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Horizon Past, Present & Future
HORIZON PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE
HORIZON MORTGAGE’S INVALUABLE CAPABILITY to close any type of commercial transaction can be ascribed to the unique background and story of President/ Founder N.J. Olivieri and daughter Kelly Gilliland, Executive Vice President. Together, they’ve created a collaborative balance in business, using both their strengths to excel as a household name in the industry. From genuine customer service and taking the time to understand every client’s personal and financial situations as well as their goals, to their tireless focus on eliminating risk, and providing intuitive expertise in underwriting both the asset in question, as well as the credibility of the borrower and the marketplace, customers find themselves in caring and capable hands at Horizon Mortgage.
Before Horizon reached a closing average of $350,000,000 a year in commercial mortgage placements, $175,000,000 a year in real estate sales and closing $500,000,000 in equity placements, President N.J. Olivieri put his time in, working for several commercial mortgage-banking firms around the U.S., before moving down to Sarasota and self-starting Horizon Mortgage Corporation in 1979. For the past 40 years, Olivieri’s highly-regarded reputation and consistent deal closings have catapulted Horizon to be one of the largest commercial banking companies on the West Coast of Florida, and recently named the 59th largest commercial lender in the United States by National Real Estate Investor magazine. Though home-based in Sarasota, Horizon has steadily built a clientele and base of lenders nationwide—closing on multiple noteworthy transactions in 42 states—with property locations in Chicago, Nashville, Oregon, Denver, Houston, the St. Regis Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale, seven assisted living facilities in St. Louis and a $45,000,000 permanent mortgage on the On-The-Avenue Hotel in New York City. With Sarasota’s burgeoning development showing no signs of slowing down, the majority of financing and sales have been placed for local clients, properties and projects, such as The Postcard Inn on St. Pete Beach, Sarasota One office building on John Ringling, Lido Towers, Turnbury Apartments, Gateway Office Park, Palmer Crossings shopping center and so many more. N.J. Olivieri is also known for renovating 21 commercial buildings for The City of Sarasota, including putting his stamp on Downtown touchstones like the redevelopment of Towles Court, the artist community for which he received a beautification award by the city. Olivieri also stays active in commercial construction financing—having closed the construction loan, as well as placed the equity for the Ritz Carlton Sarasota— one of the first projects ever to build condominiums above a hotel. He continues to be recognized in the community and throughout the industry, for not simply his closing volume, or elite financing experience, but the degree of patience and resourcefulness that comes with each and every borrower’s situation, and fulfilling a role of facilitator/mediator with the banker.
“SHOOT IT STRAIGHT WITH US; TELL US YOUR PROBLEMS AND TELL US WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH. THAT’S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN REALLY HELP YOU SOLVE THEM.” —N.J. Olivieri
Moreso, his involvement in the community—holding chairman titles, founding local chapters, staying a member of various organizations and serving on several national committees—has especially put Horizon Mortgage on the map. His business acumen and role of family man for six daughters gives him the negotiation ability to complete any difficult business transactions thrown his way. Odds were, one of Olivieri’s daughters would step in to her father’s shoes. Kelly Gilliland decided to come on board with Horizon in 2000, and since, the two have created one of the most respected and sought after mortgage lenders around. “Throughout my career, I knew I wanted to learn more and keep growing,” says Gilliland, now the Executive Vice President. “Dad was so successful and reputable; I thought, who better to teach you everything than your own dad? He’s been an excellent teacher throughout my entire life already.” For the past 19 years, Gilliland has successfully assisted commercial real estate clients with permanent financing, construction financing, mezzanine financing, including joint venture partnerships. Over her career she’s successfully closed on numerous commercial mortgage placements including the Aqua Condominium Project construction loan, as well as the refinance of Lakewood Ranch Main Street. She is also a Florida Licensed Real Estate Broker, and her learned experience and expedited knowledge in the industry working alongside Olivieri has accumulated into namesake victories—placing debt with banks, life companies, permanent lenders and private lenders, for all types of properties ranging from self-storage facilities, medical office buildings, retail, industrial, restaurants, offices, mixed-use projects, health clubs, mobile home parks, hotels and apartment complexes.
With such a wide array of borrowers and transactions to note, Olivieri and Gilliland have come to be known as problem solvers—encompassing a list of loyal returning customers to show for it. “In this industry, you have to have it all. You have to be a people person to understand what your client is trying to tell you, and you have to be structured,” says Olivieri. “Shoot it straight with us; tell us your problems and tell us what you want to accomplish. That’s the only way we can really help you solve them. We already know up front we can solve them.” From $500,000 mortgages to multi-million dollar loans, Horizon structures transactions to fit the special needs of its borrower to help eliminate any potential concerns they may have—ultimately achieving “the closing” of the borrower’s choice and often finding rates lower than many local banks in regard to permanent loans and non-recourse financing, due to their long-standing relationships with a variety of lending sources. And as always, the Horizon team stays true to its quality customer service mission with a tight-knit hospitality feel, which prides itself on working on an exceedingly confidential basis with their clients—understanding first and foremost the sensitive nature of the financing and real estate business. “We are very well known by all for our customer service,” mentions Gilliland. “We have a tremendous amount of continual, repeat customers with whom we’ve worked with for many, many years.” With 40 years under their belt, Horizon shows no signs of slowing down, as they have proven themselves to be a recognized, steadfast leader within the community as well as within the commercial real estate industry.