Grand Rapids, MI – January 14, 2021 – Red Oak Financial, a Michigan-based commercial real estate finance company, added David K. Christensen to the firm’s growing team. Christensen, who brings more than 35 years of commercial mortgage experience encompassing a range of refinance, construction, acquisition, mezzanine debt and joint venture equity activity, will serve as Regional Manager, Northwest. He will be based in San Francisco.
Red Oak’s Gary Bechtel said, “David is a perfect fit for the Red Oak team as we expand our platform nationally. His experience and skill sets align well with our strategy of uncovering quality lending opportunities that deliver attractive yields due to the dislocation the marketplace is experiencing today. He brings over three decades of commercial real estate industry knowledge and deal making that spans market expansions, as well as contractions, such as the one we’re currently experiencing.”
Christensen’s deep experience as a lender, as well as his broad-based commercial finance industry contacts and insights will contribute to the continued growth of Red Oak’s capital markets team, while providing critical intelligence to complex transactions. An example of his deal making capability in challenging times was the recent closing of a $21.7-million, two-year bridge loan that was executed in three weeks.
Prior to joining Red Oak, Christensen most recently served as the Northwest Regional Director for Money360, where he expanded mortgage broker relationships and originated loans across the U.S. for the company. Prior to that, Christensen served at Berkadia as Vice President, Mortgage Banking for the firm in its San Francisco office.
Christensen said, “Under Gary Bechtel’s leadership, Red Oak is positioned to become a market leader in the bridge lending space. Gary has been successful in all of his past endeavors and I look forward to helping in the growing of this platform “
Christensen started in the commercial real estate industry in the 1980’s with Alison Company. After establishing himself, he served 10 years at MassMutual as a lender, expanding the company’s platform in the Western U.S and overseeing its loan syndication group. Christensen’s experience in the industry also includes roles at companies such as Jones Lang Lasalle, Grubb & Ellis Company, and HSH Nordbank.
His responsibilities at Red Oak will include leading commercial real estate loan origination efforts for the firm’s bridge lending programs, encompassing deal analysis, underwriting, as well as structured financing. Christensen will also serve as a valuable resource for note sales, acquisitions and syndications, as well as strategic marketing to other capital providers.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing at Chapman University and also earned the CCIM designation.
