Avison Young Hires New Principals

by Alex Ciorogar

Wesley Boatwright

Avison Young added Wesley Boatwright, Jonathan Goldstein and Michael Yavinsky as principals. Based in Washington, D.C., they will focus on mortgage brokerage, project-level equity raises and recapitalizations across all property types. Working within the firm’s capital markets group, Boatwright, Goldstein and Yavinsky bring more than 60 years of commercial real estate industry experience.

“Their client-centric approach to every financial and investment transaction aligns perfectly with the Avison Young commitment to provide solutions-driven advisory services. Over more than six decades combined, Wes, Jon and Mike have built distinguished careers by representing diverse investor groups on office, retail, industrial, multifamily and hospitality real estate investments.” said Josh Peyton, Avison Young principal & managing director of the company’s Washington, D.C. region, in a prepared statement.

Together, they were managing directors in the capital markets group with Jones Lang LaSalle. Most recently, the team facilitated the $233 million recapitalization of Port Covington in Baltimore on behalf of Sagamore Development Co. and Plank Industries. Overall, they closed more than $6 billion in transactions.

The Managerial Trio

A 24-year industry veteran, Wesley Boatwright focuses on the structuring of joint venture equity, construction loans and debt (both floating and fixed rate) for multifamily, office, condominium and retail properties. His expertise also includes the full spectrum of real estate financial services, with a focus on acquisitions, recapitalizations and development. Closing more than $10 billion in financing deals, Boatwright was involved in various markets around the Mid-Atlantic region. After earning a B.A. degree in economics from Washington and Lee University and an MBA degree from the College of William and Mary, the new principal acted as a senior vice president at Spaulding and Slye and as a vice president at Walker and Dunlop. He is also a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, International Council of Shopping Centers and Urban Land Institute.

Jonathan Goldstein

Jonathan Goldstein specializes in arranging financing for the acquisition, refinancing, development and recapitalization of office, multifamily, retail, industrial and hospitality properties. Previously, he acted as a vice president at Cassidy Turley and assistant vice president at BB&T Bank. Goldstein serves on the board of directors at George Washington University’s Real Estate and Finance Alliance. He is also a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, Commercial Real Estate Brokerage Association and NAIOP. He holds a B.A. degree in economics from the University of Arizona and an MBA degree from George Washington University. With more than 14 years of industry experience, Goldstein has underwritten and closed more than $8 billion in financing deals.

Michael Yavinsky

Specializing in debt and equity placement for all types of properties, including investment-grade office, retail, multifamily, industrial and hospitality assets, Michael Yavinsky brings more than 20 years of experience to Avison Young. During two decades, he has underwritten and closed more than $10 billion in financing transactions. He worked for 14 years in the capital markets group at Walker & Dunlop. Holding a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Delaware, Yavinsky is also a member of the Mortgage Bankers Association and International Council of Shopping Centers. 

Photos courtesy of Avison Young