Three team members earn the industry’s premier CES® designation, deepening the firm’s commitment to expertise, ethics and exceptional client service.
COLLEGEVILLE, PA – May 13, 2026 – 1031 CORP., a nationally recognized Qualified Intermediary facilitating tax-deferred 1031 exchanges, today announced that three members of its team have earned the Certified Exchange Specialist® (CES®) designation, the 1031 exchange industry’s most prestigious professional credential. Katie Bromley, CES®, Exchange Coordinator; Gabrielle Durante, CES®, Exchange Coordinator; and Laura Markham, JD, CES®, General Counsel for 1031 CORP. and President of Reverse 1031 CORP., have all earned the designation through the Federation of Exchange Accommodators (FEA).
The CES® designation is a voluntary certification and continuing education program offered through the FEA, designed specifically for 1031 exchange practitioners.
“Earning the CES® designation reflects the kind of commitment we value at 1031 CORP. — continual learning, deep technical knowledge and the ability to apply it to real-life transactions,” said Margo McDonnell, CRE, CES®, President and CEO of 1031 CORP. “Katie, Gabrielle and Laura all bring that commitment to every exchange they touch. Our clients have always been able to count on a knowledgeable person to pick up the phone and walk them through even the most complex scenarios. Adding three more CES® designees to our team means that promise only gets stronger.”
CES® candidates must have a minimum of three years of full-time, hands-on experience facilitating exchanges before they sit for the comprehensive examination, which tests both technical knowledge and daily competency in exchange facilitation, including the ethical responsibilities that come with managing another party’s funds. CES® designees are bound by a strict code of ethics and conduct, and must complete 20 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain the designation.
1031 CORP.’s connection to the CES® program runs deep. President and CEO Margo McDonnell spearheaded the industry’s efforts to launch the CES® program and was among the first exchange professionals in the country to earn the designation in 2003. She received the 2003 President’s Award for Outstanding Dedication and Service to the FEA, and served as Chair of the CES® Certification Council from its inception through 2008. In October 2008, the Certification Council honored her with the Margo McDonnell Certified Exchange Specialist® Perpetual Award for Outstanding Service, which is now given to a CES® professional each year in her honor.
Bromley, Durante and Markham join their colleagues Margo McDonnell, Marissa LoCascio, Cindi Platt-Elliott, Grace Rivera, Kristen McVeigh and Sabrina Richards as CES® designees.
About 1031 CORP.
1031 CORP. is a nationally recognized Qualified Intermediary (QI) specializing in tax-deferred 1031 exchange transactions under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031. As one of the top qualified intermediaries in the United States, 1031 CORP. helps real estate investors, business owners, and their trusted advisors—including real estate agents, attorneys, accountants, financial professionals, and title and escrow officers—defer capital gains taxes through compliant like-kind exchanges. With decades of national experience completing thousands of successful real property exchanges, 1031 CORP. delivers what investors ask for most: security, expertise, and exceptional service. 1031 CORP. facilitates all types of 1031 exchanges, including reverse 1031 exchanges, delayed exchanges, improvement exchanges, and simultaneous exchanges. With multiple Certified Exchange Specialists® (CES®) on staff, 1031 CORP. is the best choice for your 1031. For more information, visit 1031corp.com.
About Reverse 1031 CORP.
Reverse 1031 CORP. is a trusted leader in reverse and improvement 1031 exchanges, helping investors acquire replacement property before selling their relinquished property or improve the replacement property—often essential in today’s competitive market. Structured under Revenue Procedure 2000-37, our exchanges utilize a Qualified Exchange Accommodation Arrangement (QEAA) and an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT) to “park” title for up to 180 days, ensuring compliance and maximizing tax deferral. With over three decades of combined industry experience our expert team offers personalized guidance, deep legal and tax knowledge, and secure handling of every transaction, making even the most complex exchanges possible.
To learn more about 1031 CORP. or to schedule a complimentary consultation, contact the company directly at 1-800-828-1031.
