MEET THE TEAM!
Michael Bennett
CEO / Fund Manager
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.
Recognizing the paramount importance of investing in our communities, Michael is actively engaged with the Arizona Children's Business Fair and the Surge Network. Together with his wife, he cherishes their role as parents to three beautiful children while also being dedicated members of New City Church. This dynamic duo not only participates in impactful mission trips but also dedicates their time to local community initiatives. Notably, Michael is a distinguished member of the Camelback Society in Phoenix, AZ.
Executive Team
Karen Causseux
C.O.O.
Karen Causseaux, after graduating from Central Washington University, began her career in real estate in 2005. As a licensed realtor, she managed a large portfolio of rentals as well as bought and sold numerous investment properties. During the 2008 economic recession, Karen briefly shifted her career focus towards the medical field. Karen returned to real estate and joined B.E. Lending in 2013. She brings over twelve years of experience in real estate, sales, and finance. Since joining the team, she personally originated and structured over $200M residential and commercial loans. Karen has been featured in numerous workshops and seminars to share her knowledge and expertise with the local real estate community. Karen is now the Front Office Chief Operating Officer at B.E. Lending overseeing B.E. Lending’s production and loan portfolio.
When Karen's not working, you can usually find her on an outdoor adventure or just simply hanging out with friends and family. Her top priorities are God, church and family.
Ryan Beglin
C.F.O.
Ryan graduated from Pepperdine University in 2005 with a degree in Finance. He worked in commercial banking for Wells Fargo before founding a sourcing and manufacturing company headquartered in Shanghai, China. Working to procure products and streamline manufacturing operations around the globe, Ryan partnered with some of the largest retailers in the world including Walmart, Costco, and LVMH.
​After a decade in international business, Ryan joined B.E Lending in 2018 as COO. Currently, he functions as CFO and oversees business operations and the investment portfolio of the Fund.
Christine McCormick
Executive Assistant
Christine is the Executive Assistant to the CEO. She provides support to the executive leadership team, manages select special projects, and handles the B.E. office management.
Christine, a 2nd generation Arizona native, graduated from Northern Arizona University. She married her high school sweetheart, Chad, in 2005 and they have 3 children. After 14 years of “home management” and raising little ones, Christine found her way back into the working world using her organizational skills to assist the B.E. team.
Outside of work you will likely find Christine driving her kids to actives or sitting at one of their sports games. Otherwise, she enjoys spending time at home with her family, hanging at the beach, or at Disneyland.
Sales and Marketing Team
Ranette Oliver
Director Of Sales & Business Development
Scott Becker
Loan Originator
Isaiah Kinzer
Loan Originator
John Abbitt
Marketing Director
​Ranette grew up in California and moved to Arizona in 2003 for college and career opportunities. Today, she has a beautiful family of five children.
Before joining the B.E. Team, Ranette, a 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 of 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.
​Scott Becker grew up in Zambia, Southern Africa alongside 2 older brothers, and moved State side in 2010 for College. He graduated in 2013 with a BS in Business Management, and lived in Oregon until 2022 when he, his wife, and 2 kids moved to Phoenix.
Scott joined the B. E. Team in mid - 2022, bringing over 8 years of sales and business development experience to the team. He is a great value add to the sales team and underwriting department.
When Scott isn’t finding and analyzing deals, you can find him adventuring outdoors with his wife and kids. He is always looking for reasons to be outside, from hiking, free riding, sports, and playing with his kids, to woodworking. ​
Isaiah grew up 1 hr north of the Twin Cities, MN. He is the 5th of eight kids, or "Captain" of team B. He moved to Phoenix in 2006 and graduated from the University of Phoenix with a bachelor's degree in business management in 2012. He joined the B.E. Lending team on March 2, 2015, bringing 11 years of sales and business development experience. He loves analyzing deals and working with borrowers to find creative solutions to challenges that can arise in real estate projects to help bring the client's deal through the finish line.
Isaiah is married with a 2-year-old daughter and will soon add a little boy to the mix, so he and his wife Haley have their hands full. He grew up an avid downhill skier and loves to get away to the mountains to ski when he has some free time.
John Abbitt grew up in Phoenix Arizona and was the oldest of three brothers. Growing up he was very involved in his local church, helping run ministries and leading worship on the weekends. He ran marketing for multiple businesses in college and spent a few years working in the real estate industry as an analyst and licensed agent.
John joined the B.E. Team in early 2023 bringing 5 years of marketing and real estate experience together to the company.
When John isn't working on building our marketing campaigns you can usually find him on the golf course or going on weekend trips with his wife.
Processing Team
Alison Gile
Senior Loan Processor
Alison is an Arizona native living in Chandler, AZ with her husband and three young children.
Before joining the B.E. Lending family, Alison worked for nearly a decade in conventional home financing (originating & processing) and brings strong leadership and industry experience to the B.E. Team.
When she isn't processing hard money loans, you will likely find Alison and her family cooling off in the high country at their cabin in Forest Lakes, Arizona!
Rene Henney
Senior Loan Closer
Rene is a proud Arizona native (Born and Raised) !!! 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. Rene is married to her best friend and together they have 5 kids, 3 daughters in law and 2 grandkids. Her family is her entire world and when she is not closing loans at BE Lending, she is likely hanging out with them, probably having a game night or camping at the Mogollon Rim.
Shelley Branam
Controller
Shelley grew up just outside of Farmington, NM and moved to Arizona as a child. Married for over 35 years, she and her husband have one grown daughter (all three are graduates of Arizona State University). She is fortunate that her accounting career has introduced her to a variety of industries including public accounting, church, restaurant, mortgage and real estate.
Shelley joined B.E. Lending in 2023 as the financial Controller and is enjoying the challenge. Her favorite things to do in her spare time are reading, running and hanging out with her family.
