Ameriquest Mortgage Company Signs on as Presenting Sponsor of the Governor's Conference on Women and Families; Long Beach Event Chaired by First Lady Maria Shriver.

ORANGE, Calif. -- Ameriquest Mortgage Company this month became a presenting sponsor of the California Governor's Conference on Women and Families to be held in Long Beach, Calif., on Dec. 7. The sponsorship reflects Ameriquest's commitment to fostering healthy communities and strong families through education and community outreach.

Ameriquest is the only mortgage company among the presenting sponsors, which also include AOL, Apple Computer, Bank of America, SBC Communications, Target Stores, and Toyota.

"We are excited to join with the Governor and First Lady, other sponsors and an extraordinary cast of presenters to acknowledge the vital role of women and strong families in the development of healthy communities," said Adam Bass, senior executive vice president of Ameriquest Mortgage.

The theme of this year's conference is "Women as Architects of Change -- Within Ourselves, at Home, in the Workplace, in our Communities and Around the World."

The conference also features a Youth Leadership Program that allows high school students to attend and interact with dynamic role models so they can achieve their goals and dreams. That program dovetails with Ameriquest's efforts to help people from all walks of life set goals and pursue their dreams, in part through a commitment to programs that benefit the community. One such program is a collaboration between Ameriquest and Portraits of Hope, a non-profit organization that is helping children create a 40,000-square-foot public art masterpiece that will be displayed on the Ameriquest Soaring Dreams(R) Airship in 2005. It will serve as the airborne ambassador of the hopes and dreams of children everywhere.

Ameriquest executives will be among more than 75 presenters and panelists at the conference's breakout sessions.

In the morning, Ameriquest Executive Vice President and General Counsel Dana Welch will be the session moderator of the conference panel titled "Overcoming Obstacles: Being the Person You Were Meant to Be." Panelists include speakers from CBS News, Bank of America, National Public Radio West and the first Women's Everest Expedition.

Later in the day, Donna Lesch, Ameriquest executive vice president of human performance, will join other panelists to discuss a topic that's top-of-mind for many working professionals today: "Family Friendly Corporations: What Works and How."

"Women and families are a cornerstone of American life -- both at home and in the workplace," said Julie Brandt, Ameriquest's vice president of philanthropy and corporate affairs. "Our sponsorship of the Governor's Conference on Women and Families celebrates the vital role of women in our society, and underscores our commitment to foster healthy communities," she said.

According to the National Association of Realtors, women make up 21 percent of homebuyers today. Federal lender Fannie Mae estimates that the number of women-led households will grow to 31 million by 2010, 28 percent of the total home-buying market.

A portion of the funds raised from the conference will finance California's first museum exhibit highlighting California's most remarkable women. Other beneficiaries of the conference will include the Bring Me A Book Foundation, a non-profit organization devoted to early childhood reading readiness development, and the American Red Cross, which will have a Bloodmobile on site.

In addition, attendees will be able to explore a diverse variety of volunteer opportunities by visiting non-profit agencies at the Volunteer Village. Among the groups participating will be: the American Red Cross, Volunteer Centers, Best Buddies, Special Olympics, the California State Association of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Los Angeles Mentoring Partnership, Boys and Girls Clubs, Prevent Child Abuse California, Kids Korps USA, Midnight Mission of LA, LA Works, AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, Take Pride in America and the California Conservation Corps.

Conference attendees will have a chance to interact with Ameriquest branch managers and other personnel at the company booth, where they can learn more about the company's community programs and services to help people achieve home ownership and financial freedom.

The California Governor's Conference is a non-partisan forum for women of all generations and backgrounds to share practical ideas on how to succeed in their careers while juggling increasingly complex and diverse life demands. It is the largest and most successful conference of its kind in the nation.

The conference, scheduled for the Long Beach Convention Center, typically draws approximately 10,000 people. This year, it will feature notable speakers such as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, First Lady Maria Shriver, Jamie Lee Curtis, Linda Ellerbee, Her Majesty Queen Noor, Oprah Winfrey and a musical celebration by Sheryl Crow.

About Ameriquest Mortgage Company

Ameriquest Mortgage Company is a national mortgage lender committed to helping people achieve their home ownership dreams and financial freedom. To fulfill that mission, Ameriquest originates, purchases, sells and services home loans.