We Pride Ourselves On Being
A Relationship Lender

Our Mission & Core Values

AGP Capital skillfully crafts commercial real estate loans, offering our borrowers structured solutions and flexibility. Our consultative approach harnesses analytical, grounded rigor and practical acumen, ensuring tailored solutions. Our dedicated in-house team consistently delivers unparalleled service and value, reinforcing our legacy of trust and long-term relationships. At AGP Capital, we embody core values that promote a culture of aligned objectives, flourishing partnerships, and collective success. Those who think well before acting will see better results than those who act on impulse.

Analytical.

We take pride in our long-term successful commercial real estate history. From acquisition, pre-development, construction, and bridge loans, we have participated and succeeded in all these specialties. This depth of experience allows us to analyze and underwrite competently.

Grounded.

Our grounded stance is rooted in an intimate understanding of market fundamentals. AGP uses this foundation to navigate the complex landscape of commercial real estate. As a private lender, we structure bespoke solutions to meet specific requirements.

Practical.

Great ideas are only “ideas” unless they can be accomplished. After applying analytical disciplines and creativity, our professionals will advise you on solutions that are feasible and profitable. Bolstered with an experienced team of in-house capabilities we create practical solutions to satisfy the most demanding projects and structures.

RECENT DEAL

Multi Family A&D Loan / $12,500,000

In May 2021, AGP Capital spun out of the Watt Companies and rebranded from Watt Funding to AGP Capital. Watt Funding was founded in 2016 and the founding management team remains in place at AGP Capital today.

• Meet Our Team •

Fund Management

Laus Abdo

CEO & Founder

Jason Wolanzyk

Senior Managing Director

Howard Press

Senior Managing Director

Jonathan Chew

Managing Director

Raymond Su

Director

Eleanor Pascua

Vice President

Maureen Williams

Vice President

Chris Grupe

Associate

Michael Snytsheuvel

Associate

Maya Saraf

Associate

Kijana Moody

Fund Accountant

Tanya Rierson

Executive Administrator

Laus Abdo

CEO / Founder

laus@agpcapital.com

Laus Abdo possesses an extensive background in commercial real estate and finance.    

Laus started his career in 1985 with Paine Webber and later moved to Smith Barney where he was Vice President.  In 1993 he founded AGP Capital, Inc. (“AGP”), a financial advisory firm advising companies, lenders and investors on asset acquisition, disposition, restructurings, private placements and similar corporate finance matters.  

While at AGP Laus was also in charge of acquisition, development, leasing and property management at a Commercial Real Estate & Development Company.  They also owned and managed a portfolio of office, retail, mixed-use, restaurants, convenience stores and land.

Jason Wolanzyk

Senior Managing Director

jason@agpcapital.com

Jason underwrites and structures loans made by the Fund. Previously he was CFO of one of the largest private home builders in the southwest, building over 1,000 homes per year. Involved with over $700 million in acquisition, development, construction and investor capital.

Howard Press

Senior Managing Director

hpress@agpcapital.com

Howard’s primary responsibilities are asset management and loan structuring. His career in the real estate development industry spans over 35 years. For the previous 28 years he has held various positions at Watt Companies including President of Watt Residential LLC. 

Jonathan Chew

Managing Director

jchew@agpcapital.com

Jon is a Managing Director in the Los Angeles office, leading the Strategic Planning, Treasury, Investor Relations, Marketing, and Administration at the Fund. Previously he was the Vice President at a real estate focused family office.  Prior to that, he led the Corporate Finance and Planning team at Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield.  Earlier in his career, he was a strategy consultant at Mars and Company and a real estate investment banker with Credit Suisse.

Raymond Su

Director

rsu@agpcapital.com

Ray is a Director at AGP working in Finance, Investor Relations, and Human Resources. He was previously Director of Finance and Senior Program Manager at an MEP Engineering Consulting firm where he led finance/accounting and HR teams, as well as engineering design and construction administration teams for 15+ years.

Eleanor Pascua

Vice President

epascua@agpcapital.com

Eleanor is Vice President Accounting at the Fund. Previously, she was senior accountant at Colony Capital, Inc. and CIM Group. Prior to that Eleanor worked in public accounting providing over 10 years of audit, assurance, and tax services for various industries including real estate, manufacturing and entertainment. 

Maureen Williams

Vice President

mwilliams@agpcapital.com

Maureen is in charge of underwriting and asset management of loans made by the Fund. Previously, she was a Senior Real Estate Manager with NKF overseeing over 600,000 SF of commercial real estate assets.  Prior to that Maureen was an analyst for CBRE Debt & Equity Finance having assisted in the placement of over $300 million in debt and equity on commercial real estate assets. 

Chris Grupe

Associate

cgrupe@agpcapital.com

Chris Grupe is an Associate in FP&A. He joins AGP from Latham & Watkins where he was a Senior Financial Analyst supporting their global network of Legal Partners, Internal Teams and Clients. Prior to that he was an Associate at Ares Management in Direct Lending – Credit; building models and providing analytical support to Investment Committee serving as an intermediary to lenders making direct investments to funds. Before Ares, Chris worked at BDO USA LLP for three years as a Valuation and Business Analytics Consultant where he specialized in building valuation models for firms Clients and internal Tax and Audit teams.

Michael Snytsheuvel

Associate

Michael serves as an Associate, specializing in loan underwriting, market research, and pipeline management. Prior to joining AGP, he spent three years at Rialto Capital Management, providing asset management support for a diverse CMBS portfolio exceeding $10 billion in value. Michael developed expertise through underwriting and due diligence on more than $2 billion of CMBS assets across various property types and US markets. Before that, Michael began his career in brokerage at Logic Commercial Real Estate, focusing on office space investment sales. He is a proud graduate of the University of Mississippi, holding a Bachelor of Business Administration in Managerial Finance and Real Estate.

Maya Saraf

Associate

msaraf@agpcapital.com

Maya is an Associate with primary responsibilities of loan underwriting and due diligence, asset management, and investor reporting. She previously worked as an Associate with JLL Capital Markets, where she was integral to her team closing $150+ million in transactions. Prior to that, she was an urban planner for Los Angeles County, spearheading several initiatives to promote community development and economic growth.

Kijana Moody

Fund Accountant

kmoody@agpcapital.com

Ki-Jana is a fund accountant at the fund. Prior to joining AGP, he worked as an accountant at National Veterinary Associates. Ki-Jana completed his Masters of Science in Accounting at California State University, Sacramento.  

Tanya Rierson

Executive Administrator 

trierson@agpcapital.com

Tanya is the Executive Administrator at the Fund. Previously, she was an executive assistant to a commercial real estate developer. Tanya has over 20 years of experience in assisting with acquisitions, development, and asset management.  

Laus Abdo

CEO / Founder

laus@agpcapital.com

Laus Abdo possesses an extensive background in commercial real estate and finance.    

Laus started his career in 1985 with Paine Webber and later moved to Smith Barney where he was Vice President.  In 1993 he founded AGP Capital, Inc. (“AGP”), a financial advisory firm advising companies, lenders and investors on asset acquisition, disposition, restructurings, private placements and similar corporate finance matters.  

While at AGP Laus was also in charge of acquisition, development, leasing and property management at a Commercial Real Estate & Development Company.  They also owned and managed a portfolio of office, retail, mixed-use, restaurants, convenience stores and land.

Jim Maginn

Investment Committee Member

Jim served as President of Watt Advisors in connection with the formation of the Fund in 2016. Served as President of Watt Companies (2006 to 2011). Established a subsidiary focused on investing directly in commercial and residential projects in 2010. Established JV with Australia’s Centro Properties Group in 2003, which over the subsequent four years acquired over 700 retail centers, with more than 100 million SF, with properties located in 32 states and a total asset value in excess of $11.0 billion.

In conjunction with Goldman Sachs, formed an entity in 1992 that eventually evolved into John Laing Homes which built over 3,000 homes per year and sold in 2007 for over 3x book. Joined Watt in 1996 as Senior Vice President/ Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Manager of Corporate Banking for California First Bank (Union Bank).

 

Richard Goldman

Investment Committee Member

Richard is Co-Founder and Senior Managing Director of Oakhurst Advisors, LLC and its affiliate, Mandalay Advisors, LLC. Visionary and driving force behind their growth to 29 active private funds, with over $800 million in equity, and deployment since 2015 into real estate debt and equity portfolios having a value in excess of $1.2 billion. Supervised the real estate department of an investment fund (purchased and managed in excess of $250 million of commercial property, including multifamily, industrial, retail, and office building). Previously, practiced real estate law at Goldman & Kagon.

Nitin Chexal

Investment Committee Member

Nitin is the Co-Founder and CEO of Palladius Capital Management, leading a team of investment and asset management professionals focused on making equity and debt investments into multifamily, student housing, and hospitality assets across the U.S.  Previously, Partner and Managing Director at Nimes Real Estate where he oversaw the acquisition, management, and disposition of several thousand multifamily and student housing units.  Has invested into, managed, and divested over $4 billion of commercial real estate assets.

Brian Burdzinski

Investment Committee Member

Brian has worked in the real estate industry for over 35 years and has worked on projects totaling more than $5 billion. He is currently the president of Schulman Properties, LLC in Las Vegas, NV, a real estate developer focused on building luxury apartment communities in Las Vegas and South Florida. Brian provides strategic financial planning for the company and oversees the day-to-day operations of the company.  Brian is also responsible for securing the capitalization for the projects that the company builds, including construction loans and joint venture equity partnerships.

 

Prior to joining Schulman, Brian was president of Watt Multifamily, LLC in Santa Monica, CA, the multifamily division of Watt Companies, Inc – a billion dollar plus real estate development company.  Brian built apartment projects and acquired existing apartment projects in Las Vegas, NV.  His prior role was Chief Financial Officer of Watt Companies, Inc.

 

Prior to Watt, Brian worked at John Laing Homes, KB Homes and Western Pacific Housing.  He earned his certified public accounting credentials at KPMG in Los Angeles.  Brian is married with 5 children and 1 grandson and enjoys travel with his family.