According to GE Real Estate, Michael Hines has joined the firm as senior director, North America lending division. Hines will be based in the firm's office and will cover northern California and the Pacific northwest region. The appointment represents the next phase in GE Real Estate's growth plans in the regional northwest market.   GE Real Estate's North America lending division opened a new regional office in late-2007.  The office was opened to increase the firm's existing presence in the rapidly growing areas of northern California and Pacific northwest. Hines will be responsible for generating and analyzing real estate loan requests for the structured finance and CMBS programs for clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Portland, Seattle and all surrounding markets.  He will also lead deal management and customer relations. Hines holds a BBA from The University of Texas, and MBA from Southern Methodist University. He is a member of NAIOP and the Bay Area Mortgage Bankers Association.