Our team is comprised of genuinely gifted minds
In 1986, she was employed as an accountant at the law firm of Shaw, Pittman, Potts & Trowbridge but soon became intrigued by the real estate industry and became a licensed real estate agent in 1989. She worked with O’Connor, Piper, Flynn; Century 21 and Exit Realty. However, the desire to still work with numbers from the accounting industry led her to the in the mortgage industry in 1994. Originating mortgages quickly became her passion. She worked with Mortgage Access…a division of Weichert Realtors, North American Mortgage and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage before starting her own residential mortgage brokerage in 2002, Norwestern Mortgage Group, LLC where she was the CEO and Broker with 2 partners that joined her from Wells Fargo. Norwestern had offices in Lanham, MD and Philadelphia, PA and was licensed in MD, VA and PA. The company grew quickly and was very successful until the economy collapsed in 2008. At that point she decided not to renew her brokers license and shifted her focus to the insurance industry. After obtaining her L&H and P&C licenses, Tami worked with Allstate, State Farm, and Farmers but still missed the mortgage industry and decided to make a return… but this time to the commercial mortgage industry, an industry she’d often dreamed about. However, she wasn’t prepared for the push-back she received while trying to get into the commercial industry. But after several failed attempts she decided to roll-up her sleeves and push her way in. It was difficult and at times very hurtful but she was determined to fulfill this dream as it appeared the commercial industry was not a diverse arena so she made a promise to herself to learn the industry and then make it a point to add as much diversity to the commercial industry as possible by starting her own commercial brokerage. As a result, Wise Commercial Mortgage, LLC was born in February 13th, 2018 with just Tami, 2 lenders and a drive to build a diverse empire within the commercial lending industry. A year and 9 months later, Tami added a long-time business friend to Wise, who is now Partner and a super dynamic Executive Strategic Director…Allen Wu, to expand upon her vision with his high caliber of business and team building. As a result of this unparalleled addition, Wise now has a rapidly expanding national platform, a win-win compensation platform unlike any other in the commercial industry, over 500 team members nationwide, over 300 lenders…and a burning desire to disrupt the commercial mortgage industry.
Many have been involved in the dream. Some came for a season; some came for a reason but each of these key individuals played a very vital role in the becoming of Wise.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer.” Harriet Tubman
He was employed by Lockheed Martin and later SAIC as Test Engineer and System Engineer from 1996 to 2001. Worked on projects such as FAA Display System Replacement (DSR), Air Traffic Control (ATC) Missile Defense Program, National Imagery Mapping program, etc.
Looking for a more challenging life, in 2001, Allen quit his job and joined the US Navy as an Engineering Duty Office, he was commissioned as a Naval Officer in Oct of 2001. He stationed at Washington Navy Yard, and spent most of the Navy service in Norfolk Naval Shipyard. As LTJG and LT, Mr. Wu served in various surface warfare ships.
Mr. Wu retired from the Navy in 2011 with an honorable discharge and the rank of Lieutenant.
During his service, he formed his first company part time in the residential mortgage. Under his leadership, he built a sales team of over 600 loan officers in the DC, MD and VA areas.
When 2008 mortgage crisis arrived, Mr. Wu saw the opportunities and rebranded his company to Sequoia Properties and Management, which was to provide services in short sale, foreclosure sale, REO, etc. His team was responsible for thousands of successful short sale negotiations for RE company such as Keller Williams, Century 21, ReMax and many other local real estate brokers.
Seeking for next venture, Mr. Wu decided to go back to lending industry, this time, his focus is on the commercial lending. In Nov 2019, he joined Wise Commercial Lending, LLC to add his expertise in business and team building to the vision of his long-time business friend, Tami Wise. After analyzing the many options of the commercial lending industry, he accepted the offer to become Partner and Executive Strategic Director.
Currently, the company has partnered up with more than 300 funding sources, such as private money, hedge funds, institutional funds, local banks, private investors, which can fund projects from small business loans to development, construction, etc.
Mr. Wu’s goal is to build WISE commercial lending as a brand name company to provide solutions to small businesses across the country.
Barrington has over 15 years in the banking industry and has worked at major commercial banking institutions such as HSBC Bank, Santander Bank, Citibank, Bank of America, and Sterling National Bank.
He has worked in various capacities and experience in international and domestic banking and specialized in developing new business, commercial lending, trade financing, expanding territories, community-based banking, and building long term customer relationships.
Barrington is a graduate of St John’s University where he majored in sociology and defines his professional success by providing value to his clients by connecting them to opportunities and providing valuable resources to help his client realize their dreams and ambitions.
When Barrington is not working he enjoys traveling all over the world and playing recreational sports, and reading books about success and wealth creation.
As a 20 year professional real estate investor, Hong Zhao has also owned a life insurance business. She is a member of the Million Dollar Round Table, MDRT, which is an international professional leading insurance and investment in financial services.
Hong Zhao has become a member of the Diamond Club of the National Life Group.
In 2017, she started her own insurance agent business as an independent agent in life & health insurance and property & casualty and commercial insurance.
Grace Yu joined Wise Commercial Lending in 2019 to expand her service in multiple financial areas and has built a big commercial loan sales force since then.
In her parttime, she enjoys readings, fitness and classical music.
He started his career as an auditor after graduating from TARC College. His previous career experiences include holding senior management positions in several private and public companies.
He was employed by Ho Wah Genting Group and Lion Group, and was involved in overseas investment activities in Cambodia, Vietnam and China on hotel, vehicle, retail, travel, and manufacturing industries.
He is from Malaysia and can communicate in English, Malay, Mandarin and Cantonese.
He currently lives in New York City and is active in community service, he is a committee member of the Malaysian America Association and the local Chinese Merchant Association.
As the Regional Director for New York and New Jersey of WISE Commercial Lending, Paul Teoh will be responsible for expanding the Company market share in these regions.
Danny is a hometown product of San Francisco where he was born and raised and graduated from the University of San Francisco with a Bachelor's in Economics with a concentration in Financial Economics.
In his free time, Danny is an avid eater and sports fan while engaging in conversations with other investors about trading stocks and options and investing in real estate.
Started career as Loan Processor
Senior Loan officer with close to 20 yrs experience
Very Active in the community & Church
currently President of the PTA for Royal International Christian Academy
Minority small business Licensed
Charities include School for the Blind in the Philippines.
Producer/Hosts Charity Zumba Events for fundraising
