Department Head
Thomas Schefter, CCIM, CPM, CSM
Tom joined AURA in 1989. Tom is a Senior Vice President and Head of AURA Realty's Tax Credit and Equity Asset Management Groups. Tom is responsible for the management and oversight of the Asset Management Group, including 21 managers and related support staff, which are located in the New York and Cedar Rapids offices. Prior to his current role, Tom served as a Property Manager for Life Investors/Aegon USA, worked in Mortgage Loan Origination, and worked exclusively on the RCC portfolio in the New York, Tri-State region. Prior to joining AURA, Tom worked in commercial real estate for Trammell Crow Company and Coldwell Banker Commercial Group, and managed and leased investment properties for a local investor/developer in Seattle Washington. Tom received his BS from SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, his BA from Syracuse University.
RE Equity Team Members
Mark Aloia, Esq.
Mark joined AURA in 1996. Mark is Business Unit General Counsel for RE Equity Asset Management. Mark is responsible for drafting and negotiating, as well as overseeing in-house and outside counsel in the drafting of leases, purchase and sale agreements, management agreements and construction contracts. Prior to joining AURA, Mark was an associate attorney with the law firm of Lynch & Toscano, P.C., in Mineola, New York, where he was responsible for all of the firm's litigation from initial contact through trial or appeal in state and federal courts. Mark received his BA from the State University of New York and his JD from Hofstra University. Mark is a member of the New York State and American Bar Associations.
Barbie Armstrong
Barbie joined AURA in 2007. Barbie is the Supervisor of the Real Estate Lease Analyst team for RE Equity Asset Management. Barbie is responsible for the overall administration of leases and property level documentation for a portion of the Equity portfolio, sharing in the administration of the facility lease portfolio, and assisting Asset Managers with various projects and analysis related to their assets. Prior to joining AURA, Barbie served as a worked as a Corporate Lease Administrator and Network Project Coordinator for McLeod USA, where she negotiated Corporate and Network Leases and Network Purchase Agreements, along with coordinating with the Construction Managers for the building of Network Communication sites. She also worked for Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., where she assisted with Corporate Acquisitions and Mergers, as well as Commercial and Residential Real Estate transactions. Barbie received her BA from Mount Mercy College and is currently working to obtain the CCIM designation.
Jeff Bohr, CCIM
Jeff joined AURA in 1994. Jeff is a Senior Asset Manager for RE Equity Asset Management. Jeff currently is responsible for the oversight of the Lease Administration functions; serves as the Group's main representative in the ongoing operation and oversight of the Yardi Voyager software used by Asset Management and Accounting to track and report on all operations of the managed real estate portfolio; handles and oversees many of the reporting and tracking functions within the Asset Management Group's Equity portfolio; and oversees the Group's Policies and Procedures to ensure ongoing compliance of the Group's operations. Prior to his current role, Jeff managed a portfolio of properties located in the Western U.S. Prior to his work within the Asset Management Group, Jeff also served as a Mortgage Loan Analyst within AURA where he handled post-funding borrower requests related to lender's approval of key leases, annual valuation analysis to assist upper management by identifying and tracking potential poor performing loans, quarterly property inspections of loan collateral, and numerous other activities. Prior to joining AURA, Jeff worked for Rockwell Collins. Jeff received his BA from Mount Mercy College.
Mary Glascock
Mary joined AURA in 1991. Mary is a Real Estate Portfolio Manager for RE Equity Asset Management. Mary is responsible for managing multi-family properties located in and around New York City, which entails directing the day-to-day rental and sales operations of the assets, preparing and monitoring budgets, tracking the portfolio's performance, and reporting to senior management. Prior to joining AURA, Mary served as a Financial Analyst and Mortgage Loan Portfolio Manager for Time Equities Inc., a major New York real estate development firm, where she managed a mortgage loan portfolio in excess of $100 million, calculating limited partnership distributions, monitoring real estate tax escrow accounts and construction loan draws. Mary received her BA from Long Island University, Brooklyn, New York and her MBA from Pace University, New York.
Ginny Tourdot
Ginny joined AURA in 1999. Ginny is a Real Estate Lease Analyst for RE Equity Asset Management. Ginny is responsible for the overall administration of leases and property level documentation for a portion of the Equity portfolio and assisting Asset Managers with various projects and analysis related to their assets, including REO acquisitions and Dispositions. Prior to her current role, Ginny worked as Fund Administrator for the Real Estate Private Equity Group, she also worked as a Paralegal servicing commercial mortgage loans, and as an Administrative Assistant for the Financial Markets Division – Actuarial Department. Prior to joining Aegon, Ginny worked in a variety of Paralegal and Legal Secretary positions. Ginny received an Associate in Applied Science degree in Executive Secretary studies from Hawkeye Community College and an Associate in Applied Science degree in Paralegal studies from Hamilton College and is currently working toward her Bachelor of Science in Finance at Mount Mercy University.
Ryan Jacobs, CCIM
Ryan joined AURA in 2006. Ryan is an Asset Manager for RE Equity Asset Management. Ryan is responsible for managing a portfolio of properties located in Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Texas as well as financial analysis and performance measurement of the $600+ million dollar equity portfolio. Prior to his current role, Ryan served as an intern for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and RE Equity Asset Management groups where he prepared and presented a case study to senior management on a LIHTC Investment, successfully developed a fund reporting process to collect critical property level data, and improved efficiency within the LIHTC team. Prior to joining AURA, Ryan worked for Real Estate Research Corporation (RERC), where he conducted market and sale transaction research for several national publications. Ryan received his BA in Finance and Real Estate from the University of Northern Iowa and is currently working toward his MBA from the University of Iowa's Henry B. Tippie College of Business.
Tom Mathes
Tom joined AURA in 1995. Tom is a Vice President for RE Equity Asset Management. Tom is responsible for managing the New York office of Aegon USA Realty Advisors and assisting with the planning and direction of the Asset Management Group, including the review and approval of proposed lease agreements and contracts. Prior to his current role, Tom served as a Senior Asset Manager, responsible for a portion of the RCC portfolio. Prior to joining AURA, Tom worked in New York as an Asset Manager for Delma Properties, a Senior Investment Coordinator for Shimizu Corporation, a Trust Real Estate Officer for First City Bancorporation, an Assistant Vice President at Victoria Bankshares, Inc., an Asset Manager for Sentinel Real Estate Corporation, and worked for Lehman Brothers in New York. Tom received his BA from Texas Lutheran University and his MBA from the University of Michigan.
Francis Minchella, Jr., CPM
Francis joined AURA in 1993. Francis is a Real Estate Portfolio Manager for RE Equity Asset Management. Francis is responsible for managing a wide range of assets including shopping centers, office buildings, hotels, and industrial/warehouse properties. The properties are located throughout the Eastern United States, from New York City to Chicago to Florida. Francis also manages a third-party, Class A office building in midtown Manhattan that is owned by a prominent Tokyo based firm. Prior to joining AURA, Francis served as a Vice President for a real estate investment firm that acquired and developed a wide range of properties for offshore investors. He directed the management of the firm's U.S. investment portfolio including properties in New York, Georgia, Texas, Southern New Jersey, Kentucky, Florida and New Mexico. He was also responsible for the Southern New Jersey management office. Francis received his BA from Rider University and his Masters of City and Regional Planning from Rutgers University. He was also named the Certified Property Manager of the Year and served as President of the New York Chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Mark Novack, CPM, CCIM
Mark joined AURA in 2004. Mark is a Real Estate Portfolio Manager for RE Equity Asset Management. Mark is responsible for the asset management and development entitlements of the San Francisco Transamerica Center portfolio consisting of the internationally known Pyramid Center and its surrounding assets. Mark also has other asset management responsibilities with assets located in the West, Midwest and Southwest regions. Prior to his current role, Mark served as an Independent Contractor providing asset management, portfolio development and advisory expertise for corporate and individual clients. Prior to joining AURA, Mark served as a Vice President for Kennedy and Associates Real Estate Counsel in Seattle, WA., Vice President of Real Estate at MONY Life Insurance Company in Denver, CO., Vice President of Asset Management for a subsidiary of American Express in Seattle, WA. and Senior Asset Manager for the Koll Company in Bellevue, WA. Mark received his BA Real Estate from Washington State University.
Barry Riffe, LEED AP
Barry joined AURA in 2005. Barry is a Senior Asset Manager for RE Equity Asset Management. Barry is responsible for managing Aegon's wind generation facilities, commercial real estate properties in the west and southwest, and works with AURA's REAP private equity group in sourcing and managing oil and gas investments. Prior to joining AURA, Barry managed wind generation facilities, first for Enron Wind Corp and later for Reunion Power, as well as held the position of manager of financial planning and analysis for Santa Fe Energy Resources and its successor Monterey Resources. Barry received his BA from Lamar University and his MA in Economics from the University of Houston.
Tax Credit Team Members
Amanda Brehm
Amanda joined AURA in 2008. Amanda is a Real Estate Analyst for Tax Credit Asset Management. Amanda is responsible for supporting asset managers with certain types of real estate analysis, portfolio reporting for various fund and direct LIHTC investments, and inputting tax credit benefit projections. Prior to her current role, Amanda served as an Intern with the Tax Credit Asset Management group, where she took on various functions. Prior to joining AURA, Amanda served as an Intern with Principal Financial Group, where she assisted clients with maintaining and creating computerized retirement plans and account transaction calculations. Amanda received her BA from the University of Northern Iowa.
Andrew Crain
Andy joined AURA in 2007. Andy is a Investor Reporting Manager for Tax Credit Asset Management. Andy is responsible for data management and internal reporting regarding the LIHTC portfolio, and acts as liaison between Asset Management, Information Technology and Accounting departments on software and reporting issues. Prior to his current role, Andy worked in affordable housing asset management as a Senior Real Estate Analyst. Prior to joining AURA, Andy worked as a Sales Agent and Real Estate Office Manager for two real estate firms, where he was involved in residential and commercial transactions, as well as property management of residential rental units and the required reporting to investors. Andy received his BA from the University of Northern Iowa, and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Iowa.
Ruth Hospodarsky
Ruth joined AURA in 2008. Ruth is a Real Estate Analyst for Tax Credit Asset Management (TCAM). Ruth is responsible for supporting asset management in reviewing real estate and financial data as well as monitoring assets under construction and in lease-up. Prior to her current role, Ruth worked in affordable housing asset management as Document Research Analyst establishing and implementing record management policies, system data collection, internal and external electronic storage sites and deal term extraction as well as system data enhancement. Prior to joining AURA, Ruth served as Legal Assistant for Elderkin & Pirnie, P.L.C., in the areas of Civil Litigation and Hospital Law. She also handled various Contracts, Probate and Estate Planning. Ruth received her BA from the University of Iowa and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at Mount Mercy University. She is also C3P Certified in Tax Credit Properties from Spectrum Enterprises.
Molly Joss
Molly joined AURA in 2002. Molly is an Associate Asset Manager for Tax Credit Asset Management. Molly is responsible for routine asset management of approximately 30 direct LIHTC investments, monitoring watchlisted assets, and assisting senior asset management with portfolio reporting. Molly also monitors the development of assets under construction and in lease-up, comparing progress against closing projections. Prior to her current role, Molly underwrote and originated loans for the Mortgage Loan Origination Group, served as a Valuation Analyst, where she was responsible for the analysis of property financials and operations as part of the annual valuation of the commercial mortgage loan portfolio, and worked with the commercial mortgage loan legal department, where she reviewed all due diligence in connection with the closing of commercial mortgage loans. Molly received her BA from the University of Iowa and is currently working to obtain her CCIM and CRI designations.
Emily Klein
Emily joined Aegon full time in 2011 and is responsible for providing assistance to asset management through reviewing and analyzing financial reports as well as monitoring deals in the construction, lease up, and operational stages. Prior to her current role, Emily completed an eight month internship with the Special Servicing Department in Aegon where she assisted asset managers in loan workout negotiations. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in Finance and Real Estate with a minor in Economics at the University of Northern Iowa.
Jason Lamneck
Jason joined AURA in 2007. Jason is a Senior Asset Manager for Tax Credit Asset Management. Jason is responsible for asset management reporting of investments for AURA, the daily oversight of a team of Special Assets staff, as well as performing workouts of special assets. Prior to joining AURA, Jason provided independent tax credit advisory services to LIHTC investors and syndication firms at large and served as a Senior Analyst with Nationwide Insurance where he was responsible for due diligence reviews of potential LIHTC fund investments. He also worked as an Underwriter of LIHTC investments with a large national syndicator of affordable housing tax credits and a Staff Auditor with a regional public accounting firm in Ohio. Jason received his BA from Ohio Dominican University and his MBA from the University of Notre Dame.
Marty Magnussen
Marty re-joined Aegon in 2011, becoming a member of the Asset Management team within Aegon's Community Investments group. He is part of Blaine Shaffer's team and is responsible for the day-to-day asset management of direct and fund LIHTC investments. In addition, Marty and his Analyst are also responsible for assisting with portfolio reporting, underwriting of new direct acquisitions, monitoring construction and lease-up progress and quarterly and annual financial review for stabilized investments within his portfolio. He previously worked for Aegon in the Commercial Mortgage Production Group for five years before leaving in 2009. He served as a Vice President of Commercial Lending at a community bank for two years before returning to Aegon in 2011. Prior to joining Aegon in 2004, he worked as a Correspondent Banking Officer for US Bank, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Marty earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Finance from the University of Iowa.
Blaine Shaffer, CCIM
Blaine joined AURA in 2007. Blaine is a Portfolio Manager for Tax Credit Asset Management. Blaine is responsible for asset management reporting of investments for AURA, performing due diligence underwriting of new direct acquisitions and property management firms, monitoring construction, lease-up, stabilized, work-out and disposition phases of new and existing deals, as well as supervising a team of asset managers, real estate analysts and interns. Prior to joining AURA, Blaine served as a Regional Property Manager for a tri-state region of LIHTC, HUD, Market Rate, and Rural Development properties throughout the Midwest. He was involved with new construction, lease-up and disposition phases of multi-family projects as well as rehabilitation of HUD and RD projects, in addition to overseeing all aspects of LIHTC property compliance. Prior to that, Blaine was a licensed real estate salesperson and licensed state appraiser in the state of Iowa. Blaine attended the University of Iowa and Loras College pursuing a BA in Economics. Blaine is C3P Certified in Tax Credit Properties from Spectrum Enterprises and NCHM Certified in Tax Credit Properties from the National Center for Housing Management.
Chris Wise
Chris joined AURA in 2008. Chris is an Senior Asset Manager for Tax Credit Asset Management. Chris is responsible for assisting senior asset management with portfolio reporting and underwriting of new direct acquisitions and property management firms. Chris also oversees the development and lease-up of assets that are under construction and monitors their status against proforma projections. Prior to joining AURA, Chris served as an Asset Manager with Principal Real Estate Investors, where he managed an equity portfolio of industrial, residential, retail and office assets. He also served as a licensed commercial real estate broker with two nationally recognized brokerage firms in California and Iowa. Chris received his BS from Duke University, and is currently enrolled in the MBA program at the University of Iowa