Our Team

Darren Griffith founded The Mountaintop Group in 2011. As the President and Broker of Record (NJ), he leads the strategic vision, business development, and operational efficiency of the company. He also serves as the Founder & Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Roecam, Mountaintop's affiliate real estate investment and asset management company. 

With over eighteen years in the real estate investment industry, Darren's extensive experience spans corporate real estate, brokerage, acquisitions, dispositions, capital markets, leasing, property management, asset management, and operations. He has advised a diverse range of clients, from single-family homeowners and small business owners to family offices and institutional investors.

Darren holds a Bachelor's degree from Villanova University, an MBA in Real Estate from Monmouth University, and a Masters of Accounting in Business Valuation from Florida Atlantic University. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Directors for CURE NY since January 2022. 

Natalie has served as the VP of Administration since 2022. In her role she oversees all administrative operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance across office management, human resources, IT and facilities. Prior to joining The Mountaintop Group Natalie worked for Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital in New Brunswick, NJ. 

Natalie is responsible for optimizing administrative processes and fostering a positive workplace culture. 

Natalie received a BA in Psychology from Franklin & Marshall College. 

As the Vice President of Operations and Technology at The Mountaintop Group, Ryan oversees operational processes and technological initiatives, ensuring seamless integration and enhanced productivity.

Throughout his impressive career, Ryan has managed teams and workflows in his previous role as Chief Technology Officer at an automotive finance startup in Florida. Since 2019, he has also worked as a technology freelancer and business consultant, adding a variety of experiences and business types to his portfolio.

Ryan studied philosophy and literature at Ave Maria University and has earned certificates from post-university courses at Duke University and UC Irvine, including project management, behavioral finance, finance for non-finance professionals, time management & productivity, and communication.”

Nicole Sarrate is the Chief of Staff and Senior Director of Strategy at The Mountaintop Group. She is a seasoned professional with over 10 years of expertise in strategic planning, organizational management, and executive support. Nicole has built a distinguished career collaborating on initiatives that drive efficiency, streamline operations, and deliver measurable results.

In her previous role with ownership and the executive team at Rudin Management Company, she contributed to organizational strategy in the corporate operations of 4.7 million square feet in residential properties, 9 million square feet of commercial office buildings, and a team of 600 employees. She partnered with senior leadership to define needs, develop strategies, and implement cross-organizational initiatives.

Nicole extends her strategic expertise as a Managing Partner at WAM, where she crafts investment strategies, oversees construction, and manages financial reporting. Her experience also aids her role as co-host of the InvestHer Community in Northern NJ where she helps empower women in real estate through education and strategic planning guidance.

Nicole also helps her clients in optimizing processes through software enhancements, project management frameworks, and inventory systems, ensuring alignment with core business objectives.

Nicole holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Miami, with honors from the Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society. Nicole is a strategic thinker and collaborative leader dedicated to driving success at every level.

As the Director of Underwriting at The Mountaintop Group, Jason is responsible for overseeing the underwriting process for all real estate engagements. This includes conducting comprehensive risk assessments, analyzing financial statements, and ensuring that all deals meet the company’s stringent criteria for profitability and sustainability. Jason leads a team of underwriters, providing guidance and mentorship to ensure accuracy and efficiency in all evaluations. Additionally, Jason collaborates closely with the acquisition and capital markets teams of our clients to align underwriting strategies with the company's broader investment goals.

Prior to joining The Mountaintop Group, Jason accumulated extensive experience in the real estate industry, with a strong focus on modeling, underwriting and risk management. He has held pivotal roles at several prominent firms, where he was instrumental in developing and implementing underwriting standards that significantly improved deal outcomes. Jason’s expertise spans a variety of property types, including residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments.

Jason holds a Bachelor's in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley and has also received his certification in Argus Enterprise. Jason is an active member of the BREAA, Urban Land Institute (ULI) and NAIOP, where he regularly participates in continuing education programs and industry conferences to stay abreast of the latest trends and best practices in real estate underwriting.

Jeff has served as the Director of Finance at The Mountaintop Group since 2021. In his role he spearheads the company's financial strategy, tax planning, and investor relations.

Jeff is a seasoned business executive and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in domestic and international business. He has held equity, managerial, and board positions in various industries, from start-ups to mature companies. Jeff began his career in public accounting at KPMG and later took on CFO and partner roles in real estate, construction, international trade, importing/distribution, consumer goods, technology, and manufacturing.

In 2009, Jeff founded Jalan Financial Consulting LLC, providing business advisory services to start-ups and small to medium-sized businesses. His diverse experience as an employee, owner, director, and consultant allows him to view businesses from multiple perspectives. Jeff employs a hands-on entrepreneurial approach, working closely with C-level executives to deliver financial, operational, and strategic planning. His expertise includes profit improvement, turnarounds, M&A transactions, capital raising activities, and simplifying operations for greater efficiency and productivity.

Jeff graduated from Temple University with a BBA in Accounting and received his CPA License (in-active). 

Lori joined The Mountaintop Group in 2022, as the Director of Accounting. Lori oversees all financial operations and accounting functions, ensuring the integrity and accuracy of financial reporting. Lori is responsible for budgeting, financial planning, and analysis, as well as implementing and maintaining robust internal controls to safeguard the company’s financial assets. In addition, she collaborates closely with other departments to support strategic decision-making and enhance overall business performance.

Lori has spent the past 20 years in real estate accounting, including multi-family, affordable housing, and large-scale developments. She was instrumental in managing multiple financial projects and streamlining accounting operations. Her expertise in financial management, coupled with a deep understanding of real estate transactions, has been crucial in driving financial efficiency and operational excellence. Lori has also demonstrated exceptional leadership abilities, successfully managing cross-functional teams and leading numerous initiatives to improve financial systems and processes.

Lori holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business with an Accounting focus. Additionally, Lori holds her NC Real Estate License and currently serves as a Broker-In-Charge.  Her continuous pursuit of professional development and excellence makes Lori an invaluable asset to The Mountaintop Group.

John re-joined The Mountaintop Group in May of 2024 as a Sr. Associate.  He comes back to The Mountaintop Group with six plus years of experience in the residential real estate industry. John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to every client interaction. Whether you're a first-time homebuyer, a seasoned investor, or looking to sell your property for top dollar, John provides personalized guidance tailored to your unique needs and goals. John is here to serve as your trusted advisor and advocate. He received a BA in Business Management from Moravian University. 

Jesse joined the Mountaintop Group in July of 2024 as an Associate. In his role, Jesse focuses on sourcing acquisition opportunities and financial analysis. He brings a sharp analytical edge to our team, having specialized in the financial evaluation of residential and commercial real estate assets throughout his career. His experience includes detailed underwriting, market analysis, and cash flow modeling to assess different scenarios and acquisition opportunities. With a background in finance and a strong commitment to precision, he plays a pivotal role in supporting transaction decisions and ensuring that each investment aligns with a firm’s goals. 

Jesse comes to the firm with over six years of experience in the real estate industry, where he has focused on Residential, Multi-Family, and Commercial Real Estate as an appraiser. With this experience in real estate underwriting and financial analysis, he has worked on numerous investment projects, conducting comprehensive evaluations to help clients and investments teams to make well informed decisions.

Jesse graduated from Cleveland State with a degree in International Business and is currently a candidate for his MBA in Finance and Real Estate at Rutgers University. Jesse is proficient in financial modeling tools such as Excel and Argus and has experience analyzing a variety of transaction types and asset classes. His commitment to professional excellence is reflected in additional certifications and coursework in business valuation, financial analysis, and real estate underwriting.