As Director of Portfolio Risk Management for The Benoit Group, Lori M. Ward is responsible for all aspects of risk management including procuring comprehensive coverage for the real estate portfolio (approximately 3,000 units), corporate policies and builders risk for our development portfolio.  She works closely with both brokers and the legal team to ensure a risk strategy that best suits The Benoit Group’s risk tolerance.  She also reviews financial compliance, capital expenditure evaluations, budget reviews and site visits/property inspections for the portfolio.

Lori has been in the real estate field for approximately 20 years.  She started her career with The Landmarks Group which developed Concourse Office Park featuring the popular “king and queen” buildings of Atlanta.  After leaving The Landmarks Group, she was employed by Hatfield/Philips which was acquired by LNR Property Corporation out of Miami, FL.  She was initially responsible for the Office Management and HR Management responsibilities for the Atlanta office and within a short period of time, was promoted to Risk Manager for LNR.

As Risk Manager, she procured and implemented Property and Liability insurance for approximately $2 billion of commercial real estate including office, retail, multifamily and hotel.   She interfaced with retail and wholesale brokers throughout the U.S. and managed the budgets for all assets.  She worked closely with attorneys throughout the country handling lawsuits inclusive of depositions, mediation, and trials in an effort to bring all claims and lawsuits to a satisfactory conclusion for LNR.  She travelled extensively to train asset management teams and property managers in order to maintain properties in good and safe working conditions.