Meet Omar Kenney. Omar is a well known ‘Face’ of the area… he’s involved in a variety of organizations and contributes to the community on many levels. With over 20 years of professional experience in the mortgage industry he has worked in nearly every level and function of the mortgage process.
Tell us about your current career.
A: I am the Area Sales Manager for Bay Equity Home Loans, which is located in California. I am the only Bay Equity representative in Northern Arizona. We have a large regional hub in the Scottsdale and Phoenix area. I am a mortgage lender, and I assist people in purchasing homes. I meet tourists and turn them into residents.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Sedona?
A: I’ve been in Sedona since June of 2012. I have been doing mortgage lending for 25 years. I’m pretty handy, and I know my way around.
Q: What drew you to Sedona?
A: I came here by mistake. My wife and I have been together for 23 years now, and she’s from Flagstaff, Arizona. She moved to Atlanta during the Olympics. We met there, dated and got married. We were using a wireless internet that was called Sedona! It’s been my wife’s dream to live in Sedona. We had a family emergency and ended up moving to Flagstaff to help her family. My wife spent the entire time planning on how we could move to Sedona.
Q: Other than your wife’s urging, what made you say “yes” to moving or living in Sedona?
A: I did not want to move to Sedona, but when I got here, I found it to be beautiful. I thought it was too slow, and we were the youngest people in the world here. Yet, it felt like an adventure, so I said, let’s give it a shot. Within the first week, it became clear that the quality of life is so high.
Q: What inspired you or led you to your current career?
A: My mother was a big boss for a major mortgage company, so she had many friends and contacts. I was 18 or 19 years old, in college barely and just working at a restaurant, waiting on, and bussing tables. I had that opportunity. I was a fish out of the water! The math is relentless, but it’s simple math. People seem to be impressed with my ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide – there’s more to it than that, but certainly, it’s a numbers game.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Sedona?
A: Honestly, I don’t have a Sedona person. So many people are from somewhere else. Whatever it is that drew us here, to leave our family, social circles, employment, careers, and move to Sedona to start over – there has to be some special connection. One person that does stand out is a young lady name, Beverly Copen. She’s from Atlanta as well. That’s why she’s dear to my heart. I appreciate how she came here and tried to make a difference. She’s highly engaged in the Village of Oak Creek, and I work with her on several different levels. There are so many interesting people who live here.
Q: If friends or family visits, where do you take them?
A: We drive 5 miles to Oak Creek and then to Red Rock Crossing. Oak Creek is just an absolute treasure. I participate in the cleanup at Oak Creek on Labor Day weekend, and I take my kids.
Q: If friends or family come to visit, what restaurant do you take them to?
A: I’ve loved J Wine Bistro, Cucina Rustica, here in the Village. It’s is one of the top three meals that I’ve ever had in my entire life. There’s delicious food in Sedona. Dellepiane Sedona is another place – such a fantastic restaurant.
Q: Where do you see yourself in three to five years?
A: After five years, I think my life will be a little more interesting. In the next three to five years, I have a 13- year old and 14-year old daughters. My oldest daughter will start high school at Verde Valley School, which is an enormous opportunity for her. I am focused on raising my kids right now. That’s the number one reason for my existence. After that, I am hoping that my wife and I will find a way to travel more.
Q: What comes to mind when you hear the word, HOME?
A: Family, Friends, and Home are where the heart is. We’ve made our home here in Sedona, and have a wonderful group of friends. I am a Georgia boy – one hundred percent – but I am at home in Sedona.
Q: What is one piece of advice that you would like to share?
A: When the mask drops, be sure to put yours on first before assisting others. In other words, you have to take care of yourself first. For me, it’s crucial, so that I can take care of my family.
From the interview with Jonelle Klein.