Our Firm

Unmatched in Los Angeles and Beyond

Amherst Real Estate Capital Executes...

Edward Choi, President

Personally arranged over $4 billion of commercial real estate financing during his career, Mr. Choi founded Amherst Real Estate Capital over 30 years ago. During those years, he actively participated as a managing member in the purchase of twenty commercial real estate properties throughout the southwestern United States. Mr. Choi has extensive ownership experience in industrial, office, and retail properties. Previously, he held the position of Vice President with George Elkins Mortgage Banking Company for eight years. He ranked as a top producer for the firm in each of the last five years. Prior to the Elkins Company, Mr. Choi held the position of commercial real estate loan officer with Sumitomo Bank. Mr. Choi graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in business administration. In the last ten years, he has mentored fifteen University of Southern California undergraduate students on student life and career planning.

Brian DeGracia, Senior Vice President

Throughout his more than three decades in commercial real estate, Mr. Degracia has worked in various roles which gives him a unique and beneficial perspective on any individual financing assignment. Prior to joining Amherst in 2018, Mr. DeGracia was a partner at Eastdil completing a variety of institutional sales nationwide; third party consultant for Colony Capital (valuation for FDIC/other distressed loan portfolio acquisitions) and One West Bank (loan underwriting and asset management); and project manager at Bond Companies where he was directly responsible for the acquisition, financing, design, entitlement/approvals, construction, management, and leasing of an institutional quality multi-family project in Los Angeles. Mr. DeGracia received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California and his MBA from UCLA.

Lyle Johnson, Vice President

Mr. Johnson joined the company in 2014 and has since financed over $700 million in loan transactions. His primary responsibilities include loan processing, researching properties, financial analysis, coordinating between clients and capital sources, reviewing due diligence items, and closing support. Mr. Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Andrea Miller, Associate

Mrs. Miller joined the company in 2018 and has since financed over $400 million in loan transactions. Her primary responsibilities include loan processing, coordinating between clients, capital sources and third party vendors, reviewing due diligence items and providing closing support. In addition, she is responsible for researching properties and new market opportunities, overseeing the company’s marketing initiatives, and providing administrative support to the President. Mrs. Miller received her bachelor’s degree from Loyola Marymount University.