James M. Cope
Senior Vice President | Office Manager

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James M. Cope joined Grandbridge Real Estate Capital under the Collateral Real Estate Capital banner in 2003. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Cope was a Director for L. J. Melody & Company. While at L. J. Melody, he managed the regional production office with help from Patrick K. Dempsey, originating and placing construction, bridge, mezzanine and permanent loans and equity for clients across the country. He quickly became a top producer for L. J. Melody.

Prior to joining L. J. Melody, Mr. Cope spent 10 years with Eberhardt Company, a privately held mortgage banking and brokerage firm based in Minneapolis, Minn. L. J. Melody acquired Eberhardt in September of 1999. Mr. Cope’s responsibilities with the firm included all aspects of real estate origination, placement and closing of debt and equity transactions as well as management of the office. He originally started with Eberhardt in Minneapolis as an analyst for one of the company’s senior producers. In 1992 he was offered the opportunity to move to Milwaukee, Wis., to start a new production office. From 1993 until joining Collateral, Mr. Cope grew the Milwaukee office from two to 10 people and increased originations from $7 million in 1993 to $400 million in 2002. On an individual basis, he has originated and closed approximately 400 debt and equity transactions totaling in excess of $2.1 billion dollars.

Mr. Cope has extensive experience in the origination, structuring, placement and closing of a variety of product types, including industrial, office, medical office, retail, hotel and multifamily properties. Capital structures closed include permanent financing (both forward commitments and immediate fundings), construction financing, bridge financing, mezzanine financing and equity placement.

Born and raised in Janesville, Wis., Mr. Cope earned both his Bachelor of Business Administration in finance and Master of Science in real estate appraisal and investment analysis under Dr. James A. Graaskamp at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), the Wisconsin Real Estate Alumni Association, Young Presidents Organization, and is an affiliate member of the Commercial Association of Realtors (CAR). CAR honored him as “2002 Affiliate of the Year.” Mr. Cope holds a Wisconsin loan originator’s license.

Mr. Cope is active in several local charities and organizations including The Hebron House Foundation, Ann’s Hope Foundation, and the Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta Landmark Preservation, Inc.

Mr. Cope may be reached at 262.785.8441 or by e-mail at jcope@gbrecap.com.