What was your major/minor and what year did you graduate?
I graduated in 2004 majoring in Business Administration
Tell us about your current position. Can you describe a typical day?
I’m currently a Vice President at Bank of America Merrill Lynch working on the CMBS (Commercial Mortgage Back Securities) originations platform. We make loans on stabilized commercial real estate assets (Shopping Centers, Apartment Complexes, Office Buildings, etc.) and pool them together to be sold as bonds in the market. I typically arrive at the office between 8 AM and 8:30 AM and spend an hour updating my Director where we currently stand with our pipeline of loans, either under contract/application or in the bidding stage. The remainder of the day is spent evaluating potential loans, researching markets nationwide, structuring the loan to mitigate risk factors, conference calls or in person meetings with clients, preparing deal memos and pitching loans internally to executives. Given we sell our loans into the bond market, one week out of the month is usually spent having active discussions with the rating agencies that rate our bonds (Moody’s, S&P, Fitch, DBRS, Kroll or Morningstar) along with some of the groups that buy our bonds (typically hedge funds) regarding why our loans are strong enough for the pool. I usually leave the office around 10 PM.
How do you think your major/program prepared you for the job you have now?
The skills I obtained in Professor Oxford’s Business Communications class are what I’ve relied upon most throughout my career. Being able to clearly communicate and control your message to an audience, both orally and written, is an extremely powerful tool that can quickly separate you from your peers.
How did you become interested in your field?
I always had an interest in real estate because it is tangible and something I could physically touch. However, it took persistence to break into the industry and land the position I have now. My first job was with Wachovia Securities in Richmond, VA. I wanted to be in a larger market and moved to NYC. I took a job at a small high yield mortgage fund as the Fund Manager’s administrative assistant answering phones, making copies, throwing out garbage, etc. I wasn’t making much and lived in my brother’s basement in Brooklyn. My commute was an hour each way in and out of Manhattan. I taught myself how to underwrite and evaluate deals after the Manager would leave the office. One day, when I saw an opportunity to prove myself, I created a model for him on a loan he was looking to make. After that, I became his sole analyst and was officially in real estate.
What’s the best career advice you have ever received?
My first job at Wachovia Securities was working in the back office on a trading floor. One day I became heavily discouraged because I was working longer hours than most, going beyond my job description and was continuously relied upon by my team leader to create improvements on our system yet my manager never noticed. One of my mentors told me “Cream always rises to the top. Keep working hard and continue to take pride in your work. If your manager doesn’t notice, someone else will”. Six months later, I received two unsolicited offers from a Client and the fixed income trading desk at Wachovia as a junior trader.
Was there a professor, advisor, or fellow student who made an impression on you or helped you when you were at UMW?
Professor Lakatos was at UMW for a short window of time, but made the greatest impact on my life as a teacher. I was extremely shy and timid coming into the University, but he instilled great confidence in me. We are our own worse enemies with self-doubt being the greatest roadblock. Surround yourself with those that believe in you.
What’s your fondest memory of UMW?
Getting a good pick up basketball game down at “the cage”
Why do you stay involved with the College of Business?
I want students to hear my story and not get discouraged if everything isn’t immediately falling into place. There are many paths to get to where you want to go and it is rarely ever a straight line. Like driving a car on the highway, sometimes you have to slow down to move over to the fast lane. I also believe it creates strong brand recognition if alumni associate themselves with the school as they become more successful. The more the UMW brand is recognized amongst employers, the greater the opportunities for all.
Are there any special accomplishments you’ve achieved after college that you would like to share?
I’ve held meetings in Dubai; was the youngest team leader for the FDIC traveling around the nation assisting in the receivership of insolvent banks; and was accepted into the Texas Real Estate Council’s Associate Leadership Program in Dallas. However, being an active father and husband is the most important accomplishment I can achieve. I try to remind myself daily since it all means nothing without them.
How would your family or friends describe you in seven words or less?
Extremely loyal and does not give up
What’s the single most important advice you’d like to give to current business students?
Do not underestimate the power of networking. Get involved in community groups or any activities that allows you to meet someone new. You never know who you’ll come across.
Would you like to add anything else that we missed?
Go Eagles!
