Douglas A. Schukar

Chairman & CEO
USA Mortgage - a division of DAS Acquisition Company

Location: St. Louis, MO
Founded: 2001
Industry: Residential Mortgage Banking / Financial Services

The greatest leadership lesson Douglas A. Schukar has learned throughout his career in financial services and residential mortgage banking, is to surround himself with the greatest minds. “This led me to finding and employing the true thoroughbreds of our industry and to never, ever fence them in. They are made to run,” said Schukar.

Leading with this philosophy has worked well for the chairman and CEO of USA Mortgage, a division of DAS Acquisition Company. With plans to remain influential in his field, Schukar plans to keep USA Mortgage as the most dominant leader in St. Louis, the largest lender in the State of Missouri and a top 50 lender in the country. “Our team must stay at the forefront of technology to streamline the mortgage process for all homeowners,” said Schukar. “We hope to achieve nurturing relationships within the community, the business and with clients for years to come.”

Completely employee-owned, Schukar said USA Mortgage is driven with a passion for always improving the mortgage process by finding the right types of loans with rates that work best for the client. As a veteran of the mortgage industry since 1989, Schukar’s determination, drive and work ethic are what set him apart as a leader, according to his staff.

“Through housing and real estate market crashes, industry barriers, walls and expectations to break through, transitioning from company to company in his early years, Doug has always held his ground,” said his colleagues. “It’s admirable how he has always seen projects, large and small, through from conception to completion, helping form this employee-owned company from the ground up.”

His efforts have not gone unnoticed. Schukar has been recognized as the #1 Mortgage Loan Originator in St. Louis, has been inducted into the St. Louis Small Business Monthly Hall of Fame and USA Mortgage has been named as one of the fastest growing private companies and a Best Place to Work by the St. Louis Business Journal.

“Being able to execute and achieve business results, regardless of inevitable setbacks, have earned him more than just recognition as a Titan,” said his staff. “Above all else, he deserves this title because of the love he has for his company and its people. His focus since 2001 has always been to put his employees first, making sure they have every resource they would need to succeed and feel satisfied with the company culture and morale.”