By Nick Vermeulen | University of Utah, Class of 2028
As I head into my junior year at the University of Utah, I find myself reflecting on a summer that exceeded every expectation. I came into this internship with a genuine curiosity about real estate finance and accounting, but curiosity and coursework only take you so far. What Juniper Capital gave me was something the classroom simply cannot offer: the opportunity to learn from real deals, real decisions, and real people who were generous enough to bring me along for all of it.
Kurt Ursich: Learning to Think Like a Lender
From day one, Kurt set the tone for what this internship would be. His approach to business is refreshingly direct. No fluff, no filler, just clear thinking and straight talk. Rather than handing me busywork, he invited me into conversations where real lending decisions were being made.
Working alongside Kurt gave me a front-row seat to how experienced lenders evaluate opportunities, dissect borrower pro formas, stress-test assumptions, and cut straight to the questions that separate a sound investment from a costly mistake.
What stood out most was watching him navigate negotiations: composed, precise, and never willing to dance around the truth. I left every conversation with a better understanding that private lending isn’t just about capital, it’s about judgment and the confidence to call a deal what it is. Developing that mindset in a real-world setting was something no textbook could replicate.
Jeromy and Jack: The Art of Market Knowledge and Communication
Working alongside Jeromy and Jack showed me how relationships and market knowledge drive successful lending. Watching them communicate with brokers, borrowers, and investors demonstrated the professionalism and trust that fuel this business.
Their understanding of local markets, property types, and Juniper’s lending criteria gave me a framework for how experienced lenders evaluate opportunities. More importantly, they showed me that strong relationships are just as valuable as financial expertise.
Matthew: The Legal and Documentation Side of a Deal
No deal closes without paperwork, and Matthew introduced me to that side of the business in a way that was genuinely eye-opening. I observed negotiations with legal teams, sat in on conference calls, and gained a better understanding of the documents that protect both lenders and borrowers throughout the life of a loan.
Watching legal, financial, and relationship management come together in one role broadened my perspective on what it takes to successfully manage a loan from start to finish. It was one of the most valuable learning experiences of my internship.
Field Work: Loans in the Real World
One of the highlights of my internship was getting out of the office. I visited properties, walked active construction sites, and met directly with property owners and construction teams.
Seeing a project in person, understanding construction timelines, observing different stages of development, and connecting loan structures to real assets connected all the theory I had been absorbing in the office. It gave me a much deeper appreciation for the diligence that goes into every lending decision before capital is deployed.
Drew Warford: Investor Relations and the People Side of Capital
Working with Drew reminded me that behind every loan is a group of investors who have placed their trust in the fund. He showed me how successful investor relationships are built through clear communication, transparency, and credibility.
Together, we developed an investor package for a recent purchase loan, translating a complex transaction into a clear and compelling presentation for prospective investors. It was my first experience communicating financial information to an outside audience and strengthened both my writing and analytical skills.
Looking Ahead
As I wrap up my time at Juniper and prepare to head back to Salt Lake City, I am leaving with far more than I arrived with – a deeper understanding of private lending, sharper professional instincts, and a network of people I genuinely respect.
This fall I will begin an internship with Northwestern Mutual as a Financial Planning Intern, and I feel far more confident walking into that environment because of everything Kurt and the Juniper team showed me this summer.
To Kurt, Jeromy, Jack, Matthew, Drew, Krista, and the entire Juniper Capital team, thank you. You did not have to invest in me the way you did, and I will not forget it. I am excited to carry what I learned here into everything that comes next.
