Blue River Development (BRD) welcomes Brent Shearer as its newest Strategic Partner. Shearer’s background includes both commercial and residential real estate. Responsible for sourcing new land opportunities as BRD expands into new markets, he will bolster BRD's presence throughout Florida, the Carolinas, Nashville, Texas and Atlanta.

Michael Cooper, Managing Principal at BRD, states, "Brent's extensive experience and proven track record in home building and land development, combined with his keen business development skills, make him a valuable addition to our team. We're excited about the fresh perspectives and new opportunities he will bring."

Shearer will source land for single-family for sale communities and Build-to-Rent (BTR) ventures, exploring opportunities from raw or entitled land to finished lots.

"The shared vision for where the opportunity lies in the market and the sheer appetite for growth drew me to BRD," Shearer commented. "Their relationship-first culture aligns seamlessly with my values and how I've always approached business."

Brad Cooper, Managing Principal at BRD, expressed his optimism, "Brent’s reputation for creating and nurturing lasting partnerships aligns perfectly with our ethos. He knows the game, and we're confident in what he'll achieve here."

Prior to joining BRD, Shearer was a Partner at Blake Communities. His tenure with Blake Companies started in 2014 when he was brought on board to manage a substantial portfolio of lots acquired during the economic downturn. His vast expertise became evident as he served as a critical component in raising two portfolios in collaboration with Varde Partners based in Minneapolis, in addition multiple other capital raises with both private and institutional facilities. 

In a multifaceted role, Brent was instrumental in everything from deal sourcing to back-end management. He also spearheaded the establishment of the Blake office in Atlanta to service the portfolio efficiently. By 2016, Brent's vision and determination led him to home building, marking the inception of Heatherland Homes. As a founding partner of Heatherland Homes, Brent helped source opportunities and underwrite projects to facilitate its rapid growth, allowing the company to scale its operations to construct 150 to 200 homes annually. This growth was backed by a combination of private and institutional funding. 

“During my time at Blake Communities, I established many friendships and professional alliances. I'm eager to engage with them in this fresh capacity at BRD," said Shearer.

Before joining Blake, Shearer was an Associate at Situs Companies, involved in over $3.0 Billion in CMBS loans, collaborating with giants like UBS, Rialto, and Cantor Fitzgerald. 

Shearer holds a B.A. in Real Estate from the University of Georgia and an M.S. in Real Estate from Georgia