Mark Penna says his greatest inspirations are his grandparents, who immigrated to the United States from Italy. "They worked very hard and came on a boat with nothing and made something."

Penna has made something as well, launching Emerald Creek Capital in 2009. Emerald Creek is a real estate financing company that provides short term bridge loans. Emerald's focus has been smaller operations that were hit hardest by the economic crisis, dealing with transactions in the $1-20 million range. 

One deal he's particularly proud of is a recent land deal in Long Island City with $17 million of debt on the property. Originally planned as a hotel, it went bankrupt during the crisis and was going for $8 million out of bankruptcy. A buyer came in with $6 million of his own money and Emerald Creek lent the $2 million balance. "We were pleased, it was a low leverage amount and we were impressed with the amount of money he was bringing to the transaction."

Through Emerald Creek, Penna supports several charitable organizations, among them the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which fosters Italian-American heritage, and City Harvest, which collects food for New York City's hungry.

"My wife [Noelle] and I have been very involved in City Harvest. Even in this amazing, vibrant city of Manhattan, so many people are living in poverty. It's a great organization." 

To learn more about Emerald Creek, you can contact Penna by emailing  mpenna@emeraldcreekcapital.com or calling (800) 313-2616.