Our Team

Private Selling Officer | Receivership | Real Estate

Richard F. Kruse

Managing Partner

Tel: 614-774-4118
E-mail: rfk@gryphonusa.com

Richard F. Kruse is the Managing Partner of Gryphon USA, Ltd., a dynamic firm overseeing a receivership group, a thriving commercial auction business, and a comprehensive, multi-state real estate practice.

With a focus on navigating complex state and federal legal matters, foreclosure, and insolvency, Mr. Kruse has been a driving force since 1996. His extensive experience includes roles as a receiver, interim manager, asset purchaser, liquidating agent, equipment appraiser, broker, property manager, and auctioneer in transactions spanning the United States, Mexico, and Canada, boasting a combined asset value exceeding $2 billion.

In 2003, Mr. Kruse began accepting receivership appointments managing countless transactions through sales or wind-down processes. His expertise extends across the Midwest, overseeing receivership cases from Washington DC to California.

A respected authority, Mr. Kruse imparts his knowledge through seminars on distressed asset management and corporate wind-down for the real estate and auction community. He has shared insights on financial institutions and the court system at The Ohio Auction School and National Auctioneers Association, earning recognition as an industry expert by leading publications such as the Columbus Dispatch, Columbus Business First and countless online venues.

In 2011, Mr. Kruse played a pivotal role in drafting new local rules for receivership management in Franklin County, Ohio. He also contributed to modified legislation language streamlining the foreclosure sale process in Ohio and played a key role in developing a proprietary website for workflow tracking and online bidding for Private Selling Officer auctions.

Acknowledged as “One to Know” in Real Estate 2013 by Business First, Mr. Kruse’s commitment extends to public service. Appointed by Governor John Kasich in 2013, he served as Chairman of the Ohio Auctioneers Commission, contributing to the advancement of the auction industry.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mr. Kruse embraced new adventures during the Covid period. He discovered a passion for scuba diving, obtaining his PADI open water instructor certification and progressing toward the prestigious Master Scuba Diver Trainer certification. In Ohio and Florida, he shares his expertise as a scuba diving instructor and serves as a dive guide on boats in Clearwater, Florida.

Away from work, Mr. Kruse finds joy in traveling, cooking, and continuing his exploration of the underwater world. Residing in both Columbus, Ohio, and Tarpon Springs, Florida, with his wife, Melissa, and their daughter, Savannah, he cherishes the balance between his professional success and personal adventures.

Melissa Kruse

Partner

Melissa is the Co-Founder and a Partner in Gryphon USA. In addition to taking management roles in the company’s asset management and recovery projects since 2003, she focuses on regional and national event planning, operations, and logistics.

Most recently, Melissa was the director of External Operations for the Columbus Local Organizing Committee for the Women’s Final Four. Prior to that she was the Deputy Director of Transportation & Logistics for the Democratic National Convention Committee. In conjunction with the Director of Transportation, she helped plan a fully integrated accessible transportation system comprised of 425 buses and 365 motor pool cars, that moved more than 45,000 convention participants from 90 hotels to conference events throughout Philadelphia.

She was also involved in the two-year outreach and strategic planning effort for Columbus 2016, the City of Columbus solicitation to land the 2016 Democratic Convention. She worked closely with many leading stakeholders both in Columbus and nationally, to plan and implement events to raise awareness and generate support for the City’s endeavor. This project included planning and executing over 40 events in a two-day site visit, as well as coordinating multiple events both in Columbus and other cities.

During the Clinton Administration, Melissa also served as a Special Advisor to the President and the Director of Outreach for the Office of the Special Envoy for the Americas. In this role she organized events throughout the North and South America in support of Administration initiatives.

Jeremy Pratt

Real Estate Broker, Director of Operations

Jeremy Pratt is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Ohio and Florida, and serves as Director of Operations for standard foreclosure and distressed asset sales at Gryphon USA. In addition, he oversees Gryphon’s Auctioneer/Broker Partner Program, fostering relationships and driving strategic expansion across multiple markets.

Jeremy joined Gryphon in 2018 as a marketing assistant, quickly transitioning into a field operations role supporting real estate, firearm, and commercial asset liquidations. Through this hands-on experience, he developed in-depth knowledge of the judicial foreclosure process, receivership, and procedures for selling real property at foreclosure auctions as a Private Selling Officer.

In 2019, Jeremy became a licensed real estate agent and expanded his role significantly—taking on managerial duties, participating directly in transactions, and leading vendor hiring and management. He played a key role in refining internal procedures to enhance operational efficiency.

Jeremy has contributed to numerous receivership cases, gaining experience both in administrative proceedings and field-level operations. His comprehensive skillset positioned him for broader leadership opportunities within the company.

In 2023, Jeremy earned his Real Estate Broker’s license in Ohio and became Gryphon’s broker of record, taking on new strategic and compliance responsibilities. He has also secured his Florida broker’s license and is in the process of obtaining licenses in several additional states, aligning with Gryphon’s goals for national expansion.

Jeremy is an alumnus of the University of Cincinnati, where he studied finance. Following graduation, he spent a year teaching English in the Czech Republic and traveling throughout Europe.

In his free time, Jeremy enjoys scuba diving, backpacking, and participating in ultra-distance footraces—including grueling events that stretch up to 240 miles.

Kailyn Rekos

Director, Strategic Real Estate

Kailyn is a University of Delaware School of Business alumna and former Division I soccer player, known for bringing a competitive edge and strategic mindset to every initiative. With a robust background in consultative sales, she has generated millions in revenue for U.S. universities through institutional partnerships and global education consulting—including work alongside government entities to expand access and drive growth.

Now entering the real estate auction industry, Kailyn proudly advances a second-generation family legacy. She applies her expertise in high-stakes negotiation, client relationship management, and turnkey deal execution to deliver outstanding results in fast-paced, outcome-focused environments.

Having traveled to over 40 countries since 2018, Kailyn offers a global perspective that enhances her ability to understand diverse markets and buyer motivations. Resourceful, adaptable, and relentlessly driven, she is committed to maximizing value for clients through transparent, competitive sales strategies.

Savannah Kruse

Marketing, Sales & Social Media Specialist

Savannah is a dedicated member of the Gryphon USA team, specializing in marketing, sales, and social media strategy. Having grown up immersed in the world of real estate auctions, asset management, and receivership, Savannah brings both a deep-rooted understanding of the business and a fresh, digitally savvy approach to brand communication.

With a B.A. in Social Media and Digital Communication and a Minor in Event Management from High Point University, Savannah is well-versed in creating compelling campaigns and managing high-impact marketing initiatives. Her hands-on experience at Gryphon USA spans over six years, where she has played a key role in promoting real estate and commercial asset auctions, organizing and staging auction sites, and managing digital content across multiple platforms.

Beyond Gryphon, Savannah has contributed to impactful community organizations such as Huckleberry House and the YWCA, where she developed awareness campaigns, coordinated youth advisory boards, and executed large-scale fundraising events. Her background in event planning, digital media, and stakeholder engagement makes her a dynamic asset to the team.

Savannah’s creative mindset, strategic thinking, and firsthand knowledge of the asset recovery industry allow her to help drive Gryphon’s mission of delivering innovative solutions to complex challenges across the nation.

Billy Hagen

Auctioneer & Appraiser

Billy Hagan, Realtor & Auctioneer, began his auction career in 1997 working for his Father in Law’s auction company, T & S Auctions. After spending the next several years learning the business, he became a licensed auctioneer in 2004 and moved into a leadership role in the company. Now licensed in 6 states, he regularly conducts auctions throughout the Midwest and Eastern United States and is also a trusted personal property appraiser, providing USPAP-compliant appraisals for courts, attorneys, businesses, and individuals. Read More Save

A graduate of the Indiana College of Auctioneers, Billy has been hired as an instructor by his alma mater, teaching Ethics, Marketing and Online Auctions. He is also an active member of the National Auctioneers Association and Indiana Auctioneers Association, has earned the professional designations of Certified Auctioneer Institute (CAI), Auction Marketing Management (AMM) and Graduate Personal Property Appraiser (GPPA) designation. Billy formerly sat on the board of directors of the Indiana Auctioneers Association, is a member of Rotary International and a former board member of the Washington Co. Chamber of Commerce.

Billy began working with Gryphon in 2018 as a personal property auctioneer and, after earning his GPPA designation in 2022, also became Gryphon’s lead USPAP compliant appraiser. In 2023 Billy accepted the role to manage all commercial equipment liquidations assigned to the company. In 2024 he expanded his role yet again accepting a position managing real estate auctions in Ohio and Florida.

Billy is a native of Winter Garden, FL and now resides in Pekin, Indiana

Sheryll Chew

Executive Assistant

Sheryll Chew joined Gryphon in 2020 as an executive assistant aiding with asset marketing, file management and business communications. She handles day to day tasks related to PSO sales and also acts as the main point of contact for all real estate agent and buyer related inquiries on our available auction properties as well as facilitating the closing efforts on those projects.

Support Team

Gryphon is supported by an amazing operations team of experienced professionals, many of whom have been with us for many years. They organize, coordinate, execute, and offer service with dedication and excellence. These team members not only make what we do possible, but also more enjoyable. We recognize and appreciate that our jobs and your experience are made richer by their efforts.