Corona del Mar High School. Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CDM_high_school_front_entrance_photo_Don_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
Corona del Mar High School. Photo: Don Ramey Logan, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:CDM_high_school_front_entrance_photo_Don_Ramey_Logan.jpg)
Reza Jahangiri is an American entrepreneur and business executive who founded American Advisors Group in 2004 and built it into a major reverse-mortgage lender. His career began in preventive medical imaging before moving into financial services, while his civic work has included industry leadership, university service, support for the arts, and anti-trafficking philanthropy.
Background
Jahangiri was born on June 9, 1978. His family fled Iran when he was a baby and established its life in the United States. He later grew up in Newport Beach, California, where he attended Corona del Mar High School.
The experience of his parents, who left their assets behind and rebuilt their lives, has been part of Jahangiri's account of his personal background and entrepreneurial outlook. His professional life has remained closely connected with Orange County, where his companies, philanthropic activities, and university service have been based.
Education
Jahangiri graduated from Corona del Mar High School in Newport Beach in 1997. He then attended the University of California, Irvine, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in economics in 2000. The university, founded in 1965 as part of the University of California system, developed as a research institution serving the rapidly growing communities of Orange County.
Jahangiri received his Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 2004. Loyola Law School is the law school of Loyola Marymount University and is associated with the Jesuit educational tradition. During his studies at UC Irvine, Jahangiri also explored music before completing his economics degree.
Jahangiri began his business career in healthcare services, serving as president and chief executive officer of companies focused on medical imaging for the early detection of heart disease and cancer. He was associated with HeartSavers, a preventive medical imaging company that worked with Johns Hopkins Hospital and other hospitals, and he also launched Imaging Venture Group, a healthcare consulting company that supplied medical equipment to private medical practices.
In 2004, Jahangiri founded American Advisors Group, a California financial-services company specializing in reverse mortgages. The company incorporated in late 2004 and formally launched operations in July 2005. Jahangiri initially continued to oversee his healthcare interests while developing AAG, then divested those assets in July 2007 and committed himself full time to the reverse-mortgage business.
AAG expanded through direct-mail campaigns, retail and wholesale lending, and a nationally visible advertising strategy. Jahangiri's leadership helped turn the company into one of the largest and most recognizable businesses in the U.S. reverse-mortgage sector. AAG's acquisition of a substantial majority of its assets and certain liabilities by Finance of America Reverse closed on March 31, 2023.
Jahangiri has also been identified as chief executive officer and majority shareholder of Bloom Retirement Holdings, the holding company associated with AAG/Bloom. He has participated in the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association's policy and governance work and has served as a senior publisher of The Reverse Review. His broader executive activity has included membership in the CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County.
Achievements
Jahangiri founded American Advisors Group in 2004 and developed it into one of the largest and most recognizable reverse-mortgage lenders in the United States.
He created the AAG Gives Back campaign in 2011, which supported local and international charitable initiatives, including programs connected with Willow International's work against human trafficking in Uganda.
He helped expand public and professional awareness of reverse mortgages through AAG's national lending, educational, policy, and media activities.
Views
Jahangiri has expressed a purpose-driven approach to business, arguing that companies can pursue financial performance while addressing social problems. His public discussions connect entrepreneurship with responsibility toward employees, older consumers, and communities affected by poverty and human trafficking.
He has also spoken about the value of risk-taking and creative exploration. His long-standing interest in music, business formation, and philanthropic work reflects a view that professional life can include both commercial initiative and cultural or social contribution.
Membership
Jahangiri has held leadership and advisory roles in professional, civic, university, arts, and philanthropic organizations. His industry participation included service as co-chair of the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association's board and policy committee, an association established to promote professionalism and public understanding in the reverse-mortgage field.
His university affiliations have included the University of California, Irvine Chief Executive Roundtable, the School of Social Sciences Dean's Leadership Society, the Paul Merage School of Business Dean's Advisory Board, and the Claire Trevor School of the Arts Dean's Arts Board. He has also served with the Pacific Symphony and Willow International, a nonprofit organization working to prevent human trafficking and support survivors in Uganda.
Co-chair of the board of directors and co-chair of the policy committee.
National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association
,
United States
Member of the university's executive roundtable for business and community leaders.
University of California, Irvine Chief Executive Roundtable
,
United States
2017 - present
Member and supporter of the School of Social Sciences.
University of California, Irvine School of Social Sciences Dean's Leadership Society
,
United States
Member of the advisory board.
Paul Merage School of Business Dean's Advisory Board
,
United States
Board member supporting the arts at the University of California, Irvine.
Claire Trevor School of the Arts Dean's Arts Board
,
United States
Board member.
Pacific Symphony
,
United States
Board member and chairman of the board.
Willow International
,
Uganda
2015
Member of the executive leadership network.
CEO Leadership Alliance of Orange County
,
United States
2021 - present
Personality
Jahangiri has been described in professional profiles as calm, incisive, open, energetic, and willing to take entrepreneurial risks. His own public comments emphasize purpose-driven business leadership, community responsibility, and the importance of creating opportunities for employees to participate in charitable work.
Quotes from others about the person
Willow International executive director Kelsey Galaway described Jahangiri as deeply concerned with the welfare of employees, staff members, and survivors supported by the organization. His professional colleagues have also characterized him as an entrepreneurial and engaged leader in the reverse-mortgage industry.
Interests
Jahangiri has documented interests in guitar playing, music, the performing arts, entrepreneurship, university activities, and philanthropy. He has supported arts organizations and served on boards connected with the University of California, Irvine and the Pacific Symphony.
Music & Bands
Jahangiri has described music as a major influence in his life. He taught himself guitar from the age of twelve and has played classic rock, alternative rock, punk rock, and folk music in bands and informal jam sessions.
Connections
Jahangiri married actress Kate Levering on April 20, 2013. Levering is known for Broadway and television work, including the musical 42nd Street and the series Drop Dead Diva. They have three sons: Holden Robert Jahangiri, Greyson Robert Jahangiri, and Ashton Robert Jahangiri.
Jahangiri's professional and philanthropic connections include the University of California, Irvine, where he studied economics and later served in alumni and advisory capacities; the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association, where he held board leadership roles; and Willow International, whose work in Uganda became connected with his corporate charitable initiatives.
Wife:
Kate Levering
Actress and dancer known for Broadway and television performances, including 42nd Street and Drop Dead Diva.
Arts Advocates: Reza Jahangiri
Documents Jahangiri's music interests, guitar playing, support for the arts, and service on University of California, Irvine arts and business advisory bodies.
Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year 2018,
United States
Jahangiri received the Orange County award in the financial services category for entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, business performance, and community commitment.
Jahangiri received the Orange County award in the financial services category for entrepreneurial leadership, innovation, business performance, and community commitment.
OCBJ 2019 Excellence in Entrepreneurship Award,
United States
The Orange County Business Journal recognized Jahangiri for entrepreneurial achievement and leadership in the regional business community.
The Orange County Business Journal recognized Jahangiri for entrepreneurial achievement and leadership in the regional business community.
