The Team

MANAGING PARTNER AND CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER

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Jesse Hutcher is a founding partner of Derby Copeland Capital. Mr. Hutcher is responsible for investment strategy, underwriting, and business development for the firm. In this role, Mr. Hutcher has overseen the investment of over $850 million of capital across Derby’s various debt and equity platforms, secured by real estate valued at approximately $2.09 billion in the New York City MSA. Before forming Derby Copeland Capital, Mr. Hutcher served as Director at Cushman & Wakefield where he performed underwriting and provided consulting services for several prominent NYC investment funds and owners. Based upon this representation, he was recognized as one of Commercial Observer’s 30 under 30. Prior to Cushman & Wakefield, Mr. Hutcher started his career with Somerset Properties, a private, full-service real estate and operating company. Mr. Hutcher attended NYU Stern School of Business and graduated Summa cum Laude from Binghamton University. Mr. Hutcher is an active member of the Real Estate Board of New York.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

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Daniel Kaufman is the Chief Financial Officer of Derby Copeland Capital and has served in this position since June 2020. As CFO, Mr. Kaufman has taken on a wide variety of responsibilities, including, but not limited to, loan servicing, construction requisition management, investor financial updates, payroll, and all tax-related matters, including oversight of filing the tax returns. Before joining Derby Copeland Capital, Mr. Kaufman was Director of Finance at North American Soccer League where he reported directly to the Commissioner, served on the Finance Committee, reported to the Board of Governors and managed all NASL financials. Previously, Mr. Kaufman worked at various accounting firms. Mr. Kaufman holds an M.B.A. from Fordham University Gabelli School of Business, a B.A. from Binghamton University, and is a certified public accountant (CPA).

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

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Steve Spanolios is the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of Derby Copeland Capital and has extensive experience in secured financing, real estate, and corporate governance. Prior to joining Derby Copeland Capital, Mr. Spanolios was a member of the Corporate and Securities Department of Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP since 2007. As a partner of a prominent New York City law firm, Mr. Spanolios acted as an outside general counsel to a variety of lenders, real estate ventures, and other private and public companies. Mr. Spanolios brings a combination of operational, business and legal knowledge to Derby Copeland Capital and the benefit of representing the firm for the past six years. Mr. Spanolios received his bachelor's degree from Stony Brook University and his Juris Doctor from Touro Law.

SENIOR ADVISOR

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Michael Malafronte is a Senior Advisor at Derby Copeland Capital and has served in the position since September 2022. Mr. Malafronte assists existing DCC managers with the continued build out of the firm and all its current and future investment products. Prior to joining DCC, Mr. Malafronte was a founding partner of a money management firm, International Value Advisers, LLC (IVA), where he served as Managing Partner for thirteen years. IVA opened to outside clients in February 2008 and, after growing to $15.2 billion AUM, closed its investment products to new investors only 3 years later. Mr. Malafronte oversaw the physical and technological infrastructure development and the staffing of all IVA departments (trading, investment analysts, sales, accounting, communication and compliance, etc.). During his 13 years as Managing Partner of IVA, Mr. Malafronte built a world-class team and developed lasting business relationships with several global legal and financial firms. Mr. Malafronte has been on the board of Adtalem Global Education Inc. (NYSE: ATGE) since 2016 and served as the chair of the compensation committee where he assisted the company in restructuring its compensation structures to better align the performance of the company with executive compensation. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board. While on the ATGE board, Mr. Malafronte has advised the company through a significant repositioning of its portfolio, including several acquisitions and divestitures, and the public market valuation and intrinsic value of the company has grown significantly. He is currently Vice Chairman of The Andrew Goodman Foundation and previously served on the board of two small cap public companies. Mr. Malafronte graduated from Babson College in 1996.

VICE PRESIDENT CREDIT AND INVESTMENTS

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Hunter Askenase is Vice President of Credit & Investments at Derby Copeland Capital. Mr. Askenase is responsible for assisting Derby Copeland Capital's executive officers and other team members in the implementation of overall investment and corporate strategy, underwriting and evaluation, and transaction structuring and due diligence. Prior to joining Derby Copeland Capital, Mr. Askenase was a member of the Debt & Structured Finance team at Meridian Capital Group. Mr. Askenase holds an M.S. from Lehigh University's College of Business and a B.A. from Lehigh University's College of Arts and Sciences.

VICE PRESIDENT ASSET MANAGEMENT

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Alicia Minore joined Derby Copeland Capital in January 2022 as an Analyst and specializes in Asset Management. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors Degree in Human Biology & Economics from Hunter College.

SENIOR ANALYST

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Talbot Seigne is an Underwriting and Credit Analyst at Derby Copeland Capital. Mr. Seigne is responsible for analyzing both debt and equity requests, reviewing relevant property data, and compiling information to support the underwriting and asset management teams. Before working at Derby Copeland Capital, Mr. Seigne worked as an Underwriting Analyst within Corevest Financial’s bridge financing department. Mr. Seigne attended Boston University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and a concentration in finance/real estate.

CHIEF CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

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Eliran Brilon is the Chief Construction and Development Officer at Derby Copeland Capital providing leadership expertise in the entire scope of construction and real estate operations. Prior to joining Derby Copeland Capital, Mr. Brilon founded and served as President of Marelli Group LLC where he managed a broad spectrum of construction projects across New York from conception to completion. Earlier roles include managing a wide variety of construction projects from large residential and commercial ground up developments to multi family home renovations to military and government facilities in New York, Israel, and the Caribbean. Mr. Brilon earned his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering – Construction and Management from the Technion – Israeli Institute of Technology. Mr. Brilon’s distinguished service in the Israeli Special Forces further underscores his leadership, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

DIRECTOR OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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Brandon Corcione is the Director of Property Management at Derby Copeland Capital. With extensive experience in the real estate industry, Mr. Corcione specializes in both property and project management (across a broad array of property types), ensuring operational efficiency and long-term asset value. Mr. Corcione earned his Bachelor of Science in Real Estate and Finance from Florida State University.

DIRECTOR OF INVESTOR RELATIONS

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Florbela Mendez is the Director of Investor Relations for Derby Copeland Capital. Mrs. Mendez is responsible for the distribution efforts, investor relations, and business development for Derby Copeland Capital and has over two decades of investment industry experience. She began her career at Morgan Stanley in numerous distribution roles, followed by 12 years at IVA Funds as the Regional Director of the Eastern Division. Most recently, she was the RIA Business Development Director for FS Investments focused on Alternative Investments. Mrs. Mendez has obtained the CAIA Fundamentals of Alternative Investments Certification. In addition, she holds a BSBA in International Business and Finance and an MBA from St. Peter’s University.

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

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Gerald Iorio is the Director of Business Development at Derby Copeland Capital, where he leads the firm’s business development and distribution efforts. With over two decades of experience in the investment industry, he works closely with family offices, registered investment advisors, and institutional clients to help them invest with the firm.

Mr. Iorio began his career in internal sales at Morgan Stanley, followed by roles at Neuberger Berman and Van Eck Global. His longest tenure was at IVA Funds, where he spent 13 years, first as Internal Sales Desk Manager and later as Regional Director of the Midwest Division. Most recently, he was a Senior Vice President at CAZ Investments, focusing on alternative investments. Mr. Iorio holds a BSBA in Finance from John Carroll University.

FUND CONTROLLER

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Jacky Lam joined Derby Copeland Capital as Fund Controller in the Spring of 2023. Jacky’s responsibilities include fund administration, financial reporting and all accounting operations related to the firm’s debt vehicles. Prior to joining Derby Copeland Capital, Jacky worked in tax and accounting for a CPA firm before switching to fund administration at State Street where he worked for multiple investment funds with varying fund strategies. At State Street, Jacky was responsible for a wide range of fund administrative functions and client deliverables. Jacky is a graduate of Baruch College where he obtained his Master of Science in Accountancy.

ACCOUNTING & FINANCE MANAGER

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ASSET MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

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ASSET MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

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ASSET MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

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LEASING ASSOCIATE

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ASSET MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATE

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Sophia Russo is an Associate Property Manager for Derby Copeland Capital.  Sophia joined Derby Copeland Capital in May 2024, bringing her strong focus on tenant communications, logistics, and property maintenance.  Sophia oversees and manages operations across a diverse portfolio of properties here in New York City that includes properties undergoing various levels of renovation projects.  Ms. Russo is a graduate of Suny New Paltz.   

CO-FOUNDING PARTNER

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Jonathan Scibilia is a Founding Partner of Derby Copeland Capital. Before forming Derby Copeland Capital, he was an Executive Director at Cushman & Wakefield from 2008-2015 where he focused on strategic planning, underwriting, leasing strategies, acquisitions, property stabilization, and sales on behalf of landlords, retailers, real estate funds, cooperatives, and office tenants. Prior to 2008, Mr. Scibilia provided legal representation for institutional lenders in the financing of commercial properties with a focus on securitization and sale of loans in the secondary market and portfolio lenders in various types of commercial real estate loans. Additionally, he represented insurance companies in litigation practice consisting primarily of complex, first-party property coverage actions. Mr. Scibilia holds a J.D. from Cleveland Marshall College of Law and a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University. He is admitted to the Bar in the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the U.S District Court of New Jersey.