$6.8B+
9,235+
15+
4.8 / 5
100%

Built on expertise. 

Driven by partnership.

Our goal is to help our customers thrive in a competitive industry. Our team understands the importance of individual client needs, visions, and expectations. By prioritizing our customers and building strong and lasting partnerships, our team strives to make the funding process simple, smooth, and efficient. We add value beyond lending by openly sharing our knowledge and experience.
Home Renovation Success Private Lending

A team with a proven track record.

With over $6 billion in loans provided to customers just like you, Center Street stands as one of the leading lenders for residential value-add and bridge investors across the U.S.

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Loans Provided to Customers Like You
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Projects Funded
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Years in Business
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On Google Reviews
Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies
2025
Great Places to Work Certified
2024 / 2025
Bigger Pockets Featured Lender
2022 / 2023 / 2024
Scotsman Guide Featured Lender
2022 / 2023 / 2024 / 2025

What do we mean by Smarter Loans for Residential Investors?

“Intelligence is knowing a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad.”

Rates matter in real estate, but wise investors know success takes more than price alone.

Smooth Process

The fastest way forward is a clean, predictable process. Smooth eliminates friction, delays, and surprises.

Made-to-Fit Solutions

Customized loan product structures that fit your business model, not a one-size-fits-all template.

Always In-House

We underwrite and service every loan ourselves. 
Tighter coordination, faster answers, and no handoffs.

Reliable Fund Control

Dedicated fund disbursement team ensures transparency and confidence throughout your project lifecycle.

Total Client Care

Concierge-level communication with direct access to decision-makers with no call centers or runaround.

Meet Your Center Street Team

We would be nothing without our experienced team who is personally invested in every customer experience. We're focused on your success for the life of your loans.

Our Executive Team

Stephen Couig
Chief Executive Officer
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Stephen Couig
Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Couig is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Center Street Lending and Manager of Center Street Lending Management. Previously, he was President of Capital Pacific Holdings’ residential development business, overseeing billions in property acquisitions and driving significant revenue and profit growth. Mr. Couig also served as Executive Vice President at Troon Golf and worked in Morgan Stanley’s Equity Capital Markets Division. He holds an MBA from The Amos Tuck School at Dartmouth College and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. Mr. Couig is a board member of the Southern California Gold Chapter of Young Presidents Organization (YPOG).

Ece Bennett
Chief Financial Officer
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Ece Bennett
Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Bennett is the Chief Financial Officer of Center Street Lending, responsible for finance, accounting, and treasury operations. With over 20 years of investment banking and corporate finance experience, she has arranged over $5 billion in transactions, including debt and equity financings for Fortune 500 companies. Ms. Bennett holds a BA in Business Administration from Bosphorus University and an MBA from DePaul University.

Sherif Hashem
Chief Revenue Officer
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Sherif Hashem
Chief Revenue Officer

Mr. Hashem is the Chief Revenue Officer at Center Street Lending, leading the sales and marketing teams. With a decade of experience in lending, technology, and banking, he previously led Kiavi’s sales team, driving over $350M in monthly origination volume. Mr. Hashem combines revenue growth with disciplined lending, leveraging his expertise in real estate markets. He holds a BS in Finance from San Francisco State University.

Egan Park
EVP of Capital Markets
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Egan Park
Executive Vice President of Capital Markets

Mr. Park is the Executive Vice President of Capital Markets at Center Street Lending, overseeing secondary markets and post-close operations. With experience at Conventus Holding Corp. and 5 Arch Funding Corp., Mr. Park has managed warehouse facilities and loan trading. Earlier in his career, he worked at Countrywide Securities and on subprime trade desks. Mr. Park holds a BA in Economics from the University of Michigan and an MS in Management Information Systems from the University of Arizona.

Nicholas Froman
SVP of Innovation
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Nicholas Froman
Senior Vice President of Innovation

Mr. Froman serves as VP of Innovation at Center Street Lending, where he leads data and systems strategy to support enterprise growth and operational excellence. With a background in management consulting and technology implementation, he has overseen complex digital transformation initiatives across key sectors including financial services, manufacturing, and utilities. At Center Street, Mr. Froman has driven the development of data infrastructure and reporting frameworks that enhance decision-making across the organization. He began his career designing national-scale education initiatives for the Boy Scouts of America and holds dual degrees in Finance and Marketing Management from The University of Alabama.

Christa Carey
Director of Underwriting
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Christa Carey
Director of Underwriting

Ms. Carey is the Director of Underwriting at Center Street Lending, where she has been since 2014. She oversees underwriting and construction teams, focusing on training and development to ensure smooth loan closings and efficient draw processes. Previously, Ms. Carey worked in client relations and loan document quality control for a nationwide signing company.

Luis Montero
Asset Manager
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Luis Montero
Asset Manager

Mr. Montero is the Asset Manager at Center Street Lending, overseeing reporting, analytics, collections, foreclosures, REO, and loss mitigation. He previously managed foreclosure and REO liquidations at Carrington Mortgage Services and held leadership roles in foreclosure operations at Executive Trustee Services and LRC. Mr. Montero holds a bachelor’s degree from Universidad San Martin in Lima, Peru.

Diana Smith
Loan Servicing Manager
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Diana Smith
Loan Servicing Manager

Ms. Smith is the Loan Servicing Manager at Center Street Lending, with 20+ years of experience in servicing, portfolio management, and reporting. She has held senior roles at Banc of California, Pacific Mercantile Bank, and Lehman Brothers, and is known for driving efficiency through strong analytics and system expertise.

Our Loan Origination Team

Here to serve you and get your deal to the closing table.
Austin Steedman
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 828-0683
Send me an email
Jeremiah Wiedman
Vice President of Lending
(949) 269-2694
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Erik Brown
Senior Vice President, Lending
(949) 656-7309
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Tanner Podres
Senior Loan Origination Manager
(949) 696-5670
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Robert Newcomer
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 404-1185
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Harrison Yu
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 676-2582
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Max Woodyard
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 776- 8319
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Kevin Braga
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 658-3069
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Justin Wollmershauser
Senior Loan Origination Manager
(949) 430-0769
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Sean Burbidge
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 829-4944
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Michael Price
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 656-8273
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Kara Armstrong
Loan Origination Manager
(980) 351-4980
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Angie Allen
Loan Origination Manager
(949) 919-5673
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Zac Miller
Loan Origination Manager
(786) 305-3858
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Ryan St. John
Senior Loan Origination Manager
(949) 336-5747
Send me an email
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