John L. Villano has been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since our inception in 2010. Mr. Villano is responsible for overseeing all aspects of our business operations, including loan origination and servicing, investor relations, brand development and business development. He was previously engaged in the private practice of accounting and auditing for almost 30 years.

Mr. Villano is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island.

John L. Villano's LinkedIn profile
Sachem Capital Corp. LinkedIn profile

Leslie Bernhard brings extensive public company experience both as a member of C-level management and as a director of multiple corporations. In February 2024, Ms. Bernhard joined the board of directors of Sharplink Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: SBET), an online technology company in February 2024. In addition, since November 2023, she has been serving as the chairman of the board of Nexalin Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXL), a company that designs and develops medical devices that utilizes bioelectronic medical technology. Prior to that, she served as an independent director of Milestone Scientific Inc. (NYSE American: MLSS), a developer and manufacturer of medical and dental devices, from May 2003 until January 4, 2023 and as the non-executive chairman of the Milestone board of directors from October 2009 through January 4, 2023. She also served as interim chief executive officer of Milestone from October 2017 to December 2017. From 2007 through September 2018, Ms. Bernhard served as an independent director of Universal Power Group, Inc. (NYSE American: UPGI), a global supplier of power solutions , and as a consultant to Universal Power Group, Inc. from September 2018 to December 2020. In 1986, Ms. Bernhard co-founded AdStar, Inc., an electronic ad intake service to the newspaper industry taking it public in 1999 (NASDAQ: ADST), and served as its president, chief executive officer and executive director until 2012. Ms. Bernhard holds a BS Degree in Education from St. John’s University.

Arthur Goldberg has been a private accounting and business consultant for more than five years. From January 2008 until March 2012, he was the Chief Financial Officer of Clear Skies Solar, Inc., an installer of solar panels. Earlier in his career Mr. Goldberg held senior executive positions, including CFO and COO positions at a number of public companies. He is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.B.A. Degree from the City College of New York, an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago and J.D. and LL.M. Degrees from the New York University School of Law.

Since 1976, Mr. Prinz has been employed by Current, Inc., a leading manufacturer of laminated products including sheeting, tube, rods, spacers and standoffs, as well as electrical grade laminates, a variety of carbon fiber products and other industrial products, which are used in various industries including construction, recreation, energy exploration and defense. He began his career at Current initially as a foreman, then as a production manager, then as vice president of sales and since 2011, as President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Prinz graduated from Bryant College with a B.A. in 1976.

Mr. Walraven has extensive experience with private and public real estate companies working on matters including capital markets, accounting and finance.

Mr. Walraven has served as the Chief Operating Officer, a director and co-founder of Freehold Properties, Inc., a REIT that historically financed cannabis-related real estate, since its formation in May 2019 and has since transitioned its portfolio acquisition focus in 2024 to capital finance of premium vineyard real estate. He has also served as an independent director and member of the audit committee of Broad Street Realty, Inc. (OTCQX: BRST), a real estate company that owns, operates, develops, and redevelops primarily essential grocery-anchored shopping centers and mixed-use properties, since 2023. From January 2014 to May 2019, Mr. Walraven served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MedEquities Realty Trust, Inc. (formerly, NYSE: MRT), an internally managed healthcare REIT that was initially funded privately in July 2014, completed an initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2016 and was subsequently sold to Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc. (NYSE: OHI) that closed in May 2019.

From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Walraven held several positions with BDO USA, LLP, most recently as an assurance managing partner of the Memphis office, where his primary responsibilities included providing core and peripheral assurance services and business operational and tax consulting services. Mr. Walraven has over 20 years of public accounting experience, serving many public REIT clients since 1999. Mr. Walraven worked extensively with publicly traded companies on all aspects of compliance with Securities Act (as defined below) and Exchange Act (as defined below) filings, including quarterly, annual and special reports, and compliance relating to acquisitions, dispositions and securities offerings. Mr. Walraven has had signing engagement partner responsibility for numerous public and private securities offerings by REITs and other clients, including initial public offerings, secondary offerings and private placements.

Mr. Walraven holds a Bachelor’s degree in Financial Management from Bob Jones University and a Masters of Professional Accountancy from Clemson University.