#317: Scaling Success: From Restaurants to Real Estate with Mike Brumagin, USMA ‘89
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Release Date: 04/05/2025
#333: Revolutionizing Agriculture Through AI-Powered Farm Finance with Ajit Purandare, USMA ’95
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Ajit Purandare is the Chief Revenue Officer at Croptell, a FinTech company revolutionizing agricultural finance through artificial intelligence. He brings a unique perspective to the agricultural space, having grown up in farming communities on the eastern shore of Delaware in the heart of "chicken country". A West Point graduate, Ajit joined Croptell after consulting with founder Scott Sartor for two years. What started as a relationship built...
info_outline
#332: He’s 26 and Already Raising His Second Real Estate Fund with Briar Bearss, USMA ‘22
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Briar Bearss is the Founder and CEO of Bearss Residential, a real estate company that owns and operates subsidized housing for over 100 families and veterans across the Midwest. He is also an active duty armor officer and mission-driven entrepreneur focused on serving vulnerable communities. A West Point graduate, he built his military career leading scout platoons, with his unit earning recognition as the number one Bradley Scout platoon in the...
info_outline
#331: Band of Brothers Legacy: A Journey from D-Day to Today with Chase Millsap, Brett Lea, and Alex Sabga-Brady
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ This week on the SABM Podcast, we’re joined by Chase Millsap (USNA ’05), Brett Lea, and Alex Sabga-Brady, the producers behind D-Day to Today: The Band of Brothers Legacy, a forthcoming documentary exploring the lasting impact of the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers on modern-day service members and military culture. Chase Millsap is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate, former Marine infantry officer, and Army National Guard Special Forces veteran. After...
info_outline
#330: Leadership, Legacy, and Launching the Total Force Plus Conference with Brian Kelly, CEO of MOAA
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Brian Kelly is the President and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), a nonprofit organization focused on advocating for military personnel, veterans, and their families. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a three-star general after more than 33 years of service, most recently serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel, and Services. A proud graduate of Notre Dame and the Air Command and Staff College (Class...
info_outline
#329: Unlocking the Power of Breathwork with Kevin Raney, USAFA ‘02
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Kevin Rainey is a certified breathwork coach, former Air Force officer, and seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience leading programs around the world. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, he built his career in Information Technology and Communications, known for bringing camaraderie, community, and grit to every team he led. His journey took a powerful turn during a breathwork and cold plunge session that sparked deep personal...
info_outline
#328: Transforming the Future of Property Valuation with AI with Richard Kenny, USAFA ‘09
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Francisco, CA on October 7th & 8th? Visit: ____ Richard Kenny is the founder of Falcon Capital Real Estate and Valuation Pro, bringing together decades of valuation expertise with a focus on innovation in commercial real estate. At Falcon Capital, he helps partners access institutional-grade deals by providing co-GP capital, underwriting support, and strategic insight on complex transactions. Valuation Pro, his AI-powered platform, delivers fast, accurate property valuations for investors, brokers,...
info_outline
#327: Unlocking Real Value in Small Business Acquisitions with Dave Lam, USAFA ‘11
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Dave Lam is a seasoned investor, veteran, and strategic operator focused on unlocking value in microcap and lower-middle market companies. A former U.S. Air Force contracting officer, he offers deep expertise on execution, strategy, and operational excellence. As a Principal at Phalanx Partners, he helps lead independent sponsorship and advisory efforts for growing companies across multiple sectors. He is also a Managing Principal at Oakwood Legacy Partners, a private holding company investing in alternative assets including real estate, cryptocurrency, and private debt. With a decade of...
info_outline
#326: Helping Entrepreneurs Break Into Franchising with Josh Emison, USNA ‘14
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Joshua Emison is the founder of Tracer Franchising, where he helps individuals identify proven, scalable franchise opportunities tailored to their financial and lifestyle goals. With a background in business development and a sharp eye for operational models, he simplifies what’s often a crowded and confusing process in franchising. Josh works across industries to guide clients toward sustainable, long-term ownership—whether they’re exploring their first opportunity or expanding an existing portfolio. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Infantry Officer,...
info_outline
#325: Inspiring Change Through Filmmaking with Zachary Guerra, USNA ‘00
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Zachary Guerra is a powerful force in storytelling, making the leap from Naval Aviator flying S-3B Vikings to directing multi-million-dollar productions for some of the world’s biggest brands. Over the past decade, Zachary has directed and produced more than 25 high-impact campaigns for global brands such as Apple and ESPN, managing more than $34 million in production budgets. As a Director, Writer, and Producer, Zachary has written 15+ screenplays and...
info_outline
#324: From Free Help to General Partner: How a Young Grad Earned His Seat at the Table with Rob Pekarek, USNA ‘21
Service Academy Business Mastermind
Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: ____ Rob Pekarek is an Operations Research Analyst at Air Combat Command and a General Partner in multifamily real estate. On active duty, he serves on the staff of the four-star General commanding ACC, where he leads teams that solve operational challenges across the Air Force using tools like Python, Excel, and PowerPoint automation. His work has improved aircraft scheduling, streamlined data systems, and delivered practical solutions to commanders on base....
info_outlineNeed financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/
Want to join us in San Antonio, TX on June 11th & 12th? Visit: https://www.10xvets.com/events
____
Mike Brumagin is a U.S. Army veteran, West Point graduate, and co-founder of Battle Monument Group, a private real estate investment firm specializing in single-tenant net lease properties. After earning the Bronze Star for his leadership during Operation Desert Storm, Mike spent over a decade building and managing national restaurant franchises before shifting his focus to real estate.
At Battle Monument Group, he has led the acquisition of more than 100 properties across 20 states, primarily focused on mission-critical retail tenants like Dollar General. Through eight successful fundraises—entirely through relationships with veterans, advisors, and private investors—Mike has built a model centered on trust, long-term value, and predictable cash flow.
His approach reflects a disciplined commitment to stable, income-producing assets in underserved markets, with a long-term vision to scale the portfolio beyond 500 properties. Mike and his team are positioning BMG for a strategic REIT exit while continuing to support investors who value transparency, alignment, and operational excellence.
In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Mike about:
- From Army to Arby’s: Mike’s path from West Point and Desert Storm to leading major restaurant franchises.
- Real Estate Pivot: Co-founded Battle Monument Group, focusing on single-tenant net lease properties like Dollar General.
- Predictable Profits: Built a niche strategy around stable, high-yield corporate leases in rural America.
- Investor-Led Growth: Raised eight funds through trusted relationships with veterans and advisors—no institutional capital.
- Scaling for Exit: Targeting 500+ properties to position BMG for REIT acquisition or strategic sale.
Timestamps:
- 01:03 Mike's Background and Career Journey
- 02:38 Transition to Real Estate: Battle Monument Group
- 03:18 Franchise Ventures and Personal Anecdotes
- 04:25 Battle Monument Group's Strategy and Growth
- 08:16 Fundraising and Investor Relations
- 12:35 Wealth Advisory Groups and Investment Strategies
- 24:30 Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs) Explained
Connect with Mike:
If you found value in today’s episode, don’t keep it to yourself—share it with a colleague or friend who could benefit. And if you’re a Service Academy graduate ready to elevate your business, we’d love for you to join our community and get started today.
Make sure you never miss an episode—subscribe now and help support the show:
- Apple Podcasts
- Spotify
- Leave us a 5-star review!
A special thank you to Mike for joining me this week. Until next time!
-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01