New Branch in Castle Rock, WA: Scott Gross

Horseback ride, dance, and ride motorcycles

"I started dancing when I was 11. The first dance I learned was The Hustle, as Saturday Night Fever was just released in theaters. It was a few years later when I got to high school, that I got involved in a sing and dance group of students. We were called The Pirates of Pizzazz (based on a play on words from the musical The Pirates of Penzance.

When I was 17, I started getting involved in multiple forms of dance: jazz, hip hop, and line dancing. A local club I danced for nominated me to perform in an ultimate line dance competition. I ended up getting second place! The guy that won was not a better dancer, but he was doing something consistently that I wasn't: he was flipping his cowboy hat around as he danced. Needless to say, I learned how to do hat flips and tricks soon after!"

"I've been involved with motorcycles for over 30 years. I got my first "bike" when I was about 15 and it was a Honda Passport 50 scooter.... It was bought for me to maintain a large paper route I had, but it turned into a great form of transportation! When I was 17, I got my first "big" bike, a Kawasaki KZ 750 Twin.

I used to road race, semi-pro 2002-2003 and 2006. I also did 1/4 mi drag racing in 2001-2002 also. Best time on my 2001 GSXR 600 was 10.919 seconds at 127 MPH. I love motorcycle riding for the thrill of speed. Nothing is more fun than dragging knee through a corner!"

“I live with my wife Stacy, our two dogs, Lucky and Libby, a cat, Oliver, and, Sierra, the horse. My wife is an amazing person. First of all, she puts up with me, which isn't always an easy task. ;-) She has an incredibly tender heart and soul and loves with all that she has. She is very intelligent and very in tune with what goes on around her. Her "gut" is usually right, and I have learned that finally, so I listen a bit more closely when she has something to say. She is always looking out for others, and wants only the best for those she cares about. Unless its an animal, then she cares about them all!”

Oliver the cat was saved by Stacy when she was living in Sacramento, CA. He was very sick, had an eye infection and respiratory issues. She took him home and nursed him back to health and today hes a very happy and healthy kitty!

Next up was Lucky. We got Lucky from the Humane Society. When we went to the shelter and walked the two lines of cages holding the dogs, there was one that was sitting, not barking, not jumping around, just sitting there. Stacy said "that one." Then we did the paperwork to bring him home!

Libby, who's full name is Liberty, we got just around the 4th of July from a rescue outside of Vancouver, WA. She is quite the opposite of Lucky. She has a lot of energy and loves to run, and run, and run! They are all great animals overall and we wouldn't change anything!

Sierra we purchased from a neighbor down the road. She is about 20 yrs old and used to be a barrel racing horse.. She is a very sweet girl, most of the time, but she is a Mare, so she does get attitude sometimes!! She is an excellent horse, will ride through just about anything!

While these are the animals we have at the moment, the plan is to get a bigger property, as we would like to have some more farm animals: chickens, pigs, and goats."

“What I love best about my location is the small town atmosphere that comes with it. Castle Rock has a small downtown area, and I am proud to be a part of the businesses based here. The city itself is picturesque and participates in America in Bloom and in 2015. Castle Rock won within their city size category and received a rating of three blooms out of a possible five. In addition, they received a special mention for their efforts in floral displays and a special award for ‘Best Program for Engaging Youth in the Community.’”

“I started in the mortgage industry in 2000 and immediately took to the industry. I have worked for mortgage brokers and bankers, so I gained a lot of knowledge of the industry this way. Along with my extensive time in the industry, I also gained my Paralegal Degree in 2012, which allows me to better research, understand and explain complex guidelines, when necessary. I have been the "go-to" person at prior companies, because of my ability to determine what is necessary to get an underwriting approval, and have helped many originators get the approval their client needed.

“Platinum came highly recommended by an industry recruiter, but I ultimately made my decision to join the Platinum team because of their diverse program offerings, their leading presence in the industry and the can-do attitude of everyone I have come in contact with.”