Meet The Team

Since he founded Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. at his dining room table more than 50 years ago, Charles “Chuck” Hershson has built the company into a private lending powerhouse with more than 22 team members and a product lineup that rivals any in the industry.
Along the way, Chuck established himself as a champion for the community, a supporter of a legion of charitable causes, and a true believer in doing the right thing for clients and employees.
A Founding President of the California Mortgage Association (CMA), Chuck has served on the boards of The Guardians of Los Angeles Jewish Health (formerly The Jewish Home), the Los Angeles Jewish Health Foundation, Cancer Support Community, and American Friends of the Hebrew University. He is a member of the Board of Governors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, a staunch supporter of the Jewish Federation’s Real Estate & Construction division, AIPAC, the Harmony Project, and other causes and organizations too numerous to mention.
Around the office, he’s known as “Uncle Chuck” for his highly personal approach to managing. Fidelity offers employees fully paid insurance and pension plans, and Chuck didn’t flinch when Covid-19 shut down businesses. He paid employees for the duration of the lockdown.
“I take care of my people,” he says. “I’ve always been that way.”
Chuck runs the business side of Fidelity with the same sense of responsibility and accountability. His unswerving devotion to clients and insistence on honesty and fairness has earned him a following of investors who, in many cases, have retained their portfolios over three generations.
Fidelity takes a very conservative approach to lending that greatly reduces risk for the investors who back the company’s loans. 
“We don’t let our loan-to-value ratios creep up, regardless of the property,” Chuck says. “We put our investors interests first, and protecting their investment is our number one concern.”
A graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in real estate and finance, Chuck launched Fidelity after working in the private lending industry. Believing he could build a better mousetrap, he burned the midnight oil and took post-graduate courses to refine and implement the vision that he refers to as “a niche within a niche.”
Fidelity began as a residential mortgage lender, but when the housing market collapsed in the 1980s, Chuck pivoted to commercial lending. Today, commercial loans represent 95 percent of the business. 
Chuck no longer focuses on day-to-day operations (though he points out that, “Every time there’s a problem, it ends up on my desk”). As Chairman, Chuck devotes his time to the company’s investors, a role he’s always relished and one that’s still custom made for him.
“I love to schmooze” he says, “and I love to laugh and get people laughing. I think my sense of humor is a big part of my success. I genuinely like making a connection with people.”

When Peter Steigleder stepped into his job at Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc., he had big shoes to fill. He is the first to hold the role of President since Charles “Chuck” Hershson founded the company more than 50 years ago, and he’s charged with preserving Fidelity’s legacy while preparing it for the next 50 years.
It’s a huge responsibility, but Peter is already leaving quite a footprint. He has expanded the sales and servicing staff, added markets in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Texas, and Washington state, in addition to California and Nevada, and installed a capital markets group to capture new business opportunities. He’s built an online business platform, including the introduction of an electronic loan application; launched a social media platform for top-of-funnel marketing; and recast direct mail and other print marketing materials. 
With his lending expertise and extensive prior background in commercial real estate, Peter is frequently invited to speak at industry conferences and trade shows, and he is often featured in regional and national publications. (One such publication referred to him as a “private lending titan”!) 
With his affable manner, Peter has no trouble balancing his responsibilities as President with his love of the deal. He is personally responsible for 22% of all loan originations at the company.
He joined Fidelity as Chief Operating Officer and was elevated to the position of President in March 2022. Before that, he had been a co-founder and Principal of Hudson Commercial Partners, a boutique real estate brokerage specializing in hotel, self-storage, and mixed-use development projects. There, he built the brokerage from its three founding members to include 12 brokers. 
Peter began his real estate career in 1999 at Beitler Commercial as an industrial real estate specialist. He then joined Lee & Associates, where he was quickly elevated to Principal in recognition of his productivity. In 2009, arguably the most challenging time for commercial real estate in recent memory, he was recruited by Delphi Business Partners where he served as Partner and guided investors and property owners though foreclosures and debt restructuring as well as the sale and leasing of commercial properties.
He began his professional career as director of economic development for the German Consulate General in Los Angeles after attending California State University, Northridge, where he studied real estate and finance.
Peter’s dedication to giving back makes him a longtime, active supporter of many professional organizations and charitable causes. He currently serves on the board of the Guardians of Los Angeles Jewish Health (formerly the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging) where he was selected to be the organization’s first non-Jewish President in its 85-year history.
He is Vice Chair of the Ethics Committee for the National Private Lenders Association (NPLA), and he serves on the events committee of the California Mortgage Association (CMA). He is a founding member of the Real Estate Executives, and a member of the National Association for Industrial and Office Parks (NAIOP), the Real Estate Group of the Jewish Federation, the California Association of Mortgage Brokers (CAMB), and the Jonathan Club, as well as an affiliate member of the Society of Industrial and Office Realtors (SIOR) and the CCIM Institute.

Ralph Haber thinks of himself as a detective. Over the 50 years he’s spent in mortgage lending, he’s handled his fair share of complicated transactions, many requiring the same kind of tireless diligence of an investigator who must turn over every rock to solve a case. 
He’s successfully cleared titles that date back through generations of owners, found long lost former spouses, and poured over records that sometimes span several states, all to make sure borrowers avoid surprises and loans close in a timely fashion.
The Cal State Los Angeles graduate joined Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. 25 years ago. As Loan Manager, he’s been in charge of shepherding  all of the company’s loan packages from opening title, to ordering appraisals, running credit, and getting the loan recorded. 
Ralph figures he handles 10-20 loans a month, giving equal attention to each transaction, no matter the size. Ask him how he does it, and he’ll tell you simply that he relies on his team and outside partners to get the job done. But his secret sauce is his devotion to clients and a singular focus on making sure clients achieve their goals.

City of Culver City – Mayor (1999 – 2000)

– Council Person (1996 – 1999)
As Controller, Richard A. Marcus might be a numbers guy, but he’s a numbers guy on a mission.
“I’m an old boy scout interested in every single person and every element that makes the business tick,” Richard says. “My sole purpose is to make Fidelity’s service, systems, people, and products better than I found them.”
That’s a tall order when you’re working with a company that’s already established itself as a leader in the industry, but Richard’s experience and skills have prepared him well.
A graduate of Iona University in N.Y. with a BBA in Accounting, he has directed accounting and audit functions for leading entertainment companies, internet-based businesses, fashion companies, distribution companies, and not-for-profits. He’s been an advisor to CEOs, a hands-on protector of human and corporate resources, a trouble-shooter, and a manager.
A civic minded leader, Richard also devotes time to his community. He has served as the Mayor of the city of Culver City and a member of its City Council.
Since he joined Fidelity over five years ago, Richard has managed accounting, financial and tax reporting, and HR. He coordinates IT functions, and he serves as liaison and facilitator for outside banks, accountants, and auditors, and, of course, Fidelity’s investors.
“Investors are the backbone of our business,” Richard says. “They put their trust in us, our products, and systems, and we, in turn, are fully dedicated to helping them get the returns they expect and deserve. My job is to provide clients with timely and accurate financial information so they can make the best decisions for their business.”

Neil Sokoler brings over 35 years of banking and lending experience to Fidelity Mortgage Lenders. A graduate of UCLA, Neil specialized in small business lending prior to joining the Fidelity team. Throughout his career he’s closed over a thousand loans totaling more than half a billion dollars.
Neil works with property and business owners, accountants, real estate professionals, investors, and attorneys. He knowledgeably and patiently assists borrowers in the purchase or refinance of their commercial, industrial or investment property. Neil helps clients evaluate loan products and determine the loan amount for which they qualify.
His thorough understanding of financing has even made Neil the go-to resource when colleagues in the lending industry need a hand, as happened when he received a call from a banker who was unable to close a loan for a client. “We had a tight deadline to meet the terms of the purchase agreement and the client stood to lose a significant deposit if the deal didn’t close. I was able to pull together a financing package that worked for her needs and allowed her to close on time.”  
Neil delivers results consistently and earns the trust of clients and colleagues alike. “To each client their loan is truly important, and I treat it that way, whether the amount is $50,000 or $15,000,000.”

Yvonne has been with Fidelity for 20 years. She has been an anchor in our loan servicing area and has been a key employee for Chuck. Prior to Fidelity, she worked in the mortgage divisions of Action Home Loans (1989-91) and Imperial Home Loan (1991-1999).
In 2019, she was named Manager of the Loan Servicing Department.
She loves to cook the food of her native Jamaica for her kids, grandkids and friends while watching “her” Lakers.
 

As anyone who’s ever bought real estate knows, the escrow process can bog down an otherwise smooth transaction. Not so with Hiromi Uto at the helm.
Hiromi has served as Escrow Officer at Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. for the past 18 years, and over that time she has turned a complex process with many moving parts into a science.
“I can complete a file in a few hours,” Hiromi says. “I know what needs to be done, and I know where everything is.”
A stickler for details, Hiromi attends to each element of the process with professionalism and consistency. She’s keenly aware of the need for accuracy in a job that hinges on making sure every “t” is crossed and every “I” is dotted, and she’s carefully honed her skills to exceed expectations.
Hiromi joined Fidelity from Fremont Investment & Loan where she served as a customer service representative for just short of 10 years. It was there that she met Fidelity’s CEO, Chuck Hershson, who was so impressed by the way she worked with clients, he recruited her.
She continues to take special pride in her ability to go above and beyond what’s required, such as when loan officers have a special request, or need urgent action.

Marie Hornback is a master of follow-up. She has to be. In addition to her accounting responsibilities, Marie is charged with making sure that all of Fidelity’s support operations run smoothly.
On any given day, you can find her checking up to make sure IT has responded to issues, helping to onboard new team members, liaising with insurance brokers, or working on employee benefits contracts, or the company’s pension and profit sharing plans.
Marie enjoys the ability to balance working with numbers and people, and her many responsibilities put her in touch with just about every team member. 
If that makes Marie a jack of all trades, it’s a role she’s completely familiar with. Before joining Fidelity, she spent 20 years working her way up the ladder at several corporations. While her primary duties were always centered on accounting, she frequently found her duties extended beyond the numbers.
“My background is diverse,” Marie says. “I always worked my way up, and I like staying on top of things and getting involved wherever I’m needed.”

As a 23 year veteran of the real estate and development industry, Steven Blincoe brings a unique perspective to his position as a Loan Officer at Fidelity Commercial Lending, Inc.
He has worked hand in hand with contractors and builders of residential and hospitality properties, served as Vice President of Investment Sales assisting clients in the acquisition of medical, retail, industrial, and office buildings, and founded his own brokerage specializing in business dispositions and investor acquisitions in Nevada, Arizona, and California.
Now, as a Loan Officer, you might say that Steven has walked a mile in the shoes of his clients. His wide and detailed knowledge of commercial real estate means he understands the needs and challenges clients face and he’s able to offer lending solutions best suited to their needs.
Steven joined Fidelity three years ago. Since that time, he has originated loans for all asset types including industrial, office, mixed-use, and retail properties. With over 200 total lifetime transactions completed, he knows the questions to ask, and he can anticipate issues that might arise before they become problems so loans close quickly and seamlessly.
“Fidelity’s business model is focused on helping clients get the funding they need as easily as possible, and my job is to facilitate that process,” Steven says. 

For George Merino , real estate is the family business.
He began his career managing properties, went on to become an award-winning mortgage broker, and founded his own successful mortgage company before joining Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. Over his career, he’s closed more than $350,000,000 in loan volume. 
These days, he uses that broad experience and deep understanding of the needs and concerns of real estate investors to help clients fund their projects.
“It’s my belief that private lending is a service,” the Santa Barbara native and UC Santa Barbara graduate says. “If you’re looking for a loan, you can go to any bank. What I offer is the ability to look outside the box to offer the right solution for the client.”
George won’t back away from a challenge. He recently closed a loan on six properties in three states that had passed through three generations before the current owner sought funding. The problem? Ownership was never transferred over all that time. George had to unravel a complex line of heirs, who by then had married and divorced several times over, and he did it all and closed the deal by the three-week deadline he was given.
“Some people might have given up,” he says. “But I knew there was a way to get it done.”

When a borrower’s needs fall outside the scope of Fidelity’s loan products, Tom Preston is the man to see.
A veteran of the banking and lending industry with more than 30 years of experience, Tom’s expertise spans conventional loans, private equity, owner-occupied loans, bridge loans, construction loans, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, HUD loans, and SBA loans for all asset types.
He has originated more than $800 million in loans over the course of his career.
“Fidelity’s products occupy a very important niche in the industry, but our model was never meant to service every client,” Tom says. “We added this capital markets group a year-and-a half ago so that we could provide the same high level of advisory and referral services to clients regardless of their situation and funding needs.”
A licensed stockbroker who holds a Series 7 certification, Tom was well on his way to becoming a certified financial planner when he decided to pivot. He preferred working with tangible assets.
At Fidelity Commercial Lenders, Inc. he’s able to use the advisory skills he honed over his career combined with a deep understanding of the way banks approach lending and underwriting.
Says the Cal State Fullerton graduate: “I’m able to explain the strengths and weakness of different loan products to clients so they can find the best solution for their situation and needs. My expertise also allows me to anticipate a lender’s likely receptivity, and that helps clients set up realistic expectations as they go through the process.”

For over forty years, Terry Barone has been licensed as a top executive in the real estate and finance industry. His duties have included: supervision of staff, administration, real estate brokerage, property management, property analysis, marketing, training, and underwriting of financing for clients.  
Terry is experienced, dedicated to excellence, and well regarded as a trusted advisor for commercial customers looking to refinance or buy commercial property.
To better serve, Terry Barone is currently working with Fidelity Mortgage Lenders to expand their existing loan operations by having a permanent location in Las Vegas.  Our private money firm offers flexible terms and fast approvals with minimal paperwork to select customers.

Terry is also a partner involved in a project to build a “Center for Special Needs Children” in Las Vegas. Married to a world-renowned violinist, Terry is working on publishing his second book and enjoys traveling with his wife in their spare time.

Over the eleven years prior to joining Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc., Matthew successfully closed numerous loans in all asset classes and oversaw the financing of thousands of apartments and commercial units for hundreds of millions of dollars in loan closings.
Matthew Savalas transitioned his career to commercial lending over a decade ago after working in Hollywood to raise capital and produce motion pictures. Thanks to his background working with creative artists and the backers who fund films, Matthew combines a solid understanding of complex financial situations with an ability to speak the language of both borrowers and lenders. He can successfully bridge the gap between a borrower, who sees nothing but potential in a property, and lenders, who seek to minimize risk and maximize returns, and craft a mutually satisfactory agreement.
“I enjoy the challenge of making a loan work,” Matthew says. “I listen intently and ask a lot of questions.” “Then I put together a proposal with recommendations that both the borrower and lender can relate to.”
He joined Fidelity attracted to the ease and simplicity of the company’s lending model. But he points out that just because borrowers don’t have to fill out long applications or present years of tax returns doesn’t mean his job is easy.
“Our loans are secured by the property, which simplifies the process for the borrower,” Matthew says. “But borrowers tend to see their property through a different lens. I’ve got to find the common ground that connects the borrower’s perspective with the way underwriting is done to find that common ground and close the loans on time.”

Mark Bellgraph learned the ins and outs of investment real estate as a leasing agent for multifamily properties. As a Loan Officer for Fidelity Commercial Lending, Inc. he uses his experience to make the loan process as quick, simple, and seamless as possible.
Mark’s lending experience includes refinances and fully amortized and interest-only loans for the acquisition of all types of asset classes. 
“I’m a relative newcomer to Fidelity. What most excites me about being here is the way that Fidelity makes the process easy for borrowers,” Mark says. “I’ve worked with many investors, and I know how important it is to have a responsive lender able to close a transaction and get money in the hands of the borrower quickly.”
Borrowing from Fidelity involves only a short application form. No tax returns or personal guarantees are required, and loans can close as quickly as three days.
“We offer loans from $50,000 to $20 million,” Mark says. “I work with borrowers who need $100,000 or less, which many other lenders won’t accommodate. It’s gratifying to be able to provide solutions to borrower’s real-life needs.”

Rory Cambra is a 25-year real estate and finance veteran, but he prefers to think of himself as a quarterback for his client’s financing needs.
“At the end of the day, borrowers want to get the best deal they can. It’s my job to listen to their needs and offer the Fidelity loan products that will best address their particular situation,” Rory says. “From there, it’s a matter of taking the deal over the goal line, and that’s my strong suit.”
A consistent top producer, Rory co-founded his own mortgage lending company and built it to 15 loan officers before joining Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. He grew product sales by 200% over five years, and personally closed more than $100 million in mortgage loans.
As a Loan Officer and Sales Manager responsible for the Orange County and San Diego markets, Rory especially enjoys the challenge of helping borrowers who need specialized services and products that conventional lenders can’t provide.
He prides himself on his ability to build relationships, prefers to answer his own phone, and welcomes all opportunities to meet new people, even when the interaction doesn’t lead to a deal.
As Rory puts it, “Not every interaction leads to a deal, but if a deal can be made, I’ll turn over every stone to make it happen.”

If you’re looking for a Loan Officer that understands real estate, look no further than Sarkis Kouzouian.
With his long experience in property management and his expertise as a general contractor, Sarkis can size up a property and offer a rough estimate of its value with ease.
Sarkis started his career working with his family’s property management business, and he became thoroughly familiar with single family investment properties and commercial warehouses. 
His experience with these assets is well suited to Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. and its financing sweet spots, which include non-owner-occupied properties like single-family and multi-family real estate, warehouses and light manufacturing properties, medical, office, and mixed-use properties.
An entrepreneur who has operated his own furniture manufacturing business, Sarkis also understands firsthand the concerns and issues paramount to investors. Instead of business theory, investors get real-life advice from someone who’s been through many of the same experiences. 

That warm and welcoming voice callers hear when they dial into Fidelity Mortgage Lending, Inc. belongs to Flor Rios.
Flor has been greeting callers to Fidelity for 24 years, and over that time, she’s made customer service her first priority.
“For me, customers are very important,” Flor says. “I want them to hear a friendly voice and know they’re taken care of.”
While many others have moved to automated phone systems, Fidelity had held firmly to the belief that real estate lending is a people-first business. It’s the person-to-person interaction that creates relationships and helps solve problems, and that starts from the moment a client calls.
Flor’s personality is a perfect match for that philosophy. Helping comes naturally to her. She volunteers at her daughter’s school and at her church, and she’s even been known to give a helping hand to the homeless who pass by her office window.
When it comes to her job at Fidelity, Flor simply doesn’t believe in taking messages. She makes it her business to connect callers with a team member who can help them immediately. 
“I’ll find a loan officer, someone in loan servicing, or another team member who can help,” she says. “Our clients expect that kind of service, and I wouldn’t want them to get anything less.”

One look at her credentials, and it’s clear that Elizabeth Tellez is fully committed to helping her clients.
The Loan Servicing Specialist holds a real estate license, a NMLS (Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System) license, and a Notary license in addition to her 20 years of loan servicing experience.
Though the credentials aren’t required for her primary duties, Elizabeth took on the additional education to better understand client needs and address their concerns as efficiently as possible.
Since she joined Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc., Elizabeth has worked with borrowers to service and expedite loans and with investors to provide the information they need to make informed decisions.
She puts a priority on taking calls immediately (“I never call back. I handle any issues right away,” she says) and communicating clearly and directly.
“Fidelity is known for the ease and simplicity of its lending business model, and loan servicing is an integral part of that process,” Elizabeth says. 

Raquel Miller will tell you that staying organized is the key to her success.
As a Staff Accountant at Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. she handles accounts payable, processes expense reports, and takes care of other accounting needs.
Most important, Raquel is charged with making sure all payments go out on time or sooner, so a lot of people are depending on her.
She takes pride in keeping her filing system up-to-date and well-organized and in her diligence at posting payments in a timely manner.
“I work closely with the salespeople, escrow, and loan servicing, Raquel says. “A lot of what we do is routine, but that’s not always the case, so it’s really important that we’re all on the same page when it comes to issuing payments.

Chris Witucki has spent 37 years in the finance industry and now puts all of that experience to work as Escrow Officer at Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc.
As the saying goes, “Close only counts in horseshoes,” and Chris must make certain that documents aren’t just close enough. They must be absolutely error free.
“I learned to be very detail-oriented as a loan processor, and I draw on that experience every day,” Chris says. “My experience gives me a leg up, but when you’re shepherding the final leg of a deal as you do in escrow, there’s really no room for error.”
Chris and the other escrow officers at Fidelity all have the benefit of experience to guide them through the process. But Fidelity’s growth has also created a need to systematize processes like escrow so that the company can continue to deliver professional, error-free documents. Chris has taken the lead on that front.
“We’re working on a manual and producing checklists to make the process absolutely bullet proof,” Chris says. “It’s part of our commitment to provide clients with a simplified and quick solution for their financing needs.”

Khrystyna embraces challenges with enthusiasm.
Give her a problem to solve, a strategy to implement, a project to organize, or a team to build and she attacks it with gusto.
“I am a dedicated advocate for both clients and team,” Khrystyna says. “My experience has taught me to persist in the face of challenges.”
As Executive Assistant to the President at Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc. Khrystyna employs her knowledge and understanding of real estate and finance to support the sales and loan servicing team and fine-tune systems and processes with a focus on customer service.
Khrystyna began her professional journey in the field of real estate as an agent in New York City, following her studies in environmental engineering. Her interest in design and construction led her to accept a position at a small, but well-regarded real estate brokerage, where she gained valuable experience in various aspects of the industry, including sales, marketing and administration.
Upon relocating to Los Angeles, Khrystyna assumed the role of a loan officer for a private lending company. Throughout her tenure, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills by devising and implementing technologically advanced solutions, and designing programs to elevate the customer experience.
“I am comfortable with taking on different tasks and I am constantly seeking opportunities to expand my knowledge and skills,” says Khrystyna.