About Us

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Abbot G. Apter

President, Mercury Investment

More than twenty years experience in law and investments gives Abbot a valuable perspective into the world of real estate and business investing. 

Since starting Mercury Investment in 1995, he has directly influenced the start up, financing and sale of various business investments including commercial real estate, multi-family real estate and retail sales. Prior to Mercury, Abbot led another investment firm, The Whitecliff Group, a real estate opportunity fund that focused on apartment and hotel properties.

Prior to his current position, Abbot practiced law. He was Vice President, shareholder and director of the Fryberger, Buchanan, Smith & Frederick, P.A. law firm. Prior to joining the law firm, he clerked for the Honorable Gerald Heaney of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Abbot is an honors graduate of the University of Minnesota and the University of Minnesota Law School.

Maureen Spanier

Chief Financial Officer, Mercury Investment

Throughout her career, Maureen has managed the finances of a diverse group of businesses. With each new investment opportunity, she is able to draw upon her extensive base of insights into the financial aptitude of the business.

She co-founded Mercury Investment in 1995 along with Abbot Apter.  Prior to that, Maureen was Chief Financial Officer at another investment firm, The Whitecliff Group, a real estate opportunity fund that focused on apartment and hotel properties. She also worked in financial planning at Bankers Systems and cost accounting at Control Data.

Maureen is a graduate of the College of St. Catherine and Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management.

Karen Stelmak

Vice President of Asset Management, Mercury Investment

Karen rounds out the Mercury team with a strong operations and asset management background. She has developed an ability to oversee renovations and reposition properties for maximum profitability.

Karen joined Mercury in 2006, but her affiliation with them began much earlier, through professional partnerships. While working with ZMC Hotels, Karen was instrumental in turning around 10 Mercury-owned properties late in 2005. After the sale, Karen knew it was the ideal time to join Maureen and Abbot, with whom she shares a passion for the business and a reputation for making things happen.

Karen graduated from the University of Minnesota, Duluth with a bachelor's degree in business administration and has since shared her expertise with several organizations including chamber and tourism boards and the national Hampton Inn Operations Council.

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