Our Team

Tim O’Donnell, Chairman, is responsible for the company’s overall strategy and organization. He serves on the Senior Management Committee and chairs the Loan Committee. A 40-year veteran of housing finance, he has served in executive positions in several mortgage banking firms, and is a graduate of Harvard College and of the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Peter J. Panagako, President, is responsible for overseeing origination, marketing, and investor relations for the firm. He serves on the Senior Management Committee. Peter has been involved in 300+ closed FHA insured transactions located in 40+ states. A 20+ year veteran of FHA insured financing, his experience with FHA-insured projects extends beyond lending and includes tax credit syndication, asset management, and new construction development. Peter’s experience with FHA financing from the borrower’s side gives him invaluable insight in achieving our clients’ financial goals, along with a strong client service orientation. He is a graduate of Lehigh University. Contact Peter at PPanagako@easternmc.com or 617-897-1167.

Peter Tousignant, Vice President, originates FHA loans nationally. Previously he arranged and placed financing for a regional commercial mortgage banking firm, and his extensive multifamily experience includes five years underwriting LIHTC investments as a Vice President with a large bank, roles with development firms, and numerous assignments as an independent consultant. Peter earned an MBA from the University of Southern Maine and an undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona. Contact Peter at PTousignant@easternmc.com or 617-897-1079.

Holly McLaughlin, Senior Vice President/ Chief Underwriter, manages the firm’s underwriting function overseeing the loan analysis processing, underwriting, submission and closing of FHA insured applications. A veteran MAP Underwriter with deep experience in all aspects of MAP financing, including construction/ substantial rehab loans. She came to EMC from a major regional bank, where she was responsible for the analysis of commercial real estate, C&I, and construction loan requests. Holly is a graduate of Bentley University with an undergraduate degree in finance and an MBA concentrating in economics of financial markets.

Jill Gentile, Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer, manages the firm’s day-to-day operations and oversees Quality Control and Compliance. In addition, Jill is a MAP Underwriter and serves as the company’s Deputy Chief Underwriter. Besides her experience underwriting, processing, and closing FHA loans in all the FHA insurance programs, Jill is a 20- year veteran of commercial banking, where she held a variety of positions in areas of operations, compliance, and loan administration.

Daniel P. Pimental, Senior FHA Underwriter, has over 30 years’ experience in the analysis, underwriting, and administration of FHA insured loans. He is both a MAP and a LEAN Underwriter, has a particular expertise in construction loans and all aspects of healthcare, and oversees all the firm’s loan closings. In addition, his professional experience includes financial management for mortgage banking and legal firms. Dan graduated from Northeastern University with a degree in accounting.

Ainsley Highland, Marketing Director, oversees the company’s marketing & PR operations. Prior to joining EMC, she specialized in designing and launching small business digital marketing programs. She is a graduate of Connecticut College.

Joulia Likhanskaia, Financial Analyst, supports both the Origination and Underwriting functions at Eastern Mortgage Capital via preliminary sizing, screening and ongoing loan processing. Prior to joining EMC, Joulia spent 3- years at one of the world’s largest multinational investment bank/financial services companies. Joulia is a graduate of Bowdoin College.

John R. Gorga, Vice Chairman/CFO, oversees the company’s operations and serves on the Senior Management Committee. Formerly a Principal at Boston Financial Investment Management, he became a specialist in arranging Section 42 affordable housing loans and private placement financing for corporate investors in institutional tax credit funds. An expert in structuring complex transactions, John has personally originated and placed over 300 financings for clients. He is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island.

Heather Baldassari, Senior Vice President/Treasurer, oversees the company’s financial operations, internal controls, technology, and human resources. Her professional experience includes financial operations in a major regional bank and managing the servicing of a $400+ million commercial mortgage portfolio, as well as commercial and multifamily underwriting and credit. She is a graduate of Bentley College.