Libsyn Directory

#324: From Free Help to General Partner: How a Young Grad Earned His Seat at the Table with Rob Pekarek, USNA ‘21

Release Date: 05/24/2025

#337: Bringing Institutional Discipline to Multifamily Investing with Curtis Cullen, USMA ‘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: ____ Curtis Cullen is the Co-Founder and Managing Principal of Convolo Capital, a real estate investment firm focused on small to mid-size multifamily syndications across the Southeast and Sunbelt markets. A West Point graduate, Curtis served as an Infantry and Aviation officer, including time as a Battalion Operations Officer, before exiting the Army in 2018 to pursue a career in commercial real estate. After the Army, Curtis built his business and finance...

#336: Finding Opportunity at a Crossroads: Raj Kankaria and Lone Star Attorney Service, USMA ‘13

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: ____ Raj Kankaria is the President of Lone Star Attorney Service, a full-service litigation support firm and the largest process service company in Harris County, Texas. A West Point graduate and former Army engineer officer, Raj went on to hold leadership roles in investment banking and commercial strategy at Citi, Mexico Pacific, and WSI Enterprises. After discovering an overlooked corner of the legal services industry, he rolled up his sleeves, learned...

#335: Transforming Restaurant Efficiency Through Real Time Data with Daniel Bednar, USNA ‘08

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: ____ Daniel Bednar is an investor and advisor at Curbit, a technology company transforming the restaurant industry with real-time data and operational transparency. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Officer, Daniel led technical operations and intelligence programs on the USS Makin Island, in Afghanistan, and at the Office of Naval Intelligence. After transitioning into finance and strategy, he’s applied that same mission-driven focus to...

#334: Helping Small Businesses Overcome Financial Challenges and Access Capital with Juan Dominguez, USMA ’89

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: ____ Juan Dominguez is the founder of Dominguez Advisory Group, specializing in business mediation and access to capital for small to midsize companies facing financial obstacles. Drawing on three decades of business experience, he has built a practice focused on business advocacy for those who have hit a bump in the road. After a successful corporate career, including leading a $1 billion company and managing a team of 600, he launched this consulting...

#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...

#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...

#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...

#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...

#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...

#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,...

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Need financing for your next investment property? Visit: https://www.academyfund.com/

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____

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.

Rob previously completed a fully funded research fellowship at Purdue University, where he modeled climate adaptation strategies and infrastructure investment. His work informed a $5 billion coastal protection plan for Louisiana and supported the Naval Academy’s Sea Level Rise action plan.

Now active in real estate investing, Rob helped acquire a 24-unit apartment complex in 2024 and led investor outreach, raising over $500,000. He continues to manage investor communications and is passionate about building long-term value through data, real estate, and veteran collaboration.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Rob about:

Real Estate at Full Speed: While on active duty, Rob became a general partner in two multifamily deals totaling over 50 units.
Helping First Pays Off: He earned his first GP role by offering free support and adding value to the team.
Lead Gen That Works: Rob uses content and clear qualifiers to attract the right investors.
His Three Pillars: He focuses on fitness, wealth building, and creating purpose through community.
Mindset for Growth: Rob believes in taking action, learning through failure, and building real relationships.

Timestamps:

01:02 Guest Background and Early Career
03:05 Real Estate Ventures and Side Hustles
10:25 Lead Generation Strategies
20:45 Three Pillars of a Successful Life

Connect with Rob:

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A special thank you to Rob for joining me this week. Until next time!

-Scott Mackes, USNA ’01

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