Company Directory

Wayne Jean founded Bedford Lending in 1991 and has grown the company from a small full-service lender into a recognized national leader in the mortgage banking industry. He has over 25 years of mortgage banking and investment banking experience. Mr. Jean oversees company-wide operations and is responsible for developing new loan programs to meet changing market demands.

Before starting Bedford Lending, Mr. Jean was founder and CEO of New England Resolutions, an Investment Banking Company formed to negotiate settlements and develop turnaround strategies for businesses that were negatively impacted by the failed banks in the 80's. Mr. Jean secured millions of dollars and successfully choreographed over 80 debt settlements, resulting in saving thousands of jobs in New England.

Before New England Resolutions, Mr. Jean worked as a Senior Commercial Lender for a regional bank in New England. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of New England.

Mr. Jean is a board member for several companies and is an active speaker on multifamily and commercial real estate finance for several professional organizations.

Charles S. Reese has over thirty years of extensive lending, workout and executive management experience. He is a former President & CEO of a regional bank and CFO of a transportation company.

Mr. Reese has dedicated his career to providing financial support and consultation to a myriad of businesses both large and small in a variety of industries. He has extensive experience in both origination and backroom services having served as a Senior Lending Officer, Loan Servicing Manager, Compliance Officer, Housing Finance Agency Liaison, and SBA Certified Lender.

After joining Bedford Lending Corp., Mr. Reese initiated the company's move into the health care industry and has underwritten and placed the company's Wall Street and HUD health care mortgage business. This experience in the heath care industry lead the company to receiving its approval as a HUD Multi-family Accelerated Processing (MAP) Lender. Mr. Reese is an approved MAP underwriter.

Mr. Reese's expertise spans the full spectrum of project finance, including skilled nursing home substantial rehabilitation, acquisition and refinance, new assisted living and low-income residential care facility construction, historical property renovation, and apartment building acquisition, substantial renovation and construction.

Mr. Reese also has an extensive workout background, having traveled throughout the US in the early 1980's overseeing the resolution of a number of financially distressed loan situations. He briefly served as chief operating and financial officer of a transportation company where he successfully navigated the company through the Chapter 11 Bankruptcy process.

He has also served as an instructor of both undergraduate and graduate level Management and Economic courses at a local college.

Mr. Reese holds a BA from Bethany College and a MBA from Rivier College. In addition, he received the Norman T. Shepard Outstanding Student Award at the Williams School of Banking.

Ms. Jean has been involved in all aspects of commercial financing including structuring, originating and underwriting. She has extensive experience in structuring complex affordable housing transactions and has been instrumental in the preservation and recapitalization of numerous Section 202 and 236 projects throughout the country. She works closely with clients developing strategies to maximize the benefits of the HUD financing programs. She also has considerable experience with funding the acquisition, refinance, new construction and substantial rehabilitation of market rate apartments, nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Ms. Jean also serves on Bedford Lending’s Senior Loan Committee and is the company’s chief compliance officer. Prior to joining Bedford Lending in 2003, Ms. Jean spent 10 years working in the Non- Profit sector.

She holds a BA from New Hampshire College and a Master's degree from Boston University.

Joe Carmen, CPA, MBA has funded over a billion dollars of affordable housing, healthcare and multifamily transactions. Joe's client first focus, creativity, and ability to simplify complexities allows him to fund many transactions other banks and investors pass on. Joe is the former president of NHC's Young Leadership Committee and is on the board of several non-profit organizations. Prior to joining Bedford, Joe worked as an auditor for both Ernst and Young and Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Joe is a sought after speaker at many affordable housing conferences and runs an active affordable housing blog.
Contact Joe at 603-637-4684.

Kyle Jean heads the prequalification and client relations division of Bedford Lending. He works with clients and developers from around the country to analyze prospective projects and manage active deals currently in processing. Kyle also works closely with underwriters to provide support and analyses, and is securing his formal MAP and LEAN Underwriter certification in the near future.

Additionally, Kyle provides support to our network of originators to help them cultivate deals, and built both our internal custom client-management database and public website.

Kyle holds a BA in Political Science from the University of New Hampshire.

Mr. Castagna brings with him nearly thirty years of experience in the commercial real estate finance industry. He has worked with both small and middle market sponsors and focuses on healthcare and multifamily origination under Bedford’s direct FHA programs.

Prior to joining Bedford Lending, Paul originated in both the wholesale and retail markets for Leadenhall Lime, Aetna Capital and Marcus & Millichap.

Mr. Gaudette is responsible for assisting in all aspects of loan origination analysis, performing due diligence research, developing marketing materials and maintaining client and investor relationships. He is currently enrolled in a Commercial Real Estate Development program and will be pursuing his CCIM designation.

David Opalek has over 20 years of real estate finance experience with an extensive background in the affordable sector.  Prior to joining Bedford Lending, he worked at Love Funding in 2014, and he spent 10 years originating loans and managing relationships in the Mortgage Banking services division at Red Capital Group where he closed over $2 billion in FHA and agency financing transactions.  Prior to his tenure at Red Capital Group, Mr. Opalek worked for Banc One in their Corporate Trust Department where he focused on multifamily housing bonds.

In addition to his extensive mortgage banking experience, Mr. Opalek has been instrumental in developing new financing structures for the capital markets.  Some of his notable accomplishments include the first cash collateralized multifamily housing bonds that fundamentally changed the way that FHA 4% LIHTC are funded and the first Build America Bond collateralized with and FHA loan in the wake of the housing crisis which saved the borrower 30% on their borrowing cost.

Mr. Opalek received his BA from Alma College and his Juris Doctor from Wayne State University Law School.  Additionally, he received his MBA from the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

Contact Dave at 614-778-9698.

Harvey Olin, CPA, MBA brings with him over thirty years of experience in the fields of corporate finance, accounting, auditing, tax, estate planning and commercial real estate.  Harvey began his career in public accounting as a trusted business advisor to many of the most successful entrepreneurs and commercial real estate businesses in the Mid-Atlantic region, served as an Assistant Controller at the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, DC for a short stint in the mid-1990’s before moving on to become a Controller with a fortune 500 company.  Now back in the field of commercial real estate, Harvey’s career encompasses a broad level of experience in the areas of mergers, sales, acquisitions, business financing and joint ventures, including real estate distribution, manufacturing, and healthcare.

Harvey is a member of the Builders Association of South Florida and lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.   Contact Harvey anytime at (410) 303-7230.

Greg Hunter specializes in funding construction and rehabilitation projects utilizing HUD’s 221d4 program. Greg’s experience as a former real estate developer allows him to truly understand client’s needs and to understand the trends, opportunities and risks in real estate development.

Call Greg at 603-637-4684 for an in depth analysis of your project.

Managing partner of United States for Bedford Lending, Craig Vogel has earned a reputation for one thing: Never giving up in his quest to find the best rates and terms available. In Craig’s words, “I am able to creatively develop financial packages for my clients, enabling them to get the best return on their investments. I am very client centric and will do everything I can to facilitate the best financing possible.”

Craig has worked in the financial services industry more than 30 years. Standing apart from the typical financial executive, Craig with Bedford Lending focuses on personalized commercial real estate loan experiences. He not only guides clients through every step of the lending process but also takes the time to educate them about the range of options available. Bottom line: Craig wants you to feel empowered and informed about your commercial real estate loan decisions. Contact Craig anytime at 208-214-3553 Ext 7.

As a native Idahoan and a commercial real estate professional since 2006, Jacobi has encountered many financing challenges while assisting clients. So, joining W Business Capital seemed to be an ideal solution – with Bedford Lending, she can help clients find ideal properties and the best commercial real estate loans. In her words, “The thing I love most about real estate is the people and the relationships. It’s very rewarding to help clients achieve their goals. My clients are my number one priority.” Contact Jacobi anytime at 208-214-3553 Ext. 3.

With a lifetime of construction, insurance and securities experience, Diana is uniquely suited to help business clients achieve their goals. Throughout her career, Diana has been integrally involved in her family’s construction business. And, for the past 20 years, Diana has worked in the insurance/securities industry, where she supervised and trained 18 agents. Now, at W Business Capital, Diana helps companies realize their growth objectives. In her words, “I’m able to relate to my clients’ concerns; help them work through the financing steps; and overcome most issues that arise when funding new construction or refinancing existing properties.” Diana resides in La Mesa, California with her husband. They have 9 grown children. Contact Diana anytime at 619-571-0249.

George began his career in the financial services industry in 1985, working with both retail investors and pension fund managers. His knowledge of both the equity and debt markets began then and continues to the present. George brings that experience and expertise to Bedford’s clients and prospects. The full range of Bedford’s capabilities is directed towards solving each prospective client’s problem and doing so with empathy. George believes the old standard remains true: “How can I create a desire in my client or prospect to do business with me”. An approach to identifying the need and presenting a solution is the focus of every business deal. The client or prospect come first, and effective problem solving remains the operative strategy for every deal. George believes that the object of every meeting is to listen, ask questions and then to provide options which will engage a healthy business discourse and make money for both parties.

Manny is a seasoned community and real estate development professional from the city of brotherly love and sisterly affection ( Philadelphia). Manny has hands-on grassroots experience planning and structuring a wide range of real estate development, including single-family affordable housing, new construction, and commercial and institutional development.

He has first-hand experience in all facets of government and private financing and has worked with private, community, and faith-based clients to help them achieve their development goals. Manny has a working knowledge of HUD financing, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, and creative ways to finance the project. He has functioned as a CEO of a large non-profit organization for 35 years and has produced several thousand units of affordable housing, commercial development, health care projects, a charter school, senior housing, and retail shopping centers.

Contact Manny anytime at 267-576-5260.