Our team comprises expert advisors and investment professionals with exceptional industry knowledge and a deeply rooted relationship network.
Jason Drussel is a co-founder and managing partner at Black Bridge Partners. With over 20 years in real estate investment and development, Jason has acquired skills that help take projects from concept to reality.
Previously, Jason was the director of multifamily development at Dakota Pacific Real Estate, where he managed all aspects of the firm’s multifamily platform. Before joining Dakota Pacific, Jason was the vice president of acquisition and development for Sundance Bay, cultivating an extensive network of brokers, developers, and investors across the Mountain West. Prior to Sundance Bay, he held management positions for SunWest Bank, Hovde Properties, and non-profits. Over his career, Jason has developed over 10 million square feet of multifamily and industrial projects across North America totaling over $2 billion in value.
Jason received a BS in business management and corporate finance from Brigham Young University.
With an entrepreneurial spirit, he is able to understand the needs of Black Bridge clients. Jason’s ability to take initiative and adapt quickly is put toward ensuring the success of all Black Bridge real estate projects.
Matt Johns is a co-founder and managing partner at Black Bridge Partners. With over 12 years of experience in finance and eight years of experience in industrial real estate, Matt has a wealth of knowledge and expertise. This deep understanding of financial markets provides him with valuable insight as it relates to the real estate market.
Prior to Black Bridge, Matt worked at Capita Financial Network, where he oversaw the management and portfolio construction of over $150 million in assets. At Goldman Sachs, he worked with Prime Brokerage services supporting hedge funds with their operations.
Matt earned a BS Finance from the University of Utah and an MBA from Westminster College. In addition he has obtained the CFP® designation.
His education and professional experiences have developed his strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Matt has a passion for finance and real estate and is committed to making an impact at Black Bridge.
Chris is focused on Capital Markets and Business Development. He is passionate about the positive outcomes of responsible real estate development and loves helping people generate income.
Chris’s work experience includes 16 years of scaling businesses in several industries. In addition to more than 10 years of corporate leadership roles, he has helped tech start-ups raise millions in seed funding. He has also been involved in many ventures including the building of a five hundred million dollar sales channel at Tesla, small business ownership selling direct to consumer, and millions in revenue creation at well known tech start-ups like Divvy Inc.
As a partner focused on Capital Markets and Business Development, Chris helps instill confidence with investors that their hard earned money is being put to great use. He is a cheerful member of the team, loves to golf, and is always on the lookout for great people to do business with.
JD Michaelsen is a partner for Black Bridge Partners. He brings more than 10 years of professional real estate experience where he has developed skills and strategies helping investors place capital in successful projects across the country.
Prior to Black Bridge, JD was the Vice President of Acquisitions for Sundance Bay, a private equity firm with more than $4B of assets under management. There, he led the acquisition of more than $600M in multifamily assets and developed vast relationships with real estate professionals around the country. Beforehand, he organized the placement of more than $30M of short-term debt for Sundance Bay. Before joining Sundance Bay, JD was with Cottonwood Residential, a multifamily REIT, where he underwrote the placement of over $100M of equity.
JD holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance with Cum Laude Distinction from Brigham Young University’s Marriott School of Management.
Along with his drive to maximize investors’ returns comes discipline in finding the right deals. With JD’s experience and passion for real estate, he is committed to maximize value for Black Bridge clients.
Melinda is the director of investor relations for Black Bridge. She oversees all facets of Black Bridge Partners' investor relations, including the establishment, coordination, and implementation of investor initiatives. She fosters and manages relationships with investors and plays a key role in the Black Bridge team.
She has over 17 years of experience in corporate investor relations and housing management that gives her vast experience to draw from. Prior to BB as a member of the owner services team of a private jet company, she was responsible for customer relations and flight operations.
Black Bridge seeks talented, self-sufficient additions to our team. If you’re interested in being part of our growing team, please get in touch at info@blackbridgeptr.com.
