As founder and president of Bernard Financial Group, Dennis manages the day-to-day operations of the firm. Additionally, he serves as the largest loan producer at the firm.
Joshua serves as a member of the senior management team at Bernard Financial Group (“BFG”). Before returning to Detroit and joining BFG in 2019, Joshua was an associate with TPG Capital in New York City specializing in bridge, mezzanine and preferred equity lending for all commercial real estate asset classes. Prior to working for TPG, Joshua was an AVP with Wells Fargo Bank’s Large Loan group specializing in both portfolio and securitized lending products.
At BFG, Joshua couples billions of dollars in commercial real estate capital placement experience with his unique and extensive professional network, helping to provide efficient and market-leading commercial mortgage banking solutions for clients.
Joshua graduated with a BBA and high honors from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
Adam serves as a member of the senior management team at Bernard Financial Group. He joined Bernard Financial Servicing Group in 2010 as a Portfolio Manager after graduating from Wayne State University with a bachelor’s degree in finance.
Adam has underwritten over $4 Billion of commercial real estate financing spanning all asset classes and lending platforms.
Dan serves as a loan producer for Bernard Financial Group. He comes to Bernard after more than a decade of commercial real estate experience both in Detroit and Chicago.
He has financed projects large and small in both the city of Detroit and suburbs, including office, multifamily, industrial and retail properties. Dan’s experience includes construction loans, refinancing stabilized properties and arranging transitional bridge loans.
He is a proud graduate of Michigan State University and the fifth generation of his family to call metropolitan Detroit his home.
Outside the office, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Melissa, and their three children; Maddy, Connor and Emmett.
As the firm’s Vice President of Origination, David is responsible for new loan production at Bernard Financial Group. David has been with BFG for more than a decade and carries a vast array of knowledge and experience. Most recently, David served as Bernard Financials Director of Underwriting where he managed every transaction from the day it came in the door to the day it closed. David has been involved in over $6B worth of loan origination transactions during his time at Bernard Financial.
After graduation from Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in finance, David began working at Quicken Loans as a Mortgage Loan Originator where he was a top producer and was hand selected into their future leaders program. David joined Bernard Financial Group’s Servicing Department in 2015 as a Portfolio Manager and quickly worked his way through the ranks at BFG.
Outside of the office David enjoys spending time outdoors, along with his wife Emily, and their three kids.
Alex serves as the Director of Underwriting for Bernard Financial Group and is responsible for evaluating and underwriting loan requests.
Before Joining BFG in 2023, Alex was an associate with Capital One in Chicago where he helped launch and run a Unitranche Loan Program that originated $2B+ in commercial real estate loans. Prior to working at Capital One, Alex was with CIBC US where he was an analyst on the commercial real estate loan originations team in Birmingham, MI.
Alex graduated from Michigan State University and holds a B.A. in Finance from the Eli Broad College of Business with a specialization in Sales Communication.
Josh serves as an Analyst for Bernard Financial Group and is responsible for analyzing and underwriting loan requests. Before joining BFG in 2024, Josh was a transactional tax consultant at Deloitte in Chicago where he consulted third-party business regarding their intercompany transactions. Josh graduated with a BBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business in 2022.
Outside of work, Josh enjoys watching all sports and playing basketball as well as spending time with his friends and family.
Kathy serves as the Director of Loan Closing for Bernard Financial Group. She started her career at a local credit union as an accounting clerk. After eight years of superior member service, she joined Bernard Financial Group to expand her knowledge of the financial industry.
While away from the office, Kathy enjoys spending time with her husband Lane and their sons Elliott & Ethan.
Ashlea serves as a Loan Closer for Bernard Financial Group. She started her career in real estate, specializing in declining property takeover and project management. She now provides support for the closing department in several capacities.
While away from the office, Ashlea enjoys hanging with her husband and son, kickboxing, museums, finding new places to eat, and international travel.
Justin serves as the Director of Asset Management for Bernard Financial Servicing Group. Justin handles all types of borrower requests including loan modifications, assumptions, material alterations, major leases, defeasances, easements, and any other request that may require Lender consent. In addition to handling borrower requests, Justin is responsible for monitoring loan covenants and the financial performance of all assets in Bernard’s $3.5bn+ servicing portfolio. Justin joined Bernard in 2014 shortly after graduating from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in economics. He also has an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Wayne State University.
In his spare time, Justin enjoys golfing, coding, and most of all, spending time with daughter, wife, and dog.
Barbara joined Bernard Financial Group in 2002. With over 30 years of accounting experience in varied business backgrounds, she is proficient in account analysis and complex bank reconciliations. As the Servicing Controller for Bernard Financial Group, Barbara oversees the monthly processes in Mortgage Servicing and also performs the daily corporate accounting functions. She is responsible for disbursements to Master Servicers; and timely payments from the tax and insurance escrow accounts. Barb responds to requests from borrowers, and also does property site inspections.
Jada Duncan joined Bernard Financial Group in 2016 after graduating from Western Michigan University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Jada has prior accounting experience in various business backgrounds including the banking industry and retail. She is proficient in account analysis and complex bank reconciliations.
As the Assistant Servicing Controller, Jada assists the mortgage servicing department in several capacities, including but not limited to the daily corporate accounting functions, entering new loan information, bank reconciliation, payroll, processing property tax payments along with escrow analysis.
While away from the office, Jada enjoys family time, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her four-legged baby.
Nick joined Bernard Financial Group in 2025 as an Accounting Specialist. He is a graduate from Central Michigan University with over eight years of experience in the banking industry.
Outside of work Nick enjoys golfing, cooking, and spending time with his wife, Holly, their dog, Turbo, and cats, Lucy and Tosca.
Samantha serves as a Portfolio Manager for Bernard Financial Servicing Group. Samantha joined Bernard in 2017 as an Asset Manager and graduated with honors from Walsh College with a BBA in finance. Her prior experience includes working as a Commercial Loan Credit Analyst at a Community Bank and as a Bank Examiner for the State of Michigan.
While away from the office, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband, Matt, and their son Anson.
Matthew serves as a Portfolio Manager for Bernard Financial Servicing Group. Matthew joined Bernard in 2020 as a Financial Analyst. Matthew graduated from Oakland University with a BS in Mathematics.
While away from the office, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife Catherine, hiking, and reading.
Austin serves as a Portfolio Manager for Bernard Financial Servicing Group. Austin joined Bernard in 2023 as a Financial Analyst. Austin graduated from Oakland University with a bachelor’s degree in management information systems.
While away from the office, Austin enjoys watching soccer, going to concerts, and spending time with friends and family.
Josh joined BFG in 2023 as a Servicing Specialist. He graduated from Western Michigan University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications.
In his spare time, Josh enjoys golfing, travelling, and spending time with friends and family. He also loves his dog, Molly, and his cat, Diesel.
Jilian joins us with over 12 years of administrative experience and a degree from Eastern Michigan from the College of Technology. Able to play an IT or Helpdesk role with her proficiency with Microsoft Office, SharePoint, PowerApps, and dozens of industry-based software applications. She is a single mother of elementary aged son, Asher. Jilian is also an artist; her medium is acrylic painting. She began in 2015 and has had 6 of her works published.
Teri joined Bernard Financial Group in 2024 and currently serves as the Office Administrator. She received her Bachelor of Arts from The University of Michigan-Dearborn. Teri joins BFG with over 17 years of experience in professional environments as an office manager, executive assistant with expertise in event planning, managing complex travel itineraries, organizing, accounting, and budgeting.
While away from the office, Teri is a minister and trustee at her church. She also enjoys spending time and taking care of her family, doggies, and plants!
