The team has been here before.

Jeff Pirhalla serves as the Managing Director, Production for The Oak Companies. In this position he leads the company’s loan origination strategy and production initiatives for the firm’s lending platform. Bringing more than 25 years of national lending experience across Agency, CMBS, bridge and portfolio executions, Pirhalla will report to Chief Credit Officer Matthew Webster and work closely with Chief Executive Officer Gary Bechtel.

Prior to joining The Oak Companies, Jeff served as Executive Vice President for BankFinancial, where he led the bank’s national commercial real estate lending platform, overseeing origination, underwriting, and portfolio performance across multifamily and commercial real estate. Previously, he served as a Director at Greystone, originating Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, CMBS, bridge and FHA loans nationwide across institutional-quality multifamily and commercial real estate assets. Earlier in his career, Pirhalla led CBRE’s Bank Correspondent Lending practice, providing off-balance-sheet commercial and multifamily real estate lending solutions for banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers.

Pirhalla is a Certified Commercial Banker & Credit Analyst (CBCA) and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Real Estate from Marylhurst University. Pirhalla has also earned certificates related to Artificial Intelligence in Real Estate and Business Strategy from Columbia University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Ryan Anderson is Vice President of Asset Management at The Oak Companies, focusing on the firm’s business with financial institutions. Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he works to ensure that The Oak Companies solutions are implemented, and the loan onboarding process meets the needs of clients to build and maintain relationships with large and complex financial services partners.

Over the course of two decades in the financial services sector, Ryan has developed a skill set anchored in negotiation, commercial lending, banking, sales, and credit analysis. Prior to joining The Oak Companies in 2021, Anderson served as an Implementation Specialist at Compliance Systems, Inc. Earlier in his career, he held commercial loan, asset advisory, underwriting and analyst roles at Macatawa Bank, Fifth Third Bank and Standard Federal Bank.

Ryan achieved a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with an emphasis in computer information systems from Western Michigan University’s Haworth College of Business. He also holds a certification in Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0 Applications.

Stratos Athanassiades is Regional Manager, for The Oak Companies. Based in Chicago, Illinois, he is responsible for originating commercial real estate bridge loans, as well as cultivating and building deal relationships within the mortgage banking and brokerage community, across the country.

Stratos brings more than 25 years of expertise in the commercial real estate finance arena to The Oak Companies. Having worked with a variety of financial companies ranging from banks to life insurance companies, he has significant experience in diligence, underwriting, credit analysis, loan review, loan asset management and property acquisitions.

The industry veteran has served in management positions with several commercial real estate finance companies throughout the Midwest region. Most recently, Stratos was a Managing Director with Verus Commercial Real Estate Finance, a nationwide balance sheet bridge lender. He has also held leadership roles with firms including Money360, Alliant Credit Union, Business Partners, LLC, MetLife and Wachovia Securities.

Stratos holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and international relations from Northwestern University.

Dylan Beaulieu is Primary Servicing Manager with The Oak Companies, where he supports the executive team in managing multiple offices and developing and maintaining positive relationships with broker-dealers and financial advisors. He also plans, organizes and implements activities, events and conferences for the company and its investors. Dylan is based in the company’s headquarters in Charlotte, NC and reports to Ray Davis, Chief Strategy Officer.

Dylan was previously enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, 1st Battalion, 12th Marine Regiment, in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he held roles of continuing responsibility. He was most recently a First Lieutenant and Logistics Department Assistant Manager, where he supported the operations of the base’s logistics department and its facilities. Before that, Dylan was Operations Department Supervisor, where he oversaw inventory and the logistics of training programs and events. He has also held the role of Second Lieutenant and Artillery Department Supervisor and worked closely with the USMC base’s leadership and enlistees.

Dylan holds a bachelor’s degree in neuroscience from Ohio State University as well as a master’s degree in business administration from National University in San Diego, California.

David K. Christensen serves as Regional Manager, West, for The Oak Companies, where he helps to drive the continued growth of The Oak Companies’ capital markets team. Based in San Francisco, California, his responsibilities include leading commercial real estate loan origination efforts for the firm’s bridge lending programs; serving as a resource for note sales, acquisitions and syndications; and strategic marketing to other capital providers.

David’s 35-year career in lending and commercial finance involves roles with such firms as MassMutual, Alison Company, Jones Lang LaSalle, HSH Nordbank, and Berkadia, where he was a Vice President of Mortgage Banking. Before joining The Oak Companies in 2020, he helped to expand mortgage broker relationships and originate loans as the Northwest Regional Director for Money360.

David earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Chapman University and holds a CCIM designation.

Nicolas Jans is the Regional Manager, for The Oak Companies, where he works to grow the firm’s commercial real estate lending operations and footprint. Operating out of Dallas, Texas, Nick also builds and cultivates deal relationships with the mortgage banking and broker community across the country.

Nick has originated and closed more than $2.5 billion in commercial real estate financings over the course of three-plus decades. He spent the bulk of his investment and finance career with Barings Real Estate Advisers (formerly Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers/MassMutual Life) and New York Life Investment Management, before launching CRE debt and equity firm Willow Bend Commercial Capital LLC in 2012. Before coming to The Oak Companies, Nick was the Southwest Regional Director for Money360, a commercial real estate marketplace lending platform.

Designated as a CCIM, Nick is a former Chairman of the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association’s Commercial Lending Committee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Saint Louis University.

Thomas J. Gorski is Vice President of Credit & Underwriting for The Oak Companies, a national commercial real estate finance company. Operating out of the firm’s Charlotte, North Carolina office, he evaluates loan opportunities, including real estate collateral securing proposed loans, the surrounding market and demographic area, as well as the adequacy of the loan structure of the trans-action and/or relationship. He is responsible for all aspects of a proposed loan from the time the borrower executes Letter of Interest through loan closing.

Tom came to The Oak Companies after serving as a management consultant to Synado, where he developed and executed strategic solutions to help clients in the medical office and senior living sectors optimize their real estate and operations. Prior to that, he was Director of Investments for Thrive Senior Living, where he led a team overseeing both the asset management of the firm’s portfolio as well as the underwriting and analysis of new ground-up development and acquisition opportunities. The 15-year real estate investment banking veteran has also worked with Jefferies Financial Group and CBRE’s Retail Institutional Investment Sales Group.

Tom is a graduate of Bucknell University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in intellectual history, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan’s Stephen M. Ross School of Business.

James Myatt is a Senior Loan Administrator with The Oak Companies. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, he is responsible for document collection, review and analysis in support of the firm’s loan originators and underwriters. He is tasked with assembling loan files, developing needs lists, engaging, and tracking orders for third party reports, and assisting underwriters in clearing pre-funding conditions, as well as coordinating closings with title officers and legal counsel, disbursing loan proceeds and boarding funded loans.

Before coming to The Oak Companies, James was a Closing Associate with Grandbridge Real Estate Capital, where he performed commercial/multifamily closing responsibilities including reviews of due diligence, insurance, borrowers, loan documents and modification, as well as closing calculations, loan funding submissions, loan deliveries, and servicing handoffs. He was also a Client Relationship Consultant with CoStar Group, where he leveraged investor relationships to grow the firm’s database of Manhattan’s commercial real estate inventory, identified market trends and insights, and assisted new users with product adoption.

James graduated from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill with a degree in History and Peace, War, and Defense.

Kate came to The Oak Companies after serving as a Senior Underwriter for American Community Lending, a private lender where she helped develop and launch the firm's bridge lending program. Prior to that, she was an Underwriter for Cazenovia Creek, where she focused on tax lien investments. The 10-year commercial real estate veteran brings a strong analytical background to her role as Senior CRE Analyst at The Oak Companies.

Kate is a graduate of SUNY at Buffalo, where she received a bachelor's degree in mathematics. She then went on to earn a master's degree in mathematics education from Niagara University.

Jamie Tripp is Vice President of Internal Operations with The Oak Companies, where she collaborates with the Co- Founder and Director of Sales, Kevin Kennedy and the VP of Capital Markets, Mindey Morrison to streamline and enhance internal operations and client service. Based out of Houston, Texas, Jamie brings more than a decade of commercial real estate experience to the team.

Before coming to The Oak Companies, she spent several years at Legendary Capital assisting with national accounts and events. She further spent several years at Hartman Income REIT assisting the VP of Capital Markets East Coast with the raising of more than $10 Million and assisting with the firm’s National Accounts.

Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and industrial & organizational psychology. She has extensive experience and relationships within the IBD, RIA, and intermediary channels in the US.

Rob Mendham is Manager, Information Technology, for The Oak Companies, operating out of the national commercial real estate finance company’s Grand Rapids, Michigan office. He is charged with supporting the firm’s business administration and marketing efforts, including the creation and management of multi-tenant investment, lending and asset management platforms, as well as Salesforce configuration, solution engineering, project management to data management.

Rob has accrued significant sales and business administration experience during his time in the field. Before joining The Oak Companies, he held a similar role as a Business Analyst with Quality Finishing Systems, where he was responsible for long- and short-term marketing strategies, lead generation and management, and customer engagement.

Rob is a Salesforce Certified Administrator and holds certifications in Google Analytics for Business and in Inbound Marketing from HubSpot. He received a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Davenport University.

As the Controller of The Oak Companies, Tanner Morgan plays a pivotal role in ensuring the company's financial health and regulatory compliance. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, he oversees financial accounting and reporting, maintains robust financial procedures, and ensures compliance through preparation of financial statements and reports. Tanner is dedicated to the accurate and timely processing of local accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, investor relations, tax, and financial reporting.

Before joining The Oak Companies, Tanner served as an Assurance Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where he managed audits for significant commercial and consumer loan portfolios, including a $191 billion commercial loan portfolio and a $55 billion consumer loan portfolio of a top 10 U.S. bank. He also conducted audits for a $600 million commercial and multifamily real estate lending portfolio, as well as the $58 billion multifamily and $3 trillion single-family loan portfolios of the second-largest GSE in the U.S.

Tanner earned both a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting and Finance and a Master's Degree in Accountancy from the University of Northern Iowa. As a Certified Public Accountant, he received the prestigious Iowa Society of CPAs Capstone Award for ranking among the top four statewide on the Uniform CPA Examinations. Additionally, Tanner is a former letter winner and was named to the All Big-12 Freshman Academic Football Team at Oklahoma State University.

Brad serves as Associate Controller of Fund Management at The Oak Companies, bringing a background in public accounting and assurance. Prior to joining the firm, he worked as an Assurance Associate at EY in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Brad earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, graduating cum laude from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in North Carolina.

Ryan Dean is a Financial Analyst at The Oak Companies, where he supports enterprise-wide financial forecasting, budgeting and liquidity monitoring. His analysis provides senior leadership with visibility into the company’s financial performance and credit risk, driving key business decisions.

Prior to joining The Oak Companies, Ryan held Financial Planning & Analysis roles at Crosslake Technologies, a technology advisory firm, and Cleveland-Cliffs, a Fortune 500 steel manufacturer. Across both roles, he contributed to the reporting of monthly financials, along with supporting the forecasting and budgeting processes.

Ryan holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Virginia Tech and is based in Charlotte, NC.

Ms. Bujko has been in the HUD Mortgage Insurance Lending industry for nearly 30 years. Her wide range of experience with HUD’s Multifamily, Affordable Pilot program, Seniors and 232 Healthcare programs is significant as she has been certified in both of HUD’s MAP Multifamily and LEAN Healthcare programs for almost 20 years. Over the course of her career, Ms. Bujko has closed more than $1 billion dollars of FHA Mortgage Insured transactions.

Her hobbies and passions include spending time with her family, serving others through her church community, vacations at the beach and reading.

Jason's 30-year career spans many sectors of the commercial real estate field; banking, corporate/occupier advisory, development, debt/equity placement and lending. Jason is currently a Principal and co-Founder of JCM and Johnson Capital Advisors LLC. Prior to forming these companies, Jason was a Managing Director with Cushman & Wakefield in Dallas and managed a team in the Equity, Debt and Structured Finance division. He served as office head and Managing Director for Johnson Capital Group Inc. from 2006-2014. Earlier in his career, Jason co-founded a development company specializing in industrial development. He also spent six years with HFF, now JLL, in their flagship Dallas office. Jason has extensive experience in structuring commercial real estate investments and lending on multifamily and commercial assets.

Jason earned a BBA in Accounting from Texas Tech University and a MBA from The University of Texas at Dallas. He is licensed Texas Real Estate Broker and has served on the Board of The Real Estate Council.

Mr. Johnson’s career spans well over three decades of commercial real estate finance services, asset management and private equity investing. A widely recognized capital markets leader and frequent industry speaker, he was the founder and CEO of Johnson Capital, a national commercial real estate finance company which originated billions in annual finance transactions. Guy has also successfully sold several different Johnson Capital operating entities to various NYSE public companies including Prudential Insurance, CBRE, and Walker & Dunlop.

Until recently he served as Vice Chairman of Capital Markets for Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), a position he held since the company acquired several of Johnson Capital’s operating entities in the Fall of 2014. He is also a founding partner in several other financial and real estate related and investment management companies including Johnson Capital Residential Investors (previously a JV with the NYSE public company American Homes 4 Rent) and many non-public financial and real estate companies (JCR).

Guy's previous posts include serving as vice president at Weyerhaeuser Mortgage Company, where he was responsible for the origination, underwriting, and management of construction, permanent, and participating mortgages as well as joint ventures for numerous institutional investors. Guy also gained valuable experience with Union Bank’s commercial lending department and the national real estate accounting firm Kenneth Leventhal & Company (now Ernst & Young). He holds a B.S. in accounting from the University of Southern California and an M.B.A. from Loyola University.

A regular speaker at conferences and industry events, Guy has served on several advisory boards for major nationally known financial institutions, trade associations and investment banks, including:

• Mortgage Bankers Association of America: former Vice Chairman, Capital Market's Committee and Member of the Commercial Board of Governors

• California Mortgage Bankers Association: former Chairman and acting Director

• National Multi Housing Council: former National Board of Directors and Executive Committee member

• National Association of Industrial and Office Properties: Former National Director, past Southern California Director, and Former President

• Commercial Real Estate Finance Council (CREFC): Former Board member

• International Council of Shopping Centers: Member

• Urban Land Institute: Past Member

• Real Estate Investment Advisory Council: Past Member

• Pension Real Estate Association: Past Member

• UCLA Richard S. Ziman Center for Real Estate: Former Board member

• University of Southern California's Lusk School Board of Advisors: Former Member

• The Real Estate Roundtable: Past President's Council Member

Under Guy’s management, his companies have maintained the following licenses:

• FHA

• Freddie Mac

• Fannie Mae (Walker & Dunlop)

• Ginnie Mae

Matthew has had a distinguished 35-year career in commercial real estate in the U.S. His experience spans the spectrum from construction, development, finance and technology. Matthew is currently a principal and a HUD MAP-Approved Underwriter for JCM. Matthew also co-founded Buckhead Investment Partners, a full-service real estate development company, in 1996 and leads the firm as President, developing an extensive and unique knowledge of multifamily lending, multifamily development and management. He started his career as the founder and manager of two successful residential and commercial construction firms, completing projects in Houston, Atlanta, Connecticut and New York. He also served as Marketing Director for KRERC, developing and marketing real estate statistical databases. In 1989 he joined Funding Incorporated, an FHA and Fannie Mae-approved multifamily lender, first as a Vice President and later as President and shareholder in the firm. He is a licensed real estate broker in the State of Texas and works and lives in Houston, Texas..

Mr. Morgan received a B.A. in English and a B.S. in Economics from Vanderbilt University.

Kevin also has a distinguished 35-year career in commercial real estate investment, development and finance. Kevin is currently a principal and a HUD MAP-Approved Underwriter for JCM. Kevin co-founded Buckhead in 1996 with Matthew Morgan, and serves as its Chief Executive Officer. He served as CEO and a founding principal of Funding Incorporated, an FHA and Fannie Mae-approved multifamily lender which originated, funded and serviced multifamily mortgages nationwide. Before founding Buckhead, he served as Manager of Commercial Lending for Main Street Mortgage, a subsidiary of Goldman Sachs, and as Executive V.P. of Citadel Mortgage Co., one of the nation’s first FHA-approved multifamily co-insurers and Fannie Mae DUS lenders. As a result of this experience, Mr. Kirton has an extensive knowledge of multifamily lending, financial operations, development and management.

Mr. Kirton earned a B.A. in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis.