TORRANCE, CA—Commercial real estate risk management expert Bill Tryon has joined Partner Engineering and Science as director of strategic development, based in the firm's Torrance, CA, headquarters. In this new roll, Tryon will help the firm to expand its environmental, engineering and construction risk management initiatives.

“Partner has a passion for the due diligence business and for industry improvement that is a natural fit with my approach to the industry,” Tryon tells GlobeSt.com about his leap to join the firm, noting that Partner gives him a platform to continue his work. “Since 1990, I have worked to develop and modify methods of risk management in the construction and environmental arenas in a way that makes sense for the commercial real estate industry. As a SVP at Wells Fargo, I witnessed wide variations in the risk tolerance of borrowers and scope of work performed by consultants. I have consulted with lenders and governmental agencies and worked through groups like the Environmental Bankers Association and ASTM to promote consistency and true consulting, and to encourage a thoughtful approach to due diligence. My position as director of strategic development at Partner will enable me to focus on these efforts full time, which is a truly unique and exciting position to be in,” he explains.

Tryon has more than 30 years of experience in the due diligence industry, and a resume that includes working with some of the top institutions, including, as he mentions, Wells Fargo and LandAmerica. He has worked internationally as well, serving as the vice president and technical director of two international due diligence consulting firms. In his lofty career, Tryon has not only enforced due diligence policies but help to write and create policies for environmental due diligence, construction risk and seismic risk. “Early in our industry's history, Bill was at the forefront of creating due diligence policies and has seen what property cycles can do to shed light on risky practices in commercial real estate transactions,” Joseph Derhake, president of Partner Engineering says about Tryon.

Tryon places an emphasis on collaboration in the due diligence world, which he says is something often overlooked. His goal is always to help clients understand the process and to create a streamlined approach to make the process easier and more understandable. “My principal goal is one of giving back to the industry,” says Tryon. “I'm currently working on a number of initiatives that focus on promoting a common understanding of sound and consistent risk management practices across the CRE industry, including the Construction Lending Risk Management Roundtable to be held in March 2015. I see this as an opportunity to participate in and encourage dialogue to foster the sharing of best practices that support the unique needs of a wide variety of participants.” 

“We, our clients and the industry as a whole will benefit from Bill's passion for advancing how risk management is conducted,” Derhake adds, illustrating not only Tryon's dedication to the due diligence world, but Partner's dedication as well. Principal Jenny Redlin, REPA, recently stopped by Real Share Los Angeles Investment & Finance to talk about how capital markets can affect due diligence requirements, noting that lenders have different regulations and noting them in advance of a deal is important.