ScottWard
National speaker, published author and industry educator. More than twenty-seven years in lending, and the partner behind Think’s curriculum and deal standards.
- AAPL Education Committee
- 2024 Community Impact Award
- Certified Fund Manager
- Co-author, Private Lender Perspectives
- $1.5B+ funded and originated
- 27+ years in lending
Career
Scott came to private lending after about twenty years across finance and entertainment, when a close friend offered him an opening he says “changed the course of my life, for the better.”
His roles since have included fund manager, regional director and managing partner. He reports more than $1.5 billion in loans funded and originated across the Gulf Coast and nationwide.
He acquired Think Realty and now leads it, bringing the same standards to working investors and brokers. Managing funds and running lending operations means he has seen deals from the capital side as well as the borrower side, and that view shapes how he teaches.
On the stage.
A national speaker and industry educator, Scott teaches hard money, private money and trust deed investing to lenders, fund managers and investors.
He takes part in AAPL programming, including the Fund Forum, and has spoken at AAPL Annual, the association’s national conference.
Education and the industry
Scott sits on the Education Committee of the American Association of Private Lenders, the trade association for the private lending industry.
- In lendingMore than 27 years
- FundedOver $1.5 billion originated
- DesignationCertified Fund Manager
- AAPLEducation Committee member
- Honor2024 Community Impact Award
- AuthorPrivate Lender Perspectives
He is proud of his work on the AAPL Fund Forum and its educational impact. In 2024 AAPL gave him its Community Impact Award. He co-authored Private Lender Perspectives, an industry reference guide.
He calls AAPL’s certification classes a must-have for serious companies, and believes in structured education for anyone in the business.
What he brings to Think
The curriculum
The guides in Think Realty follow how lenders actually read a file: experience, liquidity, the plan and the paperwork.
The deal standard
The document board and indicative term sheets are built around what underwriters need before they say yes.
The room
Scott speaks and trains at investor and lender events. Get in touch to bring him to your group.
Beyond lending
Scott coaches youth football, hockey and golf. He and his wife also run an educational nonprofit focused on child development, financial literacy and internet safety.