Meet The Team

Johann de Villiers - President

Johann de Villiers is the President and Chief Executive Officer and founder of LJL Funding LLC. Johann earned a degree in accounting from the University of the Witwatersrand in South Africa and registered as a Chartered Accountant (CPA). Mr. de Villiers is a licensed California Real Estate Broker and has extensive experience in financial services having been a member of the American Stock Exchange, National Association of Securities Dealers and having served as a Registered Investment Advisor of a mutual fund. In addition to holding senior management positions in a number of international public and private companies, he has started and led a number of startup ventures in diverse industries.

Susan C. Lakosil - Chief Financial Officer

Susan Lakosil is the Chief Financial Officer and Controller for LJL Funding LLC since inception. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from San Diego State University and was a CPA and manager for KPMG, Peat Marwick in both Orange County and San Diego. Ms. Lakosil has also held numerous consultant and controller positions for a wide variety of companies including public companies and limited partnerships where she was responsible for SEC filings, tax preparation, budgeting, auditor liaison and preparation of annual K-1 statements.

Susan Villa - Senior Underwriter

Susan Villa is Senior Underwriter for LJL Funding LLC. She has more than twenty years experience in underwriting subprime, “A” and Commercial and Hard Money mortgages. Susan was a President’s Club Winner” 1996, 2002 & 2003; #1 Operations Manager, 3 years in a row, #1 Team 2 consecutive years with Accredited Home Lenders. She managed the only Team in Orange County office to fund $30 million multiple calendar months surpassing all sales company goals.

Jaime Paredes - Portfolio Manager

Jaime Paredes is the Portfolio Manager for LJL Funding LLC. Jaime earned a MBA from National University 1980 – 1982 and a BBA – University of San Diego 1977 -1980. He has more than twenty years experience in all sectors of the real estate business including property management, project management, sales, leasing and real estate preservation. In addition he is experienced in real estate lending focusing on collections, modifications as well as sales and purchases of loan portfolios.

Jim Chung - Senior Vice President of Sales (West Coast)

Jim Chung is the Senior Vice President of Sales (West Coast) for LJL Funding LLC. Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Southern California with a Business/Finance Major in 1994. In addition he is FINRA Series 7, 63 & 65 licensed. Jim has more than ten years experience in the financial services industry as a financial wholesaler focusing on professional financial advisors. During the last five years he sold non correlated alternative investments to registered financial advisors in the Southwest.

Paul Blanchard - VP Mortgage Origination

Paul Blanchard is the VP of Mortgage origination for LJL Funding LLC. He is a graduate from Florida State University and has more than 15 years experience in mortgage sales. As VP, Divisional Sales Manager for GE Money Bank/WMC Mortgage he provided leadership and training development for up to 50 direct reports and over 400 indirect reports, generating upwards of $700 million monthly in mortgage production, during this period he orchestrated a complete turnaround of mortgage region: increased annual production from $600 M and $12 M in earnings to $6 B in production and $36 M in earnings.