Meet the Smith & Berg Partners Team

Smith & Berg is the representative for Leverage in Brentwood and North Santa Monica, Los Angeles, CA.

Smith & Berg Partners are representatives for Leverage in the Brentwood and North Santa Monica neighborhoods of Los Angeles, CA.

F. Ron Smith and David Berg spearhead Smith & Berg Partners at Compass, the leading luxury real estate team on the Westside of Los Angeles, with sales exceeding $6.5 billion over their careers. Meet Smith & Berg Partners, a team of real estate experts who love what they do and have enormous fun while doing it.

 

 

F. Ron Smith

Founding Partner | DRE# 00961954 | (310) 500-3931

F. Ron Smith is co-founder of the LA boutique real estate powerhouse Partners Trust. Through his leadership style and visionary marketing tactics, the company, sold in 2018 to Pacific Union and acquired by Compass, grossed more than $10B in sales in a handful of years. Consistently a top producer since beginning his career in real estate thirty-three years ago, F. Ron has been involved in more than $6.5 Billion in residential real estate transactions to date. He credits his long-term success as a local real estate expert with fostering and maintaining strong community connections, and the satisfaction that comes from introducing clients to a home that fits their needs, as well as a neighborhood and community lifestyle that matches their interests. F. Ron is a trusted advisor in the all-things-real estate, from construction to home staging, color palettes, and landscaping, F. Ron has an innate sense of how to get a property ready for sale, maximizing a home’s ability to achieve the highest sales price possible.

A decade ago, F. Ron joined forces with David Berg to form Smith and Berg Partners. With a shared command over the LA market and a serious sense of humor, David and F. Ron, with their group of extraordinary SBP team players, represent business leaders, celebrities, and residential developers, as well as individual buyers and sellers. Smith and Berg have brokered some of the most notable real estate deals on the Westside. Their properties are consistently featured in the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and The Hollywood Reporter, among many others, and they are a sought-out resource for all media outlets.

F. Ron’s expertise in new construction aligns with his passion and affinity for architecture and design. A long-time Westside resident, F. Ron lives in Brentwood with Tracy, his wife of 34 years, and is enormously proud of their two sons, Evan and Brandon. F. Ron is a world travel enthusiast who enjoys fitness, golf, barbecuing in the backyard, good wine, great coffee, live music, and USC football at the LA Memorial Coliseum. David and F. Ron are active and generous supporters of numerous charitable organizations, including Children’s Burn Foundation, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The Jewish Federation, Phase One, and Concern Foundation for cancer research, as well as the scholarship programs at USC. When it’s not a client interaction or the closing of a deal, you can bet that F. Ron is either discovering a vintage sipping tequila to share with the team or enjoying a top-notch espresso drink. His dedicated “research” has concluded that an almond milk capp from local coffee shop Caffe Luxxe is one of the best brews around.

David Berg

Founding Partner | DRE# 01481236 | (310) 500-3931

David Berg is one of California’s leading real estate professionals whose success over the past 19 years has earned him a position at the forefront of LA’s real estate scene. Consistently a top producer throughout his entire career, David (known to most as “Berg”) puts forth an ideal blend of industry knowledge, negotiating skills, and authentic personality, resulting in a seamless and enjoyable transaction for all parties. As one of the original Associate Partners at Partners Trust, David was instrumental in the company’s rapid growth and expansion. He joined forces with F. Ron Smith to form Smith and Berg Partners, the top-producing team on the Westside, with expertise  in everything real estate, from new construction to architectural estates, and as the go-to agents for developers and buyers alike.

Acknowledging a shared command over the local market, David and F. Ron, and their stellar team of SBP associates, represent the interests of business leaders, celebrities, and residential developers, as well as individual buyers and sellers throughout Los Angeles. With well over $6.5 billion in combined career sales, Smith and Berg have brokered some of the most notable transactions on the Westside. Their properties are consistently featured in such media outlets as the Los Angeles Times and The Hollywood Reporter, among many others. Along with F. Ron, David is an active and generous supporter of numerous charitable organizations, including Children’s Burn Foundation and The Jewish Federation.

As a native Angeleno with a lifetime of exposure to some of the most sought-after neighborhoods in Los Angeles, David brings invaluable intel, insight, and relationships to the helm of the Smith and Berg team. Known for his arsenal of marketing tools, relaxed energy, and proven strategies, David is a smart recruit to your side of the negotiation table. With the utmost confidence, he excels in orchestrating seamless transactions, while managing expectations and maintaining the highest level of integrity among clients and industry peers. David’s astute knowledge of the financial industry leads to continuous transactions for the likes of banking institutions, receivership estates, bankruptcy sales, trust sales, short sales, and bank-owned properties.

When not at the office making real estate deals and dreams happen, you may find David at one of L.A.’s many sports arenas. Having played ice hockey for most of his life, the LA Kings play a major role in Berg family fun. David lives with his wife, Jordana, and their three sons in Westwood. He loves to paint and study new trends in architecture and design.

 

Robert Morton

Associate Partner | DRE# 01975689

Robert Morton is at the forefront of residential sales in Los Angeles, specializing in homes on Los Angeles’ Westside, Venice, Beverly Hills, and Malibu.

After living and building homes in Santa Monica, Malibu and Venice, as well as in the Hamptons and New York City, Robert developed a passion for fine properties.  He credits his years in the entertainment industry for his trained eye, his acumen in deal making and his attention to detail and budget.

As an associate partner with Smith & Berg Partners at Compass, Morton has developed a powerhouse roster of clients, representing notable actors, producers, television and film executives, fashion designers, sportscasters, athletes, and Angelinos from every walk of life.  

As a television producer best known for his extensive work on David Letterman's shows over a period of nearly a decade and a half, Morton's respect within the industry would see him win two Emmy Awards and eleven nominations.  Among Morton's other high-profile career credits were the first creative director of MTV, a consulting producer role on HBO’s "The Chris Rock Show" and the executive producer of the “81st Annual Oscars Red Carpet.”

“For over 40 years, my passion was realized on a small screen.  Since going into real estate in 2015, I’ve expanded my creative canvas to the entire Los Angeles area…I love it and I love serving my clients,” says Morton.  

Morton resides in Venice with his two daughters, Billie and Emmy.

 

Sewit Eshetu

Associate Partner | DRE# 01259497 | 310.500.3292 mobile

Success is an art form.

Sewit brings an uncommonly creative approach to finding optimal solutions to her clients’ real estate needs and challenges. For Sewit, in real estate, success is an art form. Framed by her experience, her canvas is her modus operandi; the medium, her tenacity and perseverance; and the brushstrokes, a beguiling nuance and subtlety. Together, they capture the vision inspired by her creativity and talent in finding solutions for her client’s needs.

Sewit delivers a bespoke real estate service, tailor made to the unique characteristics of each and every client, one that reflects the individualized boutique nature of her consummately professional style of representation. For her, each client is special and all receive top level service, respect, and discrete representation. Sewit is known to provide her high net worth and celebrity clientele with service recognized as the next level above what would be expected from other upper echelon realtors.

Beguiling nuance and subtlety.

Sewit’s solid foundation of 16 years of experience dealing with the complexities, strategic negotiations and financing options faced by her clients’ real estate transactions has enabled her to develop an unparalleled level of professionalism, one that is imbued with the talent to recognize, accommodate and embrace the beguiling subtleties and nuances of personalities and deals. Such elements escape many, but are profoundly understood and captured by Sewit.

Vincit perseverantia.

Inspired by Winston Churchill’s famous “Never give in” speech, Sewit learned that “She who perseveres, succeeds.” With a deft touch, she is gentle but firm; flexible but implacable; assertive but not aggressive; persuasive but not argumentative; and most importantly, always and unyieldingly a tenacious advocate for the relentless pursuit of her clients’ real estate objectives. These are the characteristics that have earned Sewit the respect and admiration of her clients, as well as her fellow top-level realtor peer group.

Creativity.

Sewit brings her prodigious talents and meticulous attention to detail to her career as a real estate professional. “One of the reasons I am so passionate about what I do is I understand the value I can bring to, and for, my clients. At 22, I came to California with dreams and hopes, starting with nothing. I worked hard and within 8 years I was able to buy my first home. With hard work, everyone can achieve their own American dream." This thought is a driving principle that still motivates her to strive to perform at the highest level of her profession. "I thrive in helping others make their dreams come true, too," she says. "Over the years, my experience has taught me how to work creatively with my clients to represent their real estate needs in the best possible way, and that for each specific client, curating and tailoring a highly specialized approach for their unique needs is the most effective and rewarding strategy for achieving the optimal outcome on their behalf."

Nathan Stadler

Associate Partner | DRE# 01994107 | 310.413.5205 mobile

A lifetime Angeleno and accomplished film executive, Nathan Stadler worked alongside some of the world’s most notable artists and celebrities before segueing into selling the best of Los Angeles residential real estate. This professional pedigree has honed a keen ability to network, relate and negotiate — a combination that makes his clients' experience a positive one, no matter the scenario.

Being opposite a transaction with Founding Partner F. Ron Smith and Partner/Estate Director David Berg was all it took for Nathan to sign on with Smith & Berg Partners. A member of the top-producing Smith & Berg Partners team since October 2016, Nathan has witnessed a high volume of sales on the Westside, specifically involving modern architecturals and new construction. He treasures the ability to work with clients from different backgrounds and motivations, from developers to savvy real estate investors to first-time homebuyers.

Few have had the all-encompassing view of Los Angeles that Nathan has. After growing up in the South Bay, where his family was active in real estate, he moved to Downtown Los Angeles to attend USC, graduating from the esteemed Marshall School of Business. He was able to juxtapose his city amongst new cultures throughout his career, with stints in Vancouver, Albuquerque and Tokyo, to name a few.An all-around sports enthusiast, Nathan played collegiate tennis at USC and continues to enjoy a good tennis match or round of golf. He currently resides in Brentwood with his wife and two children.

 

Brandon Smith

Associate Partner | DRE# 02013050 | 310.433.6266

Born, raised, educated and passionate about Los Angeles, Brandon’s enthusiasm and interest in So Cal real estate can be traced to growing up with the real estate wisdom,  incredible business acumen and encouragement of his father, F. Ron Smith. A graduate of Crossroads School in Santa Monica and USC’s Marshall School of Business, Brandon’s  perspective and strong interest in Los Angeles’ creative, culinary and artistic sides give him a well-balanced, unique and youthful view of LA residential real estate. Since joining Smith and Berg Partners in 2017, Brandon has represented buyers and sellers in real estate markets from Hollywood to Santa Monica. Brandon has lived in Melbourne, Australia and New York City and has traveled to numerous countries, always returning to the beauty and brilliance of his hometown, LA. Constantly looking for personal challenges outside of his dedication to his career, Brandon recently trained for and ran the 2018 LA Marathon, renewing his love of the competitive sports he played before college.

 

Parisa Schnider

Associate Partner | DRE# 02120813 | 310.467.7153 mobile

A Los Angeles native with East Coast roots, Parisa grew up in a family of commercial and residential real estate investors.

Parisa attended Milken Community High School in Bel Air and the Cinema School at University of Southern California. After graduating, she worked in production on movies like “The Divergent” franchise and joined a top advertising agency, Lindeman & Associates, a leader in digital and print advertising for blockbuster movies such as “Avengers” and “Star Wars” to non-profit organizations including Stand Up To Cancer.

At Lindeman & Associates, Parisa serviced the complex needs of her marquee clients including Netflix, Disney, Amazon, Sony, and Universal Studios, and managed a team of creatives, strategists and executors. This experience not only provided an incredible platform to understand storytelling and project management from ideation to implementation, it also offered Parisa both unique and necessary skills to incorporate in her real estate career. Subsequently, Parisa worked as an Executive in the entertainment industry with a top writer/director and, on the side, she would identify homes for top filmmakers and producers.

After falling in love and finding early success, she was excited to join one of the top real estate teams at Compass, Smith & Berg Partners.

Parisa serves on the board of the USC Real Estate alumni group and Visionary Women, a nonprofit whose mission is to elevate all women with the world's greatest thinkers.

Ryan Bergum

Associate Partner | DRE# 02046558 | 858.431.6290 mobile 

Ryan is a Southern California native, giving him a thorough understanding of local market trends, inventory, and the ultimate SoCal lifestyle. He is the next generation of realtor, combining old school work ethic with new school innovation, ensuring transactions are executed as seamless as possible. As the oldest of five children, Ryan has an inherent ability to connect with his clients and solve problems that may arise, setting him apart from the rest.Buying or selling a home is an unparalleled commitment and Ryan is devoted to providing a tailor-made experience with the highest level of service. With listings throughout Los Angeles County, he is committed to going the extra mile for his clients. Ryan resides in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. In his free time, he enjoys traveling, boxing, and is an avid runner.

 

Kristin Alexander

Associate Parnter | DRE# 02076658 | (949) 300-9166

After working in the luxury wedding industry, Kristin is no stranger to calmly and effectively leading clients through a major milestone in their lives and with that she brings a unique point of view and highly personable approach to every client. She understands how to handle both the logistical and emotional side of buying and selling property and the important role each transaction plays in a client's life. With that you can expect expectations to be exceeded as she provides a streamlined and detailed experience while managing expectations and creating long lasting connections. In addition to this holistic approach she is able to infuse her knowledge of construction from growing up in a family of residential developers where she has gained a deep understanding for quality homes, tasteful architecture and functional design. Kristin is supported by Smith & Berg Partners which offers her clients years of additional experience, different perspectives and a dedicated support team to ensure a smooth transaction and a collaborative approach every step of the way.

Edward Hutchinson

Associate Partner | DRE# 01994895 | 310.968.3752 mobile

Edward hails from London, England and began his career at one of its top real estate agency's Foxtons Group PLC in 2011. After landing stateside in 2015, he quickly rose in the ranks at Partners Trust Real Estate and later Compass, maintaining the highest standards of communication, transparency, and work ethic. Ed's exceptional sales record is proof of his charming service and strong negotiating skills. Having been involved in more than a hundred transactions and owning rental portfolios in both Los Angeles and London, he has an investor’s mindset and an expertise in servicing clients from a variety of different backgrounds. A true convert to the LA lifestyle, Edward now calls Brentwood home. When he’s not working, you can find him surfing in the Pacific, traveling, or spending time with his beautiful family and dog, George.

Courtney Welsh

Director of Operations | DRE# 01764903 | (310) 500-3931

Courtney Welsh possesses over 13 years of experience in luxury residential real estate managing the operations for top producing teams and agents in some of California's most sought-after markets, including Beverly Hills and the San Francisco Bay Area. Her experience working as a real estate agent early on, combined with the exposure to an inestimable number of real estate transactions, provides her with a unique skillset and perspective on the business. Outside of her work at Smith and Berg Partners, Courtney enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter exploring the arts, culture, and natural beauty that the greater L.A. area has to offer.

Krista Masella 

Marketing Manager | DRE# 01969303 | (310) 500-3931

Krista was born and raised in Southern California. She attended college at California State University Fullerton graduating with a degree in Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations. Shortly before graduating she moved to Los Angeles where she remains today. Early experience with large-scale music events servicing VIP clientele taught her the importance of concierge-level service and working with a team. In 2013, she began working in the real estate industry as a Loan Processor. She quickly realized she wanted to transition to the sales side of the industry and took a position that evolved into the Operations Director for an agent duo, with one focused on residential sales and the other on multifamily commercial sales. This position gave her a wide-reaching grasp of the industry as a whole, as she handled transactions from the first meeting, to the marketing of the property, escrow, and post-closing, creating and maintaining systems along the way. During this time she obtained a real estate license in 2015 and is still licensed today. In 2019, she began working with Smith & Berg Partners as the Office Manager and Listings Coordinator bringing her creative approach and systems-oriented mindset. At SBP, her position evolved into the Marketing Manager as her creative nature backed by years of industry experience was a valuable asset in both managing the marketing of individual listings and the SBP brand as a whole. Outside of real estate you can find her hiking beautiful trails in the California sunshine, anywhere where there are great tacos, or lounging with her dog Mickey.

Katy Yambao

Listings & Operations Manager | DRE# 02095288 | (310) 500-3931

Katy Yambao grew up in Pittsburgh and moved around the country from New York City to Seattle before happily finding her forever home here in Los Angeles. For the last decade she has been planting roots here with her husband, Luke, and her whole family — all of whom she has successfully convinced to relocate to Southern California (not that it was a hard sell)!

Katy brings years of experience in fast-paced corporate roles along with a unique skill set gained while working for c-level executives in the telecom industry. She thrives in an environment that both challenges and motivates her. Honing her excellent communication skills and meticulous attention to detail allow her to assist Smith & Berg Partner's clients with successfully navigating the dynamic LA real estate market.

Katy absolutely loves connecting with clients and combines genuine compassion, expertise and determination in order to ensure their needs are always well served.

When she isn’t working in real estate, you can find Katy spending time with her family and friends, traveling, enjoying live music, and exploring new restaurants. She enjoys taking advantage of all that California has to offer and feels grateful to be able to do what she loves in a place that she loves just as much.

 

GARRETT  SANDERS

Concierge | (310) 500-3931

Garrett moved to Los Angeles in 2018 and has worked as a Concierge for the InterContinental Hotel in Downtown LA and Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, offering the highest level of guest services for the luxury brand resorts. He is excited to venture into the real estate world with such a stellar team of driven professionals at SBP.

Prior to his West Coast move he attended Florida State University where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Theatre and Communications. He also served as the Artistic Director for Osceola Arts, a live theatre venue in Kissimmee, FL for five years and still enjoys the theatre whenever he gets the chance. Outside of the office Garrett likes driving up the PCH, Dodgers baseball and live music of any kind!

NATALIE GUREVITCH

Concierge & Showings Assistant | (310) 500-3931

Natalie was born in Toronto and relocated to the US at the age of five. From a young age she had aspirations to reach Los Angeles and has called the city home for the past 12 years. Her early career path led her to the corporate world of wholesale shoe distribution where she learned skills like effective business-to-business communications, critical thinking and working with a team. However, she comes from a family of creatives with an artist father, wood-working grandfather and a brother in graphic design, and realized that she was ready for a change. After 11 years in the corporate world, her passion for design and architecture led her to explore the real estate industry. She met F. Ron Smith and David Berg from Smith & Berg Partners and it seemed like an instant fit, with Natalie landing a position as the team’s Concierge where she will have the opportunity to learn and grow in the industry.

When she’s not working, you can find Natalie curled up with a glass of wine and her English Bulldog, Lola and her boyfriend, Arthur. She also enjoys drinking tequila in the CA sunshine, hunting for a good cup of Cuban coffee and scrolling Pinterest for interior design