Freddie Mac recently appointed James Whitlinger as executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO), which became effective on Jan. 1., according to a press release.

Whitlinger previously served as the company’s senior vice president and Single-Family CFO since 2014. He has served as interim CFO since June of 2024, following the departure of Christian Lown, who served as CFO from June 2020 to June 2024.

“It’s with great pleasure that we announce Jim Whitlinger as the company’s new chief financial officer,” Freddie Mac CEO Diana Reid said in the release. “Jim is a proven leader with more than 30 years of financial management and accounting experience. As a 10-year veteran of Freddie Mac, he is well positioned to assume the CFO role and maintain the strength and continuity of our Finance functions.”

Whitlinger has worked in the real estate finance industry for more than three decades, most recently serving as senior vice president at Univest Bank and Trust Co. Prior to Univest, he served as executive vice president and CFO at GMAC ResCap, Inc.

“I am excited and humbled to be chosen as Freddie Mac’s next CFO,” Whitlinger said. “I thank Freddie Mac’s Board and the company’s outstanding senior leadership team for their confidence, and I look forward to leading the talented and hardworking individuals who make up our Finance Division.”