Meet our management team

Oak Street Funding was founded in June of 2003 under the leadership of Rick Dennen. The company has grown to 33 employees and originating over $190 million of commercial loans to insurance professionals throughout 47 states. The company also formed a loan servicing business in 2008 that manages third party niche loan portfolios for various multi-national banks. The company quickly became profitable and has navigated through the extreme economic cycles that have transpired, all while growing and building a long term sustainable business. Click here to read more about the company’s history.

Rick Dennen: Chairman, President and CEO
Rick Dennen started his career over 20 years ago in public accounting for a Big Four Firm focusing on the manufacturing and financial services industries. He held various leadership positions including responsibility for growth and software development. In 2000, he entered the private sector as a limited partner in a venture fund. His primary responsibilities included developing and evaluating business plans and financial models, deal structuring, negotiation, and portfolio management.

In 2003, Rick was hired by Oak Street Mortgage to diversify their revenue stream focused exclusively on the mortgage business. During the first year, Rick led the effort to acquire a contingent debt collection Company. Over the next three years, he assisted in the transformation to a purchase debt company that went from 17 to 120 employees, from less than $100,000 of pre-tax earnings to over $9.2 million in its third full year and became recognized as an Inc 500 company. The 400% increase in profitability was due entirely to organic growth. Also in 2003, Rick wrote the business plan for Oak Street Funding and developed every aspect of the business including the sales and marketing channels, underwriting guidelines, proprietary software, and capital.

Rick has a strong record of starting up and turning around large businesses by significantly increasing profitability and enterprise business value.

Rick received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting and Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in Bloomington Indiana. Rick is licensed to engage in the business of insurance in the State of Indiana for Life, Accident & Health products and a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Indiana.

E-mail:	rick.dennen@oakstreetfunding.com
Telephone:	(317) 428-3800
Fax:	(317) 428-5000

Kathy Yeary: Director of Customer Service and Compliance
Kathy Yeary is responsible for the customer service and compliance department, which includes portfolio performance and customer satisfaction, and the Human Resources department. Kathy has over twenty years of insurance and financial industry experience. Prior to joining Oak Street, she served as the Vice President – Asset Management at a specialty finance company and in several financial and operating capacities at Conseco and GTE. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington.

Michael Paciorek: Director of Underwriting
Michael Paciorek currently is the Director of Underwriting and responsible for managing the processing and underwriting teams for Oak Street Funding. Michael has over fifteen years experience in commercial and consumer lending. Michael began his career as a Commercial Loan Analyst with Mitsubishi Bank in 1994. Prior to joining Oak Street Funding, Michael also served as Underwriting Manager at First Indiana Bank, Bank One, and Oak Street Mortgage. Michael holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Indiana University and a M.B.A from Butler University with a concentration in Finance.

David Christman: Director of Information Systems
David Christman has over ten years of computer programming and data analysis experience, most of which were primarily focused on the insurance commission asset stream. At Oak Street, he is responsible for all aspects of the company’s IT infrastructure including networking, telephony, software development, and data analysis. Prior to joining Oak Street Funding, David developed a web based asset management system which is used to monitor the performance of insurance commission assets and to evaluate new acquisitions. David holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Computer Science from DePauw University.

Kory Dickerson: Controller
Kory Dickerson is in charge of the accounting, finance and treasury departments at Oak Street Funding utilizing over nine years of accounting and finance experience. Prior to joining Oak Street, Kory was an Audit Manager at Deloitte & Touche. While there, he served as an auditor and consultant working with multiple public and private companies on projects including securitizations, public offerings, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. Kory holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from Ball State University and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of Indiana.

Caitlin Elam: Marketing Manager
Caitlin Elam leads the marketing and communication efforts at Oak Street Funding, including email marketing, advertising, PR, event marketing and the bridge newsletter. Caitlin has over 5 years of business development, marketing and communications experience. Prior to joining Oak Street Funding, Caitlin served as a Key Account Manager for Worldwide Express, where she handled corporate account setup, training and relationship management. Caitlin holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising from the University of Oklahoma.

Please contact Oak Street Funding for more information.