Managing Director,
Durkin Group,
a Gordon Brothers Company
With over two decades of driving innovation in asset-based lending Kevin Durkin has built a legacy of leadership and mentorship. As the founder of Durkin Group, now a Gordon Brothers Company, he has transformed field examination services while shaping the careers of countless professionals in the industry.
Durkin entered the industry in the early 1990s amid an economic recession. He first worked in banking focused on ABL where he soon entered the training ground of field examinations. This experience led him to further his education, earning a master’s degree in accounting and obtaining his CPA designation.
Durkin founded Durkin Group in 2001, which enabled him to focus on field exam services and client relationships with a more personalized approach. In September 2023, the company was acquired by Gordon Brothers. This acquisition not only expanded Gordon Brothers’ comprehensive service offering to deliver integrated, custom solutions across the asset lifecycle all under one platform but also gave Durkin Group the platform and resources to accelerate its growth.
ACTION-ORIENTED LEADERSHIP
At the core of Durkin’s success is his hands-on, action-oriented leadership style. He explains retaining top talent and investing in their development has been key to his practice’s accomplishments.
Durkin’s hiring strategy emphasizes finding individuals who have excelled in their previous roles, regardless of whether they have direct experience in ABL. He values critical thinking and the ability to pivot when identifying risks, which are essential qualities of his team members.
“Kevin showed a willingness to extend employment opportunities to individuals with minimal ABL experience but with the aptitude to quickly learn. This approach not only helped build a large field exam practice but also fostered employee loyalty and minimized turnover, which is often a challenge in this field,” Joel Good, a former colleague who nominated Durkin for the Pioneer Icon award, says. “As a result of what I learned while working for Kevin, I have started my own field exam practice, and he continues to be a role model and mentor as I navigate the early stages of its growth and development.”
CONTINUOUS EVOLUTION
Beyond his work Durkin has contributed to the broader professional community as an adjunct professor at New York University for the School of Professional Studies where he taught accounting and finance.
“I did that because you have to always work on your development,” Durkin says.
He used the opportunity at NYU to refine his presentation skills and enhance his ability to effectively transfer knowledge to others.
Continuous learning has been a recurring theme throughout Durkin’s career, and he values the opportunity to work with people across different stages of their business cycles. For him, the constant evolution of the ABL industry is what keeps it exciting.
Durkin has also been actively involved in various trade associations, including Turnaround Management Association and Secured Finance Network. He has twice received SFNet’s education award and sees the tremendous value these associations offer. Durkin encourages professionals to take advantage of trade associations to gain visibility and learning opportunities.
“One of the best ways to advance your career is by developing relationships with peers and gaining a broader understanding of the marketplace,” Durkin says.
Drawing from his own early career experiences, Durkin offers several key pieces of advice for those starting out in the industry:
1. Find a good mentor who can teach you the tactical aspects of the industry and provide straightforward guidance, feedback and tools.
2. Always own up to your mistakes. Take responsibility, avoid making excuses and move on to the next opportunity.
3. If you don’t know something, admit it and ask questions.
4. Seek out the right people to work with.
5. Don’t chase money; instead, focus on continually developing your skills.
Durkin’s team describes him as a tough but fair leader who sets high expectations while always investing in their growth. He focuses on extracting the potential from each team member, emphasizing teamwork and flexibility. Among his proudest career moments are building up the Durkin Group, retaining employees, and maintaining the value provided to clients throughout the Gordon Brothers’ acquisition.
While Durkin is fascinated by the rapid advancements in technology, the increasing availability of information and analytics, and the evolution of lending practices, he believes fundamental ABL principles remain unchanged.
He continues to monitor the regulatory practices of banks versus non-banks, particularly in relation to his practice. Durkin hopes field examination will become better understood within the non-bank environment and standards around the services his practice provides will grow, enabling better client solutions.
Though Durkin sees many more years of leadership ahead, he’s also excited about the next chapter, both for his team and himself. Whether guiding Durkin Group’s future or unwinding with family on a golf course or hiking trail, his passion for growth, learning and innovation remains at the heart of everything he does. •
