WAY Capital, a leading commercial real estate capital markets advisor, announces the opening of a satellite office in the Phoenix, Arizona area and the hiring of RJ Opeka as Head of Agency Finance. In his new role, Opeka will oversee WAY Capital’s joint venture with Regions Bank to provide multifamily loan programs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. He works out of WAY’s new Phoenix office.
“We welcome RJ and look forward to his contributions as we expand into Arizona,” said WAY Capital Founder and Senior Managing Partner Malcolm Davies. “Our new office continues WAY Capital’s national expansion into strategic high-growth markets. On a personal note, as an alumnus of the University of Arizona, I’m proud to be coming back and reinvesting in a state I care deeply about.”
This is the second office WAY Capital has opened in 2023. In May, the firm opened a satellite office in Nashville, Tennessee. The new office is located at 6720 N Scottsdale Rd, Paradise Valley, Arizona.
Opeka has more than 13 years of experience in commercial real estate lending and financing. Before joining WAY Capital, he was Director of Loan Production at First Foundation Inc. in Phoenix, AZ, with previous stints at Opus Bank and Pacific Premier Bank
As Head of Agency Finance, Opeka will be responsible in growing WAY’s production in the permanent finance marketplace nationwide, with a significant focus on providing WAY’s clients access to its direct lending platform via the firm’s joint venture with Regions Bank. Additionally, Opeka will be responsible for WAY Capital’s relationship with Regions Bank’s agency loan programs.
“RJ is one of the best and brightest in our industry,” said WAY Capital Founder and Managing Director Zack Streit. “His knowledge of structured finance and monetization through financing facilities will help increase our services reach. Being based in Arizona, his connections will also help jump start our growth in the region.”
Opeka is a 2008 graduate of the University of Arizona and holds a degree in Regional Development. While at Opus Bank, he led the firm’s expansion into the Phoenix market and grew the bank’s portfolio to over $400MM with a focus on small balance multifamily and affordable housing.
“I am thrilled to join the incredible team at WAY Capital,” said Opeka. “Their ability to provide independent and client-driven solutions throughout the capital stack is truly unique in today’s environment. As market dynamics shift and capital providers change, the deep experience and relationships that Malcolm and Zack have forged allow clients an advantage over their competition. Those equity solutions in combination with the liquidity provided by agency financing will play a meaningful role today’s multifamily market.”
