Member of the Commercial Real Estate management team at BMO Harris.

Opened, staffed and led the commercial real-estate workout unit in Chicago when Bank of America bought La Salle Bank in 2007. This was a major combination of two leading commercial real-estate lenders that occurred as the industry was entering a period of cyclical decline. Launching the Chicago unit required strong, adept leadership. Delivered outstanding results in launching, growing, and managing the team and the portfolio through the cycle. Spearheaded resolutions of more than $10 billion over nine years. Managed major loan restructurings. Directed note sales to investors or through brokers. Guided short sales with visibility. Supervised guarantor collections, receiverships, bankruptcies and foreclosures. Maximized results through tailored approaches, careful combination of persuasive and other techniques, and skill in client negotiations.Hand-picked original nine lenders for team. As markets declined and portfolio grew, selected additional talent and increased team to 29 FTE. Portfolio included all major asset classes: multifamily, office, retail, self-storage, industrial and homebuilder. Assets widely dispersed geographically but concentrated in Chicago and other major MSAs, South Florida, Ohio, California, and SE Michigan. Clientele ranged from major developers with $800 million in portfolio exposure to entrepreneurial middle-market borrowers. Large exposures included syndicated loans with agency roles. Numerous projects were either still in initial construction phase or were completed but not stabilized.Instilled thoughtful team processes to analyze situations comprehensively but succinctly, develop alternatives, and then proceed to negotiate and execute business plans to ensure timely resolution of loans while minimizing losses/adverse ratings and meeting strategic portfolio objectives. Prioritized identification of sustainable relationships with potential for return to normal business.

May 2005-October 2007. Senior Underwriter in originations team covering leading investors and developers in Chicago. Team originated in excess of $1.5 billion in 2006 Leadership role in syndicated and binary project loans for major office, apartment and industrial projects. Primary responsibility for structuring, underwriting, negotiating and documenting construction and acquisition loans ranging from $5 – 150 million. Also responsible for timely and complete monitoring of portfolio including progress assessments, risk ratings, and documentary compliance.March 2001-May 2005. Account officer in Community Development Banking Group. Focused on new construction lending for low income housing tax credit projects in Chicago. Developed innovative bond financing structures for three successful Chicago Housing Authority redevelopment projects using tax credit equity and creative debt products.Oct. 1998-March 2001. Account officer in Commercial Real Estate Group. • Originated, negotiated, closed and monitored portfolio management of middle/upper-middle market acquisition and construction loans. Originations in excess of $200 million, primarily office and retail.Oct. 1997-Oct.1998. Regional Sales Manager, Conduit Originations. Met team objective of producing $250 million in multi-family, retail and office product in the Midwest for securitization.Sept 1992-Sept 1997. MD and Manager, Real Estate Loan Workout. Upgraded talent with strong team of six lenders. Proactive, direct deal-level involvement and overall management of challenging commercial real estate loans in excess of $600 million during cyclical down-turn.

Aug. 1987-Sept 1992. Joined Commercial Real Estate Group as account officer covering upper middle market developers in Midwest. Produced $250 million in office and retail originations, deepened existing relationships and developed new relationships.Mar 1984-Aug 1987. Corporate workouts in Mexico City. Asset-liability mismatch in corporate balance sheets led to challenges after the collapse of the peso. Developed resolution plans, negotiated restructurings, and managed reporting on $100MM portfolio.June 1981-Mar 1984. Extensive formal credit training followed by junior corporate lending posts in Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico..