ABOUT
THE ACADEMY FUND
®
Founded on a Simple Belief
When real estate investors have access to trusted capital,
they create lasting wealth for their families and communities.
OUR MISSION
Beyond Closing Loans
We provide flexible financing solutions for investment properties nationwide, but our mission extends beyond closing loans. We strive to become a long-term capital partner that helps real estate entrepreneurs acquire more properties, scale their businesses, and pursue opportunities with confidence.
OUR ROOTS
Forged in Service
Our roots are in the military veteran community, where trust, accountability, and mission-first execution are more than values—they're a way of life. Those principles continue to guide every relationship we build and every decision we make.
WHAT GUIDES US
Our Core Values
Integrity
Partnership
Stewardship
Abundance Mindset
Execution
Integrity
Trust is earned through actions, not words. We honor our commitments, communicate transparently, and do the right thing—even when no one is watching.
Partnership
​We never cut corners. We factor reality into every decision, conduct the diligence and align with those who are positioned to succeed. We believe in going further to get it right because smart, disciplined decisions benefit all of us.
Transparency
When you invest with Academy Fund, you are a partner. We go the distance to ensure that trust is continuously strengthened through transparency, third party oversight and comprehensive legal compliance.
Abundance Mindset
We will never underwrite a loan if we believe the borrower won’t be successful on a project, even if there is an opportunity for us to make a profit. Believing in our borrowers' long-term success translates to the long-term prosperity of our community. A rising tide lifts all boats.
Process
Our comprehensive due diligence process ensures peace of mind for both our team and our investors.
Community
United, we accomplish more. Our borrowers feel the weight of community expectations and are driven to uphold their commitments.
Grit
Veterans, by nature, possess resilience. Their resourcefulness and unyielding determination to fulfill missions are the very qualities that mark their success as entrepreneurs and real estate investors.
Service
At the heart of our ethos lies a deep-seated commitment to service, reflecting not just in our interactions with clients, but also in acknowledging and honoring the service our clients have rendered to our country.
Our Team
Managing Director
Jason Hutton
Jason Hutton joined Academy Fund in May 2024 with over two decades of experience in the private lending and alternative investment space. He provides general leadership for the firm and oversees originations, operations and asset management. In his previous role he was SVP & COO of a nationwide private real estate lender, where he oversaw originations, servicing, asset management and financing. There he also led re-engineering of its lending platform (including CRM, underwriting, funding, and servicing) and its evolution into a powerful and efficient “marketplace” with 15 lenders funding over 2,300 loans and $500MM in volume in less than two years. Jason is a former U.S. Army artillery officer and a 1995 West Point graduate with an MBA in finance from NYU-Stern.
William Militello
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
William "Bill" Militello is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Academy Fund, where he leads the firm's investment strategy, credit oversight, and capital formation efforts. He is also the founder of Militello Capital, a real estate investment firm that has acquired more than $850 million in commercial real estate assets while raising over $100 million from more than 500 investors.
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A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former U.S. Marine Corps Signals Intelligence Officer, Bill brings more than 25 years of experience in asset management, private capital markets, and regulated financial services. Throughout his career, he has founded four companies, successfully exited two regulated securities firms, and helped raise capital for more than 40 companies and investment funds across over 100 financing rounds.
Co-Manager & Director of Investor Development
Lewis Baker
Lewis D. Baker, CFP®, is a distinguished wealth advisor known for his focus on comprehensive financial planning and tax efficiency. A United States Military Academy graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Management, Lew began his finance career at Merrill Lynch in 1994, later advancing to Vice President at Morgan Stanley. His expertise in investment knowledge is complemented by his insights into financial planning and tax efficiency. In 2002, seeking a more personalized approach, he founded Baker Schilling Wealth Strategies. His entrepreneurial journey continued with the establishment of Rock Creek Wealth Planners and Advisors in 2018, catering to business owners, pre-retirees, and retirees. Beyond his professional endeavors, Lew contributes as a co-manager of the Academy Fund and invests in veteran-led ventures. He also dedicates time to his alma mater as a West Point outreach officer and serves on the service academy selection board for U.S. Representative Eleanor Holmes-Norton.
Amanda Dawson
Amanda Dawson, currently serving as the Director of Operations & Investor Relations, has built a diverse career path, culminating in her current role at the Academy Fund since 2020. Her journey in the financial sector began at Piedmont Investment Advisors in 2009, followed by a pivotal role at Militello Capital in 2013. A Toronto, Canada native, Amanda holds a bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech and an MBA from George Washington University. Before her foray into finance, she honed her operational expertise at esteemed organizations, including Elizabeth Arden Red Door Salon and Spa, Darden Restaurants, and Walt Disney World Resorts.
Director of Operations & Investor Relations
Sean Mykietyn
Sean Mykietyn, a Northern Virginia native, currently holds the position of Chief Financial Officer at the Academy Fund. He graduated from Radford University in 2005 with a double major in Accounting and Finance, along with a minor in Criminal Justice. Sean's career began in public accounting, where he gained valuable experience at firms such as Kositza Wicks & Company and Streetman & Jones PC. In 2008, he transitioned to corporate accounting with Ramsey Asset Management. Known for his strong numerical acumen and problem-solving skills, Sean took on the role of Controller for the family office of a prominent billionaire businessman in 2012. His career further evolved when he joined Militello Capital in 2017, and he expanded his expertise in financial management by joining the team at the Academy Fund in 2020.
Chief Financial Officer
Scott Mackes
Co-Founder & Managing Partner
Scott Mackes is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Academy Fund, where he leads the firm's strategic partnerships and relationship-driven origination platform. He is also the founder of Service Academy Business Mastermind (SABM) and co-founder of 10X Vets, organizations that have helped facilitate more than $100 million in veteran-led real estate loans while building a nationwide network of more than 1,000 accredited investors.
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A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Surface Warfare Officer, Scott has dedicated his career to connecting military veteran entrepreneurs, investors, and business leaders. Through Academy Fund and its affiliated organizations, he has helped create an ecosystem that provides capital, strategic relationships, and growth opportunities for veteran-led real estate investors and business owners nationwide.
