MULTI-HOUSING EXECUTIVE UPDATE: MBA Names Brad Cheney and Pace Bradshaw as Directors of Legislative Affairs, and Other Moves

Washington, D.C.–The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) has appointed Brad Cheney as director of legislative affairs and has also promoted Pace Bradshaw to director of government affairs.

“Promoting Cheney and Bradshaw will ensure MBA’s voice on Capitol Hill continues to be strong and effective on behalf of our members,” says John A Courson, CEO of MBA. “Given the issues facing our industry, we believe that having our strong and experienced lobbying team is more important than ever.”

Cheney is joining MBA from the office of Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), where he served as Chief of Staff. In that role, he was responsible for managing all operations of the Washington, D.C. office, including developing and implementing critical strategy during the recent financial crisis and stabilization efforts. In his new role, Cheney will join MBA’s lobbying team on Capitol Hill working with Members of the House of Representatives and Senate.

Bradshaw, who started at MBA in August 2006, will continue to advocate on behalf of the association on Capitol Hill, working with Members of the House of Representatives and Senate on issues important to MBA’s members.

Prior to joining MBA, Bradshaw worked for Senator John Sununu (R-NH) from 2003-2006 where he specialized in banking and commerce committee issues and in the Office of Public Liaison at the Department of the Treasury. He graduated with a B.A. from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.

Both will report to Thomas Koonce, MBA’s newly hired vice president of legislative affairs.

Greystar Increases Presence in the Midwest; Appoints Jack Bonnette to Head Client Services

Chicago–As part of the effort to increase its Midwest presence, Greystar Real Estate Partners has moved Jack Bonnette from the company’s central region office to Chicago to head client services for the Midwest regional office.

“The Midwest is a region of the country that holds a great deal of potential growth for Greystar,” says Stacy Hunt, executive director of property management. “Our Midwest team is already doing an excellent job, and we are thrilled to have Jack transition into the region as we execute on plans to increase our presence.”

Bonnette joined Greystar in 2008 and has worked in Greystar’s operating group since receiving his MBA from Harvard Business School and his undergraduate degree from the U.S. Naval Academy.

Cheri B. Grossman Joins JRG Capital Partners

Chicago–Cheri B. Grossman has recently joined Chicago-based JRG Capital Partners LLC as senior acquisitions officer.

“We are optimistic that opportunities will present themselves in the Chicago market,” says Harry Huzenis, one of the principals of the firm. “Our strategy is to acquire assets which have long-term appreciation in value.”

Grossman will be responsible for sourcing acquisitions with the primary criteria being urban in-fill assets in need of recapitalization or repositioning. Multifamily, land, industrial, retail, mixed use and fractured condominium projects in the Chicago market are likely acquisition targets.

“As the expectation is that opportunities will come from the lending community, I look forward to utilizing my extensive experience on the capital side of the commercial real estate business to source acquisitions,” Cheri Grossman says.

Grossman’s most recent position was regional director at Wrightwood Capital, with previous positions at GE Capital and Heller Financial.