Meet the Team
Chief Executive Officer
Tommy Nigro, CPL, CFM
Tommy leads North Oak Investment with the conviction that business should give people the freedom to live and work in ways that bring purpose and enjoyment. Guided by his faith, he leads with integrity and a steady, protective style that looks out for the good of investors, borrowers, and the team alike — always aiming for the best outcome for all involved.
A Certified Private Lender and Certified Fund Manager, Tommy envisioned and launched North Oak’s REIT — one of the first designed specifically for single-family fix-and-flip projects — a two-year undertaking that improved outcomes for both borrowers and investors. He also developed a detailed repair budget system that makes deal analysis more precise and reliable. These innovations earned him industry recognition as a nominee for the American Association of Private Lenders’ Rising Star Award.
After attending the University of Missouri, Tommy began his career in construction management and systems engineering before turning his focus to private lending. For nearly a decade, he has led North Oak’s growth — overseeing the origination, underwriting, and management of more than 900 loans totaling over $80 million, while building the systems to manage portfolios at scale.
Family is at the center of Tommy’s life. He and his wife, Jessica, are raising their three children in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, where they enjoy time outdoors, traveling together, and savoring the small moments that make life meaningful.
Fun fact: Some of Tommy’s favorite adventures have been shared with family and friends — from hiking and ATV rides to a five-day backpacking trip across the Grand Canyon.
Operations Manager | Underwriter | Portfolio Manager
Nelly Cerna, CPL
Nelly is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the financial industry, specializing in private lending. She oversees underwriting and portfolio management for us and plays a critical role in protecting investors and supporting borrowers. As a Certified Private Lender and trusted leader within the firm, Nelly is known for her precision, accountability, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Bringing a rare blend of warmth, resilience, and technical expertise to her work, Nelly’s background in accounting and a deep understanding of risk assessment means she consistently identifies opportunities and mitigates challenges with clarity and confidence. Her relational strengths make her a valued advisor among colleagues, clients, and partners alike.
Recognized for her reliability and insight, Nelly has built a reputation as someone who gets things done—efficiently and thoughtfully. Whether guiding a complex underwriting decision or mentoring team members, she approaches each responsibility with care, integrity, and follow-through.
Outside of work, Nelly enjoys a hands-on lifestyle with her husband and family. They enjoy gardening, fishing, camping, and even tackling home renovation projects—taking on their own fix-and-flip ventures whenever the opportunity arises. Nelly’s ability to nurture growth, build structure, and create lasting value extends well beyond her professional work.
Fun fact: As new boat owners, Nelly and her husband enjoyed every summer weekend this year, Nelly and her family take to the Missouri lakes on their boat for staycations—making the most of the water, the sun, and time together.
Founding Partner | Senior Loan Officer | Fix & Flip Legend
Bernie Richter
Bernie is both a connoisseur of the Golden Age of Jazz and a living encyclopedia of Kansas City real estate. Just as he can recall every nuance of a 1950s club performance, he knows the history and character of nearly every neighborhood in town. That depth of knowledge and commitment to doing things right shapes everything he does at North Oak Investment.
With a natural eye for what works — and what doesn’t — Bernie has been part of the very foundation of the fix-and-flip industry in Kansas City since the early 1970s, long before it became a mainstream investment strategy. Clients value his unwavering integrity, honest feedback, and ability to protect them from costly mistakes. If he tells you to walk away from a deal, it’s because he’s already thought through every angle.
For Bernie, work isn’t something to retire from — it’s what keeps life interesting. He’s passionate about seeing projects done well, mentoring other investors, and keeping standards high for the industry he helped build.
Fun fact: Between deals, Bernie might give you a five-minute jazz history lesson, complete with the perfect track from his favorite era — and you’ll leave knowing why he calls it “real jazz.”
Controller
Max LaFoy, CPA, CPL
Max keeps North Oak’s financial foundation strong, ensuring every transaction is accurate, transparent, and aligned with the company’s mission. He approaches his work with integrity, generosity, and a genuine desire to see the people around him succeed.
A Certified Public Accountant and Certified Private Lender, Max holds a master’s in accounting from Truman State University and brings 15 years financial and banking experience. He combines technical expertise with a problem-solver’s creativity–the teammate who will quietly build a better process, offer an on-the-spot solution, or find a way to make a client’s experience smoother. His background in martial arts shaped his discipline and his instinct to help — qualities that continue to guide how he supports the team and serves clients.
Life outside of work is full and rich for Max. He and his wife are raising three children — two daughters and a son — and are deeply involved in activities that keep their family and faith at the center.
Fun fact: When there’s time to create, Max enjoys using his laser engraver to craft one-of-a-kind gifts, from clipboards with the North Oak logo to personalized teacher presents.
Marketing Director
Kendra Gensemer
Kendra brings a journalist’s curiosity and a marketer’s strategy to North Oak Investment, blending creativity with clarity to make complex ideas accessible. With a background in journalism, brand storytelling, and content strategy and two decades of experience with world-class companies like Deloitte and Sunlighten, she connects people to opportunities by telling the stories that matter — from investors building their portfolios to borrowers transforming properties.
She has a lifelong love of beauty and meaning, which is why she’s drawn to the transformation process in the rehab world. Having renovated her own home post-divorce and as an empty nester, she is writing a book about how God renovated both her house and her heart through the experience — finding parallels and lessons in every stage of the work. For Kendra, communication isn’t just about sharing information; it’s about listening for the deeper story and helping others see the bigger picture.
Fun fact: Outside of work, Kendra is a swivel water skier (also called “ballet on water”). She has competed at nationals five times and won an award for artistry — bringing the same blend of skill, creativity, and purpose to the water that she brings to her work.
Intern | Outreach Specialist
Max Klapmeyer
Max brings fresh energy and curiosity to North Oak Investment, helping share our story with the community and learning the lending craft from the ground up. His life is shaped by a desire to live with purpose, rooted in a drive to stand up for what matters and invest in the people around him.
He’s currently working on his first rehab — a home he’s remodeling to live in during college. The project has given him the chance to tackle challenges head-on, learn practical skills, and enjoy time alongside his dad.
Max studies Business Communications and Criminal Justice at Rockhurst University and has been expanding his skills in sales, marketing, and real estate while at North Oak. Determined and engaged, he gravitates toward challenges that stretch him and loves seeing a project through from start to finish. Outside of work, he enjoys playing guitar, bass, piano, and drums, and fishing — whether bass fishing close to home or fly fishing in Colorado. He’s also an avid student of history, especially WWI and WWII, and loves exploring the psychology behind human behavior.
Fun fact: Max looks sweet and innocent but he is a competitive Brazilian jiu-jitsu master and kickboxing guru. We don’t mess with Max.
