Multi-Housing Executives on the Move

By Anuradha Kher, Online News EditorARA Hires Robert Ryan in its National Affordable Housing Practice GroupAtlanta–Robert Ryan has joined Apartment Realty Advisors’ (ARA) recently launched National Affordable Housing Practice Group, based in Dallas.According to ARA’s Cliff McDaniel, a principal in the Affordable Housing Group, “The addition of Ryan to our team solidifies our service delivery to clients who invest in this highly specialized product type. He has more than 17 years of appraisal experience and we’ll bring that extensive valuation expertise to bear for our clients.”Ryan (pictured) will be based in ARA’s Atlanta office and will be responsible for sourcing and executing new business on behalf of the group on a national basis.At HFF’s affordable housing group, where he was a director prior to joining ARA, Ryan specialized in the sale of affordable housing including Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), partnerships, and tax-exempt bond and Department of Housing Urban Development (HUD) financed properties.Prior to joining HFF, Ryan worked as a commercial real estate appraiser and consultant for 17 years. He also taught graduate-level real estate courses as an adjunct professor at the University of New Orleans for eight years.MBA Nominates Michael D. Berman as Vice Chairman-ElectWashington, D.C.–The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) recently nominated Michael D. Berman, CMB, president of CWCapital, as its vice chairman-elect. MBA members will elect Berman at the association’s 95th annual convention, which will be held in October in San Francisco. Berman’s nomination was announced at MBA’s President’s Conference, which is held each year in June. Berman currently serves on MBA’s board of directors, commercial/multifamily board of governors (COMBOG) and the 2008 Fannie Mae DUS advisory council. He also served on the audit committee and chaired the strategic planning committee in 2007 and served on MBA’s council to shape change in 2006. “Berman’s invaluable contributions and over 20 years of active involvement with MBA have proven he is an exceptional choice for the position of vice chairman,” says Kieran P. Quinn, CMB, chairman of MBA. “His extensive real estate finance background and innovative vision within the real estate finance industry will help him serve as a strong leader for the association as we, on behalf of our members, continue to provide safe and affordable housing opportunities to Americans in this ever-evolving market.” Berman has been in the mortgage finance industry since 1985, when he served as executive vice president, co-director of originations and a member of the loan committee of CWCapital. Berman is a founder and principal of CWFinancial Services and serves as the company’s CEO. He is also the president of CWCapital, the company’s multifamily and commercial lending subsidiary. In these capacities, he is responsible for supervising all loan production, underwriting, closing and servicing activities, as well as the management of approximately 200 employees in 13 offices nationwide. Britta Rivera to Expand Chieftain Group’s Chicago OfficeChicago–Chieftain Group, an Limerick, Ireland-based real estate development firm, has named Britta Rivera as vice president of U.S. sales to launch the expansion of the company’s Chicago division.Rivera specializes in the sales and marketing of new construction condominiums, conversions and single-family developments. She has been involved in launching dozens of developments in Illinois, Wisconsin and Michigan.“Britta Rivera will use her extensive real estate knowledge and experience to handle the day-to-day operations of sales and marketing for all Chieftain Group developments,” says Sean O’Sullivan, CEO and director of Chieftain Group.During her career in real estate, Rivera has held the position as vice president of sales for Lennar Urban and Terrapin Properties. She has also worked for nine years as general manager for Garrison Partners, a top Chicago-based sales and marketing, real estate consulting firm.Rivera has been awarded the honors of “Top Producer” and has achieved numerous Million Dollar Awards in the real estate industry.