Leadership TEam
Meet the Team That’s Leading the Charge
At Cascara Capital, our leadership is built on experience, integrity, and a commitment to putting people first. With decades of expertise in real estate lending, our team understands the challenges borrowers face and works to provide clarity, efficiency, and unwavering support. We believe in strong relationships, transparent communication, and a hands-on approach to help our clients succeed.
Brett Moreland
Founder, LLC Manager, Class A Member
Brett brings over 25 years of real estate lending experience to Cascara. He began his career with Norwest Bank, moving into mortgage banking for several years as a top producing loan officer. He founded Qualfund Lending, LLC in 1997 which grew to over 80 loan officers with annual loan origination volume exceeding $800m. Qualfund was sold to First Independent Bank in 2003 and Brett served as General Manager for the business until 2005. He then began originating, funding, and servicing bridge loans under several companies. Combined these companies have purchased over $500 million in loans. Brett attended Washington State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
SMokey Burns
Class A Member
Smokey has a long track record of more than 25 years in finance, accounting, business development and relationship management. In 2001 after graduating grad school from the University of San Francisco, his entrepreneurial drive took over. He served as the founder and CFO of Epicenter Network, Inc. an online marketing and advertising company and eventually sold it in 2010. He contracted to stay with Epicenter until 2015, but simultaneously started Lexo Media Group, Inc. in 2012. Here he also served as CFO and eventually sold that company in 2015. He then started a new venture as CFO for Nimble Five, Inc. in 2016 with his role being management of all banking and finance, overseeing all CPA and accounting teams, working collaboratively with other majority shareholders on all major decisions, HR & 401K compliance, and business development. His highly focused nature and the skills he has acquired over several decades have been the guiding principles that lead to his multiple M&A’s, which in turn has also contributed greatly to the success of Cascara.
Heather Ross
CFO, Fund Manager
As CFO for Cascara, Heather brings 20 plus years of comprehensive Accounting, Finance and Management experience. She is responsible for all aspects of financial reporting, oversight, budgeting, fund management and analysis and banking relations. Previous employment includes six years with a Real Estate Development company in Bellevue managing the Accounting/Finance functions of multiple Operating and Development entities, a portfolio of Commercial Properties and Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions and Sales. She has also worked in a variety of other industries over the years including Advertising, Software Development, Retail and Non-Profit to name a few. Heather is an alumnus of Central Washington University.
Max Rutherford
Senior Account Manager
As Senior Account Manager for Cascara, Max brings a wealth of experience in investment banking, financial analysis, and client relationship management. He oversees client relationships, portfolio risk management, fund raising, marketing efforts, and strategic planning. His prior roles include Investment Banking Analyst Intern at Cascadia Capital, where he excelled in market analysis, pitch deck creation, financial modeling, and valuation. Max also worked as an Accounting Associate for myGREEN Tax & Accounting, managing financial statements and QuickBooks portfolios. He holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Washington - Michael G. Foster School of Business.
Brett Moreland
Founder, LLC Manager, Class A Member
Brett brings over 25 years of real estate lending experience to Cascara. He began his career with Norwest Bank, moving into mortgage banking for several years as a top producing loan officer. He founded Qualfund Lending, LLC in 1997 which grew to over 80 loan officers with annual loan origination volume exceeding $800m. Qualfund was sold to First Independent Bank in 2003 and Brett served as General Manager for the business until 2005. He then began originating, funding, and servicing bridge loans under several companies. Combined these companies have purchased over $500 million in loans. Brett attended Washington State University where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance.
SMokey Burns
Class A Member
Smokey has a long track record of more than 25 years in finance, accounting, business development and relationship management. In 2001 after graduating grad school from the University of San Francisco, his entrepreneurial drive took over. He served as the founder and CFO of Epicenter Network, Inc. an online marketing and advertising company and eventually sold it in 2010. He contracted to stay with Epicenter until 2015, but simultaneously started Lexo Media Group, Inc. in 2012. Here he also served as CFO and eventually sold that company in 2015. He then started a new venture as CFO for Nimble Five, Inc. in 2016 with his role being management of all banking and finance, overseeing all CPA and accounting teams, working collaboratively with other majority shareholders on all major decisions, HR & 401K compliance, and business development. His highly focused nature and the skills he has acquired over several decades have been the guiding principles that lead to his multiple M&A’s, which in turn has also contributed greatly to the success of Cascara.
Heather Ross
CFO, Fund Manager
As CFO for Cascara, Heather brings 20 plus years of comprehensive Accounting, Finance and Management experience. She is responsible for all aspects of financial reporting, oversight, budgeting, fund management and analysis and banking relations. Previous employment includes six years with a Real Estate Development company in Bellevue managing the Accounting/Finance functions of multiple Operating and Development entities, a portfolio of Commercial Properties and Commercial Real Estate Acquisitions and Sales. She has also worked in a variety of other industries over the years including Advertising, Software Development, Retail and Non-Profit to name a few. Heather is an alumnus of Central Washington University.
Max Rutherford
Senior Account Manager
As Senior Account Manager for Cascara, Max brings a wealth of experience in investment banking, financial analysis, and client relationship management. He oversees client relationships, portfolio risk management, fund raising, marketing efforts, and strategic planning. His prior roles include Investment Banking Analyst Intern at Cascadia Capital, where he excelled in market analysis, pitch deck creation, financial modeling, and valuation. Max also worked as an Accounting Associate for myGREEN Tax & Accounting, managing financial statements and QuickBooks portfolios. He holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Washington - Michael G. Foster School of Business.