Bellwether Enterprise appoints SVP to lead new seniors housing group

Bellwether Enterprise Real Estate Capital LLC, has hired Richard “Rick” Lynn as senior vice president to lead its new seniors housing group in the Chicago office. Lynn will bring 30 years of experience in commercial real estate finance and investment banking as he oversees the origination and placing of commercial real estate loans for senior housing properties and contributes to the firm’s established expertise in senior housing transactions.

Bellwether Enterprise, the commercial and multifamily mortgage banking subsidiary of Enterprise Community Investment Inc., created the new seniors housing group after the firm was approved as a seniors housing lender for both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2018. As senior vice president, Lynn will work with individual, regional and institutional owners at both for-profit and non-profit entities. The primary sources of capital will include Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and exclusive life insurance company investors. Drawing on his past professional experience in mortgage banking with a specific focus on housing for seniors, Lynn will work to expand Bellwether Enterprise’s portfolio nationwide.

“We are delighted to welcome Rick to Bellwether Enterprise’s Chicago office to lead our seniors housing group, which will grow our work in an increasingly in-demand market,” said Ned Huffman, president of Bellwether Enterprise. “Rick’s wealth of experience specific to senior housing makes him a valuable addition to our team and enables us to offer even more flexible financing options to clients nationwide.”

Prior to joining Bellwether Enterprise, Lynn worked for six years at Marcus and Millichap in investment sales, focusing exclusively on senior housing. His lengthy career in mortgage banking includes stints at Travelers Insurance, First Chicago Bank and GMAC Commercial Mortgage, among others. Lynn is an active member of the National Investment Center, the American Seniors Housing Association and LeadingAge. He holds a bachelor of science in industrial and operational engineering from the University of Michigan, an MBA in finance from the University of Miami and he graduated from a continuing education program in real estate from New York University.

“As our population ages, the need for senior housing will only continue to grow, and I am excited to work with my colleagues at Bellwether Enterprise to help our clients meet that need,” said Lynn. “Bellwether’s unique combination of localized expertise and nationwide reach will enable our seniors housing group to deliver incredible value for clients and create high-quality homes for seniors in communities around the country.”