Berkadia, an industry leading commercial real estate company, today announced the appointment of Justin Wheeler as chief executive officer, effective immediately. Wheeler served as the company’s interim chief executive officer since April 2014, when Hugh F. Frater stepped down from the position and assumed the responsibility of Chairman.
While serving in the interim role, Wheeler continued his duties as chief operating officer of Leucadia National Corporation (Leucadia), which entered a 50/50 joint venture with Berkshire Hathaway in December 2009 to form Berkadia. He was appointed vice president of Leucadia in 2006. Wheeler will relinquish his position with Leucadia to focus on his new role.
“I am truly excited to link arms with the team at Berkadia,” said Wheeler. “Over the previous 10 months, Berkadia has significantly strengthened its market position, brand and overall momentum and I look forward to working with our exceptional clients, employees and shareholders to further accelerate growth and leverage our unique platform.”
Prior to joining Leucadia, Wheeler served as president and chief executive officer of American Investment Bank, N.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of Leucadia. He has also served on a variety of internal and public company boards, including AmeriCredit (NYSE: ACF), Barbados Light & Power Holdings (Barbados Stock Exchange: LPH) and International FCStone (NASDAQ: INTL), where he was chairman of the Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees.
Wheeler holds a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Arts in Finance and French from Utah State University.
About Berkadia®:
Berkadia, a joint venture of Berkshire Hathaway and Leucadia National Corporation, is an industry leading commercial real estate company providing comprehensive capital solutions and investment sales advisory and research services for multifamily and commercial properties. Berkadia is among the largest, highest rated and most respected primary, master and special servicers in the industry.
As a Freddie Mac Program Plus lender, Fannie Mae DUS(r) Multifamily Seller/Servicer, insurance company correspondent, and HUD, MAP and LEAN originator and servicer, Berkadia provide access to capital and flexible, customized lending and servicing solutions for the acquisition, construction, rehabilitation and refinance of multifamily and commercial properties. Berkadia also provides interim and short-term financing through its Proprietary Bridge Lending Program. To learn more about Berkadia, please visit www.berkadia.com.
Commercial mortgage loan banking and servicing businesses are conducted exclusively by Berkadia Commercial Mortgage LLC and Berkadia Commercial Mortgage Inc.
Investment sales and real estate brokerage businesses are conducted exclusively by Berkadia Real Estate Advisors LLC and Berkadia Real Estate Advisors Inc.
