Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital, LLC, the commercial and multifamily mortgage banking subsidiary of Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., today announced the hiring of longtime real estate executive Trent Brooks as executive vice president. Brooks will be based in the company’s new Western Regional Headquarters in Irvine, Calif., and will lead Bellwether Enterprise’s plans to expand across the Western United States.

Trent Brooks, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital
Trent Brooks, Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital

Brooks has more than 30 years of extensive real estate experience in all facets of commercial mortgage lending including business development, investor relations and portfolio management. He will lead a team of top producers who will provide customized financing options for multifamily, office, retail and all commercial property types with a comprehensive array of lending programs and local expertise. Brooks will oversee the rollout of Bellwether Enterprise’s products and services primarily in California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Arizona and Colorado.

“I am honored and excited to join Bellwether Enterprise and have the opportunity to lead this Western expansion,” said Brooks. “Bellwether Enterprise has a proven track record of success in commercial real estate finance and long-term relationship building. The company’s vast array of resources, strong work ethic and commitment to high quality customer service will provide a very attractive option for commercial real estate investors, multifamily housing executives and other key stakeholders in the Western Region.”

Brooks joins Bellwether Enterprise from Lyon Communities in Newport Beach, Calif. where he was chief operating officer. Prior to that, Brooks was managing director at CW Capital in Irvine, Calif. where he led the growth of CW’s Western Regional Lending Platform for the Boston-based company. Earlier, Brooks co-founded and operated Sierra Capital Partners in Irvine, a Freddie Mac Seller/Servicer which was acquired by CW Capital. Brooks also served at Bankers Mutual for 16 years, where he was president of the highly successful company.

“Brooks’ leadership abilities, impressive track record, extensive background and longstanding relationships make him an ideal choice to manage our Western expansion,” said Ned Huffman, president of Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital, LLC. “His vast knowledge of commercial mortgage lending combined with his experience in multifamily housing from the owner/manager point-of-view is a unique combination, one that will give us a broader advantage in the market,”

Huffman added, “Our expansion to the West reflects our steadfast commitment to strategic growth throughout the United States.”

Brooks is a graduate of Wittenberg University where he received his Economics degree. He is a member of the National Multi-Housing Council (NMHC), Urban Land Institute (ULI), Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), and was a former Chair of Freddie Mac’s Seller/Servicer Advisory Council, Fannie Mae’s DUS Advisory Council, and a