Experience

INTRUST Bank

• United States
• Financial Services
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Senior Associate Counsel

  • Apr 2021 - Present



WoodSpring Hotels

• United States
• Hospitality
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Corporate Counsel

  • Apr 2013 - Feb 2017

  Responsible for leading all legal operations of the company and its two extended-stay hotel brands – WoodSpring Suites and Value Place. Provided executive and senior management with effective advice on company strategies and their implementation; managed and expanded the legal department; advised on major business transactions including establishment of a new hotel brand (now owned by Choice Hotels) and related franchise implications and a $275,000,000 CMBS refinancing of 63 corporate properties. Negotiated franchise and development agreements and comfort letters. Responsible for compliance with franchise laws including marketing regulations. Provided guidance regarding franchisee compliance with agreements and brand standards. Responsible for the annual renewal of the Franchise Disclosure Document for both brands. Directed risk management and compliance activities including ensuring that corporate assets and activities were properly insured and claims were settled per terms of the contract. Added additional insurance coverage and strengthened existing policies. Supervised the acquisition of real estate for corporate development as well as the acquisition of existing hotels from franchisees including conducting due diligence. Assisted the entitlement, construction and asset management teams with easements, real estate association documents and contractor agreements. Handled legal issues arising at over 100 hotels including guest, employee and regulatory issues. Helped establish policies and brand standards to be adhered to at all corporate and franchised properties. Reviewed and approved marketing materials. Reviewed and approved contracts and other agreements with suppliers and other companies. Established template contracts to be used for goods and services. Supervised internal and external litigation counsel. Managed intellectual property rights. Participated in the development of corporate policies, procedures and programs. Trained personnel.



Thales

• France
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Contract Manager

  • Nov 2008 - Nov 2012

  Negotiated, drafted, and managed assigned domestic and international commercial, government (including Foreign Military Sales), prime and sub contracts, supplier agreements, master service agreements, licensing agreements, intragroup agreements, teaming agreements and non-disclosure agreements. Ensured compliance with FAR/DFAR and ITAR. Hired specifically to raise the level of importance and credibility of the contracts department. Promoted to head of the contracts department after sixteen months and grew the department from two personnel to a four person team. Conducted a complete review of all programs and identified areas where the company was losing money, both during the bid and proposal phase as well as contract implementation. Identified approximately $250,000.00 in costs which the company was able to invoice the customer for but had been overlooked by previous staff. Established departmental processes and procedures for contract review and management. Drafted standard terms and conditions for supplier purchase orders, outgoing quotes and established a subcontract template. Drafted portion of a Contract Negotiation Guidebook used by all Thales contract departments in the US. Prepared contractual responses to all types of RFPs while working closely with a proposal team. Trained company personnel as necessary on the importance of compliance with terms and conditions, non-disclosure of confidential information and the protection of intellectual property. Assisted with forecasting financial impact and risks involved with terms and conditions.



Katz Law Firm

• Associate Attorney

  • Feb 2007 - Sep 2008

  Negotiated and drafted contracts, operating agreements, management agreements and other documents, including estoppels, subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements and leases in connection with the purchase, sale, development, management and operation of real estate. Represented a large regional developer in obtaining construction and bond financing for a lifestyle shopping center in an amount exceeding $375,000,000. Acted as a lead attorney in the negotiation and closing of the purchase and sale of a partnership interest in a real estate development valued at over $200,000,000. Assisted with the acquisition of financing for developments including construction and development loans, letters of credit and bonds.



Sprint Nextel / J.M. Neil and Associates L.L.C

• Contract Negotiator

  • Jan 2006 - Feb 2007

  Interpreted, negotiated and drafted contracts and leases. Reviewed and revised estoppels and subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements. Directed and administered the management of approximately 700 agreements and over 300 network sites, including the negotiation of terms and conditions and database integrity. Responsible for approximately 95% of the international leases for the commercial real estate department, including database management and integrity. Interpreted, negotiated and drafted contracts and leases. Reviewed and revised estoppels and subordination, non-disturbance and attornment agreements. Directed and administered the management of approximately 700 agreements and over 300 network sites, including the negotiation of terms and conditions and database integrity. Responsible for approximately 95% of the international leases for the commercial real estate department, including database management and integrity.



Redmond & Nazar, L.L.P.

• Wichita, KS

• Associate Attorney

  • Feb 2002 - Apr 2005

  Dealt with complex issues in areas relating to bankruptcy including negotiating with creditors, reviewing contracts and leases, restructuring business debt, determining secured status of creditors, and handling the effect of bankruptcy on the continued ownership and operation of real estate. Drafted contracts, leases, promissory notes and security agreements. Handled Chapter 11 case for large nightclub from preparation of bankruptcy schedules through conversion to Chapter 7. Successfully resolved case which resulted in elimination of clients’ liability for approximately $350,000 of business debt and release of home mortgage.



Bruce, Bruce & Lehman, L.L.C.

• Wichita, KS

• Associate Attorney

  • Sep 1999 - Jan 2002

  Creditor based practice focusing on bankruptcy, lien foreclosures, secured transactions, collection issues and bankruptcy related matters such as real estate foreclosures as well as miscellaneous issues affecting credit unions. Handled real estate closings, evictions of mobile home tenants and occasional probate, estate and trust work. Reviewed, revised and drafted contracts and leases. Creditor based practice focusing on bankruptcy, lien foreclosures, secured transactions, collection issues and bankruptcy related matters such as real estate foreclosures as well as miscellaneous issues affecting credit unions. Handled real estate closings, evictions of mobile home tenants and occasional probate, estate and trust work. Reviewed, revised and drafted contracts and leases.



Koch Industries

• United States
• Oil and Gas
• 700 & Above Employee

• International Contract Administrator

  • Jan 1995 - Jul 1995

  Accepted and revised contracts and other agreements regarding the buying and selling of international crude oils. Accepted and revised contracts and other agreements regarding the buying and selling of international crude oils.