How do you contribute to your company and / or the industry?
At Progress Capital, I take great pride in adding value to my client’s overall investment portfolio for both themselves and their partners. We have a tremendous amount of deal flow throughout the United States, which carries weight with both local and national lenders in obtaining preferential rates and terms. I’m always happy to increase their bottom line and make sure we handle the entire process to get them to the closing table. As a company, one of our greatest strengths is solving complicated issues that may arise during the closing process.
Tell us how and when you began your career in the profession you are in, about your current position and why you chose the field/profession you are in today?
Before completing my MBA in finance, I was a property manager for my family’s company, Mann Realty Associates, which owns and manages approximately 1,500 residential units throughout Manhattan and Florida. While I enjoyed property management, I started to become more intrigued by the financing aspect of real estate. I began to understand the power of leverage via various types of financing structures which provides the ability to grow a portfolio while still maintaining healthy returns. Furthermore, real estate acquisitions are often conducted with generational wealth. This is something that I take seriously when providing my client with the best financing options, and I enjoy being involved in meaningful projects with the goal of providing their families long-term financial stability. My position also allows me to be intimately involved in a multitude of different projects throughout the United States. It can be a $50M office refinance in Manhattan, a ground-up multifamily project in Texas or a stabilized retail strip center in South Carolina. This exposure to wide-ranging segments of the market offers great experience, and I learn so much from my various clients and am fortunate to see their talents displayed first hand. What impact has social media / networking had on your career? Social media has played a major role in my accomplishments. LinkedIn in particular has proven to be a valuable resource to network and build rapport with potential clients while also marketing my own deals at Progress Capital. What unique qualities and or personality do you feel makes you most successful in your profession? I am relentless when it comes to problem solving and providing the most optimal financing opportunities for my clients. I take the time to research their needs and to understand the best financing options for a particular deal. We also have a great team of underwriters and company president in Kathy Anderson, who contribute tremendously to my individual achievements. What inspiring word of advice would you give to a young executive graduating from college? Ambition and a strong desire to succeed go a long way. At the same time, having patience is very important; to know that in due time opportunities will arise and one should be ready for when those opportunities present themselves. More importantly, be honest in business dealings and respectful to everyone you encounter… reputation is everything.If you could dine with anyone dead or alive who would you choose? My Mother.