Stonebriar Commercial Finance announced the promotion of Ryan Ellis to Vice President, Head of the Real Estate Group (REG). He joined Stonebriar in 2017 in connection with an acquisition and has progressively assumed greater responsibilities in the daily operations of REG. In his new role, Ellis will be responsible for oversight of all facets of the group. He holds a B.A. in marketing from Ouachita Baptist University.

“We are pleased to recognize and empower talented team members whose contributions will be integral to Stonebriar’s continued success. Ryan has become a strong and trusted member of our leadership team,” said Dave Fate, Stonebriar President and CEO.

Additionally, Brandon Karas has joined the company as Senior Counsel, adding bench strength to Stonebriar’s legal team. Karas joins Stonebriar from Vinson & Elkins’ Dallas office where he was a sixth-year associate. He has significant experience in various forms of commercial finance and capital markets transactions, representing borrowers and lenders in finance matters using a wide variety of debt and equity structures across the energy, healthcare, food and beverage, manufacturing, transportation and financial services industries.

 “Brandon brings to the company capabilities we need in our fast-paced environment” said Stonebriar General Counsel Andy Fletcher. “With Stonebriar’s continuing growth, we are very excited to have someone with Brandon’s experience and character to support the best-in-class legal service we seek to provide to both our internal and external constituents. We welcome Brandon to the team and look forward to his contributions in supporting the ongoing expansion of Stonebriar’s General Equipment, Aviation Capital, Rail Leasing, Real Estate and Sponsor Finance platforms.”

Karas received his J.D. from the University of Notre Dame and holds a B.S. from Purdue University (with Highest Distinction).