1. What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your job and why?
The most rewarding part of my role is watching a customer grow and flourish with the financing that my team was able to provide. Working with multimillion dollar real estate investors or providing an upstart business with an SBA loan — it makes me proud knowing that I helped them reach their goals. The challenging part is reminding customers of potential risks and recommending different scenarios to minimize or remove those risks.
2. Who do you look up to or admire in business and why?
A former manager of mine in Illinois. He paid for his own college, got into commercial banking at a small bank, and was able to work his way up to the Midwest manager of commercial real estate and CMBS markets for Chase Bank. I learned a ton from him and follow his mantra of, “It’s okay to make a mistake, just don’t make it twice.”
3. What has been the high point of your career so far?
Moving to Madison and not knowing a single person in the business community, immersing myself in various organizations, and getting myself in front of way more clients than I expected. It is a true testament to how much activity is going on in Madison. If you are a true professional and can deliver on your promises, you can be very successful.
4. Thinking back on your career, what advice would you give your 21-year-old self?
Always force yourself to try new things, attend new events, join a new group, etc. There is always something you can learn by interacting with other people; at the same time, teach others something new, as well. The easiest way to earn customers and their trust is by telling the truth, whether it’s what they want to hear or not.
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5. What would you say are the best things about living and working in Dane County?
There are so many great aspects of living and working in Madison and Dane County, which is why my wife and I moved to the area about a year ago from Chicago — the phenomenal business community that’s flush with innovation and technology; the numerous music and cultural events, many of which are free; the great beer and food — and specifically cheese curds; all of the sporting events and attractions that UW–Madison provides; and of course, the lakes and state parks that are so close by.
6. Do you have any secret talents or abilities that people would be surprised to discover?
I am an excellent cook and almost went to culinary school before deciding on my accounting and finance degrees. I am quite skilled at scuba diving and snorkeling. Growing up in South Florida we would take trips to the Keys to catch unique fish for our saltwater fish tank.
7. What are your guilty pleasures?
I don’t know if I would associate the word “guilty” with it but I have been playing Ultimate Frisbee for over 14 years and played on the club team at Illinois State University. I was happy to find that Madison has a huge Ultimate Frisbee scene through the Madison Ultimate Frisbee Association (MUFA) and was able to play in the spring and fall leagues last year.
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