May-June2020 Issue

ELAINE GREGORY started looking for a new job immediately after her longtime employer cut back positions nearly four years ago. Although she was 72 at the time, she felt like she still had a lot to offer another company. “I wasn’t ready to retire,” says Gregory. “I just started looking for something else.” Her job search lasted about three months, using online tools, such as Indeed.com, and she received several offers. But those jobs weren’t quite right because family obligations prevented night or weekend work. She then saw an advertisement with duties that involved being a receptionist at a reverse mortgage company during regular business hours, Monday through Friday. She knew that her vast experience in the workplace, which included responsi- bilities in legal and tax departments that involved interac- tion with clients, would make her an excellent candidate. “I like working. I like being busy,” says Gregory, who is now 76 and has been working nearly four years with Thrive Mortgage in Alcoa, TN. “And I enjoy getting up in the morning and having something to do.” And she doesn’t expect to retire any time soon. Turn to Clients, Older Workers to Sell Reverse Mortgages Some of the Best Hires Might Be Your Target Audience By Thomas A. Barstow Elaine Gregory Older Workers continued on page 28 REVERSE MORTGAGE / MAY-JUNE 2020 27