Tenant Screening Professionals to Know 2025

My name is Chad Phillis. I'm a visionary entrepreneur and seasoned real estate investor, and I'm the founder and CEO of Checkmate Rentals—a premier short-term rental management company focused on maximizing revenue, optimizing operations, and delivering unmatched experiences for both guests and property owners. I built Checkmate Rentals to stand apart in an industry often marked by one-size-fits-all solutions and a lack of transparency. With deep expertise in Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, and Google Vacation Rentals, I recognized that most property management companies treat owners like just another number. That's why I prioritize profitability, transparency, and genuine partnerships, treating each owner like family with tailored strategies and clear financial insights. My hands-on experience in dynamic pricing, listing optimization, and operational automation has helped countless property owners turn their rentals into high-performing, passive income streams while providing exceptional guest experiences. As a trusted thought leader in the short-term rental space, I also advise investors on scaling portfolios, navigating industry regulations, and leveraging technology for operational efficiency. By blending market analysis, cutting-edge technology, and a people-first approach, I've redefined what short-term rental management can be—because at Checkmate Rentals, the difference isn’t just in the numbers; it’s in the relationships.

I'm the Chief Financial Officer of Soba New Jersey, where I manage key areas of the business, including sourcing, market and site feasibility, financial analysis, deal structuring, negotiations, equity raising, investor relations, licensing, rezoning, and collaborating with architects on new construction and renovations. I’ve led complex real estate transactions in prime markets like New York, New Jersey, and South Carolina, with successful projects such as the Coastal Carolina University student housing development, a 60,000 SF industrial warehouse in Wayne, NJ, and multiple community facility daycare leases in NYC. Additionally, I co-launched Soba New Jersey, a luxury detox center dedicated to providing individualized, holistic inpatient and outpatient behavioral health programs. My career has centered on identifying high-growth opportunities, particularly for businesses in transitional phases like M&As and IPOs, and my leadership has been instrumental in Soba New Jersey’s growth and success.

I am a seasoned mental health and addiction specialist, dedicated to the field of treatment and recovery since 2015. I hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from South University in Royal Palm Beach, FL, and I am credentialed as both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) and a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS). Over the years, I've gained hands-on experience in various areas, including psychiatric acute stabilization, psychiatric partial hospitalization, and both in-patient and out-patient substance use treatment. My journey has taken me through clinical counseling, program development, and organizational leadership. Before joining New Waters, I served as the Clinical Director at Gupta Psychiatry and Wellness in Raleigh, NC, where I helped shape a respected substance abuse partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient program. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of quality clinical programming and its impact on long-term sobriety. With a compassionate approach, I am committed to helping individuals and families overcome substance use disorders, guiding them toward a life free from addiction.

I specialize in cybersecurity and digital asset recovery, helping individuals and organizations regain control of compromised resources. With expertise in forensic techniques, blockchain analysis, and fraud prevention, I tackle even the most complex cyber threats. As a business owner, I know how important it is to protect your assets. That’s why I founded Crypto Recovers—to help you reclaim stolen or inaccessible digital assets. With a global reach and ethical standards, we offer more than recovery services. We also provide guidance on securing your accounts to prevent future attacks.

Dr. Ishdeep Narang is a board-certified psychiatrist specializing in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry. He is the founder of ACES Psychiatry in Orlando, FL, where he provides expert, empathetic care. Dr. Narang earned his medical degree from Government Medical College, Amritsar, India. He completed his Psychiatry Residency at Case Western Reserve University / MetroHealth in Cleveland, Ohio. Following residency, he pursued advanced specialization through a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Elmhurst, NY, where he also served as Chief Fellow. He is board-certified in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN). He holds an active medical license in Florida and New York and is ECFMG certified. He is dedicated to mental health advocacy and public education, actively creating online resources and combating stigma.

My name is Taylor Jones. I serve as the Head of Acquisitions for STR Search, where I’ve helped investors acquire over 200 cash-flowing Short Term Rentals across the US in the past three years. With a background as a former baseball player, I bring a unique, data-driven approach to underwriting deals and evaluating numbers daily. I believe that buying top-performing Short Term Rentals is all about the numbers and making smart, data-backed decisions. When I’m not sourcing high-performing properties, you can find me on the golf course or sharing my insights on my podcast, STR Investing, The Podcast.

I entered the field of recovery as a drug and alcohol counselor, driven by a deep understanding of the importance of treatment and a newfound sense of purpose. This calling led me to make a career change that I approach with immense gratitude. Over time, I transitioned into the role of Director at Serenity Services, and I now serve as the CEO of Ascendant NY. My journey, shaped by both personal and professional experiences, fuels my commitment to providing treatment with humility, compassion, and dignity. As a leader, I work closely with my team to evolve the traditional culture of detox facilities, striving to fill the gaps where treatment often falls short. I’m dedicated to creating individualized, client-centered care, ensuring that every person who walks through our doors feels seen, valued, and supported.

My name is Humberto Marquez. I am a seasoned real estate investment strategist with a keen eye for spotting high-potential properties and optimizing them for exceptional returns. As the Founder of gethomecash.com, I have redefined property acquisition and management by leveraging innovative Airbnb strategies and a commitment to quality over quantity. My approach ensures that each investment is carefully selected and managed to maximize its full potential. Holding a Texas Real Estate Broker License and backed by five years of hands-on experience in short-term rental management, I have successfully helped over 100 investors secure profitable vacation rental opportunities nationwide. Recognized in numerous publications and trusted by industry leaders, I continue to set new standards in property management and investment excellence.

Real Estate Expert | Home Improvement Professional | Short-Stay Rental Specialist CEO & Founder: “Keys Please Holiday Homes” | “Dubai Short Stay” | “Beirut Short Stay” With a keen eye for market trends and a deep understanding of buyer psychology, Hassan Morcel is a multifaceted industry leader shaping the real estate, short-stay rental, and home improvement landscapes.

I’m a hands-on CTO and Principal Engineer with over 14 years of experience building, scaling, and evolving software platforms that serve millions of users and handle millions of requests per second. Most recently at Atom, I’ve led the company’s transformation into a white-labeled Ticketing-as-a-Service platform—powering marquee partnerships with IMDB, Amazon, Lionsgate, Disney, Angel Studios, A24, Feverup, and more. My leadership has directly driven over $XXXM in annual revenue and enabled the launch of deeply integrated, consumer-facing experiences at scale. My core strength lies in bridging deep technical execution with product and business strategy. I specialize in taking products from 0 to 1, scaling engineering organizations, and delivering systems that are distributed, cloud-native, resilient, and cost-efficient. I’ve built high-performing engineering teams, established career ladders and performance frameworks, and shipped platforms that developers love and consumers trust. I’m also passionate about the practical application of AI. I’ve led GenAI and LLM-driven efforts across support automation, search, and internal tooling—using AI to elevate both user experience and engineering efficiency. Whether it’s defining long-term technical roadmaps, reducing cloud spend, improving developer experience, or scaling operations post-M&A, I bring a blend of strategic thinking and operational rigor to everything I lead. I believe in building fast, thoughtfully, and with an eye toward sustainability and impact

My name is Rachael O’Bella. I am a top-producing real estate investor and the founder of BlueBerrie Properties, a Houston-based brokerage specializing in high-investment return, off-market real estate. Since 2017, I have been helping investors build wealth by sourcing exclusive, below-market deals designed for maximum ROI. Recognizing that a property's value extends beyond purchase price to presentation, I also launched Refined by Rachael, a boutique design firm dedicated to residential and Airbnb interior design. My expertise combines strategy, design, and investment insights to transform acquisitions into high-performing assets.

Andrew Goldstein is a multi-state licensed Polygraph Examiner with over 17 years of experience conducting exams for relationship issues, legal cases, and pre-employment screenings. Trained at the International Academy of Polygraph, he’s worked with attorneys, law enforcement, and national media outlets like CNN and NBC. Voted in by his peers, he has served multiple terms on the board of the North Carolina Polygraph Association. Andrew is also the only private examiner who travels with a real polygraph chair equipped with motion sensors to help ensure exams can't be physically manipulated.

Over 30 years of hospitality & senior living leadership across Canada & the US. Most recent VP of Operations role - responsible for over $100m in revenue and over 1000 employees. Founded - Retirement Home Insider - which helps families find the best possible retirement home, and provides senior living operators with risk and culture assessments to help improve their community performance. www.retirementhomeinsider.com

Corey Hassett is the Executive Director for The Freedom Center a substance abuse and behavioral Health treatment program. The Freedom Center has two locations in Maryland with Residential level 3.5, Partial Hospitalization level 2.5, Intensive Outpatient level 2.1 & Outpatient 1 levels of care. Corey Hassett grew up in Gaithersburg Maryland. After graduating high school, he attended college at the University of Coastal Carolina & Salisbury University. In 2014, Corey moved to Florida where he worked in retail sales. In 2015, Corey was given the opportunity to join Amethyst Recovery Center’s Business Development team. In 2018, Corey had the opportunity to partner with Amethyst and USR to open The Freedom Center in his to hometown of Gaithersburg, MD. Throughout his tenure at The Freedom Center, he has strategically built relationship with referring providers, hospitals, and local government leaders. Corey has continued to grow The Freedom Center brand, educate his local community on substance use disorder and become a pillar of the local recovery community. Corey’s mission is to provide quality behavioral health care to local community members who reach out in need, regardless of their financial situation. Outside of The Freedom Center, Corey enjoys playing golf, hiking and most of all being the best father to his three young boys.

Joe Alas is the CEO of Quality Temp Staffing, the leading staffing agency for medical technicians in Southern California. The company was founded in 1988 and continues to thrive thanks to a strong commitment to its employees. Mr. Alas discovered his love of nuclear medicine after serving in the Air Force. After fleeing the civil war in El Salvador with his family, he wanted to give back to the United States, and enlisted. He would go on to serve in the Vietnam War, where he was a fuel system specialist, and worked on aircraft such as the F4 Phantom jet fighters. After leaving the military he enrolled in college to eventually become a doctor, but became fascinated with nuclear medicine after meeting nuclear medicine technicians while working in a laboratory after classes. He then went on to earn his certification as a Nuclear Medicine Technician and would also become certified in ultrasound. After a disappointing experience with a staffing agency, Mr. Alas was inspired to start his own - one based on respect and dignity. Today, Quality Temp Staffing continues to treat employees as family, offering ongoing support throughout their careers and ensuring that they and their own families have every advantage available. In addition to his duties as CEO, Mr. Alas enjoys helping onboard new employees and continues to work as a Certified Nuclear Medicine Technician. Even after all these years, he continues to be passionate about his vocation: “It still amazes me how we are able to see the internal organs with just an injection of a radiotracer. But, the interaction with my patients is what really gives me satisfaction.”

As a Co-Founder of AIScreen, I’m leading the growth of a global SaaS company with hundreds of B2B customers in the US and 1000+ new daily registrations on the platform. We have a dedicated team of 15+ full-time remote employees, and we are rapidly expanding in the digital signage industry. With over 15 years of experience in publishing, marketing, digital products, and the broader IT space, I’ve gained expertise across multiple sectors. My career started in publishing and marketing, which transitioned into digital start-ups, agency work, and, finally, digital products. I've been interviewed and featured on: Hubspot (https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/business-card-designs-examples), AmericanExpress (https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/9-organizations-that-can-help-your-business-right-now/), Business Insider (https://www.businessinsider.in/policy/economy/news/a-gen-zer-and-millennial-whose-monthl[…]essful-but-that-they-need-a-car/articleshow/102778750.cms) I would love to share expert insight for your upcoming article.