Cascara 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 & Principal
Smokey Burns
Board Member
Heather Ross
CFO
Michael Thies
VP of Sales
Max Rutherford
Senior Loan Analyst
Koby Lines
Business Loan Consultant
John Barlow
Senior Business Loan Consultant
Brett Moreland
Founder & Principal
Smokey Burns
Board Member
Heather Ross
CFO
Michael Thies
VP of Sales
Max Rutherford
Senior Loan Analyst
Koby Lines
Business Loan Consultant
John Barlow
Senior Business Loan Consultant

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Heather Ross

CFO

Coming soon...

Brett Moreland

Founder & Principal

Brett brings over 30 years of real estate finance experience to his role as Founder and Principal of Cascara Capital. He leads the firm’s strategic direction, capital relationships, and credit operations, drawing on deep expertise in lending cycles and risk management. Brett began his career at Norwest Bank before founding Qualfund Lending, LLC, which grew to 80 loan officers with annual volume exceeding $800 million. After selling Qualfund to First Independent Bank in 2003, he served as General Manager until 2005. Since then, Brett has focused on private lending, originating and servicing $700 million in bridge and construction loans. He holds a finance degree from Washington State University and lives in Kirkland, Washington, with his family.

Smokey Burns

Board Member

Smokey brings over 25 years of experience in finance, accounting, and business development to Cascara. After earning his graduate degree from the University of San Francisco in 2001, he founded and led Epicenter Network, an online marketing company, as CFO until its successful sale in 2010. While staying on through 2015, he also launched Lexo Media Group in 2012 and sold it in 2015. In 2016, he co-founded Nimble Five, Inc., where he oversaw all finance and banking operations, managed accounting teams, led HR and compliance efforts, and worked closely with shareholders on strategic decisions. Smokey’s proven track record of multiple successful exits and his disciplined leadership have been key contributors to Cascara’s continued growth.

Michael Thies

VP of Sales

Michael brings over 25 years of experience in mortgage lending, marked by leadership, operational excellence, and a dedication to helping clients achieve their goals. As a high-performing branch manager at Bank of America, he led a team that consistently funded more than $600 million annually, showcasing his talent for driving results and building strong teams. Throughout his career, Michael has personally originated over $700 million in residential loans, earning a reputation for integrity, trust, and personalized service. His deep understanding of market dynamics and borrower needs makes him a valued resource for clients and colleagues alike. Michael’s ability to blend strategic insight with a client-focused approach positions him as a respected leader in the industry.

Max Rutherford

Senior Loan Analyst

Max brings a strong background in investment banking, financial analysis, and portfolio management to his role as Senior Loan Analyst at Cascara. He supports the firm’s loan strategy and underwriting efforts while managing client relationships, portfolio risk, fundraising initiatives, and marketing strategy. Prior to Cascara, he served as an Analyst Intern at Cascadia Capital, where he focused on financial modeling, market research, and pitch deck development. He also worked as an Accounting Associate at myGREEN Tax & Accounting, managing QuickBooks portfolios and preparing financial reports. Max holds a BBA in Marketing from the University of Washington’s Michael G. Foster School of Business.

Koby Lines

Business Loan Consultant

Coming soon...











John Barlow

Senior Business Loan Consultant

Coming soon...