CIM Group Hires PIMCO’s Adam Lerer as Managing Director of Investments

For Adam Lerer, that means a brand-new desk at CIM Group. The industry vet, with nearly 20 years of experience in commercial real estate, has been hired as a managing director of investments at the firm, Commercial Observer can first report.

Los Angeles-based Lerer joins CIM from PIMCO Prime Real Estate where he served as head of the special situations group and head of acquisitions.

“Adam brings a wealth of expertise across acquisitions, asset management, debt, and special situations that complements the diverse strategies within our real estate equity business,” Jason Schreiber, principal and co-head of real estate equity at CIM Group, said. “His experience will be valuable as we continue to expand our capabilities and pursue opportunities across targeted strategies and markets.”

In his new role in CIM’s real estate equity team, Lerer will source, structure and close new investment opportunities for the firm’s various real estate strategies — including core, value-add, net lease, impact and Opportunity Zones — across property types.

“CIM Group’s track record, breadth of capabilities, and disciplined approach to creating value through real estate investment are what drew me to the firm,” Lerer said in a statement, adding that he was excited to join “a highly respected team” and help expand CIM’s real estate equity business.

At PIMCO, where he spent almost seven years, Lerer headed up debt restructuring and alternative solutions for a $14 billion loan portfolio spread across the U.S., while also leading the firm’s acquisitions activity in North America for PIMCO Prime Real Estate — with $100 billion in assets under management — across residential, industrial, office, life sciences and retail assets.

Before PIMCO, Lerer held positions at Decron Properties, Norges Bank Investment Management and in Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group.