Karen Kulvin is co-portfolio manager for the debt platform and is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, acquiring and managing the portfolio of commercial real estate related debt and securities.
Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Kulvin was a portfolio manager and founding Partner of Aqua Investment Management (“Aqua”) (subsequently portfolio manager at Exigent Capital Management, which acquired Aqua), where she served as president of two CMBS-related funds. She previously served as senior vice president for Dividend Capital Group (“Dividend Capital”), where she managed due diligence, acquisitions and asset management processes for Dividend Capital’s loan and commercial mortgage backed securities portfolios. She also served as a member of Dividend Capital’s investment committee. Prior positions Kulvin held include senior vice president of asset management for Newcastle Investment Corp (NYSE: NCT), managing director on the CMBS secondary credit desk at Bear, Stearns & Co. and department head of surveillance and asset management at LNR Property Corporation.
Kulvin earned a B.A. from Tufts University and an M.B.A. in Accounting from Boston University.
Bill Lewittes is head of loan origination for the debt platform and is responsible for sourcing and underwriting direct lending opportunities.
Prior to joining the firm 2010, Lewittes was responsible for the origination, analysis, underwriting, financing, deal structuring and execution of investment strategies for KA Real Estate’s student housing and multifamily portfolio. In addition, Lewittes actively participated in the due diligence and underwriting for Kayne Anderson’s medical office and seniors housing acquisitions. Prior thereto, he spent five years at Enterprise Asset Management, Inc., a New York City-based family office focused on real estate investments, where he oversaw investment activities and portfolio operations.
Lewittes earned a B.A. in Government from Lafayette College.
Andrew Smith is co-portfolio manager for the debt platform and is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, acquiring and managing the portfolio of commercial real estate related debt and securities.
Prior to joining the firm in 2014, Smith was a portfolio manager and founding partner of Aqua Investment Management (“Aqua”) (subsequently portfolio manager at Exigent Capital Management, which acquired Aqua). He previously served as vice president and senior securities analyst for Dividend Capital Group, where he underwrote and analyzed potential real estate loans, commercial mortgage backed securities, CRE CDO and equity investments. Prior positions Smith held include senior analyst for Newcastle Investment Corp (NYSE: NCT) and associate in the structured finance CMBS group at Ernst & Young, LLP.
Smith earned a B.S. with concentration in Finance from Cornell University.