Lending Team
Our team combines extensive industry experience with a culture of dedication, discipline, and integrity.
Matt Jones, CFA
Matt Jones, CFA, focuses on developing and implementing Harbor Group International’s investment strategies in the commercial, multifamily and real estate debt sectors. Mr. Jones manages HGI's Transactions Group and is a member of HGI’s Executive Committee. He joined HGI in 2002 from the investment banking division of Legg Mason Wood Walker. Mr. Jones graduated summa cum laude from Virginia Tech with a degree in finance. He serves on Freddie Mac’s Investor Advisory Council and is a former board member and Chairman of the Program Committee of the Baltimore CFA Society.
Jacob I. Slone
Jacob Slone is responsible for Harbor Group International’s investment activity in the UK and business development efforts globally. Prior to joining HGI in January 2015, Mr. Slone worked as a trainee in the office of the Global President of Capital Markets at CBRE. Mr. Slone holds a master’s degree in real estate from Georgetown University in Washington D.C. and is also a graduate of Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore, Maryland. Mr. Slone is an active member of AIPAC and sits on the boards of several not-for-profit organizations including the JEWELS School, Bais Yaakov School for Girls, Talmudical Academy, and the Agudath Israel of Maryland.
Yisroel Berg
Mr. Berg is responsible for the sourcing and underwriting of new multifamily opportunities, as well as coordinating due diligence and closing efforts for Harbor Group International’s multifamily acquisitions. His primary focus is on major and secondary markets in the Northeast, Southeast and Midwest. Mr. Berg also leads transactions on HGI’s Mortgage Bond B Pieces Purchases and sources the origination of mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments. Mr. Berg started with HGI as an analyst in 2010. Mr. Berg has served as a mentor for YJP (Young Jewish Professionals) and TJE (The Jewish Entrepreneur).
Laura B. de Graaf
Laura de Graaf is responsible for the day-to-day operations of Harbor Group International’s lending platform, including bridge loans, mezzanine lending, and preferred equity deals. She oversees underwriting and credit analysis, due diligence review and approval, loan document negotiations, and the loan closing process. Mrs. de Graaf joined HGI in March 2021 following a long career with Bank of America’s Mid-Atlantic Commercial Real Estate Banking Group. Mrs. de Graaf graduated from Old Dominion University with a degree in finance/real estate. She currently serves on the board of Arts for Learning, the Virginia Chapter of Young Audiences, Inc.
Greg Heller
Greg Heller spearheads Harbor Group International's West Coast transactions effort. He is responsible for the sourcing and underwriting of new opportunities, due diligence and closing efforts in multifamily and commercial sectors. He also leads transactions within HGI's debt platform. Prior to HGI, Mr. Heller was a Vice President at JRK Property Holdings and worked in Deutsche Bank's Sales & Trading division in New York from 2007-2012. Mr. Heller earned a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Michigan and M.A. in Real Estate Development from the University of Southern California.
Matt Grabler
Matt Grabler oversees the sourcing and underwriting of new multifamily opportunities and coordinates due diligence and closing efforts for multifamily acquisitions. He also leads transactions within Harbor Group International’s alternative asset platform, which includes the origination of mezzanine loans and preferred equity funding to third party real estate sponsors and the purchase of mortgage bond B-pieces. Prior to joining HGI as a Senior Associate in 2013, Mr. Grabler was an Analyst at the Praedium Group. Mr. Grabler earned a B.A. in Economics from Duke University and M.B.A. with distinction from New York University’s Stern School of Business.
Steven Bernstein
Steven Bernstein is responsible for sourcing, underwriting, and closing real estate debt investments in the multifamily sector, with a focus on senior loans, preferred equity/mezzanine loans, and CMBS B piece purchases. Additionally, he manages capital markets activities and relationships for the multifamily credit platform. Steven graduated magna cum laude from the Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland with a B.S. in finance and accounting.
Melissa Zizzo
Melissa R. Zizzo is responsible for overseeing the completion of whole loan transactions from term sheet to closing. She reviews due diligence and legal documents to ensure conformity with the term sheet. Ms. Zizzo works with our Transaction Team, borrowers, brokers, insurance consultants, and attorneys to ensure the loan closes smoothly and timely. She earned a BA in Psychology from Alfred University and a JD from Regent University.
Christopher R. Gruszczynski
Christopher R. GruszczynskI is Managing Director and serves as Chief Legal Officer of HGI. In his role, he provides strategic and legal advice across the firm and oversees legal, compliance, and risk functions. He is also a member of HGI’s Executive, Operations, and Cybersecurity Committees. Prior to joining HGI in 2022, Mr. Gruszczynski served as Deputy General Counsel at Citadel and Apollo Global Management. Prior to becoming in-house counsel, he was a senior attorney at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP specializing in private equity, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets transactions.
Mr. Gruszczynski earned a BA in Economics and Sociology from Cornell University, an MBA from The MIT Sloan School of Management, and an MSc from The London School of Economics. He received his JD from Cornell Law School. Mr. Gruszczynski is an Executive Committee board member and General Counsel of the MIT Sloan Club of New York.
