Come know and work with us.
Formed in 2013 to give middle-market investors the same access and attention large institutional clients have always had.
Our Mission
Creative Commercial Group is a nationwide commercial mortgage brokerage and advisory firm based in Northern California. We represent commercial real estate owners, investors and business owners in the capital markets to arrange financing for their investment properties. Our team maintains long-standing relationships with over 375 commercial lending sources. We leverage these relationships to ensure our clients are aligned with the most competitive financing available in the market that meets their specific investment strategy.
Clients also gain the benefit of our experience and network to anticipate and solve any issues that may arise in order to secure a smooth loan process. Navigating the commercial mortgage process can be complex and unpredictable. Our goal is to simplify the process for our clients, provide access to the most competitive options available in the market, and ensure that all transaction needs are met.
Who We Are
Creative Commercial Group was formed in 2013 by our President & CEO Ali Mahmoudi. After a successful early career with some of the largest and most respected commercial real estate banks, Ali wanted to create a company that would fill a large gap he saw in the industry. During his tenure with these banks, it became apparent that the most competitive loan programs and professional talent were reserved for larger institutional clients and their portfolios.
Individual investors, family offices and smaller syndications investing in middle-market commercial real estate deals were not being served with the same attention or access as the larger clients. Middle-market investors had to resort to second-tier programs, scattered misinformation, and entry-level mortgage professionals. We've taken our years of experience, contacts and access, and reputation for customer service — and made it now available to those middle-market clients. We've taken the guesswork out of the equation and look forward to guiding you on your next deal.
Contact NowOur team
Ali Mahmoudi, MBA
Creative Commercial Group was established and founded by Ali Mahmoudi, who has more than 17 years of commercial banking and finance experience, having been in commercial real estate lending since 1998, predominantly in SBA and conventional financing. Ali continues to finance commercial loans throughout the Western United States and has funded over $860 million in commercial real estate transactions.
In the past 17 years, Ali has overseen 690 real estate transactions and has arranged over $930 million in debt and equity financing on behalf of his institutional and private clients.
Susie Kessinger
Susie Kessinger received her B.S. in Business Administration/Accounting from California State University, Sacramento. She has been in banking for over 25 years, starting as a Credit Analyst for US Bank in 1996, where she trained in commercial real estate and construction lending. She continued her career with smaller start-up banks in the San Francisco Bay Area, building on those client relationships as a Portfolio Manager and eventually as Vice President and Relationship Manager.
Susie believes that smaller banks tend to focus on client needs, and that's always been her focus — though she knows no one bank is right for everyone. She's excited to work with Ali, since having multiple banks to choose from benefits the client. Every client, just like every loan, is different.
Spiro Hishmeh
Spiro has over 20 years of real estate lending experience servicing clients in the San Francisco Bay Area, known in the area for personalized service throughout the transaction. Spiro prides himself on his relationships with his clients and gets most of his business from referrals and recommendations.
Spiro grew up in San Francisco and currently lives in Marin with his wife and son. Whether you're looking to buy, sell, or refinance a primary building, investment property, or business opportunity, he provides a warm, professional, knowledgeable experience for both buyers and sellers in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Darius Mahajer, MBA, EDFP
Darius brings over 15 years of experience in small business finance. Since 2010, he has provided one-on-one technical assistance to more than 4,000 small businesses and has originated, packaged, and underwritten $44 million in SBA and microloans.
In addition to his lending work, Darius has provided pro bono mentoring supporting entrepreneur cohorts in developing pitch decks and financial forecasts so they can secure seed capital from angel investors.
Darius holds an MBA from San Francisco State University and a BA in Professional Sales from the Coles College of Business at Kennesaw State University. He also holds his real estate license in Hawaii, California, and Georgia.
Keith Shiver
Keith Shiver received his B.A. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley. He joined Union Bank upon graduation and completed the bank's Credit Management Program for Commercial Bank Officers. He has been in banking for over 25 years, starting as a Business Relationship Officer for Union Bank in 1998.
He worked for multiple bank groups in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay markets in Business Banking and Middle Market Banking, focusing on closely held businesses and real estate investors, managing portfolios of 40-180 clients and earning Top Performer recognition at three banks including Bank of America, U.S. Bank, and Columbia Bank. His most recent role at Columbia Bank was Relationship Manager / Vice President in the Silicon Valley region.
Keith and Ali have known each other for over 20 years. Keith is retired from the U.S. Navy, an avid golfer, and grandpa to a beautiful little girl.
Kim Broback
Kim has more than nine years of experience as a marketing and design director, with a BS in Mass Communications from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Kim has spent her career in the residential real estate association industry in Minnesota and California, focusing on external communications, graphic design, and web development. She resides in San Francisco.