Meridian Capital names Chad Johnson managing director of the originations group

Meridian Capital Group LLC, a commercial real estate finance and advisory firm, has announced the addition of Chad Johnson as a managing director in its commercial originations group. Johnson will be originating loans nationally. He will report to Marty Lanigan, senior managing director of origination and strategic initiatives, and will be working out of Meridian’s newly-formed office in Kansas City, Kan., as well as its headquarters in New York, N.Y. Johnson has extensive experience across the commercial mortgage finance arena. As a 20-year industry veteran, he has held senior origination and mortgage banking roles with GMAC Commercial Mortgage, UBS, Deutsche Bank, and Wachovia. Johnson and Lanigan previously worked together at GMAC Commercial Mortgage, where Johnson ran the wholesale lending group. “Chad’s longstanding and successful track record, in combination with his excellent borrower relationships and tremendous deal experience, make him an excellent addition to the Meridian team,” said Lanigan. “Chad joins us at a very exciting time, and will play a significant role in positioning Meridian to become the leading U.S. commercial real estate finance company,” said Ralph Herzka, Meridian’s chief executive officer. For more information, visit www.meridiancapital.com.