BUSINESS OPERATIONS TRACK: Balancing the Books - Mastering Escrow and Reserve Management
Effective escrow and reserve management is at the heart of a well-run CRE servicing operation. This breakout session dives into the mechanics of managing escrow expectations, cushioning strategies, and reserve flows from the servicer's perspective. Panelists will explore the growing role of technology and automation in streamlining escrow processes, tackling the complexity of tax and insurance renewal calculations, and meeting the evolving expectations of borrowers and lenders alike. This session offers practical insights into building more efficient, accurate, and resilient escrow management practices. Sponsored by Cotality.
Speakers
Introductions
Grant is currently leading the Product organization for the Commercial Tax Solutions group at Cotality, where he oversees the strategic vision and execution of the company’s suite of tax products. With over seven years of leadership experience at Cotality, he has a proven track record of driving cross-functional success across multiple business units, including Valuations, Residential Tax, and Credco. Grant joined Cotality through the prestigious Ranks to Roles Program and has since specialized in transforming complex operational challenges into scalable product solutions. His leadership approach is deeply informed by his prior service as a Captain in the United States Air Force, where he managed large-scale training programs and high-stakes air operations for the AWACS platform. A veteran leader with a focus on operational excellence and innovation, Grant is passionate about building products that solve real-world problems.
Moderator
Lisa Lundeen joined Merchants Capital in 2018 and is based in the Minnesota office. She currently leads the Agency Asset Management and Construction teams, overseeing a $20.8 billion portfolio of Multifamily assets. In this role, she directs teams responsible for financial analysis, property inspections, repair and escrow monitoring, consent request processing, construction and substantial rehabilitation draw reviews, and overall risk management for the company’s FHA, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae portfolios. Ms. Lundeen brings more than 20 years of multifamily servicing and asset management experience to the role, with deep expertise in permanent and construction loan management as well as investor accounting and reporting across Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and FHA platforms. She began her career in the Commercial/Multifamily Real Estate industry in 2006.
Speakers
As Manager of JLL's Servicing - Tax & Escrow Analysis department, Dana is the platform's go-to for all things property tax and escrow operations. With a background in legal and executive administration, she joined JLL in 2021. She thrives when cleaning up processes, breaking down complicated problems, and navigating tricky escrow scenarios to come out the other side with answers everyone can work with. When she's not in the office, you can find her anywhere outside with her two daughters.
Richard O’Neill joined Lument in January 2022 and currently serves as Senior Associate and Team Lead for the platform’s Escrow Analysis team. His team is responsible for managing property tax, insurance, and mortgage insurance escrows across Lument’s $50+ billion portfolio, with a strong focus on client communication and resolving complex funding issues in accordance with loan document requirements.
Stef joined Colliers in November 2009 and is a Senior Vice President - Manager of Servicing and Asset Mgmt. in our Minneapolis office. He leads the Servicing team and Life Company Asset Management team. After graduating from the University of North Dakota with a Bachelor of Accountancy in 1998, Stef moved to Kansas City, Missouri and began his career with Midland Loan Services where he started servicing CMBS loans. In 2001, he joined NorthMarq Capital in Bloomington, Minnesota expanding his experience to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD/GNMA, and Life Companies. In 2009, he joined Dougherty Mortgage leading the Servicing group and helping to build the portfolio to what it is today as Colliers Mortgage.
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