Phoenix Realty Group, a real estate investment manager, has appointed Edward J. Ratinoff as managing director, national acquisitions.

Phoenix manages two private equity real estate funds currently in their commitment periods totalling USD470m in capital.

Ratinoff (pictured) will oversee the firm's acquisitions teams focused on those funds in New York City and Los Angeles, targeting investments in urban residential and commercial properties in the greater Los Angeles and New York metropolitan areas.

"We are excited to add such a high-calibre real estate professional to lead our teams," says J. Michael Fried, Phoenix founder and chief executive officer. "Real estate markets are showing increasing opportunities for our investment strategy, and Ed Ratinoff is an important part of our strategic plan to source, structure and secure the best of those opportunities. Ed's national leadership and best practices will leverage our experienced, locally based acquisition teams and vice-versa."

Ratinoff has served as both a principal and an adviser managing public and private equity transactions, senior and mezzanine debt placements, structured finance and advisory services.

Prior to joining Phoenix, he spent five years as managing director with J.E. Robert Companies/JER Partners, a real estate investment firm with more than USD5bn of institutional capital under management. Ratinoff oversaw JER's national multifamily strategy, was a member of the investment committees for US Fund Management and JER Investors Trust, and executed transactions representing more than USD750m in gross asset value across the US.

Earlier in his career, Ratinoff was a principal with Fowler Flanagan Partners, a California-based multifamily investment firm, held senior real estate investment banking positions with Keybanc/McDonald Investments, Chase Securities and BT Alex. Brown, and was a development manager for Paragon Group.