Executive Team
Craig S. Descalzi
CEO & Founder
Mr. Descalzi founded Morrison Avenue Capital Partners twelve years ago to serve a specific niche – catering to sophisticated investors seeking unique real estate opportunities that deliver attractive risk adjusted returns. Under his leadership, the firm has raised $423MM of equity across almost $1B of assets and delivered 35% IRR (net of all fees) and 2.02x (net of all fees) to investors over thirteen realized deals. By consistently placing investors and partners first, the firm will continue to grow and be viewed as a leading sponsor of multifamily housing in the South East.
Previously, Mr. Descalzi held a senior level leadership position at Raymond James Financial, Inc., where he directed overall strategy and implementation of the firm’s multifamily affordable housing acquisition efforts. He approved the structure of transactions, formed funds, and marketed the fund offerings to institutional buyers. While in this capacity, the division raised and deployed over $600m per year in equity, a record for the firm. Before being promoted to this role, Mr. Descalzi originated, structured and closed over 300 individual multifamily transactions into funds purchased by Fortune 1000 institutional investors. These transactions comprise over $2B of total development costs and almost $1B of equity, include no foreclosures, and have all met or exceeded their annual investment goals.
Mr. Descalzi holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Carmel Highlands Fire Department as Vice Chairman.
C.J. Baier
Partner
Mr. Baier brings over 20 years of experience in real estate investment, development and asset management. At Morrison Avenue Capital Partners, he leads the ongoing operational efforts including asset optimization, value-add renovation strategies/implementation, construction risk management, and the effective positioning of assets for recapitalization or disposition.
Previously, he served as Managing Director – Dispositions and Preservation at Raymond James Financial, Inc. where he was responsible for the disposition of over 625 multi-family housing properties across the country representing $2.9B in investor equity. Mr. Baier also led a team responsible for the asset management of over 400 multi-family properties under construction across the country, managing risk on over $2.7B in investor equity. Prior to that, he spent 6 years as a multi-family construction project manager Lend Lease, Inc, one of the nation’s largest developer/contractors. Mr. Baier holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Florida.
Leadership
Andy Belew
Vice President of Asset Management
Mr. Belew joined Morrison Avenue Capital Partners in 2023 to lead their Asset Management team and efforts across all assets, lenders, and investors. Mr. Belew has ultimate responsibility for maximizing the overall performance of the MACP portfolio of multifamily assets while ensuring adherence to the strategic business and financial plan of each asset. He directs the team’s efforts in executing fund and asset level business plans in addition to managing sell strategies and valuations. Mr. Belew is also a member of the executive leadership team.
Before joining MACP, Mr. Belew spent 25 years with several publicly traded Asset Management companies as Director and Senior Vice President of Asset Management Departments. In these roles, he was responsible for over 50,000 multi-family units, monitored property operations, and oversaw third-party management firms.
Mr. Belew holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Arizona.
Len Palumbo
Senior Controller
Mr. Palumbo brings over 25 years of experience in both commercial and residential real estate accounting and asset management to his role at MACP, where he leads a team responsible for all aspects of financial reporting. This includes both corporate and operational planning, budgeting, forecasting, analysis, treasury, vendors, governance, and insurance, as well as overseeing cash flow projections, budgets, and analysis, with a special emphasis on overseeing accurate and timely tax reporting. Mr. Palumbo also manages GAAP reporting on our flagship proprietary equity funds and managing the tax and audit of that fund.
Previously, he served as Senior Director at Mack-Cali Realty Corporation where he was responsible for overseeing the accounting, financial reporting, SOX compliance, and lease administration of over seventy-five commercial and residential properties across New Jersey. Len holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Rutgers University.
Jake Moore
Director of Capital Markets
Mr. Moore is responsible for executing on the company’s equity and debt sourcing and administration strategies. This includes managing the ecosystem of the company’s funding partners, with a specific focus on equity investor management, to deliver financing to our multifamily acquisitions and developments.
Prior to joining MACP in 2023, he held various positions in mortgage finance where he focused on hedging, trading, financial analysis, and investor relations. Since joining MACP, he has been directly involved in developing strategies for new capital raising initiatives for all of MACP’s latest investment vehicles.
Mr. Moore holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from California State University, Chico.
Thomas Kreger
Director of Acquisitions
Mr. Kreger is responsible for sourcing new opportunities, including contacts with real estate brokers, sponsors, private/public owners, lenders, institutions, and related entities. He will also perform the initial feasibility of sourced opportunities including financial analysis, modeling, and valuations, while also traveling to expand the MACP network. Additionally, he will manage negotiations and communications with sellers and brokers while supporting the closing of real estate transactions.
Prior to joining MACP in 2024, Mr. Kreger held positions in real estate banking focusing on multifamily, as well as in acquisitions focusing on multi-tenant retail.
Mr. Kreger holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Real Estate from the University of Georgia.
Ryan Murphy
Acquisitions Analyst
Mr. Murphy is responsible for financial analysis, market research, due diligence, and transaction execution functions for the Acquisitions team.
Prior to joining MACP in 2021, Mr. Murphy held positions in both investment and brokerage roles focusing on multifamily assets in the Southeast. Since coming on board, he has analyzed billions of dollars worth of opportunities and directly supported MACP on over $425 million of real estate transactions.
Mr. Murphy holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Real Estate from Florida State University.