Title: Co-Founder
Company: Fairbridge Asset Management
Location: Darien, Connecticut, United States
John C. Lettera, Co-Founder at Fairbridge Asset Management and Adjunct Professor at Pace University, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements, and leadership in Financial Services, Real Estate and Investments.
Mr. Lettera’s professional journey is distinguished by a series of significant milestones that reflect his expertise in real estate finance, law and asset management. Since 2018, he has served as the co-founder of Fairbridge Asset Management, a national credit fund recognized for its robust portfolio and institutional investor base. Under Mr. Lettera’s leadership, Fairbridge Asset Management has provided residential and commercial mortgages, including bridge lending on commercial real estate. Notably, the firm operates as a national real estate investment trust with active transactions across all 50 states.
Deeply involved in all aspects of company operations, Mr. Lettera focuses on asset management across approximately 100 concurrent transactions. He applies more than 35 years of combined real estate and legal experience to oversee complex deals, manage nonperforming loans, defaults, foreclosures and bankruptcies, and resolve transaction issues to stabilize assets and protect portfolio performance. Mr. Lettera’s pivotal role in co-founding one of the largest credit funds in the country has positioned Fairbridge Asset Management as a leader in the industry.
Mr. Lettera has also dedicated more than 15 years as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University in White Plains, New York, since 2008. He teaches courses in corporate finance and real estate finance, imparting practical knowledge to future legal professionals.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Lettera practiced law as an associate at Milbank LLP from 1999 to 2005. During this period, he honed his skills in corporate law and finance, building a foundation in such areas as mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and leveraged buyouts that would inform his later ventures in private lending and asset management.
Mr. Lettera’s professional path began with service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1989 to 1995. He completed four tours in Iraq during the Gulf War, where he was exposed to chemical warfare and developed a level of discipline that he credits as unmatched by any academic experience. Mr. Lettera’s military service not only instilled resilience but also provided him with financial resources through tax-exempt direct deposit pay while deployed in combat zones. Upon returning home to the Bronx, New York, in his early 20s, he invested his savings into real estate. This decision launched his enduring career in private lending and real estate finance.
Mr. Lettera’s academic achievements culminated in a Doctor of Jurisprudence with a concentration in real estate finance from Pace University in White Plains, New York, graduating at the top of his class in 1999. This rigorous legal education equipped him with the analytical skills necessary for navigating complex financial transactions and regulatory environments.
In addition to his work at Fairbridge Asset Management, Mr. Lettera has contributed to thought leadership in the field as a published member in real estate for Forbes Councils, LLC, since 2020. Through this platform, he shares insights on market trends and best practices with a broad professional audience. Additionally, Mr. Lettera is a member of Professor’s Corner for the American Bar Association, a prestigious appointment through which he educates fellow attorneys nationwide by delivering continuing legal education lectures twice annually in Washington, D.C., often addressing audiences exceeding 200 lawyers.
Mr. Lettera’s commitment to legal education has extended beyond the classroom. He supports students through philanthropic initiatives, such as a $250,000 sponsorship of the Pace Law Arbitration Clinic, which assists students working with the Southern District of New York on matters involving trading and investment fraud. Meanwhile, Mr. Lettera’s civic involvement has been extensive. He has served for over five years on the board of visitors at his alma mater’s law school and continues to sponsor the Fairbridge Investors Rights Clinic on campus. He also actively supports organizations dedicated to veterans’ welfare, including Semper Fi & America’s Fund, Wounded Warrior Project and the Black Rifle Coffee Company.
In recognition of his contributions, Mr. Lettera was recognized with a Law Impact Award and a Leadership Award from Pace University. He attributes much of his success to unwavering consistency, treating every transaction with equal dedication regardless of scale, and to the work ethic instilled by his father, a Vietnam War veteran and lifelong truck driver who served as his primary mentor. Looking ahead, Mr. Lettera remains committed to advancing Fairbridge Asset Management’s growth while continuing his engagement with legal education and veteran support initiatives.
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