Briar Capital, a nationwide, asset-based lender focused exclusively on providing owner-occupied, commercial real estate finance solutions, has named commercial lending veteran Paul Count as Senior Vice President, Midwest Markets.

Based in Indianapolis, IN, Count will be responsible for developing owner-occupied, commercial real estate financing opportunities throughout the Midwest.

“We’ve been looking to expand our presence to the Midwest by adding an asset based lending and/or banking veteran with roots in the region,” notes Jeff Van Sickle, President of Briar Capital. “Having spent over 35 years in commercial lending, all of which in the Midwest, Paul is the perfect fit for our organization.”

In addition to his extensive asset-based lending and banking experience, Count served as founding President of the Association for Corporate Growth – Indiana and founding President of the Indiana Association for Corporate Renewal.  He also has fulfilled leadership positions in a number of civic and philanthropic organizations throughout the Midwest communities where he has lived and served.  His educational background includes a Bachelor’s of Science in Finance and a Masters of Business Administration, both from Ball State University.

Briar Capital’s primary product offering consists of long-term amortization and covenant-free real estate term loans to credit-challenged borrowers. It also provides interest-only, revolving lines of credit, all secured by owner-occupied commercial real estate. Briar Capital considers deal sizes from $1 million to $10 million with property types such as manufacturing facilities, office/warehouse buildings and distribution centers.