About Crest Real Estate

We Work for You

Utilizing backgrounds in architecture, engineering, and urban planning, Crest Real Estate prepares packages to obtain building permits and entitlements for a variety of real estate endeavors. Crest creates Permit Acquisition Packages that are held in high regard for being thorough, strategic, and thoughtfully prepared.

Crest’s involvement begins at different stages throughout the development timeline, but sees the most value added to a project when involved from the conceptual phase through the final inspection sign-off.

Meet the Team

Our hand-selected team of dedicated real estate experts.

Jason Somers

President & Founder

Steven Somers

Chief Executive Officer

Thomas DuMary III, Esq.

General Manager/CFO

Tony Russo

Director, Discretionary Entitlements Division

Alex Whitehead

Director, Plan Check Division

Marshall Bell

Executive Project Manager

Christine Brown

Director, Plan Check Division

Chris Rallo

Executive Project Manager

Celia Roca

Financial Controller

Andrew Odom

Project Manager

David Forrest

Project Manager

Jacquelyn Gentes

Executive Project Manager

Guillermo Heuzé

Executive Project Manager

Karen Mitri

Project Manager

Nick Leathers

Executive Project Manager

Rita Naziri

Project Manager

Erwin Cruz

Project Manager

Samantha Gillen

Project Manager

Abhi Kalra

Project Manager

Archibald Cattarusa-Bernard

Project Manager

Azita Motamen

Project Manager

John Naphier

Project Coordinator

Benjamin Eshaghian, Esq.

Project Coordinator

Erica Adam

Project Coordinator

Isaac Lemus

Project Coordinator

Jimmy Toetz

Project Coordinator

Karah Gravatt

Project Coordinator

Aubrie Winters

Office Administrator

Joshua Heifetz

Accounting

Crest Force One

Project Coordinator

Jason Somers

President & Founder

Background Information

Utilizing training from exposure to the elite talents of the industry from Developers, Construction Managers, Architects, Engineers and Contractors as well as the learned success gained from the involvement and completion of over 500 diverse real estate development projects, totaling well over one-billion dollars, Jason H. Somers and his team at Crest Real Estate have the experience and ability to take diverse projects from the conceptual stages through the completion of construction. Now seen as one of the most knowledgeable and reliable consultants in the industry, Jason Somers founded Crest Real Estate which continues to provide exemplary attention to detail, knowledge of code and rapid response times required by it's President and stands on its respected reputation as the most important characteristic of the company.

Learn more about Jason Somers.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(310) 344-8474
Jason@CrestRealEstate.com

Thomas DuMary III, Esq.

General Manager/CFO

Background Information

Thomas DuMary III is a licensed attorney and real estate broker. He was born and raised in Los Angeles and has always had a unique interest in real estate and the law. Thomas oversees all operations of Crest Real Estate, including financial and legal matters. He is a member of The State Bar of California and hold degrees from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and the University of California, Santa Barbara. Outside of the office, Thomas enjoys watching and playing sports, volunteer work and spending time with his wife and daughter.

Contact Information

(310) 595-5034
Thomas@CrestRealEstate.com
CA BRE #02069838

Steven Somers

Chief Executive Officer

Background Information

Through his experience on an array of successful real estate projects, Steven has become one of the most knowledgeable and respected permitting experts in the city. As a devoted Angeleno and founding partner of Crest Real Estate, Steven takes great pride in impacting the future of Los Angeles development. Steven has completed hundreds of diverse projects by employing a strategic, efficient, and responsive professional style, while helping to create the template for Crest’s Permit Acquisition Packages. He began his career in Real Estate at a young age while studying at UCLA. Outside of work, his passion for travel has led him around the world to destinations such as Copenhagen, Croatia, and Cambodia, and he enjoys spending time playing sports, at concerts, or hiking through the mountains.

Learn more about Steven Somers.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(310) 497-2524
Steven@CrestRealEstate.com

Marshall Bell

Executive Project Manager

Background Information

Marshall Bell was born in Frankfurt, Germany and spent his youth growing up in the Caribbean. He moved to Southern California in 1986 and set forth to investigate and pursue Architecture as a theological journey and career. In 1998 he graduated with distinction from The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-arc), where he was awarded a Bachelor of Architecture degree. Marshall then took his talents across the country and graduated from the Yale University Graduate School of Architecture with a Master of Architecture. Upon graduation at Yale, he became one of the few students to receive the H.I. Feldman Prize, which is awarded annually to the student who demonstrates the best solution to an Architectural problem, taking into consideration the practical, functional, and aesthetic requirements of that problem. Marshall is currently involved in the practice of Architecture, and has worked and collaborated with many Architectural and Engineering firms including Gensler and Arup.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(323) 717-8032
Marshall@CrestRealEstate.com

Andrew Odom

Project Manager

Background Information

Andrew Odom is a fifth generation Angeleno and a life long fan of architecture and planning. When he was twelve, his birthday gift was a trip to Chicago so he could tour Frank Lloyd Wright's homes. Andrew has a Masters Degree in Planning from the University of Southern California, as well as a Bachelors Degree in Geography from UCLA. It is safe to say, Andrew knows his way around LA. In his free time, Andrew volunteers as a Docent for the Los Angeles Conservancy on their Modern Skyline and Broadway Historic Theater tours, and is a member of the Urban Land Institute. In college, Andrew was a skipper on the Jungle Cruise at Disneyland. To this day, he swears that all of the animals are indeed real, and it is a scientific fact that Mothers-in-Law are the most feared animals in the Jungle.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(310) 405-5352
Andrew@CrestRealEstate.com

Tony Russo

Director, Discretionary Entitlements Division

Background Information

Tony Russo has always had a unique interest in design, engineering and real estate. After graduating UCLA with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, Tony started his career managing pipeline infrastructure projects across the Bay Area, where he focused on water delivery and storm management systems for major commercial development. Tony quickly became extremely efficient in interpreting many of the intricate codes and requirements necessary for construction permits, as well as working as a liaison between project designers and project managers. Today, Tony is using those skills managing some of Crest’s most unique projects. In his spare time, Tony enjoys drawing, options and stock trading, platelet donation, dancing (on both pro and amateur circuits) and travel.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(408) 655-0998
Tony@CrestRealEstate.com

Celia Roca

Financial Controller

Background Information

Celia oversees all accounting and financial data for Crest. Her dedicated work ethic and attention to detail allows her to manage the accounting for hundreds of projects. Celia has been with Crest from the early years and has developed countless policies and procedures that have resulted in company growth and successful projects. Celia has a Masters Degree from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. She also holds two undergraduate degrees in Political Science and Philosophy from the University California, Berkeley (Go Bears!). Celia enjoys spending time with family and volunteering her time to charities and political campaigns. Most importantly, she is a devout lover of all dogs.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(310) 994-6657
Celia@CrestRealEstate.com

Guillermo Heuzé

Executive Project Manager

Background Information

Guillermo Heuzé was raised in London, speaking Spanish and French at home. After high school he moved to Los Angeles to study his lifelong passion of Architecture at the University of Southern California. It was during his last year of Architecture when he realized he had a passion for design as well as development. Guillermo has since worked as a commercial broker and as a project manager for a major general contractor, where he managed large-scale residential projects in the Hollywood Hills, Bel Air and Beverly Hills.

Guillermo is a serious foodie, exploring LA’s growing culinary scene. He is also passionate about travel, having been to six continents and always-exploring new countries. In his time off he enjoys discovering new beaches, going to concerts with friends and skiing.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(323) 868-4792
GH@CrestRealEstate.com

Crest Force One

Project Coordinator

Background Information

To be the best, it's important to have the best equipment. When traveling America, the president of the United States trusts in nothing less than Air Force One to get him where he's going. At Crest Real Estate we put our faith in Crest Force One. Our knowledge of a site's potential isn't limited by perspective. Hailing from the heavens, our drone provides clients not only with a superior vision for their site, but also provides confidence that investing with Crest was the right choice.

Contact Information

(310) 994-6657
Info@CrestRealEstate.com

Christine Brown

Director, Plan Check Division

Background Information

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Christine is dedicated to the development and growth of the greatest city. While pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, she worked at a private engineering firm as well as the City of Santa Monica Public Works Department and City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. She went on to become a Structural Engineering Plan Checker with the City of Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, issuing hundreds of single family, commercial, mixed-use and multifamily permits. From there, she shifted gears and joined the Crest team on the opposite side of the public counter where she has used her proficiency of the code as well as experience as a plan checker to permit numerous large-scale developments. Her expertise of the code as well as the inner workings of the City Departments makes her an unmatched resource. Her vast knowledge mixed with her communication and project management skills make her an excellent asset to the team!

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(818) 987-8626
Christine@CrestRealEstate.com

Alex Whitehead

Director, Plan Check Division

Background Information

Since graduating from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor in Architecture in 2011, Alex Whitehead has been an integral part of many complex entitlement and design processes across the LA basin. From this experience he has always taken a strong interest in the project management and entitlement processes associated with getting projects through the city. Alex joined Crest Real Estate in June of 2016. Prior to working at Crest, Alex worked as a Project Manager for Modative, Inc. which specializes in Small Lot Subdivision project design and management. During his time at Modative, Alex developed a comprehensive understanding of this unique housing typology that is becoming a widely used development strategy for properties in the City of Los Angeles. Outside of the office Alex enjoys snowboarding, cycling, and catching as many rays of sun as possible.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(303) 710-5566
Alex@CrestRealEstate.com

Jacquelyn Gentes

Executive Project Manager

Background Information

Jacquelyn Gentes, originally from San Diego, earned her Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles. While pursuing her engineering degree, she competed as an athlete on the UCLA Triathlon Team and was a member of the Bruin Motorcycle Association. Prior to joining Crest Real Estate, Jacquelyn worked as a Civil Engineering Project Manager on developments ranging from high-end single and multi-family dwellings, mixed-use and commercial buildings, as well as educational facilities. As a Project Manager for Crest, she leverages her management and engineering expertise to facilitate project approvals in an efficient manner on behalf of her clients. When she is not kicking ass and taking names for her clients, she enjoys a variety of hobbies including weight lifting, boxing, Latin dancing and international travel.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(858) 213-9148
JG@crestrealestate.com

Chris Rallo

Executive Project Manager

Background Information

Chris Rallo, graduated cum laude from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a bachelors degree in Architecture and a minor in Studio Art. He has worked on small and large scaled projects including: a hotel casino in China, a boutique movie theater in India, and high end residences in Beverly Hills, Lake Tahoe and the historic district in Hancock Park. With a background in architecture, he has turned his focus to the development side of high end residential projects. His technical training coupled with artistic passion gives him a unique and exciting perspective that he is always eager to translate into the built world. In his spare time he cycles, swims and can be found in the kitchen cooking over elaborate Italian meals.

Expertise

Expediting, Permitting, Project Management, PDA

Contact Information

(585) 750-2678
Chris@crestrealestate.com

Karen Mitri

Project Manager

Background Information

Karen Bechara Mitri is an award winning architectural designer. She began her education at the California Polytechnic University at San Luis Obispo in the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, during which she spent a year studying modern European architecture in Florence, Italy. Karen went on to gain a Master of Science in Advanced Architectural Design at the Graduate School of Architecture, Preservation and Planning (GSAPP) at Columbia University in New York, focusing on architecture's potential to influence social and sustainable issues through applied technology. As an Architectural Director at Proto Homes, Karen designed and built several hybrid-prefab homes in the Los Angeles basin, including Santa Monica and Pasadena, one of which was featured in the Vox Media pilot of PreFab Nation on fyi, Network. She has a fondness for the outdoors and can be found in the hills, on the slopes, on the waves, or cycling around town.

Contact Information

(562) 833-3614
Karen@CrestRealEstate.com

Nick Leathers

Executive Project Manager

Background Information

Nick Leathers is an Executive Project Manager within the Discretionary Entitlements Division. He specializes in advising clients on projects involving land use entitlement approvals from the City of Los Angeles. Nick’s lifelong passion for real estate led him to study Real Estate Development at the University of Southern California, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Policy, Planning and Development from the Price School of Public Policy.

Nick is driven to see his clients’ designs become a reality. Whether the project is an addition to an existing home or a new mixed-use development from the ground up, Nick’s comprehensive experience ensures that the entitlement process is smooth and efficient. He represents clients on a full range of discretionary entitlement requests, including but not limited to: Zone Changes, Density Bonuses, Transit Oriented Communities (TOC), Zoning Administrator Approvals, Conditional Use Permits, Coastal Development Permits, Specific Plan Compliance Reviews, Lot Line Adjustments, Parcel Maps and Subdivisions.

Prior to joining Crest Real Estate, Nick worked with private clients to obtain land use entitlements for hospitality and multifamily projects in Los Angeles. He also served public agency clients by developing long-range property management plans that governed the disposition of the former redevelopment agency properties throughout California. In his spare time, Nick enjoys playing tennis, cooking, traveling, and touring special architectural and infrastructure projects.

Contact Information

(916) 838-5505
Nick@CrestRealEstate.com

Rita Naziri

Project Manager

Background Information

Rita Naziri is a city planner with decades of experience in city planning. Rita holds a master’s degree in urban planning and a bachelor’s degree in social sciences. Rita has worked for multiple municipalities including the City of Beverly Hills for the number of years. Rita was involved in the preparation of more than a dozen environmental impact reports and the development of the City’s land-use policies. As a senior planner for the City of Beverly Hills, Rita served as a project planner for numerous large-scale projects including a variety of mixed-use, commercial, and high-end residential projects. Rita worked as a zoning plan reviewer to administer, interpret, and enforce zoning codes to prepare the projects for permitting process prior to joining the Crest Real Estate. Additionally, Rita was a principal of a development company that built several luxury residences in Los Angeles area. Outside of work, Rita loves gardening, cinema and spending time with her family and friends.

Contact Information

(424) 343-7266
Rita@CrestRealEstate.com

Erwin Cruz

Project Manager

Background Information

Contact Information

(818) 400-9114
Erwin@CrestRealEstate.com

John Naphier

Project Coordinator

Background Information

John Naphier, originally born in New Jersey, earned his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering with a minor Electrical Engineering from the University of Delaware. While pursuing his degree, he led a team in Operations Management for a traditional shipping, storage and moving company called College Truckers.

Upon relocating to Los Angeles, California John enrolled in UCLA’s Anderson School of Project Management to work towards his Project Management (PMP) Certification. Prior to joining Crest Real Estate, John worked on a Construction Management team for a lead high-end luxury single-family residential General Contractor - gaining hands on experience on the ground up Construction process. As a Project Manager for Crest Real Estate, John uses his Engineering and Construction Management background to provide unique solutions to his projects and prides himself as the advocate for his clients. Outside of the office John enjoys spending time in nature with his puppy, going for long runs, and painting large murals.

Contact Information

(310) 387-6333
John@CrestRealEstate.com

Benjamin Eshaghian, Esq.

Project Coordinator

Background Information

Benjamin started his career as an attorney working at a Santa Monica-based boutique law firm focusing on real estate & intellectual property assisting with various aspects of the real estate acquisition and development process as well as managing intellectual property portfolios including drafting patents, trademark filing and maintenance, licensing, and patent portfolio sales. Raised by a developer and a city planner, Benjamin grew up with a hammer in his hand and has extensive residential construction experience as a result. Benjamin utilizes his diverse background in law, real estate and construction to navigate the often difficult process of discretionary entitlements. Benjamin Eshaghian is a member of The State Bar of California and holds a juris doctorate from Southwestern Law School and a Bachelor of Science, Human Biology and Bachelor of Arts, Political Science/Comparative Politics from the University of California, San Diego. Outside of the office, Benjamin enjoys cooking, gardening, watching and playing basketball, yoga and spending time with his family.

Contact Information

(323) 828-0522
Ben@CrestRealEstate.com

Joshua Heifetz

Accounting

Background Information

Joshua Heifetz, originally from Colorado, earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance. Previous to Crest, he worked with a start up helping create financial policy and financial modeling. In his current role, Joshua prepares and reviews financial data, maintains account reconciliations, and provides direct assistance to the President and CFO. Joshua likes to spend his free time exploring new music, enjoying the outdoors, and playing guitar.

Contact Information

(310) 994-6657
Josh@CrestRealEstate.com

Erica Adam

Project Coordinator

Background Information

Erica Adam, originally from Thousand Oaks, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies with a Minor in Professional Writing for Scientific Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara. While pursuing her degree, she volunteered at a wildlife rehabilitation center and traveled to Costa Rica to research sea turtle nesting and migration. Prior to Crest Real Estate, Erica worked as a Land Use Development and Entitlement Planner where she drafted environmental studies, and approved permits from the municipal side while also obtaining permits from the agent side on all types of developments. As a Project Coordinator for Crest, she utilizes her planning knowledge and strong communication skills to obtain project approvals for her clients in Beverly Hills. In her free time, you can find Erica at music festivals, playing golf, or on the hunt for the perfect sandwich.

Contact Information

(805) 208-7793
Erica@CrestRealEstate.com

Samantha Gillen

Project Coordinator

Background Information

Since graduating from the University of Southern California with a B.S. in Policy, Planning, and Development and a B.A. in Economics, Samantha Gillen has worked in the permitting industry and spearheaded projects across the Greater Los Angeles area. She thoroughly enjoys working with developers, architects, engineers, and contractors to help them navigate the complicated city processes and obtain permits on schedule. Samantha has successfully managed the permitting of many high-rise developments in downtown Los Angeles as well as large scale mixed-use and multi-family developments throughout Los Angeles . Outside of the office Samantha enjoys doing ceramics, walking around her neighborhood with her dog Sara, visiting coffee shops throughout the city, and caring for her variety of indoor plants (she is hoping to start an outdoor garden soon as well!)

Contact Information

(213) 500-0747
Samantha@CrestRealEstate.com

Karah Gravatt

Project Coordinator

Background Information

Karah Gravatt is a Southern California native and has worked in the construction industry for three years. Before permitting, Karah was producing live theatre and events in New York City. When she is not running all over LA hustling as an expediter, she likes to spend her free time in Palm Springs Golfing, Traveling, cooking, and salsa dancing.

Contact Information

(949) 636-6703
Karah@CrestRealEstate.com

Isaac Lemus

Project Coordinator

Background Information

Isaac Lemus has never been afraid to break boundaries and bring his far reaching skills together to get the job done. With a Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning and a double minor in Architecture and Spanish from the University of Southern California, he utilizes his perspectives on policy, design, and culture to bring development projects to life and ultimately shape the city he loves. Whether it be discretionary entitlements, building and safety plan check, or overall project management, his interdisciplinary approach expedites timelines while ensuring conflict resolution. When off the clock, you might catch Isaac at the gym, watching Cold War directed by Pawil Pawlikowski for the millionth time, or trying to find the next best vinyl for his collection.

Contact Information

(213) 999-7120
Isaac@CrestRealEstate.com

Aubrie Winters

Office Administrator

Background Information

Contact Information

(310) 994-6657
Aubrie@CrestRealEstate.com

Abhi Kalra

Project Manager

Background Information

Abhi Kalra joined Crest as a project manager within the Discretionary Entitlements division. After spending his formative years in New Delhi, Abhi completed his Master’s in Architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles as a scholar and worked for one of the leading luxury residential architecture firms in LA.

His varied work experience in designing & managing single and multi family residential architecture across the LA basin and freelancing as a facade design specialist, has given him the ability to understand a project as a whole and identify it's complexity in details. Along with his several years of experitse in computer aided softwares in 3D modeling and rendering, Abhi’s strong family background in real estate and developing commercial projects pan North India has kept him involved from the schematic phase of a project to it’s final occupancy.

His professionalism and strong communication skills facilitate exchanges with the planning and building & safety departments in order to ensure the permitting and entitlements processes are carried out efficiently. Apart from his time in the office, Abhi loves traveling, learning about autonomous mobility and working on his research in robotics in architecture.

Contact Information

(310) 666-9597
Abhi@CrestRealEstate.com

David Forrest

Project Manager

Background Information

David was born and raised in New York, and relocated to Los Angeles in 2008 in search of sunnier skies and a life on the West Coast. He holds a Master of Architecture from The Southern California Institute of Architecture (SCI-Arc). After 10 years of working with some of Los Angeles's top firms in architecture, interior design, and construction, David joined the Crest Real Estate team in 2020. With a career focused primarily around custom single family design and development in the Los Angeles area, David has developed a unique and holistic expertise in this field - from project conception and strategy, through construction. Outside of work- his free time is spent with his growing family, playing beach volleyball, and cycling through the hills of Southern California.

Contact Information

(310) 666-4452
David@CrestRealEstate.com

Archibald Cattarusa-Bernard

Project Manager

Background Information

Archibald Cattarusa-Bernard earned his Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning from Arizona State University, where he found his passion in urban design, community planning, and code compliance. Before joining Crest Real Estate, Archibald worked for a private consulting firm where he managed a diverse scope of projects across the greater Los Angeles area and Southern California with project permit valuations ranging from $5M to $250M, including simple interior/exterior tenant improvements scaling up through complex mixed-use, 40+ story new-builds, and everything in between. Archibald genuinely enjoys diving into detailed building and zoning codes and guiding teams through challenging approvals to help clients realize their dream projects.

Contact Information

(213) 219-4691
Archibald@CrestRealEstate.com

Azita Motamen

Project Manager

Background Information

Contact Information

(818) 517-4197
Azita@CrestRealEstate.com

Jimmy Toetz

Project Coordinator

Background Information

Contact Information

(260) 273-9996
Jimmy@CrestRealEstate.com