Invest with Confidence

Experts in Multifamily Real Estate Investments

Sweetwater Companies specializes in developing and acquiring multifamily properties. We focus on providing our investment partners with data-driven opportunities in growing markets, leveraging deep market knowledge and a strategic approach to maximize returns.

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Track Record

30+

Over 30 years of combined multifamily experience within the multifamily sector

20%+

Generated over 20%+ average annual gross returns across all projects

$200M+

Of Real estate developed

$1.7B+

Developed oustide of Sweetwater

1,000+

Units developed in target markets

4,700+

Units developed outside of Sweetwater Companies

Current Projects

We work with institutional investors, family offices, and high net worth individuals.

Rendering of upcoming community Westlock Village in Idaho

Westlock Village
Idaho | 256 units
Commencing Q1 2027

rendering of Collective at Pecan Grove in Arizona

Collective at Pecan Grove
Arizona | 149 units
Commencing Q1 2027

Bravura
Arizona | 182 units
Commencing Q3 2027

Atrium
Arizona | 139 units
Commencing Q4 2027

View More Projects

“Since Q3 2022, commercial real estate values have declined 25-30% while the S&P 500 is up ~115% as of Q3 2026. We see this as a compelling opportunity to ‘buy low and sell high.’”

Ryan Nelson, Founder and CEO

Meet Our Leadership Team

Partner With Us

Contact Sweetwater Companies for Investment Inquiries and Partnership Opportunities.

Wes Nearon

Associate of Acquisitions and Development

As an Associate at Sweetwater Companies, Weston focuses on deal sourcing, underwriting, and conducting thorough general analysis to support investment decisions.

Prior to joining Sweetwater, Weston spent three years at JLL as a lead analyst on the multifamily team where he led analytical efforts and assisted in all facets of the pre-marketing, marketing, and closing processes pertaining to multifamily transactions. During his tenure, he assisted in the closing of over $1.4 billion in total transaction volume across debt origination, equity origination, and investment sales transactions, generating over $8.8M in total fees. Weston received a BA from Brigham Young University.

Weston and his wife Taryn have two children.

Chris Gilbert

Investor Relations Manager

As Investor Relations Manager, Christopher leverages his global business acumen, technical expertise, and entrepreneurial vision to support Sweetwater’s investors.

As Co-Founder of Big Horn Land Co in Wyoming, Christopher combines his expertise in market development, product management, and cross-cultural leadership to bring visionary projects to life. Before launching his land development venture, Christopher built over seven years of international management experience, leading high-impact roles with Hilti North America, Fieldwire by Hilti, and Hilti Group in Liechtenstein. He has spearheaded global product rollouts, transformed sales processes through Salesforce CRM integration, and developed reporting software deployed worldwide.

Christopher’s career began in China, where he served as China Business Strategy Manager for Ubiquiti Networks, launching the company’s first consumer product in the region and securing multi-year partnerships with major e-commerce and electronics distributors.

Christopher holds dual master’s degrees—an MBA in International Finance and an MS in Global Management—from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, along with a BA in Mandarin Chinese from Arizona State University. Christopher also received an Associate’s Degree from Brigham Young University-Idaho.

Christopher and his wife Tori have four children.

Kevin Chaka

Chief Financial Officer & Chief Data Officer

As Chief Financial Officer, Kevin oversees financial reporting and analysis. He also oversees market analysis and data analytics to optimize asset performance.

Prior to joining Sweetwater, Kevin spent several years working in Investment Banking with Credit Suisse and served as a Finance Director at Rexel USA, one of the largest electrical distributors in the country. While at Credit Suisse, Kevin was involved in 50+ debt, equity, and M&A transactions for corporate clients with a total value of more than $40 billion. With Rexel USA, Kevin supported the operations and vendor relations functions, led analytics and business intelligence initiatives, and was involved in strategic M&A activities.

Prior to business school, Kevin held a variety of operational and management positions at a former GE company where he utilized Lean and Six Sigma methodologies to drive operational and process improvements.

Kevin received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.

Kevin and his wife Holly have three children.

Ryan Nelson

Founder & CEO

Ryan formed Sweetwater in 2016. As Chief Executive Officer, Ryan oversees project analysis, site acquisition, project finance, and project management.

Prior to founding Sweetwater, Ryan spent several years working in Investment Banking with Credit Suisse and Asset Management with JP Morgan. While at Credit Suisse, Ryan helped to raise more than $10 billion in debt and equity offerings across 20+ transactions for corporate clients. He also completed numerous valuation analyses in connection with corporate sell-side and buy-side acquisitions. With JP Morgan, Ryan was a global investment specialist working on a twenty-person team managing more than $32 billion in assets.

Before business school, Ryan was an instructor pilot in the US Air Force. He logged more than 2700 flight hours, including more than 1500 UAV hours in support of coalition operations in the Middle East.

Ryan received a BA in Russian from Brigham Young University and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business.

Ryan and his wife Becca have five children.