Carter, a commercial real estate firm based in Atlanta, opened a new office in Manhattan last month and tapped 15-year capital markets veteran Michael Seton as an executive vice president to lead the expansion. The company’s strategy is to source new deals, increase services and focus on the nation’s real estate capital markets.

"Our New York office will enable Carter to better leverage our existing relationships on the debt and equity sides," said Bob Peterson, the company’s chairman and CEO.

Seton, an expert in real estate finance, is the former managing director and division head in Eurohypo's Originations Group. He’s been involved in more than $25 billion in real estate financings including Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, New York’s Chrysler Building, General Motors Building and 15 Central Park West.

He will work with Carter's Advisory Services Group and The Carter Funds to source new investment opportunities. Seton will mainly concentrate on the firm’s principal investment activity and establish Carter’s partnerships in the equity and debt capital markets.

Carter is a 51-year-old, privately held, full-service company with 400 associates. Since this spring, it has formed strategic alliances with Align Healthcare to plan and develop healthcare and medical-office buildings and T5 Partners to market and develop data centers. Since 2004, Carter’s two funds have made 20 investments valued at more than $500 million.