Leadership Team

Mr. Thompson has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Ministry Partners Investment Company, LLC (MPS's Parent Company) since December 2023. He previously held the position of Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer from January 2022. Mr. Thompson previously served as Chief Lending Officer at America’s Christian Credit Union, one of the Company’s equity owners where he led various departments since 2013. Over his eleven-year career at ACCU, he served as Manager of Loan Participations, AVP Credit Services, VP Business Lending and VP Corporate Services. Prior to ACCU, he worked at Western Corporate Federal Credit Union from 2003 to 2011 as a treasury trader. Mr. Thompson holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing, and a Master of Arts in Management from Azusa Pacific University. He holds various certifications from the CUES School of Commercial Lending, CUES Advanced School of Business Lending and the New York Institute of Finance. He currently holds Series 7, 66, and 24 certifications from FINRA.

Mr. Cerio has served as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company since January 5, 2026. He brings over 30 years of finance experience across multiple industries, including financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cerio served as Vice President of Finance at Boomerang Healthcare, a private equity–sponsored organization providing pain management and functional restoration services. He previously served as Vice President of Finance at Gatekeeper Systems, a private equity–sponsored company specializing in loss prevention solutions for domestic and international retailers. Mr. Cerio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Azusa Pacific University and has been a Certified Public Accountant in the State of California since 1998. He has also served as a board member and treasurer for faith-based ministries in Southern California.

Mr. Flude has served as the Vice President of Finance since January 2022.  He has worked at Ministry Partners for over 13 years in the Finance and Accounting Department.  Mr. Flude served as the Company’s Controller prior to his promotion to his current role.  He also serves as the Financial Operations Principal for Ministry Partners Securities.  His duties with the Company include maintaining the Company’s financial statements and preparing the Company’s public filings. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Flude served as an auditor for McGladrey and Pullen, LLP, where he worked mainly with banks and finance companies.  Mr. Flude earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Oregon in 2004.  He maintains an active license as a Certified Public Accountant.  He also holds Series 28 and 99 securities licenses.

Robert Vargas serves as Vice President of Wealth Management & Financial Planning with Ministry Partners Securities, helping clients develop comprehensive financial plans tailored to their individual goals and circumstances. His experience includes investment management, workplace retirement plans, individual retirement planning, and short- and long-term business exit planning. Prior to joining Ministry Partners Securities, Mr. Vargas worked as a Retirement Plan Consultant, serving business owners and their employees and developing extensive experience in retirement and wealth management. He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor® and Chartered Retirement Plans Specialist℠ designations. Mr. Vargas came to the United States from Cuba as a young boy. He played baseball through college and continues to enjoy baseball and golf. He is married to his high school sweetheart, and they have two sons. He is also actively involved in his community. He currently holds his Series 7 and 66.

Ryan Zeeb has worked in the financial services industry for over twenty years as both an advisor and executive, serving families, individuals, professionals, and institutions. He is passionate about helping clients develop financial plans and investment portfolios that align with their faith, values, and long-term goals, with an emphasis on stewardship, legacy, and purposeful living. Mr. Zeeb received his B.A. in Business Administration from Taylor University, where he played baseball and later returned to serve as an assistant coach. He and his wife, Lindsay, are raising five children and remain active in their children’s sports and activities. Mr. Zeeb also coaches travel baseball, and faith serves as the foundation of their family life. He is a Series 7, 63 and 65 registered representative and licensed life, disability, and long-term care insurance agent. He is also a Heritage Design Professional®.

Dr. Traub has served as 2nd Vice President, Wealth Management with Ministry Partners Securities since November 2013, working out of the Fresno offices. Dr. Traub has over twenty-five years of experience in the securities industry, with most recent prior experience serving as a Financial Advisor at G.A. Repple and Company, Cambridge Investment Research, and Strongtower Financial. He also served in various administrative roles in Christian colleges and universities over twenty-three years, including Fresno Pacific University, Trinity Western University, and Westmont College. Dr. Traub received his BA from Seattle Pacific University in 1971 and received a Ph.D from the Ohio State University in 1977. He is a Certified Financial Planner, Certified Kingdom Advisor, and is a member of the Financial Planning Association and the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors. He holds FINRA Series 6, 7, and 66 licenses.

Mr. Papp currently serves as 2nd Vice President, Wealth Management with Ministry Partners Securities since July 2014, and is based in Glendora. He has been a financial professional for over thirty years, with his prior experience including serving as a Registered Representative of Cetera Adviser Networks LLC from 2007 to 2014. Mr. Papp is a graduate of University of California, Davis, where he earned a Bachelors of Science in Agricultural Economics and Business Management in 1981. He received a Masters of Divinity from Biola University with honors in 1985. He is a Series 7, 24, 66 and 63 registered representative and licensed life, disability, and long-term care insurance agent.

Mr. Johnston serves as Director of IT and Operations for Ministry Partners Investment Company, LLC, where he oversees the Company’s information technology, cybersecurity, business continuity, systems administration, vendor management, and strategic technology initiatives. He also supports operational projects across lending, loan servicing, financial systems, data management, and other areas of the organization.

Mr. Johnston previously worked at Ministry Partners from 2018 to 2021 as a Credit Analyst and Systems Administrator. His prior experience also includes serving as a Commercial Loan Officer and Credit Analyst at First Bank and as an Enterprise Applications/nCino Administrator for CalPrivate Bank.

Mr. Johnston earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, Summa Cum Laude, from Vanguard University in 2016 and is a member of the Sigma Beta Delta international honor society for business, management, and administration. He also serves on the Vanguard University Foundation Board of Directors, supporting initiatives related to alumni engagement, endowment stewardship, and capital campaigns.

Outside of his professional responsibilities, Mr. Johnston serves as a Shepherding Elder at Mariners Church in Irvine and is actively involved in leadership within the church’s men’s ministry, Life Groups, and parking ministry.

Mrs. Havens serves as the Manager of Sales Support at Ministry Partners Securities and has been with the company since 2012. Prior to that, she worked at Strongtower Financial and Merrill Lynch, a career that has spanned over fifteen years. She holds FINRA Series 7, 66, and 99 licenses.