Speakers

David Pollio

Mr. Pollio joined SN Servicing Corporation in February 1997, as the Senior Vice President/ Managing Director of Acquisitions. Mr. Pollio Manages and Operates the SN Servicing Trading Desk. He has more than 30 years of experience in the Analyzing, Negotiating and Acquiring of Performing, Sub-performing, and Non-Performing Residential and Commercial assets. Previously he was a key member of the Asset Management Group at RECOLL Management , which was set-up to liquidate the 8 billion “Bad Bank” Portfolio from the failed Bank of New England in the late 80’s and early 90’s. He holds a Master of Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Management.

Joshua Hopkins

Joshua R. Hopkins is a senior associate attorney with the firm of Rubin Lublin, LLC in Peachtree Corners, GA. Mr. Hopkins received his B.A. from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 2000, and his J.D. from the Nashville School of Law in 2005. Prior to moving to Atlanta in 2010, Mr. Hopkins spent over ten years as a closing agent and closing attorney throughout the State of Tennessee. During that time, Mr. Hopkins handled REO closing transactions for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Upon his arrival at the firm of Rubin Lublin, which also has its footprint in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi and Tennessee, Mr. Hopkins began working in the firm’s foreclosure department. Mr. Hopkins also spent time with the firm’s

litigation department where his focus was on judicial and non-judicial title curative for Tennessee properties. Presently, Mr. Hopkins is in the firm’s foreclosure department, where he focuses on pre-foreclosure title review and mobile/manufactured home curative.

Mr. Hopkins is a past chair of the Education Committee of the Tennessee Land Title Association. During his time in that role, Mr. Hopkins was a frequent speaker at continuing legal education seminars.

Lisa Mont-Ros

Lisa Mont-Ros is an AI strategist, business consultant, and co-founder of Strategy Ninjas, known for her no-fluff, results-driven approach to both technology and business growth. As a serial entrepreneur who helped build and sell a 7-figure business with her husband, Lisa specializes in turning chaos into clarity and making AI and business strategy practical for real-world business owners. Her signature style blends straight talk, sharp consulting, and a knack for helping teams scale smarter, not harder. Whether she’s advising clients, leading workshops, or keynoting events, Lisa brings actionable insights you can actually use; always with a dose of humor and zero boring slides. As a core part of the Strategy Ninjas team, she’s passionate about equipping entrepreneurs with the tools, strategies, and confidence to achieve real results.

When she’s not making AI and business strategy less intimidating, Lisa can be found hanging out with her husband and 5 kids, chasing a PR at the gym, or collaborating with thought leaders who turn big ideas into real impact.

Kevin Cordell

Kevin J Cordell has been in the mortgage industry for over 18 years and is one of the Founders, President and CEO of Madison Management Services, LLC, based in Reno, Nevada.

Kevin gained experience in the default note space beginning in 2007. He started buying junior liens in 2007 and first liens in 2008. This gave him the experience of working with borrowers from ground up and decided to start a company that services loans for other investors like himself. Kevin and his team have worked with borrowers on loss mitigation strategies, helping borrowers refinance, structuring loan payoffs, and working out loan modifications.

Madison Management Services mission statement has been to help other small investors work their non-performing loans and turn them into performing assets or other strategies to liquidate the note through refinancing, payoffs or sale of the real estate. Kevin is an experienced note investor and focuses on turning non-performing mortgages into re-performing loans.

He has gained specialized knowledge in working with junior liens, seriously delinquent loans and topics in bankruptcy. Kevin has also managed several note investment funds focusing on residential real estate.

Kevin has been a frequent speaker at investor events on the topics of bankruptcy, loan servicing and loss mitigation strategies for investors.

Hi is also a licensed loan originator with licenses in several states.

Prior to getting into the mortgage space, Kevin worked in Information Systems Technology as a software developer, database developer, systems support specialist and a systems manager implementing inventory management systems at manufacturing facilities.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s in business administration from Redlands University.

Rachel Sims

Rachel Sims has been purchasing mortgage and contracts for deed notes for almost 10 years. She has successfully closed deals in 45 of the 50 states. In 2025, Rachel hit bank records by having closed in 5 business days, closing 32 deals in a single month, and acquiring assets in excess of $85 Million. Prior to the note industry, she originated loans. Working on both sides of the table has provided her with a unique perspective for overcoming obstacles.

Her favorite thing in notes is that everyone is a bit different. Rachel enjoys working with both brokers and sellers; helping them to achieve their goals has been pivotal to her own success. Moreover, she loves meeting new friends in this industry and passing along opportunities to help others succeed.

John Lipe

John Lipe is Chief Innovation Officer at Strategy Ninjas, where he helps entrepreneurs, real estate professionals, and service-based leaders leverage AI to drive growth and transformation. With more than a decade of experience across strategic partnerships, consulting, marketing, and creative direction, John specializes in bridging the gap between emerging technology and real-world business outcomes.

Before joining Strategy Ninjas, John held senior roles as a strategy consultant, marketing director, and executive founder, guiding organizations through digital transformation, business development, and the launch of new ventures. His leadership has helped companies unlock new opportunities and operational efficiencies in a variety of sectors.

In addition to his business strategy work, John is an internationally recognized multimedia artist exhibiting under an artist pseudonym. His AI-driven collaborations have appeared in exhibitions across New York, Los Angeles, Rome, Paris, Lisbon, and more, exploring the intersection of creativity and advanced technology. John’s thought leadership in AI and artistic expression has been shared at major mastermind events and industry panels, including a keynote for the CINECA consortium in Italy, which led to his talk being published collegiately across their network of over 100 universities and research centers. He has also appeared as a guest on leading podcasts and interviews, such as Mercedes Benz’s Future Dimensions, discussing the future of AI and creativity.

At Strategy Ninjas, John leads the design and deployment of practical AI solutions, from custom GPTs and intelligent agents to automated workflows and live educational labs. His approach is rooted in strategy-first implementation, ensuring that technology serves the real needs and ambitions of the organizations he works with.

When he’s not collaborating with clients or exploring new AI frontiers, John continues to foster communities and conversations at the intersection of art, technology, and human potential.

Alex Mont-Ros

From spearheading multimillion-dollar cloud and security deals at Verizon to bootstrapping with his wife the largest transaction coordination firm in the PNW which was acquired in 2021, Alex Mont-Ros has always married big vision with disciplined execution. Today, as Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Strategy Ninjas, he leads a strategy-first AI consultancy that turns bold ideas into bottom-line results. Alex and his team design enterprise-grade AI roadmaps and training programs to increase companywide adoption, build proprietary GPTs and AI agents through our “SN Nexus Formula” which optimizes your data and industry knowledge to create high powered automation and digital employees. We also help automate CRM and marketing solutions that let founders operate in their zone of genius, future-proofing businesses with intention and clarity.

Beyond the boardroom, Alex is a husband to his best friend and business partner Lisa, father to 5 amazing children, and is driven by a mission to help leaders live and work with intention. A CAPM-certified project manager, former UNLV amateur boxer, and current purple-belt jiu-jitsu practitioner, he brings the same tenacity to mentoring entrepreneurs inside his Men of Consequence mastermind and to authoring the Family Meeting Planner, a tool that guides parents toward purposeful family leadership. Alex channels faith, family, and philanthropy into every strategy he crafts—proving that powerful business results and principled living can go hand in hand.

Thomas Muth

Thomas Muth is an experienced financial professional with over 20 years of management expertise. Currently serving as the Vice President of Loan Acquisitions at First National Bank of America, Thomas has successfully led strategic initiatives in loan acquisitions for the past four years.

Prior to this role, Thomas was a small business owner for 12 years, gaining firsthand experience in entrepreneurship, operations, and financial management. With a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, he combines a strong educational foundation with decades of leadership experience to drive growth and innovation in the financial sector.

Throughout his career, Thomas has been dedicated to optimizing business processes, fostering high-performing teams, and delivering exceptional financial solutions.

Mel Palmer

Melissa ‘Mel’ Palmer is a former Special Agent turned real estate investor and due diligence strategist. She began her investing career in 2009 using her military benefits and has now built a portfolio in Big Bear, CA. Drawing from her investigative background in fraud and risk analysis, Melissa founded Capital Verified, a due diligence training and services company based in Monterey, CA built specifically for real estate investors and private lenders. After witnessing firsthand how gaps in vetting can lead to costly mistakes, she now equips investors with the tools and systems they need to conduct effective borrower, sponsor, and deal-level due diligence. Melissa shares practical frameworks designed to help private lenders and real estate investors protect their capital and invest with confidence.

Michael founded

Michael founded Silverstream Funding, a private lending firm helping passive investors achieve a superior risk-adjusted return by funding private loans. These loans are secured by a first lien on real estate.

Michael has over 20 years of banking and real estate experience. He practiced corporate and securities law for 18 years, including with investment banks JPMorgan Chase & Co. (New York City) and Credit Suisse, A.G. (Zurich, Switzerland).

He is also a long-time real estate investor, having purchased and improved single-family homes, land, and multifamily properties.

Michael founded Silverstream Funding as part of his love of real estate investing and helping other investors.

William Tingle

William Tingle is a Investor, Coach, Speaker, and Author of “The 12 House Blueprint”, who, in 1999 ordered a Carleton Sheets Nothing Down course off of a late night TV infomercial.

Exactly one year later, he left his job for good and started investing in real estate full time.

Since then, William has bought hundreds of houses all across the US, most of them using the creative method known as Subject To. After achieving massive success, in 2003 he began teaching others his techniques and since that time has trained and coached thousands of students all across the country to become financially successful real estate investors.

William hosts “The Sub2Deals Show” Podcast and WilliamTingle.com.

DJ Olojo

DJ Olojo is a seasoned real estate investor, broker, licensed builder, and Managing Director of ASO Custom Homes, LLC—a growing Atlanta residential and multifamily revitalization firm. With over 16 years of experience, DJ is widely regarded as an expert in residential foreclosure and a trusted voice in the mortgage note space. He is the author of The Foreclosure Fix Book and hosts The Foreclosure Fix podcast, where he educates listeners on navigating financial hardship and real estate investing.

Blending deep knowledge in construction, affordable housing, and property management with a passion for community impact, DJ has built a reputation as a creative problem solver and strategic thinker. His mission is to help one million homeowners successfully navigate foreclosure while revitalizing neighborhoods—one property at a time. When he’s not closing deals or transforming communities, DJ is a proud husband, girl dad, and bow tie connoisseur!

Paper Trail Agenda

Larisa Waters

Larisa began her note investing journey in early 2021, following a decade-long career in the banking software industry. After immersing herself in books, courses, and mentorship, she founded Nomad Note Investments, LLC, and quickly carved out a place for herself in the mortgage note investing space.

She joined 7e Investments in October 2022 and has since become the backbone of our asset management team. To date, Larisa has managed over 155 assets across 33 states, with a total value exceeding $70 million. Her deep understanding of servicing operations, legal strategy, and loan management has made her a key player in 7e Investment’s success.

With unmatched attention to detail and the grit to tackle even the most complex cases, Larisa ensures our borrowers are handled with empathy—and our investors’ capital with precision. Her ability to juggle servicers, attorneys, timelines, and team priorities makes her the kind of asset manager every fund wishes they had.

Outside the office, Larisa enjoys traveling, camping, expanding her own note portfolio, and spending time with friends and family—usually around a crackling outdoor fire.

Tracey Rewey, NoteInvestor.com

Tracy Z began investing in notes over thirty-five years ago when she quickly realized that she’d rather be a “lien lord” than a landlord. She has handled millions of dollars in real estate notes since 1988. She first started on the institutional side, heading up the due diligence department as VP for one of the nation’s largest seller-financed note buyers.Loving the business but wanting to work for herself, Tracy co-founded a note-buying company in 1997 with Fred Rewey. This developed into NoteInvestor.com, an online newsletter for private investors, and Cash Flow Expo, a virtual summit.

Tracy specializes in the use of creative partial structures and tax-advantaged retirement funds to purchase notes. She helps landlords wanting to ditch tenants to be the bank by safely creating and holding paper. A well-known educator, she has a passion for sharing her knowledge and guiding others on their note-investing journey.

Kris Fleming

Kris Fleming is a business strategist, financial expert, and Certified Small Business Coach specializing in helping women entrepreneurs build profitable, scalable businesses. As the founder of The Genius Network, she provides high-impact coaching designed to help clients unlock their “Zone of Genius” and turn their expertise into wealth. With a background in banking, commercial lending, private lending, and real estate investing, Kris equips entrepreneurs with the tools to leverage creative financing, optimize their business models, and achieve sustainable financial growth. Her programs blend practical financial strategies with transformational coaching, allowing her clients to break through limiting beliefs and confidently scale their businesses.

Through one-on-one coaching, group programs, and online content, Kris is committed to guiding women entrepreneurs toward generational wealth. She is known for her ability to simplify complex financial concepts and help clients develop strategic action plans tailored to their unique goals. In addition to her coaching business, she is an in-demand speaker and educator, sharing insights on wealth-building, business growth, and financial independence. Kris lives just outside of Nashville, TN, with her family and is passionate about helping driven Women Entrepreneurs achieve prosperity and fulfillment.

Kris Fleming

Brian is the Fund Manager of NDetail Capital, a boutique mortgage fund located in Newport Beach, CA. Brian’s mission is to add value in order to ensure his clients reach their long-term financial goals by both creating and integrating the highest-level of efficiency possible within the funds investment cycle. This is done by streamlining processes and procedures using automation technologies, utilizing best practices, and seeking guidance from top real estate industry expertise in the areas of brokerage, mortgage, title/insurance, and investment banking.

No stranger to the real estate business, in 2018, Brian became Chief Financial Officer for QIP Management, a family owned and operated real estate business which focuses on the acquisition and management of both commercial and multi-family properties. With a portfolio of over 300 doors and $50 million in property value, Brian was instrumental in mitigating financial risk and driving initiatives to decrease costs and increase NOI. Prior to returning to California to become an entrepreneur, Brian spent six years working in various management positions specializing in operations and logistics; most recently at Amazon managing the #1 night operation for last mile delivery in the United States and a staff of up to eighty people. He spent two years in Washington, D.C., as the inaugural Program Coordinator and later Program Manager for the McCain Institute for International Leadership’s, playing an integral role in taking it from an idea to one of the top international leadership development programs in the country. He has experience working with professionals from all over the world and with private sector companies across the United States.

David Cook

After thirty years in the commercial finance industry, David started Contessa Capital in 2019. Contessa operates as a balance sheet private lender in Houston, Texas offering short-term financing to real estate investors funding fix/flip, rehab/rent, ground-up construction, commercial cash-out, and raw land projects.In addition to private lending, David owns SFR rental properties in Houston and is actively involved as a builder in ground-up residential construction projects.

David graduated with a BBA in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin and an MBA in Real Estate from Southern Methodist University.

Gerard Figuerelli

Gerard Figurelli began his career at Parametric on the special operations team, focusing on derivative securities in their parametric risk advisory team which traded equity options and commodity futures. From 2013-2018, he worked in various investment and operations positions for Summit Capital Management, spanning from trading of equity and derivative securities to operations and risk management of hedge funds and private equity products, and eventually co-founded Vector Partners, LLC, a hedge fund, and hedge fund consulting business focused on private equity positions and trading strategies that blended qualitative and quantitative based analysis through the firm’s proprietary algorithms. In 2021, Gerard stepped down from active trading to focus on an investment and passion of his in the food and beverage space, which led him to take an active role as he became and maintains the position of CEO of Moto Pizza. Gerard joined Flynn Family Lending in 2023 as the Fund Manager overseeing investor relations and stewardship of the Lend2Live Private Debt Fund.

Devon Kennard

Devon Kennard is a nine-year NFL veteran and six-time team captain who has made a name for himself as a leader both on and off the field. A 2020 Walter Payton Man of the Year finalist, Devon has channeled his drive and discipline into helping others achieve financial freedom and long-term success.

An award-winning author of It All Adds Up and Real Estate Side Hustle, Devon’s mission is to empower athletes and high-net-worth professionals to build investment portfolios that work for them. Over the past 11 years, he has grown his own portfolio to include 29 properties and more than 40 syndication and fund investments—all while staying focused on his primary career in the NFL.

As the founder of 42 Solutions, a family-owned private lending company, Devon is dedicated to helping busy professionals build wealth through real estate with the right team and processes—so they can keep the main thing the main thing. Through his writing, speaking, and platform, he provides practical strategies for creating passive income and leveraging financial resources to design a life of freedom and opportunity.

Bryce Matheson

Bryce Matheson is an entrepreneur specializing in private lending, real estate finance, and fintech. After successfully exiting multiple software ventures, he now focuses on scaling his two lending-focused startups: Holbrook Capital, a private lending firm, and Lendr, a fintech platform streamlining loan origination and investor management. Bryce leverages social media—particularly YouTube and Instagram—to generate leads, educate borrowers, and expand his lending network. With expertise in real estate investing, digital marketing, and business growth, he shares practical insights on raising capital, structuring deals, and building long-term wealth through strategic lending. Whether funding real estate deals or optimizing loan processes, Bryce is committed to helping investors and entrepreneurs navigate the private lending space efficiently.

Kevin Kim

Kevin Kim leads Geraci LLP’s corporate & securities practice. His expertise lies in fund formation, private placements, and other securities offerings for private lenders, real estate developers and investors of all sizes. Kevin and his team have advised and prepared hundreds of securities offerings including mortgage funds, structured debt offerings, real estate syndications, crowdfunding offerings, EB-5 projects, and Qualified Opportunity Funds. Kevin passion lies in serving his clients as a pragmatic advisor focusing on real world solutions.

Kevin is also a nationally recognized expert in mortgage fund formation. Kevin is the lead instructor for the American Association of Private Lender’s Certified Fund Manager courses, where he teaches mortgage fund managers throughout the United States on fund management and securities laws.

Kevin hosts the podcast Lender Lounge with Kevin Kim, where he interviews industry leaders, friends, and colleagues in the private lending space to learn what makes them tick.

Jay Redding

Based out of Fort Wayne, Indiana, this Father and Son-in-Law due manages a highly successful portfolio of mortgage-backed Notes and Real Estate. They have extensive experience in rentals, tax liens, fix & flips and mortgage-backed notes. After a successful career in pharmaceutical sales and as a Division 1 Track & Field Coach, Jay began his investing career in 2004. Kyle started his investing career in 2014 after leaving the employment services profession. Their expertise as mentors, coaches and speakers has been sought out at local, state and national levels. They buy both performing and non-performing mortgage notes as well as provide affordable home ownership opportunities for families that fall just outside the bank underwriting criteria to provide deserving people with a significant down payment and a predictable income, an opportunity to achieve the American Dream of home ownership one family at a time.

Marco Bario

Marco Bario is a former Hollywood film and television industry professional who transitioned to full-time real estate and real estate note investing.
As the President of Porch Swing Funding, Marco specializes in acquiring seller-financed real estate notes and installment contracts – and offers passive investors the opportunity to earn above-average returns secured by real estate.Areas of Expertise:

Acquiring real estate notes and installment contracts
Direct marketing to individual “mom and pop” seller-financed noteholders
Structuring and creating seller-financed notes
Utilizing self-directed IRAs and solo 401(k)s for real estate investments
Creative investment strategies, including:
- Partials
- Seller financing
- Master leasing
- Options
- Wraparound mortgages
- Subject-to transactions

Demonstrating that note investors can truly work from anywhere, Marco relocated last year from Los Angeles, California, to Frederick County, Maryland, where he collaborates in life and business with his beautiful partner, Tracy. Marco combines industry expertise with a passion for helping investors grow through strategic, real estate-backed opportunities.

Event

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Chris Seveney, 7E Investments

Christopher Seveney, CEO & Co-founder of 7e Investments, brings more than 25 years of invaluable real estate experience to the table. His journey with 7e Investments began in 2016 when he ventured into the dynamic world of acquiring and trading mortgage notes. Over the years, Chris has accumulated a portfolio of over 500 notes, with an impressive unpaid balance exceeding $25 million, spanning across a diverse landscape of states. Before delving into the realm of mortgage notes, Chris carved out a remarkable career marked by achievements such as nurturing a multimillion-dollar asset portfolio and managing the construction and rehabilitation of properties worth over $150 million. Over his illustrious 25-year professional journey, Chris managed an impressive $750 million in new construction projects.

At the core of 7e Investments, Chris Seveney stands as a beacon of real estate excellence, known for his unwavering commitment to honesty, integrity, and professionalism. His passion and tenacity have distinguished him as a trusted industry leader, earning the trust and respect of partners and colleagues alike. From the beginning of his real estate career, Chris has been driven by his aspiration to set industry standards for excellence and foster innovation. His visionary leadership has steered multiple award-winning teams, celebrated for their exceptional contributions to the field.

Fred Rewey, NoteInvestor.com

Fred Rewey is widely recognized for his negotiation, marketing, and deal structuring skills. Author of three books and inducted into the National Speakers Association, Fred spends much of his time on marketing – understanding human nature and creating automated funnels that turn prospects into raving fans.

Entering his fourth decade in the note industry, Fred started his note business from his kitchen table in a 500-square-foot apartment. Later, joining one of the largest institutional note buyers, Fred helped create buying programs and industry standards for the other side of the table.

In 1998, Fred left corporate life to build Diversified Investment Services along with his business partner and spouse, Tracy Z. Both parlayed that independent mentality to create multiple companies – most note industry-related. Fred will always find time to travel, smoke cigars, enjoy bacon, and work on his golf game.

Beth Johnson, Flynn Family Trust

From matchmaking private money deals in the Pacific Northwest to helping everyday investors access real estate wealth, Beth Pinkley Johnson has carved out a unique path in the private lending space. As Managing Partner of Flynn Family Lending, she evolved her boutique lending practice into a thriving operation, launching L2L Fund I LLC in 2022. Her breakthrough book “Lend to Live: Earn Hassle-Free Passive Income in Real Estate with Private Money Lending,” published by BiggerPockets, has become a trusted guide for generating true passive income through private lending—making her a sought-after voice for both novice investors and seasoned private lenders looking to scale.

Beyond the deals and dollars, Beth’s mission is deeply personal: showing others how to break free from the time-for-money trap through strategic private lending. When she’s not mentoring the next generation of lifestyle-focused lenders or overseeing her fund’s operations, you might find her enjoying a morning jog, experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, belting out tunes at her favorite karaoke spot, betting big at the poker table, or exploring far-flung destinations with her blended family of five—living proof that the freedom she teaches others to achieve is more than just a marketing tagline.

Headline Speakers

Chris Seveney

Beth Johnson

Fred Rewey

Tracy Z Rewey

Guest Speakers

Marco Bario

David Cook

David Pollio

Kevin Cordell

Gerard Figuerelli

Kris Fleming

Michael Fordham

Joshua Hopkins

Devon Kennard

Kevin Kim, Esq.

John Lipe

Bryce Matheson

Nicole Merriman

Alex Mont-Ros

Lisa Mont-Ros

Thomas Muth

DJ Olojo

Mel Palmer

Jay Redding

Rachel Sims

William Tingle

Larisa Waters

More Guest Speakers to be Announced Shortly !