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Dan Amer
Director, Investments
Kawa Capital Management
Dan Amer is a Director of Investments at Kawa Capital Management, a $1.5 billion AUM investment manager located in Aventura, FL. Dan leads underwriting and execution of Kawa’s equity real estate investments, translating to over $750 million and 2.7 million square feet of owned commercial real estate assets. Additionally, Dan has led three special purpose real estate funds, including the launch of a ground lease dedicated fund in 2020. On the public side, Dan researches tradeable securities for the Kawa Fund, the firm’s flagship multi strategy, credit-oriented hedge fund. Dan graduated cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Director, Investments
Kawa Capital Management
Dan Amer is a Director of Investments at Kawa Capital Management, a $1.5 billion AUM investment manager located in Aventura, FL. Dan leads underwriting and execution of Kawa’s equity real estate investments, translating to over $750 million and 2.7 million square feet of owned commercial real estate assets. Additionally, Dan has led three special purpose real estate funds, including the launch of a ground lease dedicated fund in 2020. On the public side, Dan researches tradeable securities for the Kawa Fund, the firm’s flagship multi strategy, credit-oriented hedge fund. Dan graduated cum laude from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 2007, with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, and is a CFA Charterholder.
Jason Aubrey
Principal
PlattPointe Capital
Jason graduated from Michigan State University before working for several manufacturers, mortgage lenders, and international government contractors, where he led business development and capital raise efforts. His experience and personality have earned him a vast network of capital providers and clients, which led to the co-founding of PlattPointe Capital. Jason splits time on business development and capital advisory for his ever-growing book of clients. Jason focuses on private debt and special situation lending but is adept in all areas of commercial real estate finance. He regularly speaks at conferences and presents on CRE capital markets to law firms and banks demystifying the world of CRE private debt and equity.
Jason grew up in Michigan but has called Denver his home since 2011. Most of his clients are Colorado based but a growing number are across the country. Jason is a strong believer that the I-25 corridor from Colorado Springs, though Denver, up to Ft. Collins will drive the Rocky Mountain Region’s economic and population growth for decades to come.
He is a member of the Colorado Chapter of NAIOP and an active Michigan State Alumni Association Member. His social efforts are directed towards Children’s Hospital and the Denver Rescue Mission.
Principal
PlattPointe Capital
Jason graduated from Michigan State University before working for several manufacturers, mortgage lenders, and international government contractors, where he led business development and capital raise efforts. His experience and personality have earned him a vast network of capital providers and clients, which led to the co-founding of PlattPointe Capital. Jason splits time on business development and capital advisory for his ever-growing book of clients. Jason focuses on private debt and special situation lending but is adept in all areas of commercial real estate finance. He regularly speaks at conferences and presents on CRE capital markets to law firms and banks demystifying the world of CRE private debt and equity.
Jason grew up in Michigan but has called Denver his home since 2011. Most of his clients are Colorado based but a growing number are across the country. Jason is a strong believer that the I-25 corridor from Colorado Springs, though Denver, up to Ft. Collins will drive the Rocky Mountain Region’s economic and population growth for decades to come.
He is a member of the Colorado Chapter of NAIOP and an active Michigan State Alumni Association Member. His social efforts are directed towards Children’s Hospital and the Denver Rescue Mission.
Taylor Banks
Managing Director
The Baupost Group, LLC
Taylor Banks is a Principal at The Baupost Group, LLC, a value-oriented, $30BB+ investment firm founded in 1982. In his role, Taylor is focused on the origination of real estate-related investments across the U.S. and Latin America. Prior to joining Baupost he managed a variety of equity investments in private markets at Goldman Sachs.
Taylor graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Boston.
Managing Director
The Baupost Group, LLC
Taylor Banks is a Principal at The Baupost Group, LLC, a value-oriented, $30BB+ investment firm founded in 1982. In his role, Taylor is focused on the origination of real estate-related investments across the U.S. and Latin America. Prior to joining Baupost he managed a variety of equity investments in private markets at Goldman Sachs.
Taylor graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Business Administration. He currently resides in Boston.
Gary Bechtel
President
Money360, Inc.
Gary Bechtel, President Gary is the President of Money360, and is responsible for developing and executing Money360’s expansion strategy. Gary also serves on Money360’s Credit Committee and Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Money360, he was Chief Lending/Originations Officer of CU Business Partners, LLC, the nation’s largest credit union service organization. Previously, Gary held management and production positions at Grubb & Ellis Company, Meridian Capital, Johnson Capital, FINOVA Realty Capital, Pacific Southwest Realty Services and Hometown Commercial Capital. Gary began his career with the Alison Company. Over the past thirty-two years, Gary has served in numerous roles (as a lender or an intermediary) and has been involved in all aspects of the commercial real estate finance industry including the origination, underwriting, structuring, placement and closing of over $9 billion in commercial debt transactions, ranging in amounts from $1 million to $150 million. These transactions were placed/funded with a variety of capital sources including life companies, commercial banks, and equity and mezzanine funds, on property types that included office, retail, industrial, multifamily, hospitality, self-storage and manufactured housing. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, California Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, and International Council of Shopping Centers. Gary has spoken at numerous industry events, written articles and has been quoted in a number of regional and national publications.
President
Money360, Inc.
Gary Bechtel, President Gary is the President of Money360, and is responsible for developing and executing Money360’s expansion strategy. Gary also serves on Money360’s Credit Committee and Board of Directors.
Prior to joining Money360, he was Chief Lending/Originations Officer of CU Business Partners, LLC, the nation’s largest credit union service organization. Previously, Gary held management and production positions at Grubb & Ellis Company, Meridian Capital, Johnson Capital, FINOVA Realty Capital, Pacific Southwest Realty Services and Hometown Commercial Capital. Gary began his career with the Alison Company. Over the past thirty-two years, Gary has served in numerous roles (as a lender or an intermediary) and has been involved in all aspects of the commercial real estate finance industry including the origination, underwriting, structuring, placement and closing of over $9 billion in commercial debt transactions, ranging in amounts from $1 million to $150 million. These transactions were placed/funded with a variety of capital sources including life companies, commercial banks, and equity and mezzanine funds, on property types that included office, retail, industrial, multifamily, hospitality, self-storage and manufactured housing. He is a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association of America, California Mortgage Bankers Association, National Association of Industrial and Office Properties, and International Council of Shopping Centers. Gary has spoken at numerous industry events, written articles and has been quoted in a number of regional and national publications.
Ray Cleeman
Principal, Head of Capital Markets
Pensam Capital
Ray Cleeman is a Principal at Pensam Capital a multi-faceted private equity real estate fund that has a robust Credit Solutions Group. As a private, direct real estate lender, Pensam provides flexible and rapid capital solutions to real estate sponsors across the capital stack including high leverage bridge loans, mezzanine debt, subordinate debt and preferred equity with a focus on supporting value-add strategies, lease-ups, recapitalizations and transitional situations. Pensam can take leverage up to 85%. Pensam is also an approved buyer of Freddie Mac "B-Piece" Senior Debt Securities under the K-Series Program.
Ray spent the formative years of his career on Wall Street having worked as an investment banker at Credit Suisse, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenerette, and Raymond James. He has been involved in the issuance of over $6 billion of high yield securities, the issuance of over $3 billion of private and public equities, arranged bridge commitments and senior loan facilities, advised on over $7 billion of global M&A transactions and advised on several merchant banking transactions. Previously, Ray was also SVP Finance & Treasurer of a publicly traded company.
Principal, Head of Capital Markets
Pensam Capital
Ray Cleeman is a Principal at Pensam Capital a multi-faceted private equity real estate fund that has a robust Credit Solutions Group. As a private, direct real estate lender, Pensam provides flexible and rapid capital solutions to real estate sponsors across the capital stack including high leverage bridge loans, mezzanine debt, subordinate debt and preferred equity with a focus on supporting value-add strategies, lease-ups, recapitalizations and transitional situations. Pensam can take leverage up to 85%. Pensam is also an approved buyer of Freddie Mac "B-Piece" Senior Debt Securities under the K-Series Program.
Ray spent the formative years of his career on Wall Street having worked as an investment banker at Credit Suisse, Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenerette, and Raymond James. He has been involved in the issuance of over $6 billion of high yield securities, the issuance of over $3 billion of private and public equities, arranged bridge commitments and senior loan facilities, advised on over $7 billion of global M&A transactions and advised on several merchant banking transactions. Previously, Ray was also SVP Finance & Treasurer of a publicly traded company.
David Cohen
Managing Principal
Ready Capital – National Bridge Lending Team
David Cohen brings over 25 years of transaction and structuring experience to his current role as a Managing Director and the Chief Production Officer for the commercial real estate bridge lending team. David leads the bridge team for new loan production, structuring and pricing for all value-add bridge loans. Prior to joining the Ready Capital, David held positions as a Managing Director and National Production Manager at Doral Property Finance, a Regional Director at GE Real Estate, a Managing Director at CIBC World Markets’ Commercial Real Estate Finance Group, a First Vice President at Paine Webber Real Estate Securities, and as a Managing Director at Furman Selz LLC. David began his career as an attorney at the national law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren. David earned a B.A. from SUNY- Albany, and his graduate degrees with a M.B.A. from Syracuse University School of Management and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. He had also attended New York University’s Masters of Laws (L.L.M.) program.
Ready Capital (NYSE: RC) is a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances and services small- to medium-sized balance commercial loans.
We specialize in loans backed by commercial real estate, including agency multifamily, investor and bridge as well as SBA 7(a) business loans.
Headquartered in New York City, Ready Capital employs over 400 lending professionals nationwide.
Managing Principal
Ready Capital – National Bridge Lending Team
David Cohen brings over 25 years of transaction and structuring experience to his current role as a Managing Director and the Chief Production Officer for the commercial real estate bridge lending team. David leads the bridge team for new loan production, structuring and pricing for all value-add bridge loans. Prior to joining the Ready Capital, David held positions as a Managing Director and National Production Manager at Doral Property Finance, a Regional Director at GE Real Estate, a Managing Director at CIBC World Markets’ Commercial Real Estate Finance Group, a First Vice President at Paine Webber Real Estate Securities, and as a Managing Director at Furman Selz LLC. David began his career as an attorney at the national law firm of Kelley Drye & Warren. David earned a B.A. from SUNY- Albany, and his graduate degrees with a M.B.A. from Syracuse University School of Management and a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law. He had also attended New York University’s Masters of Laws (L.L.M.) program.
Ready Capital (NYSE: RC) is a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances and services small- to medium-sized balance commercial loans.
We specialize in loans backed by commercial real estate, including agency multifamily, investor and bridge as well as SBA 7(a) business loans.
Headquartered in New York City, Ready Capital employs over 400 lending professionals nationwide.
J.C. de Ona
Senior Vice President
Centennial Bank
J.C. de Ona is Senior Vice President of Centennial Bank. Based in Coral Gables, his focus is on overall bank growth and expansion with a specialization in Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Banking, and Private Banking/Wealth Management. As a successful banker for the last 19 years, J.C. has become a well known and respected banker in South Florida. In those years he has worked in many banking capacities including retail sales, branch and regional bank operations, bank management, commercial banking, commercial real estate, private banking, and wealth management. J.C. is a FIU Alumnus, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration. He also holds several licenses related to investment advisory, a series 7 (registered investment representative), 66 license (registered investment advisor and state law) and a 2-15 (life, health and variable annuities). A Miami native, J.C. stays active in the community currently on the FIU Honors College Advisory Board, Lil Abner Foundation Board, March of Dimes Signature Chefs Event Chair for Miami-Dade County, and the Stonegate Bank Foundation.
Senior Vice President
Centennial Bank
J.C. de Ona is Senior Vice President of Centennial Bank. Based in Coral Gables, his focus is on overall bank growth and expansion with a specialization in Commercial Real Estate, Commercial Banking, and Private Banking/Wealth Management. As a successful banker for the last 19 years, J.C. has become a well known and respected banker in South Florida. In those years he has worked in many banking capacities including retail sales, branch and regional bank operations, bank management, commercial banking, commercial real estate, private banking, and wealth management. J.C. is a FIU Alumnus, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance and a Master of Business Administration. He also holds several licenses related to investment advisory, a series 7 (registered investment representative), 66 license (registered investment advisor and state law) and a 2-15 (life, health and variable annuities). A Miami native, J.C. stays active in the community currently on the FIU Honors College Advisory Board, Lil Abner Foundation Board, March of Dimes Signature Chefs Event Chair for Miami-Dade County, and the Stonegate Bank Foundation.
Seth Deninson, Esq.
Senior Managing Director
Hart Capital Partners
Seth Denison is the managing Principal of Brickell Ventures, a private equity real estate fund which focuses on Greater Downtown Miami. Brickell Ventures was formed in 2017, as an opportunistic real estate fund targeting the acquisition of distressed residential condominiums. The fund has put together a comprehensive strategy to purchase significant residential condo inventory, below replacement cost, generate returns, and make dispositions at a more opportune time in the local cycle.
Prior to forming Brickell Ventures, Mr. Denison spent more than five years as the Managing Director for Hart Advisors Group, LLC, a commercial real estate consulting firm with offices in Miami, Charlotte, Dallas and Los Angles. During Mr. Denison’s tenure at Hart, the firm was responsible for:
Prior to his employment at Hart, Mr. Denison practiced law in South Florida, with a focus on tax law, corporate finance, and commercial real estate finance. Mr. Denison received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Florida in 2006 and a law degree from Florida International University in 2010. Mr. Denison serves on the board of directors for Friends of the March of the Living, a civic group dedicated to educating teenagers about the Holocaust, and on the advisory board for IBS Real Estate Investment Co., a commercial real estate fund that focuses on the acquisition of large multi-family apartment buildings. From 2012 to 2014 Mr. Denison served as the treasurer for the Florida International University Law School Alumni Board. Mr. Denison is an active member of the Florida Bar, the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and several local chambers of commerce.
Senior Managing Director
Hart Capital Partners
Seth Denison is the managing Principal of Brickell Ventures, a private equity real estate fund which focuses on Greater Downtown Miami. Brickell Ventures was formed in 2017, as an opportunistic real estate fund targeting the acquisition of distressed residential condominiums. The fund has put together a comprehensive strategy to purchase significant residential condo inventory, below replacement cost, generate returns, and make dispositions at a more opportune time in the local cycle.
Prior to forming Brickell Ventures, Mr. Denison spent more than five years as the Managing Director for Hart Advisors Group, LLC, a commercial real estate consulting firm with offices in Miami, Charlotte, Dallas and Los Angles. During Mr. Denison’s tenure at Hart, the firm was responsible for:
- Restructuring approximately Three Billion Dollars ($3,000,000,000) of CMBS loans;
- Facilitating the assumption of approximately $1,500,000,000 of commercial real estate debt;
- Structuring nearly Four Hundred Fifty Million Dollars ($450,000,000) of commercial real estate debt and equity financing.
Prior to his employment at Hart, Mr. Denison practiced law in South Florida, with a focus on tax law, corporate finance, and commercial real estate finance. Mr. Denison received Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Florida in 2006 and a law degree from Florida International University in 2010. Mr. Denison serves on the board of directors for Friends of the March of the Living, a civic group dedicated to educating teenagers about the Holocaust, and on the advisory board for IBS Real Estate Investment Co., a commercial real estate fund that focuses on the acquisition of large multi-family apartment buildings. From 2012 to 2014 Mr. Denison served as the treasurer for the Florida International University Law School Alumni Board. Mr. Denison is an active member of the Florida Bar, the Urban Land Institute, the International Council of Shopping Centers, the National Association of Industrial and Office Properties and several local chambers of commerce.
David Eyzenberg
President
Eyzenberg & Company
David Eyzenberg is president of Eyzenberg & Company, a NYC-based investment bank delivering best-in-class debt, equity and ground lease capital solutions for existing, transitional and to-be-built projects. Additionally, Mr. Eyzenberg is the founder of Eyzenberg LFC, an institutionally backed private equity vehicle specializing in the creation and acquisition of leased fee positions, subject to long term ground leases, on development and existing income producing real estate. Complementing his professional endeavors, Mr. Eyzenberg teaches graduate real estate finance studies in the New York University Schack Institute’s Masters of Science in Real Estate and NYU Stern MBA programs.
Mr. Eyzenberg is an investor and board member of REZI, a technology enabled start up that helps landlords manage vacancy risk by prefunding rents for vacant apartments. Additionally, Mr. Eyzenberg is an investor and board member of VR WorldNYC, a leader in virtual reality currently operating the largest VR experience center located in North America and the Western Hemisphere.
Mr. Eyzenberg previously was a principal and U.S. lead for the real estate capital raising practice of Avison Young. He co-founded and oversaw a group that during his tenure expanded throughout multiple offices and consummated well over $1B of financing transactions. Prior to Avison Young Mr. Eyzenberg was a managing director and head of commercial real estate for NewOak Capital. His tenure at NewOak began in 2011 after its acquisition of the investment banking practice of Eyzenberg’s Prodigious Capital Group, where Mr. Eyzenberg served as president since 2005. Prior to running Prodigious Capital Group, Mr. Eyzenberg was associated with several boutique real estate investment banks. Mr. Eyzenberg began his real estate career on the buy side working for Merrill Lynch, Ramius Capital Group and Greenstreet Partners.
Mr. Eyzenberg is a graduate of New York University, where he received a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in real estate finance and investment. He also serves on the NYU Schack Real Estate Institute advisory committee. Mr. Eyzenberg is an active member of NMHC, ICSC, RELA and MBA, and is a frequent speaker at industry events.
President
Eyzenberg & Company
David Eyzenberg is president of Eyzenberg & Company, a NYC-based investment bank delivering best-in-class debt, equity and ground lease capital solutions for existing, transitional and to-be-built projects. Additionally, Mr. Eyzenberg is the founder of Eyzenberg LFC, an institutionally backed private equity vehicle specializing in the creation and acquisition of leased fee positions, subject to long term ground leases, on development and existing income producing real estate. Complementing his professional endeavors, Mr. Eyzenberg teaches graduate real estate finance studies in the New York University Schack Institute’s Masters of Science in Real Estate and NYU Stern MBA programs.
Mr. Eyzenberg is an investor and board member of REZI, a technology enabled start up that helps landlords manage vacancy risk by prefunding rents for vacant apartments. Additionally, Mr. Eyzenberg is an investor and board member of VR WorldNYC, a leader in virtual reality currently operating the largest VR experience center located in North America and the Western Hemisphere.
Mr. Eyzenberg previously was a principal and U.S. lead for the real estate capital raising practice of Avison Young. He co-founded and oversaw a group that during his tenure expanded throughout multiple offices and consummated well over $1B of financing transactions. Prior to Avison Young Mr. Eyzenberg was a managing director and head of commercial real estate for NewOak Capital. His tenure at NewOak began in 2011 after its acquisition of the investment banking practice of Eyzenberg’s Prodigious Capital Group, where Mr. Eyzenberg served as president since 2005. Prior to running Prodigious Capital Group, Mr. Eyzenberg was associated with several boutique real estate investment banks. Mr. Eyzenberg began his real estate career on the buy side working for Merrill Lynch, Ramius Capital Group and Greenstreet Partners.
Mr. Eyzenberg is a graduate of New York University, where he received a Bachelor's Degree and a Master's Degree in real estate finance and investment. He also serves on the NYU Schack Real Estate Institute advisory committee. Mr. Eyzenberg is an active member of NMHC, ICSC, RELA and MBA, and is a frequent speaker at industry events.
Brett D. Forman
Executive Managing Director
Trez Capital
Brett D. Forman, CEO of Trez Forman Capital, has over two decades of experience in Commercial Real Estate Lending. He founded Forman Capital in 2004 and in 2016 entered into a partnership with Trez Capital Group to form Trez Forman Capital. He has since spearheaded its successful growth, originating over $1 Billion in loans by 2019. Prior to founding Forman Capital, Mr. Forman was a Principal at Sylvan Ventures, LP (a joint venture between Apollo Advisors and Sylvan Learning Systems), a $350 million venture capital firm. Mr. Forman spent five years in the retail business as President & C.O.O. of FEI, Inc. and County Seat Stores. Mr. Forman concentrated on real estate and retail transactions when he worked in corporate finance and mergers, and acquisitions at Bear Stearns & Co. Mr. Forman graduated from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a B.S. in Economics and a concentration in Real Estate Finance. Mr. Forman served as Chairman on the Foundation Board of the Achievement Centers for Children and Families in Delray Beach, FL.
Executive Managing Director
Trez Capital
Brett D. Forman, CEO of Trez Forman Capital, has over two decades of experience in Commercial Real Estate Lending. He founded Forman Capital in 2004 and in 2016 entered into a partnership with Trez Capital Group to form Trez Forman Capital. He has since spearheaded its successful growth, originating over $1 Billion in loans by 2019. Prior to founding Forman Capital, Mr. Forman was a Principal at Sylvan Ventures, LP (a joint venture between Apollo Advisors and Sylvan Learning Systems), a $350 million venture capital firm. Mr. Forman spent five years in the retail business as President & C.O.O. of FEI, Inc. and County Seat Stores. Mr. Forman concentrated on real estate and retail transactions when he worked in corporate finance and mergers, and acquisitions at Bear Stearns & Co. Mr. Forman graduated from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business with a B.S. in Economics and a concentration in Real Estate Finance. Mr. Forman served as Chairman on the Foundation Board of the Achievement Centers for Children and Families in Delray Beach, FL.
Bruce Gago
Vice President
FCP
Bruce Gago heads FCP’s South Florida office as Vice President – Acquisitions, where he sources multifamily investments and works closely with the company’s commercial and structured investment teams on transactions in those sectors.
Prior to joining FCP, Bruce served as Vice President for Acquisitions and Underwriting at Mast Capital in Miami Beach, FL. While there, he was a key contributor to the firm’s first fund raise and managed investment sourcing activities for the firm. Prior to Mast Capital, Bruce worked in several other leading commercial real estate firms, including JLL and The Carlyle Group, where he managed a portfolio of 17 investments in multiple regions. Bruce holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Dartmouth College.
Vice President
FCP
Bruce Gago heads FCP’s South Florida office as Vice President – Acquisitions, where he sources multifamily investments and works closely with the company’s commercial and structured investment teams on transactions in those sectors.
Prior to joining FCP, Bruce served as Vice President for Acquisitions and Underwriting at Mast Capital in Miami Beach, FL. While there, he was a key contributor to the firm’s first fund raise and managed investment sourcing activities for the firm. Prior to Mast Capital, Bruce worked in several other leading commercial real estate firms, including JLL and The Carlyle Group, where he managed a portfolio of 17 investments in multiple regions. Bruce holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA from Dartmouth College.
Chris Hurn
Founder/CEO
Fountainhead
Chris Hurn is CEO/Founder of Fountainhead Commercial Capital, a nationwide nonbank direct commercial lender specializing in business financing through the SBA 504 and 7(a) loan programs and low LTV conventional loans. He and his executive team have collectively closed over $25.3 billion making them one of the most experienced teams in commercial lending to owners of small to midsized businesses.
As a nonbank lender, Chris provides financing programs to entrepreneurs that give them an advantage over their corporate competition, exponentially increasing their velocity of growth with lower rates, longer terms, and approvals that are guaranteed in two hours or less with Pronto (Fountainhead’s proprietary AI software).
Chris was formerly with GE Capital, Heller Financial, Marsh & McLennan Companies, and the NAI Realvest group of companies before founding his former company Mercantile Capital Corporation, a three-time Inc. 500|5000 fastest-growing company under his leadership. He is also a three-time SBA Financial Services Champion, has been named “Banker of the Year” by his trade association, and is the best-selling author of “The Entrepreneur’s Secret to Creating Wealth.” Chris has been featured on a variety of media outlets including: FOX Business, PBS, Inc., Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, WSJ, LA Times and Business.com.
Chris was notably recognized three times in 2018 for his contributions to the small business community. He was named by American City Business Journals as one of the nation’s most influential leaders in commercial real estate. Fit Small Business included him on their 2018 list of “Top Small Business Influencers.” GrowFL named Fountainhead as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies to watch in Florida.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Center of Government (part of the Wharton School of Business at that time) and received two undergraduate degrees, magna cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago.
Founder/CEO
Fountainhead
Chris Hurn is CEO/Founder of Fountainhead Commercial Capital, a nationwide nonbank direct commercial lender specializing in business financing through the SBA 504 and 7(a) loan programs and low LTV conventional loans. He and his executive team have collectively closed over $25.3 billion making them one of the most experienced teams in commercial lending to owners of small to midsized businesses.
As a nonbank lender, Chris provides financing programs to entrepreneurs that give them an advantage over their corporate competition, exponentially increasing their velocity of growth with lower rates, longer terms, and approvals that are guaranteed in two hours or less with Pronto (Fountainhead’s proprietary AI software).
Chris was formerly with GE Capital, Heller Financial, Marsh & McLennan Companies, and the NAI Realvest group of companies before founding his former company Mercantile Capital Corporation, a three-time Inc. 500|5000 fastest-growing company under his leadership. He is also a three-time SBA Financial Services Champion, has been named “Banker of the Year” by his trade association, and is the best-selling author of “The Entrepreneur’s Secret to Creating Wealth.” Chris has been featured on a variety of media outlets including: FOX Business, PBS, Inc., Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, WSJ, LA Times and Business.com.
Chris was notably recognized three times in 2018 for his contributions to the small business community. He was named by American City Business Journals as one of the nation’s most influential leaders in commercial real estate. Fit Small Business included him on their 2018 list of “Top Small Business Influencers.” GrowFL named Fountainhead as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies to watch in Florida.
Chris is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Center of Government (part of the Wharton School of Business at that time) and received two undergraduate degrees, magna cum laude, from Loyola University Chicago.
Jason Jackson, HFM
Chief Executive Officer
IBS Investment Bank
Dr. Jason Jackson is a Forbes Finance Council recognized Investment Banker with experiences spanning almost two decades and a proven ability to capitalize on both emerging and existing markets. Additionally, with peak AUM reaching nearly $8Billions USD, Mr. Jackson has been noted among country’s most successful investment managers. Mr. Jackson has been frequently quoted by over 250 major news sources such as Reuters, CBS Money Watch and The Business Journals among others. Mr. Jackson is the Founder and Managing Director of IBS Investment Bank and the Chairman of its Investment Committee of which he is responsible for execution and oversight of the firm’s investment portfolio and advisory positions. He also acts as the Managing Director of IBS Real Estate Investment Company, LLC a division of IBS Investment Bank, focused on the acquisition of core real estate assets for its parent company.
Chief Executive Officer
IBS Investment Bank
Dr. Jason Jackson is a Forbes Finance Council recognized Investment Banker with experiences spanning almost two decades and a proven ability to capitalize on both emerging and existing markets. Additionally, with peak AUM reaching nearly $8Billions USD, Mr. Jackson has been noted among country’s most successful investment managers. Mr. Jackson has been frequently quoted by over 250 major news sources such as Reuters, CBS Money Watch and The Business Journals among others. Mr. Jackson is the Founder and Managing Director of IBS Investment Bank and the Chairman of its Investment Committee of which he is responsible for execution and oversight of the firm’s investment portfolio and advisory positions. He also acts as the Managing Director of IBS Real Estate Investment Company, LLC a division of IBS Investment Bank, focused on the acquisition of core real estate assets for its parent company.
Robert Kline, CMB
Principal/Chief Executive Officer
RW Kline Companies, LLC
Bob Kline is the Managing Director of the JLL Capital Markets Finance Group Western Region. He is an intuitive, experienced executive with over 35 years of successful leadership in capital markets and the commercial real estate industry. Mr. Kline’s team specializes in capital markets debt and equity placement, CMBS and commercial loan modifications, note sales, restructuring and mergers & acquisitions.
Mr. Kline extensive experience in structured finance has let to over $6 billion of placements in equity and debt and has facilitated more than 600 note sales, and over $10 Billion in restructurings. His experience ranges the entire commercial real estate capital space including equity, foreign capital, commercial financing, CMBS, EB-5, PACE monetization, TIF and HTC lending. His niche is working with clients, lenders and servicers to acquire, recapitalize and restructure both CMBS and conventional balance sheet loans. His extensive experience lies in the following sectors- mixed use, multi-family, hospitality, land, retail, industrial and office properties. Mr. Kline currently has long-term relationships with over 275 lenders and servicers.
Mr. Kline received his bachelors in business from the University of Miami. He has served as a governor of the Urban Land Institute for over 8 years, and is a member of Valley Partnership.
Principal/Chief Executive Officer
RW Kline Companies, LLC
Bob Kline is the Managing Director of the JLL Capital Markets Finance Group Western Region. He is an intuitive, experienced executive with over 35 years of successful leadership in capital markets and the commercial real estate industry. Mr. Kline’s team specializes in capital markets debt and equity placement, CMBS and commercial loan modifications, note sales, restructuring and mergers & acquisitions.
Mr. Kline extensive experience in structured finance has let to over $6 billion of placements in equity and debt and has facilitated more than 600 note sales, and over $10 Billion in restructurings. His experience ranges the entire commercial real estate capital space including equity, foreign capital, commercial financing, CMBS, EB-5, PACE monetization, TIF and HTC lending. His niche is working with clients, lenders and servicers to acquire, recapitalize and restructure both CMBS and conventional balance sheet loans. His extensive experience lies in the following sectors- mixed use, multi-family, hospitality, land, retail, industrial and office properties. Mr. Kline currently has long-term relationships with over 275 lenders and servicers.
Mr. Kline received his bachelors in business from the University of Miami. He has served as a governor of the Urban Land Institute for over 8 years, and is a member of Valley Partnership.
Ryan Lefkowitz
Senior Vice President, Investments
Avanti Properties Group
Ryan joined Avanti in 2013 as an acquisitions officer. He has over 15 years of experience in land acquisition and development in several Florida markets, with a primary focus on residential planned communities. In addition to homebuilders, he has worked with retail, office, and industrial builders and developers.
Prior to joining Avanti, Ryan was a development manager with Lamm & Company Partners, a commercial general contractor and development firm. Prior to Lamm, he was an officer with Leeds Holdings Southeast, a privately held real estate development firm. He has also worked in finance, in Chicago for Bank One's Commercial Banking Group, and in New York for Banco Santander's securities group.
Ryan received a BA in economics and history from the University of Michigan.
Senior Vice President, Investments
Avanti Properties Group
Ryan joined Avanti in 2013 as an acquisitions officer. He has over 15 years of experience in land acquisition and development in several Florida markets, with a primary focus on residential planned communities. In addition to homebuilders, he has worked with retail, office, and industrial builders and developers.
Prior to joining Avanti, Ryan was a development manager with Lamm & Company Partners, a commercial general contractor and development firm. Prior to Lamm, he was an officer with Leeds Holdings Southeast, a privately held real estate development firm. He has also worked in finance, in Chicago for Bank One's Commercial Banking Group, and in New York for Banco Santander's securities group.
Ryan received a BA in economics and history from the University of Michigan.
Adam Lipkin
Executive Director
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE)
Adam Lipkin is an Executive Director with Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE), a division of Hannon Armstrong (NYSE: HASI). HASRE is a direct capital provider of Commercial PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). PACE is a new and innovative financing structure that makes it possible for commercial real estate owners to secure non-recourse, low-cost financing that can reduce or replace expensive mezzanine financing or preferred equity for energy efficiency, water conservation and resiliency building improvements.
PACE authorizes municipalities or counties to work with capital providers such as Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate to provide upfront financing to property owners for qualifying improvements, and to collect the repayment through the property tax bill as a non-ad valorem tax.
As a pioneer in the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) field, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE) is leading the way in financing energy efficiency, renewables (solar, wind, geothermal), seismic strengthening, storm protection and water conservation for commercial real estate. This simultaneously helps make businesses safer, more efficient and increases their social good.
A South Florida native, Mr. Lipkin has worked in the commercial real estate finance industry for 15 years. Prior to joining Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, Mr. Lipkin was a Production Officer at Grandbridge, a national real estate financing platform. Mr. Lipkin also worked with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler (HFF), where he helped arrange more than $1.5 billion in financing as part of the firm’s top-producing debt team in the nation in 2005-2006. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lipkin worked in acquisitions at LNR Property and in the New York-based Real Estate Advisory practice of Ernst & Young.
Mr. Lipkin received a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida.
Executive Director
Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE)
Adam Lipkin is an Executive Director with Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE), a division of Hannon Armstrong (NYSE: HASI). HASRE is a direct capital provider of Commercial PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). PACE is a new and innovative financing structure that makes it possible for commercial real estate owners to secure non-recourse, low-cost financing that can reduce or replace expensive mezzanine financing or preferred equity for energy efficiency, water conservation and resiliency building improvements.
PACE authorizes municipalities or counties to work with capital providers such as Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate to provide upfront financing to property owners for qualifying improvements, and to collect the repayment through the property tax bill as a non-ad valorem tax.
As a pioneer in the PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) field, Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Real Estate (HASRE) is leading the way in financing energy efficiency, renewables (solar, wind, geothermal), seismic strengthening, storm protection and water conservation for commercial real estate. This simultaneously helps make businesses safer, more efficient and increases their social good.
A South Florida native, Mr. Lipkin has worked in the commercial real estate finance industry for 15 years. Prior to joining Counterpointe Sustainable Real Estate, Mr. Lipkin was a Production Officer at Grandbridge, a national real estate financing platform. Mr. Lipkin also worked with Holliday Fenoglio Fowler (HFF), where he helped arrange more than $1.5 billion in financing as part of the firm’s top-producing debt team in the nation in 2005-2006. Earlier in his career, Mr. Lipkin worked in acquisitions at LNR Property and in the New York-based Real Estate Advisory practice of Ernst & Young.
Mr. Lipkin received a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Florida.
Tanya Little
Chief Executive Officer
Hart Advisors Group
Tanya Little, CEO - Tanya Little is the founder and CEO of Hart Advisors Group, LLC., a real estate advisory company based in Dallas, Texas. Since Hart’s inception in 2009, Ms. Little and her team have completed more than $5 billion of commercial loan restructures, assumptions and recapitalizations.
Ms. Little is also founder and CEO of Hart Capital Partners, a loan advisory firm that specializes in arranging equity and debt for commercial real estate transactions on behalf of developers, investors and owners. Ms. Little leads a team of capital markets experts who have extensive experience with CMBS, structured finance, bridge, mezzanine and all forms of capital. Ms. Little is also CEO of Hart Commercial, which provides commercial brokerage services in Texas and Florida, serving Hart Advisors Group and Hart Capital Partners clients. All three companies are collectively known in the market as Hart Advisors.
Drawing on over two decades of experience in real estate finance, Ms. Little has built Hart on a proven business platform, leveraging lean process management, marketing and a strong, experienced team. Since 2009, Ms. Little has successfully grown her employee base and operations to a national presence and has offices in Dallas and Miami.
Prior to launching Hart Advisors, Ms. Little served as Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) Capital Markets' Real Estate Mortgage Capital business, which provided CMBS financing for commercial real estate borrowers across the United States. While at RBC, Ms. Little was responsible for developing and overseeing all business operations including the business infrastructure and strategic plan for a new lending business unit, which produced more than $2.3 billion in volume within its first year of operation. Ms. Little also led the asset management and servicing for a $1 billion interim loan portfolio.
Before joining RBC Capital Markets, Ms. Little was the Managing Director of Marketing for the North America Lending division of GE Real Estate. In this role, she developed and directed the marketing strategy for a $7 billion per-year national lending platform that offered both fixed- and floating-rate financing products. While at GE, Ms. Little also led process improvement initiatives as a Six Sigma Black Belt and worked as senior asset manager for GE's pension fund, a $425 million national portfolio.
Ms. Little has also served as a Vice President at American Federal Bank, a southwest plan institution, where she performed loan restructures and coordinated with the Resolution Trust Corporation on more than $2 billion in real estate related transactions.
As both a loan restructuring, servicing specialist and asset manager, Ms. Little is a leading commercial real estate authority known for her ground-breaking work in strategic asset management.
Chief Executive Officer
Hart Advisors Group
Tanya Little, CEO - Tanya Little is the founder and CEO of Hart Advisors Group, LLC., a real estate advisory company based in Dallas, Texas. Since Hart’s inception in 2009, Ms. Little and her team have completed more than $5 billion of commercial loan restructures, assumptions and recapitalizations.
Ms. Little is also founder and CEO of Hart Capital Partners, a loan advisory firm that specializes in arranging equity and debt for commercial real estate transactions on behalf of developers, investors and owners. Ms. Little leads a team of capital markets experts who have extensive experience with CMBS, structured finance, bridge, mezzanine and all forms of capital. Ms. Little is also CEO of Hart Commercial, which provides commercial brokerage services in Texas and Florida, serving Hart Advisors Group and Hart Capital Partners clients. All three companies are collectively known in the market as Hart Advisors.
Drawing on over two decades of experience in real estate finance, Ms. Little has built Hart on a proven business platform, leveraging lean process management, marketing and a strong, experienced team. Since 2009, Ms. Little has successfully grown her employee base and operations to a national presence and has offices in Dallas and Miami.
Prior to launching Hart Advisors, Ms. Little served as Chief Operating Officer of the Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) Capital Markets' Real Estate Mortgage Capital business, which provided CMBS financing for commercial real estate borrowers across the United States. While at RBC, Ms. Little was responsible for developing and overseeing all business operations including the business infrastructure and strategic plan for a new lending business unit, which produced more than $2.3 billion in volume within its first year of operation. Ms. Little also led the asset management and servicing for a $1 billion interim loan portfolio.
Before joining RBC Capital Markets, Ms. Little was the Managing Director of Marketing for the North America Lending division of GE Real Estate. In this role, she developed and directed the marketing strategy for a $7 billion per-year national lending platform that offered both fixed- and floating-rate financing products. While at GE, Ms. Little also led process improvement initiatives as a Six Sigma Black Belt and worked as senior asset manager for GE's pension fund, a $425 million national portfolio.
Ms. Little has also served as a Vice President at American Federal Bank, a southwest plan institution, where she performed loan restructures and coordinated with the Resolution Trust Corporation on more than $2 billion in real estate related transactions.
As both a loan restructuring, servicing specialist and asset manager, Ms. Little is a leading commercial real estate authority known for her ground-breaking work in strategic asset management.
Rick Mandell
Chief Executive Officer
Aspen Portfolio Strategies Inc.
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Chief Executive Officer
Aspen Portfolio Strategies Inc.
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H. Jack Miller
Founder
QuickLiquidity
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Founder
QuickLiquidity
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Chad P. Musgrove
Vice President
Hunt Real Estate Capital
CHAD P. MUSGROVE is a Vice President with Hunt Real Estate Capital, a subsidiary of Hunt Companies. Mr. Musgrove has a decade of solid experience in real estate and financial services consulting. After having begun his Hunt Real Estate Capital tenure in the firm’s New York headquarters in 2011, Mr. Musgrove relocated to Miami to expand Hunt’s commercial lending footprint in Florida and the southeast. He currently oversees structured financing of Conventional Agency and Small Balance production for Hunt Real Estate Capital in Miami. Mr. Musgrove has structured more than $1 billion in loans for the New York and Miami teams.
Prior to joining Hunt, Mr. Musgrove was an Associate Consultant for Auriemma Consulting Group, where he was responsible for business development within the Industry Roundtable division with duties spanning the facilitation and support of the mortgage banking debt collections, credit card, and investment sectors. Before joining Auriemma, Mr. Musgrove was a research associate for Coleman Research Group where he performed specific primary research in identifying market trends that covered sector-specific topics pertaining to real estate, mortgages, and other merchant services for buy-side institutional investors.
He is a volunteer for various non-profit organizations and sitting board member of Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade and the Real Estate Lenders Association Miami.
Vice President
Hunt Real Estate Capital
CHAD P. MUSGROVE is a Vice President with Hunt Real Estate Capital, a subsidiary of Hunt Companies. Mr. Musgrove has a decade of solid experience in real estate and financial services consulting. After having begun his Hunt Real Estate Capital tenure in the firm’s New York headquarters in 2011, Mr. Musgrove relocated to Miami to expand Hunt’s commercial lending footprint in Florida and the southeast. He currently oversees structured financing of Conventional Agency and Small Balance production for Hunt Real Estate Capital in Miami. Mr. Musgrove has structured more than $1 billion in loans for the New York and Miami teams.
Prior to joining Hunt, Mr. Musgrove was an Associate Consultant for Auriemma Consulting Group, where he was responsible for business development within the Industry Roundtable division with duties spanning the facilitation and support of the mortgage banking debt collections, credit card, and investment sectors. Before joining Auriemma, Mr. Musgrove was a research associate for Coleman Research Group where he performed specific primary research in identifying market trends that covered sector-specific topics pertaining to real estate, mortgages, and other merchant services for buy-side institutional investors.
He is a volunteer for various non-profit organizations and sitting board member of Rebuilding Together Miami-Dade and the Real Estate Lenders Association Miami.
Dilip Petigara
Chief Executive Officer
Access Point Financial, LLC
Dilip Petigara serves as chief executive officer. He has more than 23 years of experience in both the hospitality and finance industries. Petigara joined Access Point Financial from a real estate and capital advisory service firm which focused on hospitality. Prior to his advisory role, he served as senior vice president of Specialty Finance Group (SFG). His responsibilities included management of loan operations, internal credit approval, closing/funding and asset management with specific focus on support to participations, syndications and reporting to warehouse lenders. Prior to SFG, Petigara served as assistant vice president and senior underwriter at GMAC Commercial Mortgage – Asset Backed Lending Division.
Petigara has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Temple University, a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law and a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from the University of Miami – School of Law.
Chief Executive Officer
Access Point Financial, LLC
Dilip Petigara serves as chief executive officer. He has more than 23 years of experience in both the hospitality and finance industries. Petigara joined Access Point Financial from a real estate and capital advisory service firm which focused on hospitality. Prior to his advisory role, he served as senior vice president of Specialty Finance Group (SFG). His responsibilities included management of loan operations, internal credit approval, closing/funding and asset management with specific focus on support to participations, syndications and reporting to warehouse lenders. Prior to SFG, Petigara served as assistant vice president and senior underwriter at GMAC Commercial Mortgage – Asset Backed Lending Division.
Petigara has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from Temple University, a Juris Doctor degree from Widener University School of Law and a Master of Laws degree in Taxation from the University of Miami – School of Law.
Drew Saito
Senior Vice President
Pacific National Bank
Drew Saito is Senior Vice President at Pacific National Bank. He has 18 years of banking and financial services experience in South Florida. Previously, Drew held the position of SVP for Seacoast Bank (First Green Bank), Senior Vice President and Commercial Market Executive for CNLBank (Valley National Bank), where he was responsible for managing the commercial banking relationships throughout the area. He has been previously named "Relationship Manager of the Year" and part of the Chairman's Club at CNLBank. Drew was formerly an adjunct faculty member at The Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. Drew started his career in the securities business focused on fixed income sales.
Drew earned a B.S. in Finance and International Business from Florida State University, MBA from Nova Southeastern University and attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Most recently, Drew completed the Leadership Academy through the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, the Presencing Institute and the MIT CoLab.
Drew has served as vice chair on the City of Fort Lauderdale's Budget Advisory Board, previously chaired Development for the United Way of Broward County, served on the board of Broward Housing Solutions, the Crockett Foundation and appointed to the Broward Housing Council. Additionally, Drew has previously served on the board of NAIOP, the board of trustees for the Morikami Museum, the Urban Land Institute's District Council Executive Committee (SE Florida/Caribbean), was a founding member of the Broward Center of Performing Art's Ghost Light Society and a member of Leadership Broward's Class 28.
Senior Vice President
Pacific National Bank
Drew Saito is Senior Vice President at Pacific National Bank. He has 18 years of banking and financial services experience in South Florida. Previously, Drew held the position of SVP for Seacoast Bank (First Green Bank), Senior Vice President and Commercial Market Executive for CNLBank (Valley National Bank), where he was responsible for managing the commercial banking relationships throughout the area. He has been previously named "Relationship Manager of the Year" and part of the Chairman's Club at CNLBank. Drew was formerly an adjunct faculty member at The Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship at Nova Southeastern University. Drew started his career in the securities business focused on fixed income sales.
Drew earned a B.S. in Finance and International Business from Florida State University, MBA from Nova Southeastern University and attended the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin - Madison. Most recently, Drew completed the Leadership Academy through the Global Alliance for Banking on Values, the Presencing Institute and the MIT CoLab.
Drew has served as vice chair on the City of Fort Lauderdale's Budget Advisory Board, previously chaired Development for the United Way of Broward County, served on the board of Broward Housing Solutions, the Crockett Foundation and appointed to the Broward Housing Council. Additionally, Drew has previously served on the board of NAIOP, the board of trustees for the Morikami Museum, the Urban Land Institute's District Council Executive Committee (SE Florida/Caribbean), was a founding member of the Broward Center of Performing Art's Ghost Light Society and a member of Leadership Broward's Class 28.
Marc Stephen Shuster
Partner
Berger Singerman
Marc Stephen Shuster, based in Miami, is a Partner and serves as the Co-Head of the Family Office Practice. Formerly, he served as Team Manager for the Business, Finance and Tax Team and Hiring Partner of the Firm.
His main practice focuses on representing family offices (international and domestic), HNP, private equity funds and syndicators in commercial real estate, and corporate joint venture work relating to the structuring of business transactions. Marc also has substantial experience in cross-border transactions, including marina development and hotels. Marc routinely assists his clients with sourcing and managing capital and deal flow.
Marc also represents tech start-ups and internet companies.
Partner
Berger Singerman
Marc Stephen Shuster, based in Miami, is a Partner and serves as the Co-Head of the Family Office Practice. Formerly, he served as Team Manager for the Business, Finance and Tax Team and Hiring Partner of the Firm.
His main practice focuses on representing family offices (international and domestic), HNP, private equity funds and syndicators in commercial real estate, and corporate joint venture work relating to the structuring of business transactions. Marc also has substantial experience in cross-border transactions, including marina development and hotels. Marc routinely assists his clients with sourcing and managing capital and deal flow.
Marc also represents tech start-ups and internet companies.
Bob Sonnenblick
Chairman
Sonnenblick Development LLC
Mr. Robert Sonnenblick, Principal of Sonnenblick Development, LLC, is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance of the University of Pennsylvania with more than 30 years of experience in various aspects of real estate development and real estate finance. From 1981 to 1991, Mr. Sonnenblick was the driving force and power behind Sonnenblick-Goldman Corporation of California. Mr. Sonnenblick completed over $1.5 Billion of commercial real estate transactions on the West Coast, and as a result is regarded as one of the West Coast's leaders in the field of commercial real estate finance. Among the more notable projects for which Mr. Sonnenblick personally structured the financing for are The Beaudry Center, Los Angeles, California ($197 million), the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Pasadena, California ($97 million), One Waterfront Plaza, Honolulu, Hawaii ($100 million), and the Los Angeles World Trade Center, Los Angeles, California ($55 million).
In 1991 Mr. Sonnenblick was appointed Director of Development for the New Jersey and L.A. MetroMalls, with the responsibility for oversight and direction of the design, financing, and leasing programs for two proposed $250 million enclosed regional malls totalling 1.2 million square feet each. Mr. Sonnenblick personally oversaw more than 1 million square feet of leases in connection with this position as well as arranging the necessary debt and equity financing. The New Jersey project opened to one of the strongest starts in the history of the United States mall industry. It is now re-named Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall.
In addition, Mr. Sonnenblick was an original development partner of The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, a luxury beachfront resort hotel. This 360-room, $90 million hotel was later sold for $125 million.
Prior to forming Sonnenblick Development LLC, Mr. Sonnenblick was the senior partner in a Los Angeles-based real estate development firm (Sonnenblick Del Rio Development) which specialized in P-3 public-private partnerships; specifically the development of four government-leased office buildings across the Los Angeles basin. During his tenure there as Chairman, Mr. Sonnenblick successfully developed nearly 1 million square feet of government-leased buildings, occupied by such tenants as U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, The Small Business Administration (SBA), the LA County Mental Health Dept, The Social Security Administration, and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Sonnenblick entities still own and operate this 99%-leased portfolio of premier L.A. office buildings.
Mr. Sonnenblick is a frequent speaker and panelist at various real estate-related functions, such as those hosted by Deloitte Touche, ICSC, Value Retail News, Bloomberg News, Crittenden Conference Inc., USC Real Estate, UCLA Real Estate, IMN Real Estate Conferences, Bisnow Media, Opal Conference Group, iGlobal Forum, Nathic, RealShare, Thinc, The Lodging Conference Co, The Boutique Lodging Assn., Hunter Hotel Conferences, The SoCal Development Forum, and the Institute for International Research. Mr. Sonnenblick is a published author on subjects ranging from commercial architecture to general real estate market conditions. In addition to Mr. Sonnenblick's expertise in real estate development, finance, and joint ventures, Mr. Sonnenblick has also been certified as an “expert witness” in the areas of real estate bankruptcy/foreclosure and finance. Mr. Sonnenblick is a qualified expert witness on the topic of Commercial Real Estate Interest Rates and Finance for the United States Federal Court System in numerous different jurisdictions across the States of California, Nevada, and Arizona.
Chairman
Sonnenblick Development LLC
Mr. Robert Sonnenblick, Principal of Sonnenblick Development, LLC, is a graduate of the Wharton School of Finance of the University of Pennsylvania with more than 30 years of experience in various aspects of real estate development and real estate finance. From 1981 to 1991, Mr. Sonnenblick was the driving force and power behind Sonnenblick-Goldman Corporation of California. Mr. Sonnenblick completed over $1.5 Billion of commercial real estate transactions on the West Coast, and as a result is regarded as one of the West Coast's leaders in the field of commercial real estate finance. Among the more notable projects for which Mr. Sonnenblick personally structured the financing for are The Beaudry Center, Los Angeles, California ($197 million), the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Pasadena, California ($97 million), One Waterfront Plaza, Honolulu, Hawaii ($100 million), and the Los Angeles World Trade Center, Los Angeles, California ($55 million).
In 1991 Mr. Sonnenblick was appointed Director of Development for the New Jersey and L.A. MetroMalls, with the responsibility for oversight and direction of the design, financing, and leasing programs for two proposed $250 million enclosed regional malls totalling 1.2 million square feet each. Mr. Sonnenblick personally oversaw more than 1 million square feet of leases in connection with this position as well as arranging the necessary debt and equity financing. The New Jersey project opened to one of the strongest starts in the history of the United States mall industry. It is now re-named Jersey Gardens Outlet Mall.
In addition, Mr. Sonnenblick was an original development partner of The Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, a luxury beachfront resort hotel. This 360-room, $90 million hotel was later sold for $125 million.
Prior to forming Sonnenblick Development LLC, Mr. Sonnenblick was the senior partner in a Los Angeles-based real estate development firm (Sonnenblick Del Rio Development) which specialized in P-3 public-private partnerships; specifically the development of four government-leased office buildings across the Los Angeles basin. During his tenure there as Chairman, Mr. Sonnenblick successfully developed nearly 1 million square feet of government-leased buildings, occupied by such tenants as U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services, The Small Business Administration (SBA), the LA County Mental Health Dept, The Social Security Administration, and Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. Sonnenblick entities still own and operate this 99%-leased portfolio of premier L.A. office buildings.
Mr. Sonnenblick is a frequent speaker and panelist at various real estate-related functions, such as those hosted by Deloitte Touche, ICSC, Value Retail News, Bloomberg News, Crittenden Conference Inc., USC Real Estate, UCLA Real Estate, IMN Real Estate Conferences, Bisnow Media, Opal Conference Group, iGlobal Forum, Nathic, RealShare, Thinc, The Lodging Conference Co, The Boutique Lodging Assn., Hunter Hotel Conferences, The SoCal Development Forum, and the Institute for International Research. Mr. Sonnenblick is a published author on subjects ranging from commercial architecture to general real estate market conditions. In addition to Mr. Sonnenblick's expertise in real estate development, finance, and joint ventures, Mr. Sonnenblick has also been certified as an “expert witness” in the areas of real estate bankruptcy/foreclosure and finance. Mr. Sonnenblick is a qualified expert witness on the topic of Commercial Real Estate Interest Rates and Finance for the United States Federal Court System in numerous different jurisdictions across the States of California, Nevada, and Arizona.
Marc Suarez
Director
Hunt Real Estate Capital
Marc Suarez is a Director with Hunt Mortgage Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hunt Companies. He joined the firm in 2014 and is based in Hunt Mortgage Group’s Miami, Florida office where is heading up the firms expansion in the Florida market.
Prior to Hunt, Mr. Suarez was with SL Capital where he was an Executive Managing Director in charge of production. During his three years there he originated approximately $300 million in CMBS loans. Prior to SL Capital he ran his own consulting firm from 2009 – 2012. There he worked with firms on distressed debt, representing both borrowers and buyers. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Suarez was a partner at a boutique development company where he oversaw more than $50 million spanning several real estate projects. Before that he was a General Manager at Gables Professional Realty where he established and ran the firm’s commercial real estate division.
Mr. Suarez holds a BA degree in business from Florida International University.
Director
Hunt Real Estate Capital
Marc Suarez is a Director with Hunt Mortgage Group, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hunt Companies. He joined the firm in 2014 and is based in Hunt Mortgage Group’s Miami, Florida office where is heading up the firms expansion in the Florida market.
Prior to Hunt, Mr. Suarez was with SL Capital where he was an Executive Managing Director in charge of production. During his three years there he originated approximately $300 million in CMBS loans. Prior to SL Capital he ran his own consulting firm from 2009 – 2012. There he worked with firms on distressed debt, representing both borrowers and buyers. From 2006 to 2009, Mr. Suarez was a partner at a boutique development company where he oversaw more than $50 million spanning several real estate projects. Before that he was a General Manager at Gables Professional Realty where he established and ran the firm’s commercial real estate division.
Mr. Suarez holds a BA degree in business from Florida International University.
Brent Truscott
Partner
Bloomfield Capital
Brent Truscott is a Partner of Bloomfield Capital and a member of the investment committee.
Bloomfield Capital is a private equity fund manager that specializes in commercial real estate finance, primarily through the origination of high-yield bridge loans. The firm focuses on time-sensitive debt transactions between $1mm and $15mm, as well as select joint venture equity participations with owners, operators and developers throughout the nation.
Since 2010, Brent has overseen the originations platform at Bloomfield and is responsible for managing over $100 million in annual transaction volume.
Prior to joining Bloomfield Capital, Brent was a member of the investment team at ValStone Partners, a $300 million real estate private equity fund focused on opportunistic debt and equity investments across all asset classes. Prior to joining ValStone Partners, Brent held roles at DTE Energy Services, Standard & Poor’s and as an investment-banking analyst at RBC Capital Markets. Brent received his MS from Columbia University in Real Estate Development and a BS in management with a concentration in finance from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.
Partner
Bloomfield Capital
Brent Truscott is a Partner of Bloomfield Capital and a member of the investment committee.
Bloomfield Capital is a private equity fund manager that specializes in commercial real estate finance, primarily through the origination of high-yield bridge loans. The firm focuses on time-sensitive debt transactions between $1mm and $15mm, as well as select joint venture equity participations with owners, operators and developers throughout the nation.
Since 2010, Brent has overseen the originations platform at Bloomfield and is responsible for managing over $100 million in annual transaction volume.
Prior to joining Bloomfield Capital, Brent was a member of the investment team at ValStone Partners, a $300 million real estate private equity fund focused on opportunistic debt and equity investments across all asset classes. Prior to joining ValStone Partners, Brent held roles at DTE Energy Services, Standard & Poor’s and as an investment-banking analyst at RBC Capital Markets. Brent received his MS from Columbia University in Real Estate Development and a BS in management with a concentration in finance from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.
David Valiaveedan
Managing Partner
Domain Real Estate Partners
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Managing Partner
Domain Real Estate Partners
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