Our Team

The Principals at Trident Capital Partners bring a breadth of experience in private
credit and finance through years of working with Investors and Developers – funding
over $1.5B in commercial real estate financing

Justin Ferrandi

Partner, Co-Founder

Mr. Ferrandi has an extensive commercial real estate investment and finance background, having underwritten and funded over $1B in asset-backed real estate transactions. Mr. Ferrandi has over 25 year’s experience in direct private lending. 

Most recently, Mr. Ferrandi was a co-founder and co-manager of a regional private lending firm from 2011 thru 2019 and consistently originated over $125M annually.  From 2003 thru 2010, Mr. Ferrandi founded his own private lending company and closed 675 loans and over $300M in new originations.  In 1998 Mr. Ferrandi started a private lending division for a small boutique residential mortgage company, originating over $50M annually.  

Mr. Ferrandi graduated from Arizona State University in 1991 with a major in Communication and an emphasis in Business. Mr. Ferrandi received his Series 7 and Series 63 NASD broker license and worked for a middle market Securities firm in Beverly Hills, California.  In addition, Mr. Ferrandi sat on the Executive Council for the Boys Club of Metropolitan Phoenix. 

Justin is registered with Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #168575); and in good standing with the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions.  Justin is the registered agent on behalf of Trident Capital Partners (CMB-1008251).

Office: 480.350.7466
Mobile: 602.329.1595
Email:  justin@tridentcapitalpartner.com

Jim Strickland

Partner, Co-Founder

Mr. Strickland has worked, financed and invested in residential and commercial real estate for over 20 years.  As a private lender, Mr. Strickland has underwritten and facilitated the closing of hundreds of millions in asset-backed transactions. 

Prior to founding Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Strickland was Senior Director of Capital Markets for YAM Capital Private Lending, a multibillion-dollar family office for GoDaddy founder. Mr. Strickland’s core responsibilities included business development and origination for both private equity and private lending investments.

From 2000 thru 2008, Mr. Strickland worked for Grayhawk Development, a Scottsdale based, privately held real estate and investment firm. Jim’s core responsibilities included oversight of national sales.  Grayhawk Development narrowly focuses on creating, designing and building niche and unique master-planned golf and real estate communities. Some of the company’s projects include; Grayhawk, Whisper Rock, Glenwild and Cavasson. 

Previously, Mr. Strickland played professional golf after earning two-time NCAA All-American honors at Arizona State University.  Jim is a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator (AZDFI #LO-0947786); and in good standing with the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #1719254).

Office: 480.350.7466
Mobile: 602.418.8725
Email:  jim@tridentcapitalpartner.com

Bryce Molder

Partner

Bryce Molder has a broad range of real estate investment experience across multiple property types and geographic regions. His passion for real estate investment, both debt and equity, began well before retiring from a 16-year career in professional golf.

At Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Molder’s primary focus will be on investor relations and business development. His personal investment experience and overall knowledge of the marketplace will help shape the firm’s culture and overall investor experience for its capital partners.

Prior to joining Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Molder was Vice President of Investor Relations for a Boston-based private equity real estate sponsor, Jones Street Investment Partners.  Jones Street narrowly focused on multifamily investing in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S.  Before Jones Street, Bryce worked for Colonial Capital, LLC, a direct private real estate lender based in Phoenix, AZ.

Prior to a career in real estate, Mr. Molder played professional golf from 2001-2017. He played 11 seasons on the PGA Tour, recording 1 career win at the 2011 Fry’s.com Open.

Bryce graduated in 2001 from Georgia Tech where he was an Academic All-American, a 2-time NCAA College Player of the Year, and a 4-time First Team All-American.

Mr. Molder holds a Series 63 and a Series 82 Securities License. He is registered with Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #1759460), and a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator (AZDFI #LO-0949131).

Office: 480.350.7466
Mobile: 480.323.5783
Email:  bryce@tridentcapitalpartner.com

Blake Klassen

VP of Originations

Mr. Klassen graduated from the Eller School of Business at the University of Arizona with a major in
Management Information Systems. After graduating from UA, Mr. Klassen worked as a Senior Loan
Officer at JFQ Lending. During his time at JFQ, Blake originated and funded over $50MM in senior-
secured loans and was recognized as one of the highest ranked sales producers at the organization.
Additional recognitions include Chairman’s Club Loan Officer for finishing in the top 5% of all Loan
Originators.

Prior to joining Trident Capital, Blake was a Regional Sales Director at Lumifi Cyber. His duties
included business development, negotiating closing contracts, and engaging with various roles
throughout the entire sales process to generate revenue.

At Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Klassen will focus on deal sourcing and lead generation through
capital market groups and the mortgage brokerage community. His core responsibilities are
identifying new business opportunities and building client relationships.

Blake is a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator; and in good standing with the Nationwide
Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #1994796).

Office: 480.350.7466
Mobile: 480.390.2959
Email:  blake@tridentcapitalpartner.com

Tommy Bullington

Associate

Tommy Bullington has worked in the Arizona commercial real estate industry for over four
years. Mr. Bullington graduated from the Eller School of Business at the University of Arizona
with a major in Business Management.

Prior to joining Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Bullington was an intern at Merit Partners, the top
industrial development company in Arizona. At Merit Partners, Mr. Bullington was primarily
tasked with conducting market research and managing relationships with building tenants.
Before Merit Partners, Mr. Bullington worked at Bellwether Enterprise, a mortgage lender in
Scottsdale, Arizona.

At Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Bullington’s primary focus will be underwriting deals,
conducting market research, and assisting with business development.

Office: 480.350.7466
Mobile: 602.527.6380
Email:  tommy@tridentcapitalpartner.com

Justin Ferrandi

Partner, Co-Founder

Mr. Ferrandi has an extensive commercial real estate investment and finance background, having underwritten and funded over $1B in asset-backed real estate transactions. Mr. Ferrandi has over 25 year’s experience in direct private lending.  Most recently, Mr. Ferrandi was a co-founder and co-manager of a regional private lending firm from 2011 thru 2019 and consistently originated over $125M annually in new originations.  From 2003 thru 2010, Mr. Ferrandi founded his own private lending company and closed 675 loans and over $300M in new originations.  In 1998 Mr. Ferrandi started a private lending division for a small boutique residential mortgage company, originating over $50M annually.

Mr. Ferrandi graduated from Arizona State University in 1991 with a major in Communication and an emphasis in Business. Mr. Ferrandi received his Series 7 and Series 63 NASD broker license and worked for a middle market Securities firm in Beverly Hills, California.  In addition, Mr. Ferrandi continues to be involved and support the Executive Council for the Boys Club of Metropolitan Phoenix. 

Justin is registered with Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #168575); and in good standing with the Arizona Department of Financial Institutions.  Justin is the registered agent on behalf of Trident Capital Partners (CMB-1008251).

Jim Strickland

Partner, Co-Founder
Mr. Jim Strickland has an extensive commercial real estate investment and finance background, having underwritten and funded hundreds of millions in asset-backed real estate transactions.
Prior to founding Trident Capital Partners, Mr. Strickland was Managing Director of Capital Markets for YAM Capital Private Lending, a multibillion-dollar family office for GoDaddy founder. Mr. Strickland’s core responsibilities included business development and origination for both private equity and private lending investments. YAM Capital and YAM Private Lending are subsidiaries of YAM Worldwide.
Previously, Mr. Strickland worked for Grayhawk Development, a Scottsdale based, privately held real estate and investment firm. Some of the company’s projects include; Grayhawk, Whisper Rock, Cavasson and Glenwild.
Prior, Mr. Strickland played professional golf after attending Arizona State University on a golf scholarship.
Jim is a licensed Arizona Mortgage Loan Originator (AZDFI #LO-0947786); and the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS #1719254).