Walker & Dunlop Grows Capital Markets Team in the Southwest

Jim Pierson & Keaton Merrell

Walker & Dunlop, Inc. has hired Jim Pierson and Keaton Merrell as senior vice presidents in its Capital Markets group. Messrs. Pierson and Merrell will be joining Walker & Dunlop’s award-winning Arizona team, led by Brandon Harrington, senior vice president, and Matt Steffen, vice president, in the company’s Phoenix office.

 Walker & Dunlop President, Howard W. Smith, commented, “The outstanding growth in brokered loan originations we have achieved over the past several years is largely due to our success in integrating new originators and teams onto the platform. Jim and Keaton have spent years developing relationships with commercial real estate lenders and owners across the country and we’re excited that they will be bringing their passion and track record of industry expertise to Walker & Dunlop.” Mr. Smith continued, “Our Phoenix team was recently recognized as the top-ranked firm by Ranking Arizona 2016, a testament to the growth and success Walker & Dunlop has seen in that region, and adding two talented originators will further strengthen our platform in the Southwestern United States.”

 Prior to joining Walker & Dunlop, Messrs. Pierson and Merrell were Co-Founders and Principals of Legacy Capital Advisors. They have been active in capital advisory services including mortgage brokerage and direct mortgage lending across the country and have provided debt placement for a combined $4 billion during their careers. Messrs. Pierson and Merrell also formerly held positions at Johnson Capital, one of Walker & Dunlop’s largest mortgage banking correspondents until 2014 when the Company acquired its servicing and origination platforms.

 About Walker & Dunlop

Walker & Dunlop (NYSE: WD), headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, is one of the largest commercial real estate finance companies in the United States providing financing and investment sales to owners of multifamily and commercial properties. Walker & Dunlop, which is included in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, has over 500 professionals in 26 offices across the nation with an unyielding commitment to client satisfaction.