Bluerock Capital Markets, the distribution arm of alternative asset manager Bluerock, has brought on three senior regional vice presidents to expand its reach among financial advisors. The appointments come as demand for private-market investments continues to climb, even as some advisors remain cautious about liquidity.
The new hires are Mick McClendon, Jeff Spah, and Jeff Waszak. McClendon, based in Tampa, Florida, will cover the Southeast and Atlantic West regions. He brings more than 25 years of capital markets experience, with prior roles at Capital Square, CIM Group, Inland Securities, and Wells Real Estate Funds. Spah, based in Arizona, will oversee the Mountain Desert region and also serve as head of internal sales. His background includes over 25 years in financial services, 19 of which focused on private markets and tax-advantaged strategies at firms such as Inland Securities, ICON Investments, and Cole Real Estate Investments. Waszak, based in Illinois, will manage the Midwest territory. He has 12 years in financial services, concentrating on alternative investments, with previous stints at CIM Group and Inland Securities.
Bluerock, which manages more than $20 billion in acquired and managed assets, is positioning itself to capitalize on the growing appetite for alternatives among RIAs and wirehouse advisors. The firm's product lineup includes 1031 exchanges, 721 exchanges, public and private real estate, alternative credit, and qualified opportunity zones. These structures are becoming increasingly relevant as advisors look to customize portfolios and incorporate alternatives into their 2026 strategies.
Ramin Kamfar, founder and CEO of Bluerock, emphasized the importance of the new hires' existing advisor relationships. "Mick, Jeff, and Jeff each bring deep, established relationships with financial advisors and a proven track record of raising capital in their markets," Kamfar said in a statement.
The move reflects a broader trend among alternative asset managers to invest in regional sales infrastructure rather than relying solely on centralized distribution. As private capital held by advisors is projected to surge, firms are ensuring they have experienced specialists on the ground in key markets.
Bluerock's expansion also aligns with recent personnel moves across the industry, such as Merrill's hiring of a $13B team and Cetera's leadership additions. These moves underscore the competitive landscape for advisor talent and distribution capabilities.
With these three appointments, Bluerock Capital Markets strengthens its footprint across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mountain Desert regions, covering a significant portion of the independent advisor marketplace. The firm is betting that dedicated regional coverage will help bridge the gap between product availability and advisor adoption.
As the alternative investment space grows, advisors are increasingly seeking partners with robust distribution support. Bluerock's latest hires are a clear signal that the firm intends to be a leading provider of alternative strategies to U.S. advisors.
