Bluerock Capital Markets has hired three senior regional vice presidents to expand its nationwide distribution reach, bringing combined decades of alternative investment experience to independent broker-dealers, wirehouses, and registered investment advisors across the country.
The firm, the distribution arm of Bluerock — an alternative asset manager with more than $20 billion in acquired and managed assets — named Mick McClendon, Jeff Spah, and Jeff Waszak to the new roles as it looks to deepen relationships with financial advisors at a time when advisor appetite for alternative investments is surging despite lingering liquidity concerns.
McClendon, based in Tampa, Florida, will cover the Southeast and Atlantic West regions. He brings more than 25 years of capital markets experience, having previously held roles at Capital Square, CIM Group, Inland Securities, and Wells Real Estate Funds.
Spah, based in Arizona, takes responsibility for the Mountain Desert region and will also serve as head of internal sales. His background spans more than 25 years in financial services, with 19 of those focused specifically on private markets and tax-advantaged strategies at firms including Inland Securities, ICON Investments, and Cole Real Estate Investments. Waszak, based in Illinois, will oversee the Midwest. He has 12 years in financial services with a concentrated focus on alternative investments, including prior stints at CIM Group and Inland Securities.
The three appointments reflect growing demand for firms with dedicated regional distribution infrastructure as financial advisors push more client assets into private markets.
Bluerock's product lineup spans 1031 exchanges, 721 exchanges, public and private real estate, alternative credit, and qualified opportunity zones — structures that have become increasingly relevant as advisors prioritize customization and alternatives to reshape 2026 investment strategies.
Ramin Kamfar, founder and CEO of Bluerock, pointed to the depth of advisor relationships each hire brings as central to the rationale. "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.
The move comes as alternative asset managers are increasingly investing in regional sales infrastructure to close the gap between product availability and advisor adoption. Advisors are pushing alternatives into the investing mainstream as client demand broadens, and firms like Bluerock are responding by ensuring they have experienced specialists on the ground in key markets rather than relying on centralized distribution.
With the three hires, Bluerock Capital Markets strengthens its footprint across the Southeast, Midwest, and Mountain Desert regions, covering a significant portion of the independent advisor marketplace.
Wells Fargo adds two bank-channel recruits, UBS lands a JPMorgan Chase veteran, and a multi-family office lifts Atlas past $1B
“The state comes down on you in years when you make 40% returns for clients,” said Bill Swayne, the advisor and son of Candace Swayne.
The Independent broker-dealer giant has had “active conversations” with the Claude maker, which is days away from its expected IPO
For Gen X clients entering life after work, answering the financial question isn't enough to solve the entire retirement equation.
Tools from Grantd, Income Lab and Healthspan Wealth aim to keep RIAs involved in clients’ biggest money decisions
Growing wealth, evolving priorities, and untapped opportunities are reshaping how women approach long-term investing.
Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.