Seattle-based bridge lender Avatar Financial Group LLC (“has added Alex Cruz and George Warf to its growing team. As directors of origination, they will handle the origination and underwriting of commercial real estate loans nationwide, new business development and expanding Avatar’s bridge lending platform. Both join Avatar from NuBridge Commercial Lending and are based in Los Angeles.

Cruz has held several positions in the mortgage industry since launching his career more than 24 years ago. At NuBridge, he oversaw operations across seven states and maintained a large, active broker base. He held the regional managerial role at Cherrywood Mortgage Commercial Lending, and was credited with increasing volume for both companies over a 10-year span.

A sales executive with more than 25 years of experience in cultivating and managing business relationships, Warf also served as regional sales manager at NuBridge. Prior to joining Nubridge, he co-founded CREdible Commercial Lending, providing access to a variety of traditional and alternative financing across the real estate spectrum. 

“As seasoned finance professionals, Alex and George bring 50 years of collective experience to our company,” said Avatar president T.R. Hazelrigg IV. “Both have leveraged their business development skills to become top producers in the commercial mortgage lending industry. With reputations for being deal closers, I’m looking forward to seeing Alex and George put their skills and resources to work as they help to further Avatar’s continued growth.”

Pictured, at top: Alex Cruz. Below: George Warf.