TEAM
Michael Lipson now serves as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board at Access Point Financial. He has more than 40 years of experience in finance, asset management and banking services. Prior to serving on the Access Point Financial board, he has held numerous leadership roles, including serving as Senior Vice President, Multifamily Asset Management & Operations for Freddie Mac. During his tenure in this position, Lipson led business operations and oversaw asset management and technology teams responsible for day-to-day functions, as well as risk and loss mitigation of the Freddie Mac Multifamily business. Additional responsibilities included overseeing all loan funding and servicing, surveillance, insurance, special servicing and risk governance activities. Other notable roles that Lipson has previously held include serving as President and CEO of Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC, Executive Vice President at Capmark Finance, Inc. and as President/Founder at Lexington Mortgage Company.
Lipson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, as well as a Master’s Degree in Real Estate & Urban Development Planning from The American University. He is also recognized as a Certified Mortgage Banker (CMB) by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA).
John Patton is the chief financial officer at Access Point Financial. He has more than 25 years of commercial finance and banking experience. 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 GMAC Commercial Mortgage (GMACCM) and Vice President at GMACCM – Asset Backed Lending Division. In addition, he was previously the controller for NationsCredit Commercial Finance and has held various management positions with Bank of America.
Patton holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Delaware and is a certified public accountant.
404-382-9588 |Â jpatton@accesspointfinancial.com
Jon Hellbusch serves as managing director at Access Point Financial. He has more than 20 years of experience in the financial and capital markets industry. Hellbusch joined Access Point Financial from WestLB AG where he served as executive director, Asset Based Finance. At WestLB, he was responsible for the origination, structuring and management of a multi-billion 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 cash flows derived from professional sports franchises. Mr. Hellbusch 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 associate director, structured finance ratings at Standard & Poor’s.
Hellbusch holds a Masters of Business Administration from Wake Forest University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from St. Olaf College. He holds the designation of Chartered Financial Analyst.
612-638-2970
| jhellbusch@accesspointfinancial.com
Bruce Lowrey serves as Chief Lending Officer at Access Point Financial. He 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 the hospitality sector where he was a Managing Director and in charge of credit strategies at Rockbridge Capital a $2.0B private equity hotel fund based in Columbus, OH. He also served as SVP & Co-Head of the Capmark/GMAC Commercial Mortgage Hospitality Industry Division. During his tenure at Capmark, he 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.
I have nearly 15 years’ experience in commercial real estate with a specific focus on hospitality. I joined APF in September 2019 as Managing Director of Business Development. Prior to that, I spent most of my career with the Largo Group of Companies, first as the Director of Marketing and then becoming the Managing Director of their Hospitality Finance Group. In my capacity there, we funded more than $1.2 billion in hotel loans in the United States and Canada. I hold a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Canisius College, as well as a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration, with a Marketing and Management concentration from the State University College at Buffalo.Â
Outside the office, I can be found:
In the mornings, I’m found at the gym, typically taking a HIIT class, but if I’m training for a specific race, you might find me running around town. My favorite thing to do is spend time with my boys, friends and family. I enjoy going out for dinner but also just relaxing at home.
Matthew Hick is Director of Finance at Access Point Financial (APF). He has more than 20 years of professional experience in the commercial banking and finance field, specializing the past 17 years in the hospitality and restaurant industries. Prior to joining APF, Matthew 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.
Matthew 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.
404-382-9590 |Â mhick@accesspointfinancial.com
I am currently responsible for originating new business under APF’s Bridge, CapEx, and Construction loan programs. Since joining APF, I have worked closing with the marketing and business development team, having been involved in over $250 million of originations.
I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration, Marketing & Professional Sales from the University of Cincinnati, Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
Outside the office, I can be found:
When out of the office, you can find me enjoying time with family and friends, golfing, and/or watching sports.
Mike Huffman brings over 30 years of experience in commercial real estate (‘CRE’) with a focus on hospitality lending (debt and equity), capital markets and the management of CRE lending operations. Huffman’s primary focus is on originations in his role at Access Point Financial (APF).Â
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 Westbrook, Walton Street, Goldman Sachs, Blackstone, Rockpoint, RREFF, Investcorp and a number of major loan servicers.
Huffman has financed over $2.5 billion of transactions across the spectrum of leverage levels and managed offices in the MW (Chicago), SW (Dallas), and Pacific NW (Seattle).
Huffman resides in Dallas, Texas with his wife, Heather and enjoys laying low with their friends and pets. He is also an avid golfer. Huffman holds a BS in Accounting from Illinois and an MBA from Depaul University and is also a CPA.
Credentials/past experience:
I graduated from The University of Georgia with an undergraduate degree in Management Information Systems (Go Dawgs!!!), then received an MBA in Finance from Clark Atlanta University before moving to Detroit, where I got my first job in Commercial Banking. I’ve since worked in various Credit and Underwriting positions for Synovus Financial Corp., Bank of the Ozarks and KeyBank, prior to joining Access Point.
Outside the office, I can be found:
In my leisure time, you can find me at the gym or traveling internationally, getting as many stamps on my passport as possible.
Credentials/past experience:
I graduated from University of New Hampshire with a BS and Emory University with an MBA. Having worked in the hospitality industry since 2006, I have a broad base of experience, including hotel operations and real estate investments and capital markets.
Outside the office, I can be found:
Outside of the office, it is highly possible you can find me on the Beltline enjoying the endless activities it has to offer.
I have over 14 years of experience in hospitality finance and lending. I joined Access Point Financial from Specialty Finance Group (SFG) where I served as Senior and Sub-Debt Underwriter. My 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, I served as Business Development and Loan Processor for RBC Centura Mortgage. I hold a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from Georgia State University.
Outside the office, I can be found:
Spending quality time with family and friends
Credentials/past experience:
I have an undergraduate degree from Georgia Tech in Building Construction and an MBA from The University of Georgia with concentrations in Real Estate and Corporate Finance. I worked as Asset management for a privately held commercial real estate ownership firm. I have been involved in many diversified roles in commercial real estate finance and various project management roles, including hotel construction.
Outside the office, I can be found:
Traveling, biking and working on home improvement projects.
Credentials/past experience:
I majored in Finance, Real Estate, and Risk Management at Ole Miss. Associate Director, Asset Management – Trimont ; Transaction Manager – CBRE ; Commercial Evaluator – Valuation Management Group
Outside the office, I can be found:
With family and friends, at a sports game, or doing something outdoors.Â
Credentials/past experience:
I graduated from the University of Georgia with a BA in Finance and an MBA. I have 15 years in Commercial Real Estate Finance prior to joining the APF team.
Outside the office, I can be found:
With family and friends, and likely at either a University of Georgia Football or Braves Baseball Game.Â
Credentials/past experience:
I have been employed with Access Point Financial since 2013. I have about 20 years’ experience in corporate hotel finance and hotel operations. Previously, I worked for the worldwide corporate headquarters of Starwood Hotels & Resorts in FP&A for 9 years. Prior to that, I had hotel operations experience with Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton and Microtel brands.
Outside the office, I can be found:
When I’m not at the office, I can be found at home with my two young daughters that are my pride and joy. Also, I’m an avid golfer and fan of the PGA Tour. I enjoy traveling with my wife and daughters. Going on cruises is one of our favorite ways to travel.Â
Credentials/past experience:Â
After 2 years at the U.S. Air Force Academy, I transferred to Emory University, where I obtained a B.B.A. in Finance. I graduated from Mercer University Law School. After working two years for a Federal District Court Judge, I joined a law firm, where I practiced law for 5 years in a variety of corporate and transactional areas. I then served as GC for Silverton Bank (5 years), State Bank & Trust (3.5 years) and Coastal States Bank (4 years).
Outside the office, I can be found:
Outside – hunting, fishing, golfing, flying (pilot) or playing tennis
Credentials/past experience:
I graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate and minor in Speech Communications. Before joining the APF team, I worked one year with Prudential Relocation as a Relocation Specialist and 19 years with Trimont Real Estate Advisors as the Director of Asset Servicing.
Outside the office, I can be found:
When away from the office, I enjoy attending sporting events, live music, and spending time with family and friends.Â
Credentials/past experience:
I graduated from the Emory University Goizueta Business School with a degree in Finance. After graduation, I worked for a financial consulting firm where I worked on projects centered around litigation in different areas of the financial markets such as asset management, trading, derivatives and real estate. I am a CFA charter holder.
Outside the office, I can be found:
I’m either on the golf or tennis court, or watching football on the couch.
Credentials/past experience:
I have worked in the financial services industry with a variety of commercial loan types for the past 10 years, since graduating with a Finance degree from the University of Connecticut. In November 2018, I became a Georgia licensed insurance agent.
Outside the office, I can be found:
When not at the office, I can most likely be found in the gym, on the tennis court, or in another city.
Credentials/past experience:
I hold a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from University of California, Berkeley; an MBA from Georgia State University; and I am a Certified Public Accountant.
I have worked in public accounting as an auditor for Arthur Young in Walnut Creek, CA out of college (3 years), then worked for the Chronicle Publishing Company in San Francisco, CA in accounting and finance (5 years), then worked for ERE Yarmouth/Lend Lease Real Estate Investments/Capmark/GMAC Commercial Mortgage in mortgage accounting and reporting (10 years). I also worked for Triad Advisors and Generation Mortgage in accounting and finance (total of about 5 years), then Access Point Financial in accounting and finance (going on 7 years).
Outside the office, I can be found:
You can find me either at home relaxing, trying out any and all new movies or restaurants, or on the tennis court.
Credentials/past experience:
I have nearly 20 years of Finance and Accounting experience, working for such companies as Disney, Siemens and ABM. I have an MBA from Rollins College and an Accounting degree from University of Central Florida.Â
Outside the office, I can be found:
Spending time with my family, BBQing and playing guitar
Credentials/past experience:
I have 5 years of experience in Finance and Hospitality. I graduated from Cornell University with a Master of Management and a minor in Real Estate.
Outside the office, I can be found:
At home
Credentials/past experience:
I graduated from Albany State University with a business administration degree, accounting minor. I worked in commercial property accounting for years, handling receivables, payables and monthly closings as an accountant.Â
Outside the office, I can be found:
In my spare time, I attend family/friend get-togethers. My family is big, so there is something going on all the time. But mostly I am on the couch in front of the television.
Credentials/past experience:
I have been with Access Point Financial, Inc. since February 2014. My studies include real estate, business administration, human resources and operations management. Prior to APF, I worked in sales and marketing at Clorox, McKesson Provider Technologies and Nortel Networks.
Outside the office, I can be found:
Outside of the office, I am involved in various charitable organizations and I enjoy family, great conversations, and the outdoors.