SURMOUNT Adds Scott Budzenski to Capital Markets Team as Managing Director, Further Expanding West Coast Presence

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SURMOUNT, a leading full-service net lease real estate advisory and investment platform, announced today that Scott Budzenski has joined the firm as Managing Director, Capital Markets, based in Los Angeles. Budzenski's appointment further strengthens SURMOUNT's rapidly growing platform and supports the firm's continued expansion in California ahead of the official opening of its Los Angeles office.

Budzenski joins SURMOUNT’s Capital Markets team led by Christopher Marks, Senior Managing Director and Head of Capital Markets. Since the platform’s launch in March of 2025, SURMOUNT has added eight professionals to the team and has closed over $300 million in debt financings, reflecting strong client demand and the platform’s ability to execute across a wide range of financing structures.

“Scott's experience and approach align extremely well with how we've scaled the business to date – focused on thoughtful execution and fully integrated with our broader net lease platform,” said Nicoletti DePaul, Chief Operating Officer of SURMOUNT. “As we expand our presence in California, it is critical that we continue to add senior talent that can both originate and deliver for clients at the highest level, and Scott does just that.”

Budzenski brings more than a decade of commercial real estate finance experience at both CBRE and Marcus & Millichap Capital Corporation, closing on over $1 billion in commercial financing, and advising institutional investors, private equity sponsors, developers and owner-operators on acquisition, refinance, construction and bridge financings across multiple asset classes.

“From the outset, the goal of our Capital Markets platform was to establish and scale an institutional capability that complements SURMOUNT's brokerage, advisory, development and principal investing businesses,” said Marks. “Scott adds immediate depth to the team and will be instrumental as we continue to grow on the West Coast and expand our lender relationships nationally.”

Budzenski added, “What stood out to me about SURMOUNT is its position as a true specialist in net lease real estate and the depth of its fully integrated platform, which enables a high-touch, white-glove approach to serving clients. The opportunity to help advance the growth of the Capital Markets business is highly compelling, and I'm excited to work with the team to continue building this best-in-class platform.”

Budzenski's hire follows SURMOUNT's recent announcement of its expansion to the West Coast and its growth across the Los Angeles region, reinforcing the firm's commitment to establishing a meaningful, long-term presence in key U.S. markets.

SURMOUNT's Capital Markets platform provides clients with comprehensive financing solutions, including acquisition and refinance debt, construction financing, structured credit, and strategic advisory services, supported by deep lender relationships and an integrated, client-first approach.

About SURMOUNT

SURMOUNT is a full-service commercial real estate firm offering global expertise in net lease advisory, sale leaseback, lease structuring, development, capital markets, and principal investments. With over 130 professionals across offices in New York City, Boston, Scottsdale, Los Angeles and Chicago, SURMOUNT provides end-to-end real estate services for private investors, REITs, private equity and financial sponsors, family offices, multi-unit franchisees, business owners, tenants, developers, and lenders.