Construction Lending – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Construction Lending is a highly competitive market with borrowers having an abundance of financing options from which to choose. Such options can present a number of challenges and risks for banks – constant oversight, change orders, project delays, increasing material costs, and variable interest rates, etc. Join us to hear from industry experts discussing lessons learned from the last downturn, and the steps many financial institutions are taking to identify and mitigate these risks.

Meet Our Panelists:

Susan Thomas - Vice President of Construction Management, Rockland Trust

With over 42 years of banking experience and 27 years with Rockland Trust, Susan brings an in-depth understanding of single family home construction, infrastructure loans for residential subdivisions, and commercial buildings. Susan’s role with Rockland Trust is very hands on, including, but not limited to, going on customer calls, performing project reviews, conducting physical site visits, monitoring disbursements, and reconciling costs to complete. Susan graduated from Brockton High School and began her banking career as a teller for a small community bank. After achieving the rank of Branch Manager, Susan became the first woman at her bank to hold the position of Construction Inspector based solely on her own “fixer upper” experience. Today, Susan continues to reside in Brockton and is a proud mom of two adult daughters. Outside of the office, she enjoys volunteering at local schools and community colleges to build sets for various drama productions. She also enjoys doing small repair jobs for her friends on the side.

Laurel Bowerman - Vice President, Market Leader, Commercial Real Estate, Washington Trust

Laurel joined the Bank in 2006 as vice president of commercial real estate in the Bank's Providence office, bringing more than 20 years’ experience in commercial banking with her. She is responsible for commercial real estate lending throughout the Bank’s market area. Prior to joining Washington Trust, she served as senior vice president at Citizen’s Bank and Bank Rhode Island. She was also director of development for affordable housing at Rhode Island Housing. Laurel received her M.B.A. from the University of Rhode Island, and is a graduate of the Stonier School of Banking. Laurel is treasurer of both the Providence Preservation Society and the Economic Development Foundation of Rhode Island, as well as a member of the Teach For America Providence Board, a trustee of the URI Foundation, and a board member of the URI Alumni Association. She is also a member of the ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) and ULI (Urban Land Institute), a former chair of the RI Bankers' Association's Commercial Lending Committee and a graduate of Leadership Rhode Island. Laurel resides in East Greenwich, R.I.

Caitlin A. Bevis - MAI, Managing Principal, Breakpoint Advisors, LLC

Caitlin Bevis, Founder and Managing Principal, discovered a need in the commercial real estate sector for impartial valuations delivered with a client-first mentality. A designated member of the Appraisal Institute and licensed in multiple states; Caitlin is well-versed in the appraisal of all primary property types across the US. Over the past several years, Caitlin has focused on the valuation of CBD and suburban office, industrial, retail, and multifamily assets.  Proficient in the newest ARGUS software, ARGUS Enterprise, Caitlin has trained colleagues and students at the Steers Center for Global Real Estate at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. She is also an active member of CREW Boston. With a Master’s Degree in the Humanities from the University of Chicago and over 17 years in the commercial real estate field, Caitlin’s unique blend of the arts and finance results in accurate, effectively communicated appraisals.

When not serving her clients, Caitlin enjoys Friday night dance parties with her family, perfecting the weekend getaway, and trying to keep up with her amazing running group.

Carly Spink - Assistant Project Manager, The Vertex Companies

Carly Spink is an Assistant Project Manager in the Real Estate Construction Division for the Vertex Companies, Inc. located in Weymouth, Massachusetts. Carly graduated from Wentworth Institute of Technology in 2013 with Bachelor of Science Degree in Architecture. She worked for an architectural firm in Brockton before transitioning to the construction industry after graduation. Carly has been working in the design and construction industries for the past ten years, working for several municipalities throughout Massachusetts as an on-site representative to oversee construction projects from breaking ground through final occupancy. She obtained her Construction Supervisors License (unrestricted) and her Real Estate Salesperson License in 2017.

There will also be plenty of time to network, ask questions of the speakers and, of course, enjoy a great lunch at Boston Tavern!

Please RSVP no later than September 26.
Seating will be limited. No registration day of luncheon.

Date: Time: Place:	Thursday, October 3, 2019 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Boston Tavern 50 E Grove Street Middleboro, MA 02346 508-923-0099
Cost:	$30 for RMA members $35 for Nonmembers Lunch will be served

Please note: RMA NE Chapter does not invoice for events.

For more information contact:
Julie Conroy, RMA Administrator
Julie@rmanewengland.org