The member directory which helps connect industry related companies and individuals. Additionally, the annual conference is a great benefit that gives us the opportunity to network with other industry leaders, lenders, and service providers. I especially appreciate the informative panel discussions and roundtables.

I joined AAPL because of its reputation, professionalism, and code of ethics. Merchants has been a private lender to real estate investors for more than 60 years, and we know how important it is to have a forum for dialogue, collaboration, and advocacy. Being a member gives me the opportunity to connect with professionals who are passionate about raising the bar in private lending.

AAPL is also a fantastic resource for staying up to date on industry trends and innovations, while offering plenty of opportunities to network and learn from others. For me, being a member is about contributing to the future of private lending and enabling entrepreneurs to help grow and sustain the nation’s housing stock for future generations.

I was honored to be a speaker at the 2024 conference on a panel  which focused on some of the most common, costly, and reputationally damaging forms of fraud and cybersecurity threats impacting private lenders, along with best practices for prevention and mitigation. As our industry evolves, it is important to work together to understand how stakeholders can safeguard themselves and their clients through best practices. I enjoyed the opportunity to help contribute to this important conversation.

I have been an entrepreneur in the real estate industry involved in projects and activities in many different markets and environments. I also have a background and education in institutional finance. Private real estate lending was exciting to me as it provides a bridge between institutional capital and the developers on the ground. It was an industry that had a lot of opportunities to grow and become more efficient. While the industry has come a long way in terms of efficiency, it still feels exciting and always provides new challenges and opportunities.

I am extremely proud of our team at Merchants. We have an incredible group of people who are devoted to serving the industry with a high level of integrity and focus on doing the right thing, which are key values to our mission. Through this group of wonderful people, Merchants has experienced consistent growth and sustainability, and I believe there is an excellent runway to continue down this path. We have a dynamic team of individuals who have worked extremely hard to get us to where we are today.

In 2022, Merchants was acquired by global investment firm KKR, significantly strengthening our resources, enhancing the ability to support our customers, and expanding Merchants’ reach within the real estate lending market. As a result, we have been able to double our footprint and now lend in 42 States with multiple lending products to serve customers. I am also proud that Merchants contributed significantly to the industry’s first ever rated RTL securitization – which was issued by Toorak Capital Partners in 2024.

I always have a good non-fiction (generally audiobook these days) going. I really enjoy biographies written by Walter Isaacson due to the depth and detail.