O'Brien, Rogatz join Baird's RE group

Jeffrey Rogatz

James O'Brien and Jeffrey Rogatz have joined Baird's real estate investment banking team as managing directors, according to the Milwaukee-based global asset management firm. In their new positions, O'Brien will focus on financial sponsor groups investing in real estate and driving traditional M&A business for the group, while Rogatz will concentrate on equity and M&A opportunities in the office and industrial space. 

The addition of O'Brien and Rogatz marks the ongoing expansion of Baird's real estate investment banking team. In August, Steven Goldberg joined Baird as managing director to lead the team, with a focus on opportunities in the lodging industry.

“We are committed to build out a team that'll be able to make significant revenue for the firm in the [real estate investment banking] space,” Goldberg told PERE. “We plan to make additional hires in the near future as well.” 

James O'Brien

Prior to joining Baird, O'Brien served as managing director in FBR & Co.'s real estate investment banking group. He also was a member of the private equity placement group at UBS for five years.

Rogatz most recently was the president of Ridgeway Capital and also served as chief financial officer of Brandywine Realty Trust for three years. Prior to that, he was head of the REIT practice at Legg Mason Wood Walker for 12 years. 

Both O'Brien and Rogatz will work out of Baird's McLean, Virginia office and will report directly to Goldberg.