Arbor appoints Vahidi as EVP, general counsel

Uniondale, NY Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (NYSE:ABR), a real estate investment trust and national direct lender specializing in loan origination and servicing for multifamily, single-family rental (SFR) portfolios, seniors housing, healthcare, and other diverse commercial real estate assets, is appointing Maysa Vahidi, executive vice president, general counsel.

Vahidi is responsible for all of Arbor’s corporate legal activities, including providing appropriate legal support on corporate matters, M&A and related transactions, capital market activity, treasury functions, human resources, marketing, information technology, litigation and all other regulatory issues. She assumes the role from John Bishar, who will now serve as senior counsel for a transitional period of time, while continuing as Arbor’s Corporate Secretary for the Board of Directors.

“We look forward to having Maysa as part of our executive team. She comes to Arbor with experience across all facets of real estate, financing and corporate law,” said Ivan Kaufman, chairman and CEO of Arbor Realty Trust. “We welcome her vast legal expertise across all functions of our business.”

Prior to joining Arbor, Vahidi served as associate general counsel and chief compliance officer for Rockwood Capital, where she provided legal oversight for acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, financings, as well as fundraising, investor relations and corporate governance matters. Vahidi’s other past work experience includes practicing law at both King & Spalding, LLP, as well as Cahill Gordon & Reindel, representing financial institutions in real estate capital markets transactions.

Additionally, Vahidi is involved in a number of social and civic organizations in New York City and is active in children’s causes including affiliation with The New York Foundling. She is also a member of the She Builds Committee. Vahidi holds both a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude from New York University, College of Arts & Sciences and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.