Rob Leonard, Co-founder of Colonial Capital in 2003, serves as the  Executive Director.  Rob oversees all day to day operations of the company along with full oversight of loan approval and risk management.

Mr. Leonard is a third generation Arizonan and has over 35 years of experience in real estate investment and private lending.  Rob currently serves on the Board of Directors for Pinnacle Bank of Arizona. He is a founding member and current President of the Arizona Private Lenders Association (APLA) and continues to serve on the Board of Directors.

From 1995 to 2003, Mr. Leonard was President and co-owner of Main Street Financial Group, Inc.  With offices in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Main Street Financial originated over $90MM annually in both commercial and residential mortgages.

Prior to Main Street Financial, Mr. Leonard served four years as a portfolio manager for Valley National Bank.  His core responsibilities included marketing and sales of investment management services along with the origination of real estate loans.

Prior to Valley National Bank, Mr. Leonard worked for United Bank of Arizona, specializing in commercial and residential real estate lending.

Mr. Leonard received his Bachelor’s Degree from Arizona State University in 1981.  Rob is a member of other associations including; ICSC, Arizona Association of Mortgage Brokers, Arizona Commercial Mortgage Lenders Association, Executive Council (EC70 Foundation), and the Arizona State Sun Devil Club.

Rob holds his Arizona Mortgage Loan Origination license (MLO #0914489) and acts as Colonial Capital’s Designated Broker and Responsible Individual (MB #0905749). He is also a member in good standing with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #170131)

Mr. Carlson joined Colonial Capital in 2005 and serves as the firm’s Executive Vice President. As EVP and senior underwriter, Chris’s core responsibilities include full oversight of deal structure, loan documentation, and overall risk management.  Since inception, Chris has been involved in all phases of the firm’s development and growth.

Prior to Colonial, in 2004 Mr. Carlson graduated from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.  Chris earned his Bachelor’s degree in business management, graduating Summa cum laude and receiving the esteemed Moeur Award of Distinction.  

Mr. Carlson has extensive knowledge and experience in acquiring, renovating, and the disposition of an array of investment property types.  Chris is a member of the Arizona Private Lender Association (APLA); and a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO #0914479).  Chris is a member in good standing with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (#307026). 

Chris and his wife Mary have two sons and a daughter and is an active coach with Little League.

Melissa joined Colonial Capital in 2016.  As office manager, Melissa oversees the day to day management and operations of Colonial’s loan portfolio.

Melissa core’s responsibilities include aggregating and managing all required documentation prior to funding. Melissa has extensive experience in multi-tasking and coordinating the firm’s communications, including the files and records of all current loans. Melissa has significant experience in real estate and private lending, making her an integral and an invaluable team member.

Melissa is originally from Iowa.  She is active and enjoys spending time outdoors with her daughters and son.

Rob Leonard Jr. joined Colonial Capital in 2016 as a part-time underwriting analyst and became full time in 2018.  As the Vice President, Rob’s core responsibilities include research development, asset valuation, and general underwriting.

Prior to Colonial, Rob worked at CBRE as an office landlord representative leasing intern and a retail investment sales analyst.  Prior to CBRE, Rob worked for SimonCRE, a Phoenix-based retail developer. Rob is the co-founder and owner of MarketLure, a  start-up furniture resale company.

Rob received his undergraduate degree in Business Communication and his Masters in Real Estate Development from Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business in 2018. While pursuing his Masters at ASU, Rob was also an active student ambassador for the MRED program, a participant in the ULI Hines competition, and a winner of the REIAC Challenge, a competition on a hypothetical real estate development project. While at ASU, Rob was an officer in Lambda Chi Alpha and letterman for the ASU Lacrosse team.

A fourth generation native, Rob Jr. attended Brophy College Preparatory in Phoenix.  Rob is a member of ICSC, Urban Land Institute, NAIOP, Core-Net Global, and is an active MRED alumni member. 

Rob Jr. is a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO#0950379). He is also licensed with the National Mortgage Licensing Service (NMLS#1769858).

Wyatt McPherson joined Colonial Capital in 2020 as an investment analyst. Wyatt’s primary responsibilities include asset underwriting, market research, and business development.

Prior to Colonial, Wyatt worked at Yelp in the role of Sr. Sales Associate for digital marketing sales. Prior to Yelp, Wyatt worked for CBRE Phoenix as a Multi-Family acquisitions intern and market analyst.

Wyatt is an Arizona native, attending Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, AZ before attending Arizona State University. Wyatt received his undergrad degree in Sales and Marketing with a minor in Business Communication form Arizona State University in 2018. While at ASU, Wyatt was an active member of the American Marketing Association and an officer in Delta Kappa Epsilon. Outside of ASU, Wyatt is an active member within the CCIM institute.

Wyatt McPherson is a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO#1013719). He is also a member in good standing with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS#1953306).