Proudly Owned By a Military Veteran
Proudly Owned By A Military Veteran
Team
Brian Walter is Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Fairbridge. He is responsible for Portfolio Management, Finance, and Operations and is a member of the Credit Committee. He previously served as Chief Investment Officer for the Tannenbaum Family Office LLC, where he analyzed and invested in multiple asset classes, including private equity, real estate, real estate debt, credit, preferred stock, equity, structured products, tax liens and litigation claims. Prior to the family office, Mr. Walter was Managing Director, Head of Institutional Products at Fifth Street Asset Management – a $5 billion public asset manager.
John Lettera is Co-Founder and Partner at Fairbridge. He is responsible for all debt originations and is a member of the firm’s Credit Committee. John has more than 20 years of legal experience and has spent more than 25 years in real estate debt originations, acquisitions and equity investing. He also founded and managed two successful real estate finance funds that together invested in excess of $400 million. John is an adjunct professor and member of the Board of Visitors at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and licensed to practice law in the State of New York. He is a combat veteran having served in the U.S. Marine Corps, including during the Gulf War.
Steven Wissak is Co-Founder and Partner at Fairbridge. He is Head of Underwriting and is a member of the Credit Committee. Steve focuses on alternative lending and bridge financing for real estate-secured deals and has been been involved in the real estate industry for over 30 years in various capacities. Steve was a principal in several real estate companies that acquired multifamily apartment buildings in the New York City area as well as rehabilitating close to 5,000 units of work force housing in New York City and its boroughs. Mr. Wissak received his B.A. in Political Science and Economics at the State University of New York at Binghamton and J.D. from Hofstra University School of Law.
Anthony Balbo is a Partner at Fairbridge and is responsible for the firm’s originations and underwriting operations. He has been involved in the real estate industry for more than 14 years. During his tenure at Fairbridge, which began in 2018, Anthony has helped originate, underwrite, and close real estate backed bridge loan ranging in size and spread across various asset classes and geographies. Prior to joining Fairbridge, he was Director of Operations for a New York-based real estate investment firm where he oversaw the commercial leasing, financing, and day-to-day operations of a portfolio of properties that included office space, warehousing, mixed-use buildings and residential units. Anthony received his B.A. in Economics from Hamilton College and his Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law.
Sasha Sparacino is an analyst at Fairbridge Asset Management LLC where he works with the deal team principals on all aspects of deal underwriting. Prior to Fairbridge he attended Loyola University Maryland where he was a student athlete playing for the golf team. At Loyola, he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in both finance and information systems and graduated Summa Cum Laude. Sasha is attending Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business where he is working on his M.S. in Real Estate.
Michelle Iaccarino joined Fairbridge full-time in February 2022. Michelle works with the Head of Finance on all aspects of corporate, fund and loan administration. Michelle oversees all banking and loan servicing responsibilities and assists with fund administration, the monthly NAV and portfolio management. Michelle also interfaces with our leverage providers to help administer those relationships. Prior to joining Fairbridge, Michelle worked in the finance department of a licensed mortgage bank where she gained experience in banking, accounts payable and receivable and finance. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from SUNY Oneonta, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Alexis DiGirolamo is an In-House Counsel at Fairbridge Asset Management LLC. Prior to Fairbridge she was a legal extern at Jaguar Land Rover North America as well as a student attorney at John Jay Legal Services Food and Beverage Law Clinic. Ms. DiGirolamo attended St. Thomas Aquinas College graduating with a Bachelors of Science and Social Science. Following this she received her law degree from Pace University.
Max Kingman is a financial analyst at Fairbridge Asset Management LLC, Mr. Kingman’s strong proficiency in underwriting combined with his background of evaluation and sales of investment properties, allows him to fully support the loan officers in all aspects relating to the credit analysis and underwriting process, including identifying the best debt structure to ensure that each client receives the most favorable options available. Max graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the president’s list at Quinnipiac University with a finance major and is certified with the Real Estate Financial Modeling Certification (REFM) and the Real Estate Financing Analysis Investment Certification (REFAI).
Biagio joined Fairbridge in August of 2022 as Managing Director. He oversees originations for a range of investment property non-QM and commercial loan products, including fix and flip loans, debt-service coverage ratio (DSCR) loans, and other business purpose and commercial loans, including bridge financing options. Prior to joining Fairbridge, Biagio held senior sales leadership positions at various mortgage banks. He is well-versed in all home financing solutions, including jumbo financing, condo/co-op, new construction, first-time homebuyer, renovation, foreign national, commercial, bridge financing/hard money, fix-and-flip, cross collateralization, and FHA/VA loans.
Harley has over 25-years’ experience in working closely with Family Offices. Prior to joining Fairbridge, Harley worked at Rotor Capital – a private equity partnership. Harley worked for 18 years at TIGER 21 – the premier-peer community for wealthy private investors. Working closely with TIGER 21’s founder, Harley was instrumental in establishing Tiger’s presence during its ascendancy - building out and supporting new groups and helping Members generate value from the broader investor community. Prior to TIGER 21, he led investor relations and marketing for EMMES and Company – a $1B+ boutique real estate investment company. Prior work experience includes senior positions in direct sales, advertising and real estate. Harley received his BA from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Amanda Esteves joined Fairbridge full-time in August 2023. Amanda works alongside the finance department with banking, accounting, as well as assists with the monthly NAV and portfolio management. She performs a variety of routine administrative duties pertaining to loan servicing. Prior to joining Fairbridge, Amanda worked in the education field as a high school mathematics teacher. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of South Florida, and is currently earning a second Bachelor degree in Accounting.
Erin O’Keefe is an analyst on the underwriting team at Fairbridge Asset Management LLC. Before working at Fairbridge, Erin graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Connecticut in May 2023. At UConn, Erin studied finance with a concentration in valuations/portfolio management and minored in real estate.
Dustin Hart is a financial analyst at Fairbridge Asset Management LLC. Prior to joining the Fairbridge team, Dustin graduated from Lehigh University with a major in finance in May of 2019. After graduating, Dustin worked for The Madison Square Garden Company (MSGC) as a financial analyst where he helped allocate the assets for the spin-off of MSG Sports (MSGS) and MSG Entertainment (MSGE) from MSGC. Dustin then pivoted to the retail sector becoming the VP of Operations for Hart Retail Group (HRG), where he opened and operated two Jersey Mike locations and a Buff City Soap shop. His experience at HRG provided his first introduction to real estate. Dustin’s background allows him to support the underwriting department in providing the best service possible to each client.
REAL ESTATE PRIVATE CREADIT READY FOR TAKE-OFF
We are in the beginning stages of a dramatic shift in how real estate acquisition, rehab, and development is financed in the U.S.
Historically, banks have provided over 50% of commercial real estate financing, but that is changing quickly. Why?
Brian will share an in-depth analysis of the macro banking factors impacting the industry and its ability to provide CRE financing, and discuss how this is creating an historic opportunity for real estate private credit lenders and alternative asset investors.
