About Colonial Funding Group
Meet Our Executive Team
Sophisticated Capital. Professional Execution.
Your Trusted Partner for Small and Large Pool Divestitures and Individual Note Sales.
Our reputation is built on transparency and reliability. We understand that for our sellers, certainty of close is just as critical as the purchase price. We leverage proprietary valuation models and deep market insights to provide fair, data-driven offers without the typical “re-trading” or delays found elsewhere in the industry. When we commit to a file, we close.
Eddie Speed
President/CEO
- Introducing innovative strategies that have shaped the modern note industry
- Founding NoteSchool, a highly recognized training company for buying performing and non-performing discounted mortgage notes
- Leading Colonial Funding Group LLC in acquiring and brokering discounted real estate secured notes
- Serving as a principal in Private Equity funds that acquire bulk note portfolios
With over four decades of experience, Eddie’s visionary leadership has positioned Colonial Funding Group to capitalize on the opportunities in today’s dynamic real estate market. His expertise encompasses:
- Identifying and evaluating lucrative note buying opportunities
- Developing cutting-edge strategies for note acquisition and management
- Mentoring professionals in the intricacies of the note business
- Adapting to market shifts to maintain a competitive edge in note buying
Eddie’s longstanding industry presence and innovative approach continue to drive Colonial Funding Group’s success in the note buying arena.
Susan DeLaGarza
Chief of Staff
- Loan processing and closing management
- Credit analysis and appraisal review
- Collections and real estate law
Joining Colonial in 1993, Susan has become an industry-recognized expert in:
- Managing the entire note buying process from marketing to closing
- Overseeing individual and small portfolio note acquisitions
- Streamlining the hand-off of purchased notes
Susan’s reputation as one of the most knowledgeable and capable closers in the seller-financed note industry makes her an invaluable asset to Colonial Funding Group’s operations.
Michael Barry
Advisory Board
A collaborative and solutions-driven leader, Michael has a proven track record of partnering with cross-functional stakeholders to close operational gaps, optimize ROI, and unlock sustainable growth. His ability to translate intricate financial and regulatory processes into clear, actionable strategies makes him an invaluable voice in the boardroom—equally fluent in the language of executives, operators, and clients. The advisory board is privileged to draw on his rare combination of transactional depth, operational acumen, and people-first leadership.
Ben Haught
Sr. Director, Trade Desk
Ben is a seasoned entrepreneur and note investing expert with over 15 years of experience building and operating a successful note business. Since purchasing his first investment property in 2000, he has developed a deep, hands-on understanding of how to acquire, structure, and manage performing and non-performing mortgage notes as a scalable business.
After leaving the corporate world in 2005 to invest full-time, Ben focused on mastering the operational side of the note industry. His experience spans deal sourcing, underwriting, transaction structuring, asset management, and portfolio performance optimization across multiple market cycles. This real-world expertise has earned him multiple industry awards and recognition as a trusted authority in the space.
What sets Ben apart is his ability to translate complex note strategies into practical business systems. As an author, speaker, and trainer, he has helped thousands of individuals across North America not just invest in notes, but build sustainable, profitable note businesses. His approach emphasizes execution, consistency, and creating long-term income through proven, time-tested strategies.
Ben is known for combining entrepreneurial insight with operational discipline, helping others understand what it truly takes to succeed in the note business.
Hudson Speed
Director, Trade Desk
Hudson Speed has worked in the note business for eight years. Working for Note School on the training side of the industry. Hudson helped real estate investors develop notes strategies and inaugurate them into their investment model. Hudson has also owned his own note portfolio and has bought, sold and traded notes using multiple financial models.
Charles Mangan
SVP, Asset Management
- Navigating the complexities of the savings and loan crisis and subsequent RTC era in the early 1980s
- Playing key roles in major corporations like Southwest Savings Association, The Associates Financial Services, and MCS
- Managing one of the largest real estate recovery divisions in the U.S. at The Associates Financial Services
Charles’s expertise is particularly relevant to Colonial Funding Group’s note buying operations:
- Proficiency in evaluating and acquiring distressed assets
- Demonstrated ability to generate significant recoveries from asset sales
- Deep understanding of real estate finance and servicing
- Experience in managing large-scale operations in the financial services sector
His background in handling distressed assets and generating substantial recoveries makes Charles an integral part of Colonial Funding Group’s note acquisition and management strategies. His insights help the company identify valuable opportunities in the current market landscape.
Eric Wright
VP, Asset Management
Playing keys roles with Bank of America, Rushmore Loan Management and Rocktop Technologies:
- Portfolio Due Diligence & Asset Management
- Process Improvement & Development
- Improves Underperforming Teams and Operations
- Project, Vendor & Team Management
His Acquisition, Collateral and Post-Closing experience makes him a valuable piece of the Colonial Funding Group puzzle. He drives consistency, proficiency, and team success.







