About Us

The Rubicon Team

Douglas C. Watson, Principal
Doug@Rubiconfund.net


Doug has been active in the real estate industry since 1990, working in commercial development with Spieker Properties. Brokerage with CB Commercial Real Estate and for Stewart Title Insurance in the National Title Unit.  These positions included experience in sales, leasing, project management and financing.  Doug is also a licensed real estate salesperson and is a licensed California Finance Lender (CFL).  In 2006, Doug founded his private mortgage banking company, Rubicon Capital Partners, Inc.  Doug previously worked for two other private commercial mortgage banking firms, successfully raising investor funds and underwriting loan transactions.  He continues those same responsibilities today at Rubicon Mortgage Fund, LLC.  Doug belongs to several local real estate associations including: The Bay Area Mortgage Association (BAMA), The Belden Club, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), California Mortgage Association (CMA), the California   Mortgage Banker Association (CMBA) Turnaround Management Association (TMA) and the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC). Doug graduated from UC Davis with a BA in Communication.  Doug currently resides in Lafayette, California with his wife, Jenny and their three sons.

Vance Hillstrom, Principal
Vance@Rubiconfund.net

Since 2005 Vance has been a part of private mortgage banking working primarily in the capacity of underwriting debt transactions and raising investor funds.  Vance is currently one of the two managing partners of Rubicon Mortgage Fund LLC where he concentrates most of his time underwritting loans and structuring debt transactions.  Prior to private mortgage banking, Vance was an independent trader trading 30-year bond futures on the Chicago Board of Trade and thereafter worked as the Lead Market Maker for Microsoft at the Pacific Options Exchange.  Vance graduated from DePauw University with a degree in Economics' he currently resides in Orinda, CA with his wife and three children.  Vance also has his California Finance License (CFL) and his Department of Real Estate Broker License.

Brooke Mettes, Administrator
Brooke@Rubiconfund.net

Brooke joined the Rubicon team in 2005 as Employee #1!  She has played an integral role in the growth of this company.  Brooke has over 15 years of experience in real estate, legal and office administration support. Her background includes working in different segments of real estate including institutional banking, wholesale, residential, and private money lending.  Brooke works closely with the Principals of Rubicon, Vance Hillstrom and Douglas Watson to manage the day to day operations.  Brooke's primary focus at Rubicon is preparing loan documentation and coordinating loan transactions between investors, borrowers and escrow departments. She splits her time between Rubicon Capital Partners, Inc. and Rubicon Mortgage Fund, LLC. Brooke attended St. Mary's College in Moraga and currently resides in Walnut Creek with her husband and two sons.