Meet Our Team
At LendFriend, we take our name literally. Planning on applying for a home loan? Meet the people who will help you through the process and be your real-life lend friends!
Eric Bernstein
PRESIDENT AND CO-FOUNDER
NMLS #1486987
Eric epitomizes energy, hard work, and creative service in every detail of his client’s transactions. Savvy negotiations and cutting-edge strategies join uncompromising integrity as the hallmarks of Eric’s service. He has a long record of successfully guiding hundreds of local, national, and multinational clients with their mortgage transactions.
“The best part of my job is getting to know my clients on a personal level and helping them achieve one of life’s greatest milestones, becoming a homeowner or investor. My goal is to provide a seamless mortgage experience to every one of my clients. It’s a privilege to lead my talented and dedicated team here at LendFriend.”


Michael Bernstein
DIVISIONAL MANAGER AND CO-FOUNDER
NMLS #1588184
Mike is committed to LendFriend providing top notch, white-glove service for its clients, agent partners, and transactional third parties. Mike has extensive experience in facilitating headache-free, on-time loan closings. An educator and helper on all things “home loans”, Mike taps into his marketing and customer service background to easily communicate some of the most difficult loan concepts to first time homebuyers and advocate the benefits of working with LendFriend.
“Never hesitate to pick up the phone and dial my number, that’s my mantra. I have an open-phone policy for friends, colleagues, clients and partners and it helps me achieve my goal of leading a stress-free, dare I say “fun” mortgage experience. Together we can go far, and I strongly believe that having a team mentality is the best way to succeed!”

Kyle Richardson
RETAIL BRANCH MANAGER
NMLS #863464
“I absolutely love what I do! Helping people fulfill their dreams of home-ownership is such an amazing experience to be involved in. Whether helping a first time home buyer or seasoned investor, we want to make sure people see us as trusted advisors with their real estate and financing needs. That is achieved through committed excellence in customer service and well and unparalleled knowledge of the industry.”


Max Liporace
Director Of Strategy

Max Liporace
Director Of Strategy
NMLS# 2071783
max@lendfriendhomeloans.com Max Liporace
Max has a passion for executing and delivering successful transactions, especially when those transactions allow parties from different backgrounds or industries to align on the same objective and create a win-win for all parties. Max focuses on bringing value to our partners, whether that may be advertising firms, builders, charities and brokerages, and executing LendFriend’s growth strategy so LendFriend can provide customers in new markets across the US with the same level of service that LendFriend’s existing customer base enjoys every day.
“LendFriend is a special place that believes in white-glove service without the white glove price. A blend of approachability, transparency, reliability, and affordability is why our customers and partners choose LendFriend over any other mortgage company. Here at LendFriend, we feel it is our responsibility to ensure that anyone who chooses LendFriend understands that they are working with a company that wants to see them succeed, which is why we strive every day to provide the most possible value to our customers and partners.”

Greg Davis
Director Of Business Development

Greg Davis
Director Of Business Development
NMLS# 1550178
greg@lendfriendhomeloans.com Greg Davis
Greg is responsible for sourcing and managing strategic partnerships with high caliber real estate agents, loan officers, builders, and businesses to better serve our mutual clients. Greg believes that a rising tide lifts all ships, and his goal is to help LendFriend, and their partners and colleagues reach new heights of success. An avid advocate of Austin’s food scene and lover of surfing, you can usually find Greg wake surfing on Lake Travis or checking out a new restaurant in his free time.
“Helping our team and partners succeed is my passion. LendFriend strives to be a resource to our clients for all of their real estate needs and, therefore, partnering with a great network of real estate professionals is a must. Throughout my years in the mortgage industry, I’ve learned and built upon proven business practices and marketing strategies that I am excited to share with our future partners to better service and provide the best value to LendFriend’s customer base.”

Mike Aloise
Strategic Partnership Executive

Mike Aloise
Strategic Partnership Executive
NMLS# 1805894
maloise@lendfriendhomeloans.com Mike Aloise
Mike’s commitment to excellence shows in every aspect of his work. Mike is responsible for helping LendFriend recruit new loan originators from across the country. Mike’s prior experience as a loan originator at LendFriend gives him a unique experience and allows him to explain how LendFriend enables loan originators to be more efficient and grow their business better than any other mortgage lender.
“Forever finding my next challenge, I have a knack for taking the road less traveled. I enjoy helping others turn their difficulties into triumphs whenever possible. While I pride myself on being an extremely hard worker, I thoroughly enjoy kicking back on Lake Travis!”

Emily Sultan
Director of Production

Emily Sultan
Director of Production
NMLS# 974905
emily@lendfriendhomeloans.com Emily Sultan
As Director of Loan Production, Emily plays a key role in managing the loan production for LendFriend Home Loans, managing over $100 million dollars in annual fundings each year. Emily has held positions as both a loan originator & processor over the course of her career in the mortgage industry since 2009. Her passion lies in solving complex loans & finding a solution to help every customer achieve their dream of homeownership. Emily is very patient and loves helping first-time home buyers.
“Buying a home is a very emotional experience for most people. Most of the time, buying a home comes with major life changes, whether that be a new job, a child, or moving across state lines. I love being a part of that person’s experience.”

Drew Messer
Director of Production

Drew Messer
Director of Production
NMLS# 2186567
drew@lendfriendhomeloans.com Drew Messer
Helping others has always been a passion of Drew’s. With an education background in occupational therapy and several years in the healthcare field, Drew has helped people going through major life moments. Though no longer in the medical profession, Drew still finds great joy in helping people through major life moments - purchasing or refinancing their home. As a Director of Production for LendFriend, Drew is committed to making the process from contract to close as smooth as possible, while providing valuable information along the way. When not working, Drew enjoys spending time with his wife, Shayna, and dogs, Oakley and Grizzly. Other interests include golfing, craft cocktail making, traveling, and anything outdoors.
“My favorite part about being a lender is client education and empowerment. I strongly believe that every client, whether they are making their first home purchase or tenth home purchase, should receive quality education along the way and have a full understanding of what goes into the lending process. Transparency is key, and that’s what we pride ourselves on.”

Rebecca King
Loan Originator

Rebecca King
Loan Originator
NMLS# 1233393
rebecca@lendfriendhomeloans.com Rebecca King
As a Native Texan with over 10 years of mortgage origination experience, my knowledge of the real estate market and lending options allows me to provide personalized solutions to meet the unique needs of each client. Whether you are a first-time home buyer or seasoned investor, I am committed to guiding you through the mortgage process with transparency and professionalism. When I am not helping clients accomplish their dream of homeownership, I enjoy spending time with my daughter, Lexi, and our pets or working on my own personal land development.

Brandon Cox
Loan Originator

Brandon Cox
Loan Originator
NMLS# 1795704
brandon@lendfriendhomeloans.com Brandon Cox
Brandon joined LendFriend in 2020 after working in sales and customer service in the oil and gas industry. He lives by a "customer first" mentality and dedicates his time to being a resource throughout the home buying journey for all his clients. Brandon is known in the industry for his work ethic, which he credits to the foundation instilled in him as a former NCAA collegiate athlete. When Brandon isn’t coming into the office before sunrise or leaving after sunset to help clients buy their dream homes, you can find him on the baseball field or the gym.
"I love being part of a team that shares my “people first” mentality. Whether you're working with myself, a production manager, processor or underwriter, everyone at LendFriend shares the same goal of putting our clients' needs first. "

Helgaard Muller
Loan Originator

Helgaard Muller
Loan Originator
NMLS# 2086833
helgaard@lendfriendhomeloans.com Helgaard Muller
Helgaard, a native of South Africa, came to the US to pursue his lifetime obsession with golf, but when he fell short of joining the tour, he realized a new passion - helping individuals achieve their dreams of homeownership. Helgaard took what he learned on and off the course, especially keeping your cool in the face of adversity, to help his clients to get the home they want with the mortgage they want. You will find that working with Helgaard is like working with a lifelong friend. Helgaard is personable, occasionally funny and loves educating his clients on available mortgage options that fit their personal needs.
“Buying a home is stressful enough without having to worry about your financing options. The most significant part of my job is to make the financing of your home stress-free, so you can focus on the fun stuff.”

Chelsea Sweatman
Loan Originator

Chelsea Sweatman
Loan Originator
NMLS# 1831528
chelsea@lendfriendhomeloans.com Chelsea Sweatman
Chelsea has been a key member of the LendFriend team since the beginning. As one of the first employees and a true team player, Chelsea has played multiple parts within LendFriend, which has turned her into an extremely well-rounded and knowledgeable mortgage professional. Before joining LendFriend, Chelsea was no stranger to the finance world, working as a financial advisor and then in personal banking. Chelsea enjoys crunching the numbers and using her mortgage expertise to provide customers with a great deal and a seamless process. A native Texan and third-generation Austinite, Chelsea loves her hometown of Austin, and when she’s not in the office, you can find her hanging out at Lady Bird Lake or searching the local music venues to get her fix of live jazz.
“I love having the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with individuals by helping them purchase their dream home. The purchasing of a home is a milestone in our clients lives, and I take a lot of pride in working for a company that understands the need to make sure our clients are cared for throughout the home buying process.”

Randon Casey
Loan Originator

Randon Casey
Loan Originator
NMLS# 1528615
randon@lendfriendhomeloans.com Randon Casey
Randon comes to LendFriend with over a decade in loan origination experience. Randon’s ability to simplify the home loan process for his clients is why he’s been able to win the prestigious “Circle of Excellence” award each of the last 4 years. Randon prides himself on being able to structure loans in a way that other industry professionals may overlook, allowing him to help thousands of homeowners purchase and refinance homes.
“Buying or refinancing your home is a huge decision, and it’s my honor to help you make the process simple, no matter how complex your situation may be. Each of my customers receives the attention they deserve from start to finish.”

Brooke Peters
Loan Originator

Brooke Peters
Loan Originator
NMLS# 1996765
brooke@lendfriendhomeloans.com Brooke Peters
Brooke is a bright addition to the LendFriend team of mortgage loan originators. As a psychology major turned mortgage loan originator, she attributes her success in business and in life to her ability to connect with people. She strives to build trust and genuine relationships with each of her clients and will spend the time to truly get to know you and your goals. Brooke’s midwestern hospitality is rooted in her small-town upbringing; a warm and positive attitude that is a direct reflection of her understanding that no single approach is “the right one” when it comes to the mortgage process.
“I believe a mortgage is about helping clients achieve their financial goals and building relationships – not just a transaction. Taking the time to learn about their goals and just being a part of the process from start to finish is incredibly rewarding.”

Jon Andreoni
Branch Manager

Jon Andreoni
Branch Manager
NMLS# 794219
jon@lendfriendhomeloans.com Jon Andreoni
As Branch Manager, Jonathan plays a key role in managing the loan production for LendFriend Home Loans, managing over $100 million dollars in annual fundings each year. His dedication to his work is evident to any borrower that has the pleasure of working with Jonathan. Over the last 13 years in the financial services industry, Jonathan has experience in a wide variety of segments in the industry but found his passion in assisting home buyers in 2014. A Las Vegas native, Jonathan found a new home in Austin, where he has lived the last five years. When he is not assisting homeowners, he loves spending time with his wife, Jessica, and dog Miley.
“The most satisfying part of my job is when a borrower tells me that their loan process with LendFriend was much easier and less stressful than they could have ever imagined! That’s when I know I’ve done my job well!”

Ashley Long
Partnership Representative

Ashley Long
Partnership Representative
NMLS#
ashley@lendfriendhomeloans.com Ashley Long
Ashley comes to LendFriend with a background in event planning. Ashley leverages one of her greatest strengths, being able to bring people together, to help form partnerships between LendFriend and local realtors, builders, and organizations. As the wife of a veteran and firefighter, Ashley appreciates how LendFriend goes above and beyond to promote homeownership for veterans and community heroes.
Ashley is also involved in several real estate professional organizations. Through her work as Treasurer of the Women’s Council of Realtors Austin Network and her work in the AREAA Austin Chapter, she helps her realtor partners and other network members achieve their goals through community outreach and service.
“Realtors love working with LendFriend because of the great service we provide our mutual clients as well as the commitment LendFriend has to helping grow their business. I love working for LendFriend because LendFriend is a company that cares about its clients, partners, community, and employees, which is extremely rare.”

Bailey Davis
Business Development Associate

Bailey Davis
Business Development Associate
NMLS# 2314132
bailey@lendfriendhomeloans.com Bailey Davis
Bailey joined the Business Development Team at LendFriend after a stint on the Houston Rockets Sales Team. Unfortunately, she can’t get you courtside tickets to the game, but she’s still a great resource to all her realtor partners in Houston and the surrounding areas. Bailey loves helping her current realtor partners grow their business, and she’s looking forward to building new relationships as well!
“I truly enjoy getting to connect with realtors all over Houston, and I cherish the business relationships that have blossomed into friendships.”

Morgan Cunningham
Client Experience Specialist

Morgan Cunningham
Client Experience Specialist
NMLS#
morgan@lendfriendhomeloans.com Morgan Cunningham
For Morgan, providing LendFriend’s clients with the utmost support and care comes naturally. Morgan came to LendFriend after a prior career in healthcare where she put patients’ needs above all else. Morgan applies her experiences in healthcare to make sure each LendFriend client feels as though they are receiving the best level of care possible. Morgan also works regularly with clients in LendFriend’s Heroes Program where she is still able to connect with the doctors, nurses and other frontline workers, which will always hold a special place in her heart from her time in the healthcare industry.
“One of my core beliefs is that every person deserves your best effort, attitude and attention. I feel extremely lucky to have found a company in LendFriend that shares this belief. One of our mottos at LendFriend is that “No Loan Goes Unloved” and therefore, every client feels like LendFriend is their partner in getting the deal done. It’s my responsibility to make sure that every client of LendFriend feels like they are part of the LendFamily.”

Samantha Parker
Client Experience Specialist

Samantha Parker
Client Experience Specialist
NMLS# 2127795
samantha@lendfriendhomeloans.com Samantha Parker
Sam enjoys getting to know people and helping learn their specific needs to work on a larger scale. Before working as a Customer Experience Specialist, Sam was a Production Manager at LendFriend, which gives her unique insight on how loans are qualified. Sam uses her knowledge of loan processing (and just how stressful that can be for the client) to provide an extra friendly and hands-on approach to the role of Customer Experience Specialist.
“I truly enjoy helping people turn craziness of purchasing a home into a stress-free experience. Making the journey as easy as possible for clients, realtors, and all parties involved so we can all win together!”

Rachel Muller
Branch Marketing Manager

Rachel Muller
Branch Marketing Manager
NMLS#
rachel@lendfriendhomeloans.com Rachel Muller
With over a decade of experience helping companies find creative ways to market themselves to the public, Rachel joined LendFriend in 2020 after working in the hospitality industry. Although newer to the mortgage industry, she brings years of creativity and top-notch customer service experience to LendFriend. She is passionate about sharing the importance of working with a lender who ensures that clients are educated and well taken care of every step of the way.
"I love being a part of a team that always puts their client's needs first. Purchasing a home can be intimidating, and our team will explain each step of the process so our clients feel comfortable and supported when making impactful decisions."