Madison Capital Group Names Chris Best Managing Director to Lead RIA and Family Office Distribution
Madison Capital Group, a vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm, has named Chris Best managing director to lead its expansion into the registered investment advisor (RIA) and family office channels, the firm announced Oct. 19, 2026. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company said the role is intended to expand distribution of its alternative real estate investment strategies.
Best will oversee capital raising initiatives, distribution strategy and team development, with a focus on building relationships across the RIA and family office communities, according to the announcement.
Chris Best's Background in Alternative Investment Distribution
Best brings more than two decades of leadership experience in capital formation, alternative investments and fund distribution, the firm said. He has directed the placement of billions of dollars across public and private fund structures.
Before joining Madison Capital Group, Best served as director at Core Spaces. Previously, he spent more than 16 years at Sterling Capital Management, where he held the position of executive director and senior client strategist.
Statements From Madison Capital Group Leadership
"Chris brings extensive experience in alternative investment distribution and a proven track record of building relationships across the wealth management industry," said Ryan Hanks, founder and CEO of Madison Capital Group. "As we continue to grow our platform, expanding our reach into the RIA and family office channels is an important part of our strategy. Chris has the experience and relationships to help us build a strong presence in these markets and introduce our investment strategies to a broader network of financial professionals."
Best said RIAs and family offices are increasingly embracing alternative investments as they look beyond traditional stocks and bonds. "RIAs and family offices are increasingly embracing alternative investments as they look beyond traditional stocks and bonds to address portfolio diversification, tax efficiency and long-term wealth preservation," he said. "Tax-advantaged real estate strategies can play a particularly compelling role in those conversations. Madison Capital Group has the investment platform, operating expertise and range of real estate strategies to serve these channels, and I see a tremendous opportunity to develop lasting relationships with RIAs and family offices."
Madison Capital Group's Distribution Build-Out
The appointment follows a series of moves by Madison Capital Group to broaden its reach into wealth-management capital. The firm, which reports roughly $4.1 billion in assets under management, made three real estate strategies available through iCapital in March 2026. Its car-wash and convenience-store fund is targeting $200 million in commitments.
Other recent offerings include a $36.2 million qualified-opportunity-zone fund for a downtown Reno hotel redevelopment. Madison Capital Group has also added regional distribution executives, including leaders for the Southern and Midwest markets, and Madison Communities hired two executive managing directors to expand multifamily development beyond its Southeast base.
Recent Financing and Operating Activity
Madison Capital Group has continued to deploy capital and arrange financing. Walker & Dunlop arranged more than $223 million of bridge financing for five Madison multifamily communities totaling 1,345 units across the Southeast, with the financings closing over nine months. Madison also announced a $24.7 million construction loan for a Nashville build-to-rent townhome community and arranged $21.2 million of permanent senior debt for a 266-home single-family-rental portfolio in Detroit and Wayne County.
Madison's operating platforms include Go Store It, its self-storage business, which has 144 operating properties, and a marina platform with five assets in Florida, North Carolina and Tennessee. The firm's 1031-exchange platform includes 20 operating properties valued at $1.7 billion across six states.
Market Context for Alternatives and Real Estate Sponsors
The firm's emphasis on alternatives comes as multifamily sponsors contend with elevated financing costs, substantial new supply in portions of the Sun Belt and pressure to distinguish stabilized assets from lease-up or development risk. The bridge financing for Madison's 1,345-unit portfolio indicates lenders continue to finance well-located assets, though it does not indicate credit is broadly loose.
In the marina sector, industry data cited by Anchor 1031 estimates roughly 12 registered boats per marina slip, with median occupancy near 92% and 56% of marinas reporting occupancy above 95%.
About Madison Capital Group
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Madison Capital Group is a privately held, vertically integrated real estate investment and development firm focused on the multifamily, self-storage, retail and marina sectors. The company operates through several subsidiaries, including Madison Communities, Go Store It Self-Storage, Madison Commercial and Madison Marinas.
Sources
Madison Capital Group: Madison Capital Group Names Chris Best Managing Director to Lead RIA and Family Office Distribution