TEAM
Michael Lipson brings more than 45 years of experience in commercial real estate finance and asset management to Access Point Financial (APF). In addition to Lipson’s role as CEO, he continues to serve as chairman of the board. Prior to his role with APF, Lipson held several notable leadership roles where he leveraged his skills in financing and asset management to ensure client satisfaction and profitability. This includes serving as senior vice president of multifamily asset management and operations for Freddie Mac. Other previous roles also include serving as president and CEO for Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC, and as president and founder for Lexington Mortgage Company.
Lipson oversees all aspects of the business and is spearheading APF’s expansion of lending programs available to qualified hoteliers.
404-937-3128 |Â mlipson@accesspointfinancial.com
Bruce Lowrey has over 30 years experience in commercial real estate (‘CRE’) investing (debt and equity), capital markets, and the management of CRE lending operations. His focus has been on the hospitality sector where he served as a managing director and was also in charge of credit strategies at Rockbridge Capital. Lowrey also served as senior vice president and co-head of the Capmark Financial Group, Inc, (formerly known as GMAC commercial mortgage) hospitality industry division. During his tenure, Capmark financed over $11 billion in hotel loans across 700+ separate transactions. Lowrey managed a $2.7 billion capital allocation and the corresponding profit and loss responsibilities, oversaw a 20+ person high performance team, established and maintained relationships with the super majority of the top 100 hotel owners in the USA. He is also experienced in the primary and secondary debt markets, as well as the origination, management, and sale of both performing and non-performing loans.
At APF, Lowrey oversees and manages the new loan origination, underwriting, closing, funding, asset management, special servicing and exit strategy for all loans, sets credit standards, is responsible for portfolio construction and serves as a member of APF’s investment committee.
404-937-3122 |Â blowrey@accesspointfinancial.com
John Patton has more than 25 years of commercial finance and banking experience. Patton is known for his expertise as a certified public accountant and controller. He most recently worked as chief financial officer at Specialty Finance Group, LLC (SFG). Prior to joining SFG, Patton was the corporate controller for U.S. operations with the parent organization, Capmark Financial Group, Inc. (formerly known as GMAC Commercial Mortgage) and vice president in their asset backed lending division. In addition, he served as the controller for Nations Credit Commercial Finance and has held various management positions with Bank of America.
At APF, Patton’s work includes leading the finance and accounting team and overseeing all financial reporting and treasury functions. He successfully implemented Net Suite, an ERP solution that provides real-time reporting and analytics. Patton was also instrumental in facilitating the sale of APF from Stonepoint to Wafra Capital Partners.
404-382-9588 |Â jpatton@accesspointfinancial.com
Justin Perry brings nearly two decades of real estate law, finance, and banking industry expertise to his role as General Counsel at Access Point Financial. Perry began his career in real estate law in 2000, as a partner at Jones Cork, LLP in Macon, Georgia. Most recently he served for four years as senior vice president and general counsel for Coastal States Bank, where he managed corporate governance, litigation, contract review, loan assessment and resolution for a financial institution with more than $400 million in assets, operating in 26 states. Prior to that, he held positions as senior vice president, senior counsel for State Bank & Trust Company and senior vice president and general counsel for Silverton Bank.
Perry earned his Juris Doctor from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Finance from Emory University, Goizueta School of Business. As General Counsel, Perry oversees all legal matters pertaining to APF.
404-400-7068 |Â jperry@accesspointfinancial.com
Lori Tirado brings more than 15 years of commercial real estate expertise to Access Point Financial (APF) with a specific focus on hospitality to address the industry’s latest financial service needs. Prior to joining APF in 2019, Tirado served in several notable leadership roles where she was credited with facilitating multiple large scale funding agreements. These include securing more than $1.2 billion in hotel loans within the United States and Canada in her capacity as Managing Director for the Hospitality Finance Group of the Largo Group of Companies. A graduate of Canisius College, Tirado holds a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in finance. She further holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing and management from the State University College at Buffalo.
At APF, Tirado oversees and manages all business development efforts including marketing, sales, and all new loan originations. Tirado is focused on increasing new loan production, targeting the super majority top 100 hotel owners in the USA. Using her in-depth knowledge of loan requirements, Tirado ensures that APF continues to expand its customer base by working to identify flexible financing options that can be tailored to a hotelier’s precise goals.
404-400-7067 |Â ltirado@accesspointfinancial.com
Jon Hellbusch has more than 20 years of experience in the financial and capital markets industry. Hellbusch formerly served as executive director of asset-based finance at WestLB AG where he was responsible for the origination, structuring, and management of a multibillion-dollar book of asset-based loans made against portfolios of senior/sub debt secured by trade receivables, hotel commercial real estate, structured settlements, auto loans, equipment leases, film revenues, and future professional sports franchises cash flows. He also managed WestLB’s $200 million credit facility to Specialty Finance Group (SFG) in support of its hotel mortgage loan origination program. Prior to WestLB AG, Hellbusch served as Standard & Poor’s associate director where he structured finance ratings.
At APF, Hellbusch works in establishing, cultivating, and managing investor relationships, as well as negotiating structural and economic terms for prospective asset-based lending credit facilities. He recently led the structuring and closing of $183 million A-rated securitization of APF’s capex loan portfolio.
612-638-2970
| jhellbusch@accesspointfinancial.com
Ankur Shah has over 15 years of experience in capital markets, specialty finance, commercial real estate investment, and investment management. Shah was the co-founder and managing partner of Pike Hill Lodging, a specialty finance company focused on the hotel sector (prior to its strategic alliance with APF). He formerly served as a Vice President of SunBridge Capital Management, was active at DiamondRock Hospitality Company (NYSE: DRH) and in a hotel real estate investment role at Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH). He also formerly served as an observer to the Board of Directors of Real Time Medical Systems and as an investor representative at RailField Partners and at Miller & Smith. Shah currently serves on the Carpenters’ Shelter Board of Directors.
At APF, Shah works in establishing, structuring, and managing capital and industry relationships. He is a member of the company’s executive committee.
202-425-2043 |Â ashah@accesspointfinancial.com
Tim Peterson has over 24 years of experience in private equity, capital markets and corporate development. Peterson was formerly co-founder and managing partner of Pike Hill Lodging Partners, managing director and chief investment officer at SunBridge Capital Management, and director of corporate development and finance for Choice Hotels International, (NYSE: CHH). At Tim’s recent firms, he was responsible for investing and managing $1B of capital in real estate, operating companies, seeded funds, and securities. Other experience includes Rockwell Collins (now NYSE: RTX), Pricewaterhousecoopers, eCommerce Industries, and Arthur Andersen. Peterson has served as a board member or investor representative at Peaceable Street Capital, 1776, Union PLC, FJ Capital Management, Arena Analytics, RailField Realty Partners, Miller & Smith, Continuum Health, and Real Time Medical Systems. He currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the George Mason University Foundation where he is a member of the investment committee. Peterson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
703-945-7629 |Â tpeterson@accesspointfinancial.com
Jennifer Wimmer has over 15 years in commercial real estate finance with a specific focus on asset management and special servicing. Prior to joining the APF team, she held several notable roles, most recently as the vice president of originations for iBorrow and the senior vice president of asset management for Rialto Capital Management. In her role at Rialto, she managed a distressed debt portfolio of commercial real estate loans totaling more than $550 million. Wimmer graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in finance and an MBA.
At APF, Wimmer oversees all assets under management, special servicing and exit strategy for all loans.
404-937-3136 |Â jwimmer@accesspointfinancial.com
Matthew Hick has more than 20 years of professional experience in the commercial banking and finance field with a specific focus on the hospitality industry. Prior to joining APF, Hick spent four years with Specialty Finance Group, LLC (SFG) where he was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of loan underwriting, accounting, budgeting, lease portfolio servicing, collections and compliance, interest rate management/hedge agreements, and client relations. Prior to SFG, he spent the previous eight years with GE Capital Franchise Finance. Hick holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the W. P. School of Business at Arizona State University with an emphasis in accounting. He is also a certified public accountant.
At APF, Hick is responsible for cultivating relationships with hoteliers throughout the United States. He is specifically focused on growing APF’s portfolio of assets under management with these Hoteliers and is focused on financing new loans with top tier brands in strong secondary markets.
404-382-9590 |Â mhick@accesspointfinancial.com
Conner Donnini has 10 years of experience in the commercial real estate finance industry with a specific focus on hospitality. Donnini holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing & Professional Sales from the University of Cincinnati, Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
At APF, Donnini has originated, structured, and closed over $500 million in new loans. He has built relationships with some of the most prestige hoteliers in the industry and through his network of hoteliers and brokers continues to originate high-quality loans throughout the country.
404-850-9625 |Â cdonnini@accesspointfinancial.com
Mike Huffman brings over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate with a focus on hospitality lending, capital markets and the management of CRE lending operations. He has held senior leadership positions working in the hospitality sector at Heller Financial, GE, Merrill Lynch, ORIX and NXT Capital. He also served at Highgate Holdings for a short time where he managed relationships with institutional owners and several major loan servicers. Huffman has financed over $2.5 billion of transactions across the spectrum of leverage levels and managed offices in Chicago, Dallas, and Seattle, throughout his career. He holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Illinois and an MBA from DePaul University and is also a CPA.
Huffman’s primary focus is on originations in his role at APF.
312-371-1354 |Â mhuffman@accesspointfinancial.com
Jay Black has 3 years of experience in finance. Black holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, with a concentration in finance from the University of Georgia.
At APF, Black is responsible for assisting the business development team with the upfront analysis and sizing of all new loan originations.
404-937-3130 |Â jblack@accesspointfinancial.com
Bill Schachat has more than 30 years of experience in the commercial real estate lending and capital markets fields. Most recently, he worked as an executive director within the Real Estate Banking Group at JP Morgan, where he was responsible for a 12-person group covering the underwriting and credit approvals for the Northeast Region’s activities. Prior to his 9-year tenure at JP Morgan, Schachat’s experience included 17 years at Citicorp/Salomon Smith Barney/Citigroup. At Citi, he was in the balance sheet lending group, the loan workout/special assets group and then 10 years in the commercial mortgage-backed securities group where he focused on loan origination and underwriting. He has experience with all primary commercial property types, including hospitality, and has been active in syndication, securitization, origination, and underwriting. Schachat holds a Master of Business Administration from The University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University.
He is involved with both the capital markets and underwriting groups at APF.
973-723-5318 |Â wschachat@accesspointfinancial.com
Kenny Crooks worked in various credit and underwriting positions for The Synovus Financial Corporation, Bank of the Ozarks, and KeyBank prior to joining Access Point Financial (APF). He graduated from the University of Georgia with an undergraduate degree in management information systems. He also received an MBA in finance from Clark Atlanta University before moving to Detroit, where he worked in commercial banking.
At APF, Crooks is responsible for underwriting new loan opportunities, which involves analyzing property cash flows, reviewing global cash flows and credit worthiness, along with detailed analysis of the hotel market and specific demand drivers. His analytical skills have been an asset to APF. Crooks has successfully underwritten and closed multiple hotel loans across the country.
404-937-3124 |Â kcrooks@accesspointfinancial.com
Nicholas Meli has worked in the hospitality industry since 2006. He has a broad base of experience including hotel operations and real estate investments and capital markets. Meli graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree and holds an MBA from Emory University.
At APF, Meli has been instrumental in various underwriting assignments and restructuring of existing loans within the portfolio. He possesses strong analytical skills and is often responsible for ensuring the closing of some of the more complex transactions. He works closely with business development to establish a relationship with the borrower and works to efficiently underwrite and successfully close each transaction, while overcoming any obstacles along the way.
404-382-9591 |Â nmeli@accesspointfinancial.com
Pelvi Chavda de Vries has over 15 years of experience in hospitality finance and lending. De Vries joined APF from Specialty Finance Group where she served as senior and sub-debt underwriter. Her responsibilities included underwriting loan proposals, maintaining client relations, and monitoring the existing loan portfolio, as well as managing the loan operations department. Prior to SFG, she served as business development and loan processor for RBC Centura Mortgage. De Vries holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia State University.
Throughout her tenure at APF, de Vries has held various roles and is currently responsible for underwriting new loan opportunities. Her underwriting expertise includes the analysis of both the borrower and guarantor financial information, property cash flows and market analytics.
404-382-9593 |Â pchavda@accesspointfinancial.com
Sumel Singh has over three years of experience in the industry. At MRI Software, he served as a billing analyst and a financial data analyst where he produced financial data for real estate asset managers. He analyzed raw data for recommendations after assisting with operating budgets, forecasts, and re-forecasts for corporate revenue expectations. At Dollar Bank, he analyzed the financial status, credit history, and clientele property value to determine approving or denying loans. He also helped customers make financial decisions for their longterm financial goals. Singh holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Kent State University with a major in finance and minors in international business and psychology.
At APF, Singh assists the senior underwriters with market research, operating statement analysis, appraisal and other third-party report reviews, drafting underwriting memos, and deal management.
Brandon Holman has been involved in many diversified roles in commercial real estate finance and various project management roles, including hotel construction. Holman also worked in asset management for a privately held commercial real estate ownership firm. He has an undergraduate degree in building construction from The Georgia Institute of Technology and an MBA from The University of Georgia with concentrations in real estate and corporate finance.
Holman is responsible for managing various loans within APF’s portfolio. His responsibilities include performing risk analysis, as well as quarterly valuations on the borrower, property and market analysis of any new supply that could impact the loan.
404-400-7066 |Â bholman@accesspointfinancial.com
Miles is responsible for portfolio management at APF. His duties include recapitalization modeling, valuations, effective revenue management and cost containment, insurance oversight and risk analysis.
404-937-3133 |Â emiles@accesspointfinancial.com
Chris Decker has about 20 years of experience in corporate hotel finance and hotel operations. Previously, Decker worked for the worldwide corporate headquarters of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in FP&A for 9 years. Prior to that, he gained hotel operations experience with Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton and Microtel brands.
Decker has been employed with Access Point Financial since 2013. At APF, he is responsible for analysis of APF’s assets under management to ensure ongoing compliance.
404-937-3137 |Â cdecker@accesspointfinancial.com
Beau McKenna is a recent graduate of The University of Alabama, Culverhouse College of Business, Tuscaloosa, AL. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Commerce and Business Administration. McKenna majored in finance with minors in real estate and sales. Through his studies at UA Honor’s College, he taught personal finances and business to inmates at Bibb County Correctional Facility in Centreville, AL. At Access Point Financial (APF), McKenna is an asset manager. He is responsible for performing risk analysis, as well as property and market analysis for loans within APF’s portfolio.
Michael Johnson has over 20 years of experience in portfolio and asset management. Johnson served as the director of asset servicing for 19 years at Trimont Real Estate Advisors. Before that, he worked as a relocation specialist at Prudential Relocation. Johnson graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate and a minor in speech communications.
Johnson is responsible for overseeing the closing and funding of loans within APF’s portfolio.
404-937-3126 |Â mjohnson@accesspointfinancial.com
Alex Ruderman is a CFA charter holder. Ruderman’s experience stems from working on projects centered on litigation in different areas of the financial markets such as asset management, trading, derivatives, and real estate while working at a financial consulting firm. Alex graduated from Emory University Goizueta Business School with a degree in finance.
Ruderman is part of the capital markets team at APF that engages in financial transactions for a $500 million plus portfolio of private debt. He maintains relationships with current and prospective lending/banking partners for capital raising needs and is involved in all aspects of capital markets relationships from initial due diligence through loan closing. He possesses strong financial modeling skills and actively manages the transactions, performing concentration calculations, waterfall analysis and scenario analysis.
404-937-3121 |Â aruderman@accesspointfinancial.com
Carmichael Kimoto has over two decades of international experience in investment banking, stock market, communication, and consulting. He previously served as senior business intelligence analyst for the Alabama Medicaid Agency in the state governor’s office where he helped agency directors implement policy changes in healthcare and make financial data driven decisions. Kimoto earned a master’s degree in economics and finance from Université de Reims Champagne-Ardenne in France and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management.
Kimoto is responsible for APF’s data-driven strategic vision and works closely with the underwriting, asset management and capital markets departments. He also supports the implementation of all data governance, analytics, and reporting processes for the business development, accounting and closing departments.
404-382-9589 |Â ckimoto@accesspointfinancial.com
Dave Minesinger has over thirty years of experience that began in public accounting serving as an auditor for Arthur Young in Walnut Creek, CA. Minesinger then worked for the Chronicle Publishing Company in San Francisco, CA in accounting and finance for 5 years. He went on to work for ERE Yarmouth/Lend Lease Real Estate Investments/Capmark/GMAC Commercial Mortgage in mortgage accounting and reporting for 10 years. Minesinger also worked for Triad Advisors and Generation Mortgage in accounting and finance for a total of about 5 years prior to joining Access Point Financial in accounting and finance, eight years ago.
Minesinger holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley and an MBA from Georgia State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant. At APF, Minesinger is responsible for financial reporting and treasury functions.
404-850-9621 |Â dminesinger@accesspointfinancial.com
TJ Larson has over 15 years of accounting and finance experience. Larson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Financial Management, a Master’s Degree with a concentration in finance, and an Master’s Degree in Accounting from the State University of New York, Binghamton University. He is a CPA.
At APF, Larson is responsible for the firm’s month-end and year-end financial close function including financial reporting. He is also responsible for maintaining and reviewing all accounting activities to ensure all financial transactions are properly recorded and reconciled.
404-937-3129 |Â tjlarson@accesspointfinancial.com
Leo (Tianhang) Deng has 5 years of experience in finance and hospitality. He is a graduate of Cornell University School of Hotel Administration and holds a master’s degree in management and a minor in real estate.
Deng is actively involved with the finance, asset management and capital markets teams at APF to assist senior management with funding and finance decision-making. Deng is responsible for building and optimizing various financial models for credit facility placement, portfolio management and delinquency tracking. He prepares monthly servicer reports for multiple credit facilities and securitization, which include the calculation of minimum equity requirement, concentration limits, financial metrics, and portfolio performance tests.
404-400-7065 |Â ldeng@accesspointfinancial.com
Lesia Brown has over 15 years of experience in accounting. She is considered a specialist in accounts payable with experience in commercial property accounting, handling receivables, payables, and monthly closings. Brown graduated from Albany State University with a business administration degree and a minor in accounting.
At APF, Brown obtains proper information regarding invoice payments and ensures timely payment of all third-party transactions. She is also responsible for tracking budget expenses.
404-937-3134 |Â lbrown@accesspointfinancial.com
Rhonda Loerzel brings over 15 years of experience in operations and management prior to joining APF in 2014. During her tenure, she worked in sales and marketing at Clorox, McKesson Provider Technologies, and Nortel Networks. Loerzel‘s studies include real estate, business administration, human resources and operations management.
As APF’s operations manager, she works closely with the leadership team to ensure collaboration across all departments including marketing and business development, underwriting, capital markets, and finance.
404-382-9599 |Â rloerzel@accesspointfinancial.com