Our senior management team has intimate knowledge of our target market and proven experience in real estate, financial services, business formation and operations. We identify and capitalize on attractive investment opportunities by employing our broad deal sourcing networks, deal execution skills and prudent investment practices.

Robert Verhaaren
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mr. Verhaaren has acted as a principal in diverse real estate investments including income producing commercial property and thousands of acres of land. He has participated in arranging financing for alternative investment opportunities in excess of $250 million and has acted as a legal advisor in connection with structured finance, fund formation and corporate finance transactions valued at more than $2 billion. As a managing partner, Mr. Verhaaren is responsible for Universal's strategic direction, investment policy and operational matters.

Prior to Universal, Mr. Verhaaren co-founded Pearl Street Group, a specialty finance company focused on early stage companies. Pearl Street Group developed a quantitative methodology that led to the first ratings of a pool of venture capital investments by the leading rating agencies (Standard & Poor's and Moody's). Mr. Verhaaren has also acted as an advisor to, and board member of, several early stage companies and has participated in the structuring and execution of numerous real estate and venture capital investments.

Previously, Mr. Verhaaren was an attorney with the Silicon Valley-based law firm of Cooley Godward, where he focused on venture capital finance and venture fund formation. Mr. Verhaaren began his career as an attorney with the New York-based law firm of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he focused on structured finance, securities offerings, and other forms of corporate finance. Mr. Verhaaren received a B.S. in Accounting, magna cum laude, from Brigham Young University and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.

480.285.7015
rverhaaren@universalequitygroup.com

 

Brian Evans
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Mr. Evans has more than 12 years of experience in real estate and financial advisory services as well as investment and portfolio management.  His professional experience and investment focus have emphasized distressed situations and turn-around management.  As a managing partner, Mr. Evans is responsible for Universal's strategic direction, investment policy and operational matters.

Mr. Evans was previously an Estate Advisor for Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, an investment brokerage firm. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Mr. Evans worked for the public accounting firm Culbert, Nowicki & Associates where he provided tax planning and advise for both entities and individuals. Mr. Evans began his career with the global public accounting firm PriceWaterhouseCoopers, LLC (formerly Coopers & Lybrand, LLP) performing audits of publicly traded companies.

Mr. Evans is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a licensed real estate broker in the State of Arizona. Mr. Evans is a board member for the Phoenix chapter of the TMA (Turn Around Management Association), an international non-profit association dedicated to corporate renewal and turnaround management. Mr. Evans is also a member of the AICPA (American Institute of Certified Public Accountants). Mr. Evans has been a lecturer for programs on various real estate topics, including: "A Perfect Storm of Financial Disaster: Finding your Life Vest or Raft & Learning to Ride the Waves," Arizona Turnaround Management Association, November, 2007; "Turnaround Opportunities in Today's Economic Climate: Fallout From the Sub-Prime Market (Part II)," Las Vegas Turnaround Management Association, March 26, 2008; "Are We At The Bottom Yet," Arizona Risk Management Association, September, 2008. Mr. Evans is also a member of several corporate advisory boards. Mr. Evans received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy from Arizona State University Honors College.

480.703.4957
bevans@universalequitygroup.com