionals, Armond Knowles, Christina Avalos, Dimitar Benchev, Kimberlee Lenz, and Américo Amat y Leon, to its growing team. Their extensive industry expertise and dedication to client success align perfectly with Presidential Bank Mortgage’s commitment to delivering exceptional home financing solutions.
Armond Knowles joins the Gianni Cerretani team, bringing over 15 years of experience in helping clients achieve their homeownership goals. As a lifelong resident of Cartersville, GA, Armond takes pride in serving the community he calls home. His passion for guiding borrowers through the mortgage process with ease and confidence has made him a trusted resource for homebuyers. In addition to his mortgage expertise, Armond is deeply involved in mentoring elementary school students, a role that brings him great joy and fulfillment. He is committed to making the mortgage process as seamless as possible and looks forward to helping families achieve their homeownership dreams.
Christina Avalos, an Atlanta native and seasoned Mortgage Loan Originator, brings a wealth of knowledge in residential mortgage lending. With years of experience in the financial industry, she excels at providing tailored mortgage solutions that align with each client’s unique financial goals. Christina is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate the home buying process while delivering exceptional customer service. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she is dedicated to serving a diverse clientele and fostering long-term relationships built on trust and reliability. Outside of work, Christina enjoys spending time with her daughter, cooking together, and staying active through cross-country running.
Dimitar Benchev joins Presidential Bank Mortgage from Illinois, bringing a strong background in mortgage lending and financial services. With a commitment to excellence, Dimitar focuses on guiding clients through the home financing process with clarity and confidence. His dedication to providing customized mortgage solutions ensures that borrowers receive the best options tailored to their financial needs.
Kimberlee Lenz, part of the Tempe, AZ team, specializes in helping self-employed individuals secure home mortgage financing where others cannot. With over 20 years of experience, Kimberlee takes a tenacious approach, leveraging her extensive industry knowledge and strong connections to simplify and streamline the mortgage process. She partners directly with underwriters to ensure quick, hassle-free closings while navigating lending regulations nationwide to eliminate unexpected challenges. Her expertise spans multiple loan types, including Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Reverse, Jumbo, Non-QM, Refinance, Construction/Renovation, Asset Depletion, and Debt Service Coverage Ratio loans. She remains dedicated to providing ongoing support even after closing, helping clients maximize their property investments.
Américo Amat y Leon, part of the Fairfax, VA team, brings over 10 years of mortgage lending experience, guiding clients in the Reston area through the home purchase or refinance process with expertise and care. While skilled in all aspects of mortgage lending and ready to assist any client, he has a particular passion for helping first-time homebuyers. Américo says, “I am passionate about helping families achieve the dream of homeownership. Seeing them open the door to their new home brings me immense joy.”
Originally from Peru, where he earned a degree in Economics from the National University of Callao, Américo now calls Northern Virginia home. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he is committed to providing personalized service and clear communication to ensure his clients feel confident and informed.
“We are thrilled to welcome Armond, Christina, Dimitar, Kimberlee, and Américo to the Presidential Bank Mortgage family,” said Michael Carr, EVP of Mortgage. “Their commitment to customer service, industry expertise, and community involvement make them valuable additions to our team. We look forward to seeing them help more individuals and families achieve their homeownership dreams.”
Presidential Bank Mortgage continues to expand its team with top-tier talent, ensuring homebuyers receive the highest level of service and expertise.
