MEET THE TEAM

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Michael Bennett
CEO/Owner

Michael grew up in Danville, CA and moved to AZ in 1994. He graduated in 2005 from the W.P. Carey School of Business with a BS in Real Estate. Michael started working for Brown Equity, LLC in 2011, under his long-time friend (and best man) Kyle Brown. Kyle later sold the company to Michael in 2015, who then gave B.E. Lending its start. Prior to this, Michael worked as a VP of Sales at Trinan Commercial and operated the BMC Capital Phoenix branch. Michael has personally arranged over $250M in debt and real estate transactions and brings over 13 years of fund management, lending and real estate sales experience to the company. 

Understanding the importance of investing in our communities, Michael is involved with the Arizona Children's Business Fair and the Surge Network. He's also a member of Camelback Society and serves at New City Church.

Kyle founded Brown Equity, LLC, a hard money lending company, in 2007. Brown Equity originated hundred of loans and successfully fix-and-flipped thousands of properties. After selling the company, Kyle continues as an active board member and investors with B.E. Lending. 

Kyle Brown
Board Member/Investor

LOAN ORIGINATORS

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Karen Causseaux
Residential MLO Director

Karen grew up in Puyallup, WA and went on to attend and graduate from Central Washington University with a degree in Exercise Physiology. Karen moved to Arizona in 2004 to be closer to family.

In 2013, Karen joined Brown Equity, LLC (now, B.E. Lending). She brings well over 10 years of experience in real estate, sales and finance to the team. She spearheads our investor network support, designing creative capital solutions for real estate investments. 

When Karen's not working, you can usually find on an outdoor adventure or just simply hanging out with friends and family. Her top priorities are God, church and family. 

Ranette Oliver
Business Development Dir., MLO

Ranette grew up in California where she found her high school sweetheart who became her husband in 1998. They moved to Arizona in 2003 for college and career opportunities. Today, they have a beautiful family with five children.

Before joining the B.E. Team, Ranette, licensed Realtor, worked closely with B.E. Lending for three years, as the company's exclusive, in-house Wholesaler. In 2018, she obtained her MLO license and joined the lending side of the business. Her 15+ years experience in business development, finance, and leadership adds great value to the B.E. Sales Team. 

When Ranette isn't finding deals and originating loans, you'll likely find her with friends and family at the beach or some hip restaurant.

Isaiah Kinzer
Loan Originator

​Isaiah Kinzer grew up in Taylor Falls, MN alongside seven siblings and relocated to Arizona for a job opportunity. He graduated from University of Phoenix in 2012 with a BS in Business Management. 

Isaiah came aboard the B.E. Team in early 2015, bringing over eight years of business development experience to the team. He is our go-to for all commercial investment deals and out-of-state originations.

When Isaiah isn't brokering and originating unique deals, you can probably find him hitting far-off, snowy slopes on some skis, with his beautiful, new wife, or spending time with friends and family. He also enjoys leading Bible study groups.

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Rene Henney
Senior Loan Closer

Rene is a proud Arizona native (who is biased in favor of the East Valley). Prior to her dive into unconventional hard money, she spent 21 years within Conventional Finance, working as a Processor, Closer, and everything in between. Also having held the role of department manager, Rene brings extensive finance and management experience to the B.E. Lending team.
 
Rene is passionate about her faith and family. When she is not closing hard money loans at B.E. Lending, you can find her hanging out with them, probably having a game night or camping at the Mogollon Rim. Rene recently married, so her family of three (she and her two sons) has grown to seven! The more, the merrier!

Alison Gile
Senior Loan Processor

Alison is an Arizona native who lives on acreage in Chandler, AZ with her husband and three young children (two of whom are boy-and-girl twins).

Alison holds an MLO license in Arizona and a decade of experience in conventional financing (loan originating and processing). She found her place in conventional mortgage after closing the doors to her day spa, where she worked as a massage therapist and employed a large team for eight years. Alison brings strong leadership and industry experience to the B.E. Team.

When Alison isn't processing hard money loans, you can likely find her with her family at their cabin in Forest Lake, AZ.