Category Archives: Uncategorized


Forefront 2018 – Issue 3

Forefront 2018 – Issue 3

November 12, 2018  | Posted by: oadmin

This publication of Forefront deals with the impact of tariffs. Many companies are uncertain how the U.S. Government’s policy will impact their business. There are positives and negatives with an aggressive policy. My personal belief is this strategy will be… Continue Reading  

Tariff Update

Tariff Update

August 30, 2018  | Posted by: oadmin

IBISWorld recently published several articles relating to worldwide tariff battles. Follow the link below to get updates on Tariffs on Tech, Steel, Dairy and other industries. https://www.ibisworld.com/media/tag/tariffs/ An update on the revenue protection insurance policy for dairy producers can be found… Continue Reading  

Forefront 2018 – Issue 2

Forefront 2018 – Issue 2

August 12, 2018  | Posted by: oadmin

This quarter’s Forefront focuses on intellectual property and specifically the generic drug market. We are currently working with a bio med company in the early stages of drug development in the diabetes area. The patent litigation costs, first to protect… Continue Reading  

Mackinac Policy Conference

Mackinac Policy Conference

June 4, 2018  | Posted by: Patrick O'Keefe

I just got back from the Mackinac Conference. There was a lot of talk about collaboration, partnership, and working together. It didn’t matter if the topic was education, mobility, the auto industry or reviving Detroit. The problem was, it was… Continue Reading  

Forefront 2018 – Issue 1

Forefront 2018 – Issue 1

March 12, 2018  | Posted by: oadmin

There are many changes in the capital industry taking place. We have seen unregulated “shadow” bankers start to take the place of financial institutions in providing lending to businesses. Some believe that private equity is a mature industry as there… Continue Reading  

Forefront 2017 – Issue 3

Forefront 2017 – Issue 3

November 12, 2017  | Posted by: oadmin

This edition of Forefront highlights issues in the agriculture industry. Commodity prices have continued to tumble and the long term commitments to land leases and equipment when times were better has introduced an unanticipated distress in the industry. Horticulture growers… Continue Reading  

Forefront 2017 – Issue 2

Forefront 2017 – Issue 2

August 12, 2017  | Posted by: oadmin

This issue of Forefront addresses some concerns with the retail industry. The beginning of 2017 saw numerous bankruptcies and big box store closings. Macy’s and JCPenney are selling their company-owned real estate to provide the financial runway for rebranding and… Continue Reading  

2017: More questions than answers

2017: More questions than answers

March 12, 2017  | Posted by: Patrick O'Keefe

With the historic come-from-behind political victory of Trump and the overreaction of the liberal media to every move our president makes, 2017 should be quite a year. I am hopeful with our 3 branches of government, change will be slow,… Continue Reading  

Trump’s Real Estate Impact

Trump’s Real Estate Impact

December 13, 2016  | Posted by: oadmin

How will President-elect Trump’s administration’s policies affect the housing/real estate market in 2017 and in his 4 years in office? This is a question that many of us have on our minds with multiple points to consider. Trump is a… Continue Reading  

CMBS – Crack for Developers

CMBS – Crack for Developers

November 1, 2016  | Posted by: Patrick O'Keefe

The attractiveness of low interest rates, long maturities and high loan to value is often times a developer’s dream. The CMBS market provides these attributes which can entice property owners. The structure of the servicing of CMBS loans is two… Continue Reading