Mortgage industry veteran Bill Beckmann has been named president and CEO of MERSCORP Inc., parent company of the controversial Reston, Va.-based company’s subsidiary Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems Inc. (MERS).

Beckmann joins MERSCORP from Beckmann Insights LLC, a consulting firm where he served as president, according to a statement. He was formerly chairman and CEO of CitiMortgage Inc.

"We’re delighted to have Bill at the helm at an important time in MERSCORP’s history," said Kurt Pfotenhauer, MERSCORP chairman. "His knowledge of the mortgage industry and exceptional management experience will be instrumental as we continue to implement initiatives to strengthen and improve the MERS brand."

"I’m excited to be joining the MERSCORP team and looking forward to leading an organization that provides a unique and vital service to the nation’s housing finance system," said Beckmann.

Beckmann also previously served as chairman and CEO of The Student Loan Corp., worked in IBM’s corporate strategy and internet marketing divisions.

Southern Essex District Register of Deeds John O’Brien recently moved approximately $25 million in Registry funds deposited at Bank of America to Medford-based Century Bank because of Bank of America’s membership in the MERS, Banker & Tradesman previously reported. The move is part of an ongoing campaign by O’Brien against MERS, which allows its members to have mortgages registered under MERS’ name, which are then transferred among MERS’ member institutions without re-recording the deed – and without paying additional Registry fees.