Camilo R. Escalante
Principal | Founder
Camilo is a Colombian immigrant on a mission to re-imagine the way we think about sustainable neighborhoods. He’s earned his reputation by providing creative debt and equity solutions across multiple markets lacking access to capital.
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This means collaborating to develop thriving communities that keep giving back. His business philosophy centers on building up middle class neighborhoods with a unique, holistic approach. Camilo uses his experience as a real estate developer and a mortgage expert to create attainable housing and home ownership opportunities for the middle class in addition to developing commercial infrastructure that encourages small business growth in their neighborhoods.
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Camilo founded Escala Capital, a private equity real estate firm, after excelling for over a decade in the finance and real estate sectors to help resolve challenges in the marketplace. The first is the lack of capital investments in working class and middle class neighborhoods throughout the country. Escala Capital's purpose is to bring equity to these neighborhoods to authentically help the community and its stakeholders thrive.
The second challenge is tied to the lack of housing inventory for the middle class in urban markets. Over the past two decades for the middle class demographic costs of living have increased and wages have stayed flat. Simultaneously for developers and builders costs of labor, material and land have increased. The result has been a housing affordability landscape in most urban markets that has driven out the middle class to perimeter suburbs or turned them into renters instead of homeowners.
Camilo credits his involvement with the National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP) as the lighting rod that helped mold Escala Capital into a real estate investment trust (REIT) that can resolve these pressing housing challenges. NAHREP's mission to advance sustainable homeownership and foster small business growth is interwoven into the principles of Escala Capital and has made it a company focused on more than volume, profits and margin. Currently, Camilo sits as the Government Affairs Director for NAHREP's Chicago chapter and when he is not at work he is advocating on policy issues that impact, housing inventory, immigration reform and access to credit.
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For a full Bio on Camilo, click HERE.
Joe Castillo
Partner
Joe Castillo is a first generation Mexican immigrant that became a business leader and mentor to the community. He has excelled in the real estate sector as a developer and property manager, and together with his family owns multiple businesses throughout Chicago that provide employment to hundreds of families.
Joe & Camilo met through their involvement with NAHREP and they quickly realized they shared the same vision to bring capital to middle class neighborhoods. Joe officially joined Escala Capital in 2019 and has been an instrumental partner sourcing capital and leveraging his real estate expertise on residential and commercial acquisitions.
For a full Bio on Joe, click HERE.
Chad M. Poznansky
Legal, Clark Hill
Escala Capital is a private equity real estate firm that utilizes investment funds with layered entities to manage investments and protect its investors. Investing through a fund is an ideal vehicle to allow investors to participate in distinctive projects but it requires an added layer of know how to structure the fund in accordance with SEC guidelines. This would not have been possible without Chad’s legal guidance and expertise structuring the fund agreements (Private Placement Memorandums) and investment vehicles that adequately protect the investors.
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Chad focuses his practice on commercial and residential real estate acquisitions and dispositions, including multifamily apartment buildings, condominium properties, vacant land, office buildings, shopping centers and hotels. He also has a wealth of experience in retail and condominium development and leasing projects. Chad counsels small and medium sized businesses with respect to formation and capitalization issues, operating issues, acquisitions, financing and succession planning.
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Eric Weber
Founder | Principal , Cubed Construction
Eric is the owner of a premier Chicago real estate firm that effectively integrates brokerage, property management and construction services. With an impressive background in consulting prior to real estate Eric offers critical insights to Escala Capital when it comes to partnership agreements, deal structure and construction services.
Eric graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelors and Masters in Accountancy, and earned his Certified Public Accountant (C.P.A.) accreditation in the same year. Eric started his career with Price Water House Coopers (PwC), where he audited public and private companies in the real estate sector.
In January of 2012, Eric left the corporate world and started his journey into construction and real estate. He is now Principle of Cubed Construction, a general contractor operating in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Eric’s expertise in both accounting and construction allow him to oversee construction projects and provide detailed cost and proforma analysis.
Joshua A. Graham
CPA / Senior Manager, WIPFLI
Josh uses his experience as a tax leader in Chicago’s market construction, real estate, and private equity practices to provide accounting services for Escala Capital.
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He’s spent the majority of his career focusing on the taxation of flow-through entities and has significant corporate, multistate, and international tax experience.
Joshua & Wipfli ensure that the book keeping and reporting of all the entities is handled by a trusted third party diligently, he also assists with financial due diligence of any potential investments when applicable.