Berkadia announced today the addition of Senior Vice President, Managing Director Willem Alexander Groot to its Servicing Operations. During a transition period, Groot will lead Business Development alongside Senior Vice President, Managing Director Jan Sternin and will report to the President of Berkadia Commercial Real Estate Services, Mark McCool.
“Alex brings 25 years of industry experience, an excellent reputation and tremendous knowledge to this role,” said McCool. “Jan will increase her focus on creating an industry leading Learning and Development program. She and Alex have very complementary strengths which position Berkadia for continued strategic growth.”
Groot joins Berkadia from Wells Fargo where he served as Managing Director of Business Development. There, he was responsible for coordinating business development activities as well as maintaining ongoing client relationships. In addition to handling lender client relationships, Groot and his team were responsible for Defeasance processing and consulting activities.
Prior to Wells Fargo, Groot served as CMBS Asset Manager for both large loan and conduit transactions, he developed a quality-oriented customer service team for which he hired and trained all new employees, and he also handled pricing and whole loan sales as a capital markets analyst in RMBS.
“I am thrilled to be leading Berkadia’s Business Development across the servicing platform and alongside Jan,” said Groot. “Our collective experiences pair well together to promote innovation and growth while ensuring best-in-class client service.”
Groot holds an IMBA from the University of South Carolina Darla Moore School of Business and received his Bachelor of Arts from Wofford College. In addition to his degree, he holds the Certified Commercial Mortgage Servicer designation.
