American Realty Advisors and New Oak Capital are taking on new staff as both investment advisory firms expand their strategies in commercial real estate (CRE). American Realty, a California-based institutional real estate investment manager, brought on Raymond Kivett as Chief Investment Officer (CIO). Based in Chicago, Kivett will oversee the nationwide solicitation, analysis, underwriting and negotiation of debt and equity real estate acquisitions. Before joining American Realty, Kivett served as CIO of Prudential Financial subsidiary, Ridge Property Trust. Previously, he worked in acquisitions at Prudential Real Estate Investors as part of a 22-year commercial real estate track record. “Ray’s proven track record will be an important addition to American’s ability to seek the best investment opportunities for our client portfolios,” said Kirk Helgeson, executive managing director of investments at American Realty. Also expanding its commercial real estate and investment services is New York-based New Oak Capital with the appointment of Carlos Vigon as a managing director. Vigon work on  NewOak’s principal CRE investments, asset management, private equity and advisory services. “We are pleased to have Carlos join our commercial real estate debt and equity group that is taking advantage of unprecedented opportunities across property, loan, and CMBS,” says Ron D’Vari, CEO, and co-founder of New Oak. Vigon also has over twenty-two years of commercial real estate experience as an investor, asset manager and trader. Since 2000, Mr. Vigon was President and Founder of Wilshire Holdings in Manhattan Beach California, a real estate private equity firm focusing on large-scale national value-added acquisitions, private placements and land development. Previously Vigo launched distressed real estate investment syndications for Realty Consultants Corporation in Palm Desert, California. Write to Jacob Gaffney. The author holds no relevant investments.