Bryant Westmoreland, a 2020 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School, is making his mark in the local real estate and finance community as a newly licensed mortgage loan originator with Security National Mortgage Company. His journey from post-high school uncertainty to a budding career in mortgage lending is a story of resilience, ambition, and community roots — one that continues to grow right alongside the town he calls home.
Following graduation, Westmoreland didn’t immediately jump into the world of finance. Instead, he spent several years working off and on for a catering company that supported fire crews — a job that offered him a surprising number of life skills. He handled inventory, learned how to cook, and developed a strong work ethic. “I did a lot. I transitioned into helping cook and learned a lot of skills there,” he said. But as valuable as those years were, he always had a curiosity about real estate simmering in the background.
That interest in real estate eventually prompted him to seek new opportunities. He reached out to the NyE Communities Coalition for guidance, and thanks to their support and connections, he found his way into the mortgage industry. With determination, he began studying for the national licensing exam, a notoriously difficult test with a nearly 56% failure rate. Westmoreland passed it on the first try. “You have to score 75% or more to pass. It was tough because of the laws and how they’re worded. But I did it,” he said with pride.
Now officially a mortgage loan originator, Westmoreland is learning the ropes from a seasoned team while helping clients take their first steps toward homeownership. “We help write loans, help people qualify, and get financing,” he explained. Whether a client comes to him directly or is referred by a real estate agent, his job is to evaluate their financial situation and find the best possible loan solution to meet their needs. “It’s about understanding their goals and getting them into something they can manage comfortably.”
Although still early in his career, Westmoreland understands that networking and building strong professional relationships is key. “You’ve got to be proactive,” he said. He attends local Chamber of Commerce events and follows development news from local leaders like County Commissioners to stay in the loop on Pahrump’s rapid growth. With several housing developments in the pipeline — particularly near the entrance to Mountain Falls — he’s excited about what that could mean for the local real estate market and his own career trajectory.
When asked about his long-term goals, Westmoreland doesn’t hesitate: “I want to continue building my career in real estate. Maybe become a developer one day.” He’s inspired by major figures in the industry and envisions himself eventually obtaining his real estate license so he can combine property development with lending expertise. The flexibility of his current license, which allows him to write loans in most U.S. states, gives him a broad range of opportunities — and he plans to take full advantage of them.
Beyond his professional ambitions, Westmoreland is grounded by a deep sense of family and gratitude. He credits his grandfather with playing a pivotal role in shaping his life. When the family faced instability while living in Las Vegas, it was his grandfather who purchased land in Pahrump and brought them all together. “He helped my family. We were split up, living with different people and different dads. But he got us out here, and I’ve been here ever since. That was almost ten years ago.”
As the oldest of five siblings — and part of a larger blended family — Westmoreland holds tight to his family-oriented values. He beams with pride as he shares how his younger siblings have followed in his footsteps by attending and graduating from PVHS. His ties to the Pahrump community run deep, and now, as a newly married man, those roots are growing even stronger.
Westmoreland recently married Angelina Castro, another local with a familiar name in town. Her family is known in the community, and Angelina herself was involved in sports like soccer and track during her school years. The couple endured a tragedy last year when a devastating car accident, caused by a drunk driver, claimed the life of their infant son, Benito “Little Benny” Westmoreland. Benny was just five months old when their vehicle was struck. The grief was unimaginable, but Westmoreland and his wife have found strength in their faith and each other. “We lean on religion,” he said. “Everything happens for a reason. God must’ve needed him — he was too pure.”
Despite the heartbreak, the Westmorelands are hopeful about the future. The couple is expecting another child — another baby boy — due in September, just days apart from Benny’s birthday. “It’s like a full circle moment. It’s emotional and special,” he said. While they’re still deciding on a name, Westmoreland said he is hopeful someone in the family uses at least part of Benny’s name in the future — a subtle tribute to their firstborn’s memory. “It was a good name.”
Outside of work and preparing for fatherhood, Westmoreland finds joy in the simple things — like their family cat, who has won him over despite his initial hesitation. “I didn’t like cats at first. I thought people with cats smelled like cats,” he said with a laugh. But now the family has a cozy system set up at home, and Westmoreland is even entertaining the idea of getting a second feline companion.
As for his career, Westmoreland remains committed to growing not just as a mortgage professional, but as someone who can make a positive impact in his community. Whether that means joining additional professional organizations in the future or one day creating a program in his late son’s honor to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, Westmoreland knows that his journey is just getting started.
“There’s so much possibility,” he said. “I want to help people. I want to build a future for my family. And I want to do it here, in Pahrump, where it all began.”
For those interested in working with Westmoreland or seeking help navigating the mortgage process, he’s ready and eager to assist. Backed by a supportive team at Security National Mortgage and a passion for helping others, Bryant Westmoreland is poised to become a trusted name in Pahrump’s growing housing market — and an inspiring example of perseverance, dedication, and heart.
