Executive Team

Craig L. Knutson has served as a director, and Chief Executive Officer of MFA since August 2017. Mr. Knutson served as Chief Executive Officer and President from August 2017 to August 2024. Prior thereto, Mr. Knutson served as our President and Chief Operating Officer from January 2014 to July 2017. Mr. Knutson served as our Executive Vice President from 2008 to 2013. From 2004 to 2007, Mr. Knutson served as Senior Executive Vice President of CBA Commercial, LLC, an acquirer and securitizer of small balance commercial mortgages. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Knutson served as President and Chief Operating Officer of ARIASYS Inc., a software development company specializing in custom solutions for small to midsize businesses. From 1986 to 1999, Mr. Knutson held various progressive positions in the mortgage trading and mortgage finance departments of First Boston Corporation (later Credit Suisse), Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley. From 1981 to 1984, Mr. Knutson served as an Analyst and then Associate in the Investment Banking Department of E.F. Hutton & Company Inc.

Mr. Knutson holds an M.B.A. from Harvard University and an A.B. (magna cum laude) from Hamilton College.

Bryan Wulfsohn serves as President and Chief Investment Officer. Mr. Wulfsohn joined MFA in 2010. From 2008 to 2010, Mr. Wulfsohn served as a Senior Financial Analyst at Inland Western Real Estate Trust, Inc., where he focused on corporate strategy. From 2005 to 2007, Mr. Wulfsohn served as an associate in the capital markets group at CBA Commercial, LLC, an acquirer and securitizer of small balance commercial mortgages.

Mr. Wulfsohn holds a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College, and he is a CFA charterholder.

Michael C. Roper serves as Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Roper was appointed Chief Financial Officer in 2023. Previously, Mr. Roper served as Chief Accounting Officer from 2021 to 2023 and has held various accounting and financial reporting-related positions since joining MFA in 2014. Prior to joining MFA, Mr. Roper was the Assistant Controller for Apollo Residential Mortgage, Inc. and began his career at Ernst & Young LLP primarily focusing on providing client services to publicly traded mortgage REITs.

Mr. Roper is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a B.S. from Bentley University and an M.S. from Pace University.

Harold E. Schwartz serves as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary. Mr. Schwartz joined MFA in 2011. From 2001 to July 2011, Mr. Schwartz served as a Vice President and Senior Counsel for American Express Company, where he specialized in corporate, securities, corporate governance and mergers and acquisitions matters. From 1996 to 2000, Mr. Schwartz served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Caribiner International, Inc., a business communications services and audio visual equipment rental company. Mr. Schwartz began his career working for the law firm of Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.

Mr. Schwartz has a J.D. from Georgetown University and an A.B. from Duke University.

Lori Samuels serves as Chief Loan Operations Officer. Ms. Samuels has held various asset management and loan operations positions since joining MFA in 2010 and has been a Senior Vice President of the Company since 2016. Ms. Samuels began her career at Fitch Ratings, Inc. focusing on residential credit, and her experience also includes working at BNY Mellon.

Ms. Samuels holds a B.B.A. in Finance and Operations Management from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.

Bryan Doran serves as Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining MFA, Mr. Doran was an audit partner in the Real Estate, Hospitality & Construction practice at Ernst & Young LLP. While at Ernst & Young, Mr. Doran served as the coordinating audit partner on several publicly traded residential and commercial mortgage REITs, as well as equity REITs investing in a variety of real estate asset classes.

Mr. Doran is a Certified Public Accountant and holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting from St. John’s University.