MFA Financial announces CEO succession and new CIO appointment

MFA Financial, Inc. (NYSE: MFA) announced a series of executive leadership changes set to take effect in 2027, according to a company press release.

Craig Knutson, 67, will retire as chief executive officer on June 30, 2027, after nine years in the role and 18 years with the company. Knutson is expected to remain on the board of directors following his retirement and will stand for reelection at MFA's 2027 annual stockholder meeting.

Bryan Wulfsohn, currently president and chief investment officer, will assume the role of president and chief executive officer on July 1, 2027. Wulfsohn will also join the board of directors on January 1, 2027, expanding the board to eight directors. He has been with MFA for 16 years, serving as president since September 2024 and as chief investment officer or co-chief investment officer since January 2019.

Board Chair Laurie Goodman said, "The Board is deeply grateful to Craig for his leadership of MFA since joining the Company in 2008 and in particular during the past nine years as CEO."

MFA separately announced that Andrew Kail will join the company as senior vice president and chief investment officer, effective January 1, 2027. Kail has more than 25 years of experience in mortgage finance. He most recently served as managing director and head of residential lending at Starwood Capital Group from 2022 through earlier this year. Prior to that, he was director of business development at Aspen Capital from 2019 to 2022. Earlier in his career, Kail held senior positions at Fortress Investment Group, RBS Securities Inc. and Bear Stearns & Co., Inc.

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