Russell Talarico

Seasoned and results-driven Operations Executive with more than 25 years of experience leading financial services operations, mortgage, consumer lending, credit operations, collections, business execution, and large-scale organizational transformation. Proven success leading complex, highly regulated environments, strengthening operational controls, optimizing workflows, managing large teams, and executing enterprise-level initiatives that improve efficiency, reduce risk, and deliver measurable business outcomes. Demonstrated expertise leading operational transformation, change readiness, implementation strategy, process optimization, KPI development, risk management, compliance, budgeting, forecasting, vendor management, and cross-functional execution.

Experienced managing teams of up to 60 direct and indirect reports while partnering with executive leadership and enterprise stakeholders to execute strategic initiatives across complex, matrixed organizations. Recognized for aligning people, processes, and technology to create disciplined, accountable, and high-performing operating environments. Strong background applying Agile, Scrum, SAFe, and Waterfall methodologies, developing performance frameworks, improving workflow efficiency, strengthening audit controls, and developing leaders and teams capable of delivering sustainable operational performance.

VP, Business Execution Manager: Change Readiness at WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE (2022-01 – Present)

• Led a team of up to 15 execution consultants, managing staffing, training, development, performance, risk assessments, change controls, testing, communications, and implementation activities across multiple lines of business.
• Built a standardized audit package adopted by seven implementation teams, improving project quality by 40%, and developed milestone-based KPIs that increased implementation specialist performance by 35%.
• Led platform transformation initiatives involving more than 200 procedural changes, while contributing to a 50% increase in testing performance through enterprise audit-validation and requirements-testing activities.

VP, Business Execution Consultant: Default Implementation at WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE (2017-01 – 2021-12)

• Managed complex implementation requirements and coordinated cross-functional stakeholders to drive operational readiness and successful execution.
• Applied Agile and Waterfall methodologies to structure implementation activities, manage requirements, and deliver initiatives within established timelines.
• Conducted fact-finding assessments and partnered with frontline teams and senior leadership to identify operational challenges, assess risks, and develop mitigation strategies.

Executive Specialist 4.5: Customer Care and Recovery at WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE (2016-01 – 2017-12)

• Supported daily customer care and recovery operations while maintaining disciplined execution across assigned responsibilities.
• Coordinated with internal stakeholders to address operational requirements and improve execution across customer-focused processes.
• Applied financial-services knowledge and structured process execution to support customer outcomes and business objectives.

Chargeback Manager at THE MEMBERS GROUP (2014-01 – 2016-12)

• Led daily chargeback operations while implementing processes, controls, and workflow systems supporting fraud and dispute resolution.
• Designed a standardized refund workflow that accelerated processing to within 48 hours and implemented automation that reduced manual intervention by 75%.
• Established standardized KPIs and audit controls across the chargeback lifecycle while managing relationships with U.S. and international credit unions.

AVP, Bankruptcy Manager at NATIONAL BANKRUPTCY SERVICING LLC (2012-01 – 2014-12)

• Directed daily bankruptcy mortgage-processing operations while establishing disciplined execution standards for a growing organization.
• Developed training and auditing practices that improved processing accuracy and supported appropriate trustee-fund disbursements.
• Established and managed vendor relationships supporting major mortgage servicers while strengthening operational consistency through structured processes and quality controls.

Multiple Leadership Roles at WELLS FARGO HOME MORTGAGE / WELLS FARGO FINANCIAL (2001-01 – 2012-12)

• Directed teams of up to 60 direct and indirect reports across 16 Centers of Excellence supporting Bankruptcy, Deceased Suits, Do-Not-Pursue, and Fraud operations.
• Managed budgeting, forecasting, operational reporting, strategic initiatives, and process controls while developing collection and bankruptcy strategies across multiple business groups.
• Delivered measurable revenue and productivity improvements, including a 40% year-over-year revenue increase, a 30% increase in customer contact, a $2 million-per-month revenue stream, and a $4 million-per-month revenue benchmark.

Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.) in Culinary Arts – Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) (1989-01 – 1991-12)

High School Diploma in Liberal Arts and Sciences / Liberal Studies – Roosevelt High School, Des Moines, IA (1984-01 – 1988-12)