Drawing on decades of experience in commercial real estate investment banking, private banking, and wealth management, Tim Trout structures and sources real estate investments and financing for Paladin Equity.

 

The co-founder of Sun Capital, a Los Angeles-based real estate private equity firm, alongside Philip Powers, Mr. Trout has also previously served as Senior Vice President at Boston Private Bank & Trust Company, where he led an award-winning team from the Pasadena Office.

 

Recognized by the Los Angeles Business Journal as one of the Most Influential Lenders in Los Angeles County, Mr. Trout consistently generated substantial revenue for Boston Private Bank, generating hundreds of millions in new financing opportunities. His lending proficiency spans commercial real estate, business, nonprofit, private equity, and tax-exempt bond financing. Additionally, he held roles on the bank's committees for Loan Policy, Southern California Market Management, and CRA.

 

A graduate of The Premier National Graduate School of Banking, Pacific Coast Banking School, Mr. Trout earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu.

With over 30 years of commercial real estate finance and secondary market expertise, Philip Powers spearheads hospitality developments at Paladin Equity. Additionally, he co-founded Sun Capital, a prominent Los Angeles-based real estate private equity firm, alongside Tim Trout.

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Prior to Sun Capital, Mr. Powers held influential roles including Chairman of the Southern California Market Management Committee and Chairman of the Southern California Sales & Marketing Committee at Boston Private Bank & Trust. He also served as Director of Business Development and Southern California Chief Lending Officer. Earlier in his career, as Managing Director of Carlton Group's Los Angeles office, Mr. Powers led the office, facilitating financing for numerous substantial debt and equity assignments.

 

Mr. Powers holds a BA from Columbia College in New York City and an MBA with a focus on Finance from New York University's Stern School of Business.

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Elena Pu brings over two decades of experience in investment and commercial trade business to Paladin Equity, where she drives family office capital markets relationships. With expertise in deal analysis, presentations, and financial and progress reporting, she delivers high-yield alternative investment options through her extensive  family office network.

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Before joining Paladin, Mrs. Pu spent over 10 years as an IT and internet marketing director, leading multimillion-dollar projects with Fortune 500 companies including IBM, KODAK, Microsoft, and Xerox. She co-founded and partnered in trading businesses and education consulting companies, and played a crucial role in international multibillion-dollar acquisition and merger deals in communication and health industries. Her investment banking involvement extended to ventures like private aviation operations platforms and AI-driven multimedia news platforms. As a key partner, she even operated a private jet travel company.

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Mrs. Pu holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology and a Master's Degree in Finance from China, and she furthered her education in the United States, graduating from the University of Memphis with degrees in Information Technology and a Master of Science.

Midi Kimura, with 20+ years of project delivery experience, drives successful outcomes at Paladin Equity. 

 

Her exceptional track record stems from her tenure at Microsoft and CH2M HILL (now Jacobs Engineering Group), where she managed a wide range of projects from inception to construction, meeting or exceeding financial and customer expectations. Notably, Ms. Kimura served as a marketing lead for Xbox at Microsoft, successfully launching products and marketing plans for several business categories.

 

Ms. Kimura holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an MBA from the University of Washington Foster School of Business.

Alan Lee brings over a decade experience in commercial real estate and banking to Paladin Equity, where he is responsible for the company’s on-site property management operations. His connections to construction material suppliers plays a key role in sourcing building materials at a cost advantageous position enhancing yield for investors. 

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Before joining Paladin, Mr. Lee served as a portfolio manager at prominent banks such as East-West Bank and Bank of Hope. His institutional approach to risk management ensures the implementation of necessary controls and protocols for effective asset management.

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Outside of his role at Paladin, Mr. Lee actively contributes to the business community as an ambassador of the San Gabriel Chamber of Commerce and holds active memberships in the HKASC and Arcadia Chamber of Commerce.

 

Mr. Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Toronto and a Master's Degree in International Business from the Graduate Institute of International Business, National Taipei University.

Sammie Qian brings over 7 years of experience in commercial real estate investment banking to Paladin Equity, where she is primarily responsible for preparing and auditing financial statements; analyzing investment opportunities; and handling the company’s accounting.

 

Prior to joining Paladin, Mrs. Qian collaborated with Mr. Tim Trout at Sun Capital, a prominent Los Angeles-based real estate private equity firm. Her contributions included analyzing investment decisions and strategizing profitable exits, while also managing the company's budget and daily operations.

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Mrs. Qian holds the esteemed designation of CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) charter holder and actively participates in the CFA Society of Los Angeles. She is also a Chartered Certified Accountant, an ACCA member, and a Registered Investment Advisor.

 

Mrs. Qian obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nottingham and her Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Public Finance from the University of Pennsylvania.

Awari Muoneke, a Director at Paladin Equity, underwrites investments and prepares project models for senior management's review.

 

With a Business Administration degree from the College of the Holy Cross, Awari brings expertise and precision to his role, analyzing investment opportunities and providing invaluable insights. His dedication to excellence and collaborative nature make him a valuable asset, while his passion for finance drives him to stay informed on industry trends.