Senior Leadership

DR is an accomplished finance and clean energy executive whose career spans more than three decades of guiding organizations through transformative growth, complex capital formation, and strategic repositioning. His professional journey reflects a combination of disciplined financial expertise, entrepreneurial drive, and a deep commitment to sustainable infrastructure development. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an ability to translate emerging technologies into financeable, scalable business models, helping companies at every stage move confidently from concept to commercialization.

DR began his professional path in the Navy, as an officer responsible for large-scale supply and logistics divisions. He developed the foundational leadership discipline, operational rigor, and mission-focused mindset that would anchor the rest of his career.

He transitioned from full time military service to American Finance Group (AFG), where he rose President and CEO and guided the company through a pivotal transition from private ownership to the public markets. Under his leadership, AFG expanded its origination capabilities, enhanced operational performance, and attracted strategic investor interest. He shepherded the organization through an extensive IPO process that ultimately positioned the company for acquisition by Temple-Inland.

As President and CEO of Guaranty Capital, the structured finance division of Temple Inland he integrated the AFG platform while enhancing profitability and managing portfolio performance, he led the business to record earnings and substantial portfolio growth.

As Partner at BW Realty Advisors, DR worked with clients to navigate Opportunity Zones, New Markets Tax Credits, and Historic Tax Credit programs, supporting transactions exceeding $1 billion.

His most significant impact has been in renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure. As Principal of Boylan Crest Advisors, he leads a clean energy advisory practice supporting companies across the renewable value chain, including anaerobic digestion, biodiesel, biomass-to-fuel technologies, and emerging low-carbon innovations. He has structured tax equity investments, guided project financing strategies, facilitated strategic partnerships, and advised on commercialization pathways for cutting-edge technologies. His work with companies such as PurposeEnergy, Waste Resource Recovery, Home Grown Fuels, and Homeland Fuel Company reflects his commitment to both environmental stewardship and financial discipline.

He co-founded and was CFO of HGS Sustainable Data Solutions, focusing on developing zero-impact, water-cooled data centers repurposing former industrial sites. Through HGS, he demonstrated how clean energy solutions can enable economic inclusion while dramatically reducing environmental footprints.

Throughout his career, he has maintained an unwavering focus on building teams, advising principals, and supporting organizations navigating inflection points, whether scaling into new markets, restructuring operations, or preparing for investor scrutiny. His work consistently reflects a belief that innovation must be paired with thoughtful governance, strategic financial planning, and a long-term perspective.

Rick is the Founder of BW Realty Advisors LLC (BWRA), a firm focused on real estate and investment advisory services. He brings decades of distinguished experience as a corporate attorney, general counsel, and senior executive in financial services, insurance, banking, and government.

Before establishing BWRA, Mr. Gross was a partner at the law firm of Rosenman & Colin LLP (now part of Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP). He previously served as a partner at Foley, Hoag & Eliot and Wald, Harkrader and Ross. His in-house counsel career includes roles as Vice President and General Counsel of the National Consumer Cooperative Bank, as well as significant leadership positions at major financial institutions.

From 2004 to 2016, he served on the Board of Trustees for the Arden registered fund complex in the New York City Metropolitan Area. He was Managing Director and General Counsel at U.S. Trust Corporation (1998–2002), Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary at Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (1991–1998), and Senior Attorney at Citigroup, Inc. (1982–1991), where he also held roles as General Counsel of Citibank’s Global Insurance Division and SVP and General Counsel of Diners Club.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Gross served as Executive Director of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission, where he played a key leadership role in consumer protection initiatives, before transitioning to private practice. Prior to the USCPSC, he was Chief and Deputy Chief, Consumer Protection Division, Department of the Attorney General, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Boston, MA.

Mr. Gross earned his B.A. from Wesleyan University and his J.D. from Harvard Law School. He is based in Santa Barbara, CA. and maintains professional ties to New York and Washington, D.C.

Memberships include the United States Court of Appeals, First Circuit, United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, United States District Court, District of Maryland, Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts, United States Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit, United States District Court, District of Columbia.

His career demonstrates a strong blend of legal expertise, regulatory insight, financial acumen, and leadership across public service, major corporations, and entrepreneurial ventures.