Jim is a Co-Founder and the CEO. In addition to his involvement at Essex Park Title, he is also the Co-Founder of Vokal Ventures, a Detroit based full service real estate development firm, having previously co-founded and served as the CEO and Managing Partner of Bedrock Real Estate. Jim led Bedrock from its inception in 2010 for almost a decade, driving its investments and commitments of more than $5.6 billion, over the course of which the firm acquired and developed more than 120 properties totaling in excess of 18 million square feet in downtown Detroit and Cleveland. Prior to this, Jim was the Managing Partner of Etkin Equities, a Southfield based full-service development company, for over 21 years where he oversaw the management of more than 8 million square feet of commercial real estate holdings. Jim earned his BA degree from Michigan State University in 1983 and is a 1986 graduate of the Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University). He is a member of the State Bars of Michigan and Colorado.

Howard is a Co-Founder and the General Counsel. In addition to his involvement at Essex Park Title, Howard is also a Co-Founder of Vokal Ventures, a full-service real estate development firm based in Detroit, Michigan. He has over 30 years of legal experience across the real estate industry, having previously joined his long-term client Dan Gilbert at Bedrock Real Estate Services LLC and Rock Ventures LLC, serving as General Counsel of both companies. Prior to this, Howard was a Senior Partner at the leading Detroit-based law firms Dykema and Honigman where he focused on commercial real estate and was involved in all aspects of real estate law including development, acquisitions, land use, entitlements, development incentives, partnership and joint ventures, financing, leasing, tax, workouts and restructuring. Howard is a 1987 summa cum laude graduate of Detroit College Law (now Michigan State University).

Brennan is the Chief Financial Officer at Essex Park Title, based in the Michigan office. Brennan leads the company’s financial oversight and manages all title escrow and audit services. His wealth of financial knowledge extends to the insurance industry, with progressive expertise in leading teams and providing strategic direction and guidance in financial management. Before joining Essex Park Title, Brennan worked at Genworth Financial in a variety of finance leadership and product profitability roles for 14 years. Prior to Genworth Financial, he was an Accountant at Ernst and Young, focusing on auditing. Brennan holds a master’s degree in accountancy from Notre Dame, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Brigham Young University. Brennan is also a licensed certified public accountant.

Fanny is the VP / Senior Underwriting Counsel at Essex Park Title, based in the New York office. As a 25-year industry veteran, Fanny has a deep comprehension of real estate and title related issues coupled with a drive dedicated to customer satisfaction. With over two decades handling virtually every type of commercial property, Fanny's notable and diverse career achievements include a wide-ranging portfolio inclusive of work with large multi-site portfolios, cogeneration power plants, retail stores and malls, hospitals and medical campuses, residential developments and military bases. Previously, Fanny was Underwriting Counsel at Chicago Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance of New York for over a decade. Her breadth of experience underwriting complex transactions encompasses both commercial and residential real estate assets throughout the country. Admitted to the practice of law in the State of New York, and the United States District Court in the Eastern and Southern Districts, Fanny received a J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law and a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York at Albany.

With over a decade of experience in the real estate industry, Akiva brings expertise and a well-rounded perspective to every transaction. As a seasoned real estate attorney, he has represented buyers, sellers, and lenders across deals of every size and complexity. He has also trained attorneys in a big-law environment on title matters and has held key roles at top firms, including Commercial Coordinator at Riverside Abstract and Underwriting Counsel at Fidelity National Title. Akiva leverages his background to deliver exceptional service and insight to clients across the real estate spectrum.