Doug Blackwell, President of StratEx 1031, LLC has over seventeen years of professional investment management experience in Securities, Financial Planning, Real Estate, and Mortgage Brokerage. Doug is a sought after public speaker and has presented professional seminars to over 7,000 Arizona investors, Attorneys, CPA’s, Investment Advisors and real estate professionals over the past several years. Doug is also a frequent guest on many Arizona radio programs and Co-Host of “Talk Real Estate” on KFNN 1510 exposing the benefits of 1031 Exchange, Financial Concepts, and how to "create and preserve great wealth." Doug favors a well-rounded, disciplined approach to tax advantaged investing in order to help investors maximize their wealth building efforts. Mr. Blackwell has provided support and guidance with regard to IRC Section 1031 on an estimated one (1) Billion+ in real estate sales in the most recent years.
Laura Bramnick, co-owner of Diversified Real Estate Investment & Mortgages, Inc. (DREIM), has a diverse professional background. Her experience as an attorney, realtor, and mortgage loan officer make her the ideal person to educate and represent clients in self-directed IRA real estate transactions. She understands the rules and regulations and can walk you through the entire process.
Jim Clifford has been around the Valley's Title and Escrow scene for over 30 years. His experience in the Phoenix area Title/Escrow Industry began in 1978. Originally working in the family business known then as United Title, Jim has had the opportunity to experience every facet of the escrow industry.
In 1995 Jim became the Co-President of United Title, at that time, the largest Escrow/Title company in Maricopa County. In 1996, Jim and his partner Nick started Capital Title Agency. Capital Title became a leading company in the state of Arizona, which was later sold to the LandAmerica family of companies. In 2003, Jim accepted the position of President/COO of The Talon Group, a division of First American Title Insurance Company. The Arizona division of The Talon Group opened in July 2003 and is currently the 5th largest title and escrow company in the region.
J.P. Dahdah is President of Entrust Arizona. He began his professional career in 1997 as a financial advisor with American Express Financial Advisors, Inc., a Fortune 100 company. Mr. Dahdah graduated from The University of Arizona, where he earned dual degrees in Finance and Marketing. In 1999 he founded Dahdah Global Wealth Management, LLC, a comprehensive wealth management company which specialized in working with business owners. Throughout his career, Mr. Dahdah has been a featured speaker at various financial workshops throughout the United States, focusing on wealth accumulation, retirement planning, and estate conservation.
Alan is a Real Estate Entrepreneur who owns a diversified national and international real estate portfolio. Currently, he is a share holder and Regional Director of Business Development in Castle Arch Real Estate Investment Company, LLC. Alan develops strategic relationships with investment partners and projects from 40 to 2200 acres and, in conjunction with his sales team, oversees millions of dollars of capital being raised on a monthly basis in AZ and TX. In addition to his involvement with Castle Arch, Alan is a licensed Realtor in Arizona who has sold several million dollars worth of residential, commercial and land projects. He has developed his expertise in these areas through his own investment experiences. Prior to his involvement in real estate, Alan worked for over 20 years with companies in the Consumer Products and Pharmaceutical businesses. He has a B.A. in Political Science from the UC Santa Barbara and an MBA from the Keller School of Management. Alan has travelled to over 25 countries and looks forward to travelling to another 25 countries within the next 20 years.
As a member of the Cavan Private Venture Group, Doug is responsible for matching qualified investors with opportunities to participate in high-quality commercial real estate investments normally only available to institutional investors. Doug has over twenty years of sales and business development experience with national and international professional services firms including Marsh, Ernst & Young, NYNEX Corp, and IBM. Doug is active in several organizations, including past President and Chairman of Enterprise Network, past executive board member for the Arizona Venture Capital Conference, the Ernst& Young Alumni board, and member of Arizona Business Leadership. Doug was also named to the Phoenix “40 Under 40” Class of 2001 for Arizona business leaders.
As the Managing Partner for the Red Door Group, Drew is responsible for the creation and implementation of real estate investment programs. Each program is designed to be "hassle-free" for the investor allowing their money to work for them rather than working for their money. Some of the programs include 1031 Exchange, TIC's, IRA's, Trust Deeds, Fix and Flip, Multifamily and Commercial. Drew is a licensed real estate agent and mortgage broker in the state of Arizona. Drew's experience in many facets of the industry has lead to a weekly radio show appropriately named "Talk Real Estate" heard on KFNN 1510 AM Thursday's at 9:00 am. The fast-paced show covers local and national real estate trends, interviews with guests and experts from various real estate related industries and calls from listeners. Drew is active in ALL aspects of real estate and is passionate about helping people make the right choice when it comes to investments.
Brad Holyoak is a Senior Asset Manager and an owner of Foundations Investment Group, specializing in asset-backed investments and real estate development projects as investment strategies. Brad has experience in the construction industry, from planning to implementation. Additionally, he has over 6 years of financial planning experience, and is a licensed real estate agent. He is a native to Phoenix.
DJ is a registered representative for Direct Capital Securities, Inc and holds both a Series 22 and Series 63 license. DJ has over 25 years of business management and sales & marketing experience. His industry experience includes banking, investment management, international trade, software and technology consulting, and real estate investing and brokerage. He has worked in various capacities at companies like Salomon Brothers International: London- AVP Corporate Finance, Bank Boston: Vice President, Asset Management Partners: Director of Sales & Marketing of Investment Management Services and Spectrus Real Estate Group: Sales Executive, AZ. DJ received his BA from New England College with a dual major in Economics and Business Administration in 1981. He graduated from Stonier Graduate School of Banking, University of Delaware in 1985. DJ received his Arizona Real Estate license in 2004.
Clifford Jones has been an investment, financial and business consultant since 1991. Prior to joining HSL Financial Group, LLC, Cliff was the founder and president of WealthNet Business Coaching, LLC based in Scottsdale, Arizona. Following in the footsteps of a highly entrepreneurial father and mother, Cliff began his career as a sales and marketing executive working for Sheraton Hotels, Meridien Hotels, The Phoenician Resort and Ritz Carlton. Cliff’s interest in finance, investments, and entrepreneurship lead him to launch his financial consulting career in 1991. Between 1991 and 2002, Cliff worked as an investment and financial consultant serving high net worth clients at SunAmerica Securities, Merrill Lynch, Prudential Securities and UBS. In 2002 Cliff launched his own consulting practice focused on financial and management consulting. Raised in New England, Cliff is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Business in 1983. His past and current board-level involvement in the community include organizations such as Jr. Achievement, Make A Wish Foundation, and GoGreenOn2Wheels.org which he co-founded in 2008. Cliff and his wife of 22 years have lived in Arizona since 1986. They have one son in college and one finishing high school. In his spare time Cliff is an avid cyclist, motorcyclist, and works very hard to stay physically fit.
Ric Jones is a CPA licensed in the state of Arizona. He graduated Baylor University in 1981 with a B.B.A. in Accounting. He began his professional career with one of the major international accounting firms in Texas and later served as Controller and CFO for several successful businesses spanning over 20 years in Arizona in the retail, manufacturing and construction industries. In 2005, Mr. Jones co-founded J&J Investment Partners with co-presenter, Mr. Steve Johnson, and has successfully deployed a number of different investment strategies in both real estate and alternative investments, namely Life Settlements. Mr. Jones is a member of the Arizona Society of CPA’s and the American Institute of CPA’s. He served for 10 years on the Board of Trustees of Grand Canyon University and the Grand Canyon Institute of Advanced Studies.
Ron Kepes has over 35 years of experience in a variety of industries including real estate investment, sales and finance. He has served in different executive capacities assisting companies with their business development and growth objectives. As a director of Landmarc Capital & Investment Company, Ron Kepes is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive strategies for the company’s growth.
President & Director of Training Jean (pronounced like 'Shawn') founded Real Horizons with a passion for delivering effective, local market training. He specializes in foreclosures, lease-options, and managing real estate rental investment portfolios. He buys and sells foreclosures through Mission Vista Properties, Inc. Jean and his wife, Mindy, live in Gilbert with their 2 children, like to wakeboard, and are active volunteers with Young Lives (www.azyounglives.org), a group that helps teen moms.
Martin J. McCue earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to earning his law degree, Martin received his Bachelor degree in Business Administration, as well as his Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin. Martin is a member of the Arizona and Wisconsin Bar Association. Martin’s practice has focused primarily on estate and business planning. Martin has also been an adjunct professor since 1989, teaching in the areas of law and finance at Western International University. Martin joined CLS in January, 2005 as a Principal.
Bob Reichard, co-owner of Diversified Real Estate Investment & Mortgages, Inc. (DREIM), has also been the owner and designated broker of Realty Center of Arizona for over 25 years. Prior to that, he was a teacher. This combination proves invaluable to his clients because educating them and helping them make informed decisions about residential real estate is his primary focus.
Ted Steege is an Asset Manager and owner of Foundations Investment Group, a firm specializing in real estate and asset-backed investments. He began his professional career in 1981 and has over 20 years experience in the financial services industry that includes both banking and the mutual fund industry. Ted is a licensed real estate agent. Ted has his own self-directed IRA assets invested in real estate and is an avid investor.