Ameriquest Founder Dead

“We are heartbroken at the news that our beloved husband, father and brother, Roland Arnall, died suddenly this morning at the UCLA Medical Center,” Arnall’s family said in a statement. “Roland has always been such a vibrant and striking figure in the lives of his family and friends that it is difficult to imagine a day without him.”

In 1979, Arnall founded Ameriquest Mortgage Co. — which at its peak was among the biggest subprime mortgage lenders in the country.

He began his career as an entrepreneur selling flowers on street corners in Los Angeles, according to a biography released by ACC Capital Holdings.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement commending Arnall for co-founding the Simon Wiesenthal Center, “a movement that now promotes peace, human rights and tolerance throughout the world.”

Arnall, who was born in Paris in 1939, was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands by President Bush and sworn in by Secretary of State Rice on Feb. 27, 2006. He served until March 7, 2008, when he indicated he was resigning to be with his son Daniel Arnall, who suffered from a serious illness.

“It was clear that Ambassador Arnall knew the profound importance of family and he was extremely devoted to his own,” Schwarzenegger said in his statement.

“ACC Capital Holdings and its employees are deeply saddened at the loss of company founder Ambassador Roland Arnall,” a statement from the company said. “Ambassador Arnall was a determined business leader, a caring philanthropist, an able diplomat, and a patriot. He will be sorely missed.”

Schwarzenegger added that Arnall spent 16 years as a California State University Trustee.

“Roland Arnall amassed a remarkable career as a self-made businessman, philanthropist and diplomat, but we will always treasure most his generous laugh, his boundless energy, and his abiding love for his for his family and friends,” his family said in the statement.

Sam Garcia worked in mortgage lending for twenty years prior to becoming publisher of MortgageDaily.com.

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