Financial Services >> CEO Interviews >> September 28, 2012

Interview with the CFO: Arbor Realty Trust Inc. (ABR)

Elenio, Paul
Paul Elenio, Chief Financial Officer at Arbor Commercial Mortgage and Arbor Realty Trust Inc., is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s financial operations. This includes financial reporting, tax planning, budgeting and the appropriate utilization of Arbor’s capital. He is also in charge of investor relations for Arbor Realty Trust. Mr. Elenio joined Arbor National Holdings, the predecessor company of Arbor Realty Trust’s external manager, Arbor Commercial Mortgage, in 1991. As the Financial Reporting and Tax Supervisor, he was involved in that company’s 1992 initial public offering. In 1995, he was promoted to Vice President, Controller, and in 2002 assumed the position of Vice President of Finance. In that role, he implemented the financial planning and analysis required to transition Arbor Realty Trust to a public company in April 2004. He was named Senior Vice President of Finance shortly thereafter. Before joining Arbor, Mr. Elenio was employed with Ernst & Young from 1989 to 1990 in the auditing department. He graduated cum laude with a bachelor's of business administration degree in accounting from St. Bonaventure University. Mr. Elenio is a member of Arbor Realty Trust’s loan and risk management committees and is a member of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. Profile
TWST: Please start with a company history and a snapshot of Arbor Realty Trust’s business and operations today.

Mr. Elenio: Arbor Realty Trust is, as you may know, a commercial