Williams joins PwC US real estate business advisory services practice

According to PwC US, Paul Williams has joined the firm's real estate business advisory services (REBAS) practice as a managing director. Working within the financial instruments, structured products and real estate group (FSR), Williams will be responsible for building the real estate capital markets practice. Williams will initially be based in the New York office for the next few months, until re-locating to Boston. He will report directly to Mitch Roschelle, partner and U.S. REBAS practice leader. "These remain interesting times for the real estate and commercial mortgage markets. As property markets recover, capital markets activity has picked up as well. Adding a seasoned professional with Paul's skills positions PwC to be able to assist clients as they navigate this ever-evolving marketplace," said Roschelle. "Throughout his career, Paul has demonstrated an ability to grow a business where market potential exists, and we're excited to have Paul join our team of nearly 100 real estate professionals at PwC." Over the past 20 years, PwC's FSR group has assisted clients in multiple aspects of the structured finance business, and has earned a distinguished reputation for professional excellence and leadership by developing innovative, cost-effective solutions to complex problems. The group has experience in all aspects of securitization accounting, tax, finance, servicing, valuation, asset analysis and due diligence, structuring alternatives, transaction closings and issuance, trustee and bond administration operations, investor reporting, financial reporting, compliance, Regulation AB reporting, technology, transaction surveillance, and risk management. With over 20 years of experience in strategic and corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, strategic planning and accounting, Williams' expertise includes real estate capital markets, CMBS securitizations and pricing, commercial mortgage loan originations, due diligence, and distressed debt. Williams is rejoining PwC after having been with the firm earlier in his career. He also worked for eight years as a Principal for Bank of America Securities in the real estate investment banking practice and was head of capital markets and corporate strategy for CNL Hotels and Resorts. He holds a BS in accounting from the University of Florida.