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.”

John MacLean is the Executive Vice President of Fidelity Mortgage Lenders, Inc., and heads up the Company’s Loan Origination, Loan Servicing and Escrow Departments. John is a 25-year banking executive and has funded in excess of $1.5B of commercial, multifamily, bridge and construction loans.
Prior to joining Fidelity, John was SVP of Commercial Real Estate Banking at Banc of California for 5-years and held the position of Executive Director/Senior Loan Consultant, for JPMorgan Chase’s Commercial Term Lending Division for over 10 years. John also held several Senior Management positions in Loan Servicing for over a decade with Washington Mutual Bank and Home Savings of America and was also involved in selling and securitizing thousands of SFR and Commercial loan portfolios.
John received his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, at San Diego State University and has been a Licensed Real Estate Broker since 1993. He is active in his community and served on the Board of Directors of Habit for Humanity for 12 years and is currently an Assistant Scout Master, for the Boy Scouts of America. John is married with three teenagers and lives in Westlake Village, CA.

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.”

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.

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.”

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.”

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.”

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.

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. 

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.”

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.