By: Victoria Araj

Each year, Crain’s Detroit Business seeks young professionals who are considered difference makers in the metro Detroit area and honor them with the 20 in their 20s Award.  Quicken Loans is pleased to have one of their team members, Ryan South, 26, nominated for this prestigious award.  Ryan is a President’s Club banker at Quicken Loans, which is the company’s highest distinction for mortgage bankers to achieve and previously served as a Director of Mortgage Banking.

“This has been a personal goal of mine and it’s an honor to be a part of the nominated class because this award highlights the talent our area has to offer and the individuals who are dedicated to staying here and growing our city and state,” South said.

The 20 in their 20s Award highlights the business and creative talents of local professionals under the age of 30.  The criteria for nominations revolve around professional and personal achievements and community involvement.  Nominees hail from the arts, retail, technology, and many other professions but have one common goal:  to make metro Detroit an exciting region to live, work and play.

Since becoming a homeowner in the Albert Kahn-designed Garden Court Condos in the Rivertown District at the age of 23, Ryan has considered himself a PR rep for the City of Detroit.  He promotes Detroit events to anyone who will listen and was a featured homeowner in the Crain’s Detroit House Party the last two years.  The Detroit News featured Ryan and his condo on the front page of their Homestyle special section, complete with all of the details of his move and his ability to modernize his home while keeping the historic details inherent throughout the loft.

“I don’t leave the city unless I’m driving to work,” said South.  In just a few months, he won’t even have to leave for work, as Quicken Loans will be moving its headquarters to the Compuware Building.

“In the next several years, I believe we are going to see more people moving back into the City, growing and enjoying all that the city has to offer.  We will start to see more people making the decision to be part of something big right here in their own backyard,” South contends.  “Urban living is a beautiful thing, it’s affordable here and there’s a variety of places to live.  There have been significant improvements just since the Super Bowl--the Riverfront, residential developments, events like the Winter Blast, we will see consistent betterment.”

Quicken Loans wishes Ryan good luck as the 2010 class of 20 in their 20s will be announced at the end of the month.