LEADERSHIP
Berah McSwain
CAPITAL MARKETS | MISSION DRIVEN CAPITAL
Berah McSwain sources both capital and off market opportunities for the SEP platform and their partners. He has 20+ years of real estate experience and capital markets expertise with a focus given to institutional capital and private equity for development and existing transactions.
Prior to SEP, Berah founded and ran a boutique Real Estate Private Equity firm for athletes; sourcing and underwriting a $1 Billion + proprietary pipeline. Previous work includes underwriting institutional acquisitions/portfolios and valuations with the Arthur Andersen Real Estate Group and underwriting CMBS with the Wells Fargo Capital Markets Group. Mr. McSwain has a Masters in Business Administration from the Whitman School of Business at Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Hayward.
Zach Merck
CUSTOM LENDING | COMMERICAL DEVELOPMENT
Zach Merck leads the company’s operations. His focus on purpose-built credit facilities, acquisition underwriting for residential and commercial development, due diligence and sponsor -vetting serve as a primary focus to the SEP platform. He has over 20 years working exclusively with residential and commercial ground-up development, and property management through development sponsors, family offices, private equity and private client advisement.
Zach also brings significant expertise in the areas of distressed assets and structured workouts. Prior to SEP, he was the Chief Operating Officer for Integrated Mountain Group, overseeing operations, company systems, property management, and property maintenance for over 2,000 residential doors. Past work with Castle Hill Partners and Leucadia National focused on capital restructure and acquisition of performing and non-performing assets over $2 Billion. Mr. Merck has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with emphasis in Finance and Accounting from Colorado State University.
David Kim
MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT | KOREAN EQUITY FUNDS
David Kim is a co-partner with Sovereign Equity Partners and President of Genesis Commercial Capital. David drives the SEP platform’s General Partnerships with Institutional Korean Equity Funds totaling over $1 Billion in current projects.
David has 15+ years experience as a GP sponsor with more than $1.8 Billion of existing AUM in hospitality, multi-family and mixed-use assets with institutional partners and family offices. He also brings a significant institutional underwriting background mixed with expertise in managing private equity and foreign investment capital. Mr. Kim has a Juris Doctorate of Law from Loyola University Law School, and Masters of Science and Bachelors of Science in Neuro Anatomy at Queen’s University.
Simon Kechloian
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT | PROJECT PROCUREMENT
Simon is a graduate of Chico State University with a Bachelor of Science degree and has built an extensive career in commercial real estate, construction, and vineyard ownership. As a third-generation grape grower, his entrepreneurial vision is deeply rooted in his European and Armenian heritage. He co-founded Tekoa Construction Company and WRK Commercial Real Estate Inc. in Seattle, Washington, leading key transactions and projects before transitioning into commercial real estate brokerage in 1991.
A defining moment in Simon’s career came in 2000 when he spearheaded the acquisition and management of Napa Valley’s Juliana Vineyard, which he successfully sold. His leadership has also shaped major projects, including the Lagoon Valley Master Planned Development in Vacaville, multiple Napa Valley wineries and vineyards, and the acquisition of the Napa Valley Wine Train alongside Noble House Hospitality and Brookstreet Development. These ventures showcase his industry foresight and passion for transformative investments.
Today, as a member at Sovereign Equity Partners, Simon leverages his deep expertise in real estate development and the wine sector to drive strategic growth. His ability to identify opportunities, structure innovative deals, and lead successful ventures makes him a key force in the firm’s commitment to excellence and expansion.
Our Partners
SEP’s Advisory Team: Specializes in Structured Workouts, Capital Structure & Strategy.
Advisory Team
Karen Mayes
Director of Structured Transactions, Credit Resolution & Equity Syndication at Summit Investments. Karen has served as a trusted advisor with expertise covering a wide range of disciplines both institutional and financial which include real estate, investment fund syndication, capital markets, debt placement, start-up operations, development and redeveloped commercial properties.
Primary focus on opportunistic or value added investing achieved through a systematic approach to acquiring undervalued or mismanaged assets and creating value through repositioning, repurposing and/or recapitalization.
William “Bill” Witlow
Bill is a strategic advisor for SEP’s capital markets services and has a broad spectrum of real estate expertise including finance, organizational structure and strategy, asset and property management, and development and leasing.
During his real estate career, Bill held senior positions at Venture Corporation, Savills Studley, Arthur Andersen and Aetna Realty Investors (currently UBS Realty Investors). Bill has provided capital markets and strategic direction on projects and portfolios valued in excess of $6 billion. Bill earned a Masters of Management from the J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management and a Masters of Architecture from the University of Illinois.