CEO and Co-Founder of Stratus Financial, Anthony Geraci, Esq., followed his passion for aviation and obtained both his Commercial Pilot Certificate and Ground Instructor Ratings in 2020. During his instruction, he recognized a lack of available funding in the space.
Bringing a combination of legal and financial expertise to Stratus Financial, Anthony is tasked with strategy creation for the firm. A skilled mortgage lending and securities law attorney, Anthony has authored numerous articles on real estate finance and security subjects. Over the past fifteen years, he has run financial funds and served as legal advisor to several lending funds which have totaled more than $100 Billion offered and more than $200 Million raised. Leveraging his securities background, Anthony has been instrumental in securing credit lines and starting capital raising ventures to fund flight school loans for Stratus Financial.
A founding member of EO (Entrepreneurs Organization) Inland Empire and Founder and Vice Chairman of the American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL), Anthony keeps his finger on the pulse of the financial industry.
In his role as COO and Co-Founder at Stratus Financial, Brandon spearheads strategic initiatives and oversees day-to-day operations to drive growth and ensure operational excellence. Together with Stratus FInancial's exceptional team, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company's vision and implementing a customer-centric approach. Stratus' mission is to revolutionize the financial landscape by offering comprehensive and intuitive solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients.
Brandon has been flying since 2014 and holds Commercial Pilot Certificates along with CFI/CFII/MEI instructor ratings. He has a deep knowledge of part 141 and part 61 flight school operations in addition to training guidelines set forth by syllabuses and the FAA.
With expertise in flight instruction and a deep understanding of pilot student loans and private finance, Brandon leverages his skills to create innovative solutions in the aviation industry.
For over twenty years Chris has served as a partner or principal in dozens of companies providing various levels of leadership and support. He possesses a diverse set of strategic management skills and continues to sharpen and demonstrate his uncanny ability to successfully grow businesses through the creation of loyal teams, fanatic culture, and personal growth of those around him.
Chris has a broad base of industry experience including real estate, private equity and high-tech, among others. In addition to domestic engagements, Chris possesses a background in international business having worked on several projects in Latin America, Europe, and Asia. He has worked with businesses at all levels ranging from enterprise clients such as Adobe, Bosch, BMW, and American Express, to locally owned and operated small businesses. He has held leadership positions in Capital Markets, Operations, Finance, and Executive Office, while participating in multiple merger and acquisitions.
Active in his local and global community, Chris has volunteered for dozens of mission-oriented and professional non-profit organizations. He has served as a Board member or Committee member for many organizations such as Ballet Austin Guild, The Trail Foundation, Seton Cove, Soccer Assist, American Association of Private Lenders, and many others. In 2019 Chris was appointed to the Board of Trustees for St. Edward’s University where he is a member of the fiduciary, trustee, and development committees. In 2022 Chris was nominated and appointed to the Board of Directors for The Trail Foundation where he serves on the Endowment Committee. Chris is a two-time nominee for the Austin 40 Under 40 Award for his work in the community. In 2019 he was awarded the prestigious Member of the Year Award, by the American Association of Private Lenders, for his contribution to the association and the industry.
In 2022 Chris joined the team at Stratus Financial, bringing his diverse background in private credit and alternative finance. Currently, he oversees the Capital Markets, Investor Relations, and Accounting departments of the firm. The private fund at Stratus allows the firm to rapidly close its specialized student loans, while the secondary marketplace provides liquidity for long-term product development.
Chris holds a BA in Entrepreneurship as well as an MBA in Global Entrepreneurship from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, and is “all but dissertation” for the Doctoral program in Economics and Business from Universitat Jaume Primero in Castello, Spain.
For close to 7 years, Alan has accumulated a deep and recognized reputation in the banking industry. His career spans global banking, where during his last role at Citigroup, he served as Vice President for Citi's North America Global Family Office Group while based in New York. In this role, he catered to the firm’s top private banking clients by providing them institutional banking access and facilitating capital raises.
Presently at Stratus, Alan heads investor relations and Capital Markets efforts. In this role he manages equity and debt investors, contributing to the fund's operations and growth. At the same time, Alan actively explores opportunities to integrate the fund's private credit offering into larger institutions and expand its investor base with a strategic approach to transformational growth.
Alan holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from the McCombs School of Business at University of Texas at Austin with a focus on banking and capital markets. Outside of the financial industry, Alan curates private communities of investors, industry leaders and collectors with a passion for cultural pursuits, particularly in the contemporary art world.
Don is an accomplished business attorney with 18 years of experience. A recipient of an academic scholarship to Chapman University School of Law, Don has built a diverse practice advising clients across finance, emerging technologies, manufacturing, and food & beverage industries. His expertise spans the spectrum from innovative tech startups to established companies with annual revenues exceeding $100 million.
As a thought leader in the field of regulatory compliance of emerging technologies, Don contributes a monthly article to the University of California's CEB DailyNews newsletter. He was also a Founding Board Member of the Entrepreneurs' Organization - Inland Empire chapter.
