Leading Team
People are our greatest asset
Max B. Mellman is founder and Managing Director at Max Benjamin Partners. Recognized as one of the top up-and-coming commercial mortgage brokers in the nation, Max has coordinated & been involved in over $1.3 billion in debt and equity financing across a variety of property types, including office buildings, retail shopping centers, ground-up construction, multifamily and industrial properties. His transactional experience, capital markets expertise, and exceptional work ethic made him one of the top producers in Southern California.
Prior to founding Max Benjamin Partners, Max was a top producing mortgage banker with a boutique firm in Beverly Hills, CA. Max has also held the position of Associate at the Souferian Group. Located in Beverly Hills.
Max prides himself on his unparalleled work ethic, competitive spirit and willingness to go the extra mile for his clients. As an active member of his community, he provides for several charities in the Los Angeles area. In his spare time, Max enjoys: skiing, traveling, and spending quality time with his family.
Max majored in Planning, Policy and Development at the University of Southern California with an emphasis in Real Estate finance.
Jason Moyal
Jason is an Vice President at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for client & partner management as well as origination. Before arriving at MBP, Jason spent time at an accelerator, consulting, implementing, and executing go to market strategies for foreign companies looking to enter the US market.
Prior to that experience, Jason was a top performing Private Banker in wealth management and lending working with High Net Worth Individuals and businesses and received numerous performance awards. A native Angelino, Jason was educated at San Diego State University in International Business, Finance, French, and Political Science as well as ESSEC Business School in France.
Integrity is of utmost importance to Jason as he takes complete ownership in all tasks undertaken and is always looking to do the right thing for his clients. During his free time, Jason is an avid beach volleyball player, traveler, and family man.
Jason Moyal
Jason is an Vice President at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for client & partner management as well as origination. Before arriving at MBP, Jason spent time at an accelerator, consulting, implementing, and executing go to market strategies for foreign companies looking to enter the US market.
Prior to that experience, Jason was a top performing Private Banker in wealth management and lending working with High Net Worth Individuals and businesses and received numerous performance awards. A native Angelino, Jason was educated at San Diego State University in International Business, Finance, French, and Political Science as well as ESSEC Business School in France.
Integrity is of utmost importance to Jason as he takes complete ownership in all tasks undertaken and is always looking to do the right thing for his clients. During his free time, Jason is an avid beach volleyball player, traveler, and family man.
Alec N. Ziff
Alec N. Ziff is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for, originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management.
Alec has experience structuring a variety of transactions involving permanent financing, construction financing, bridge and mezzanine loans and equity capital for the spectrum of property types. Throughout his career, Alec has been involved in the origination and underwriting of over $500,000,000 worth of debt and equity transactions.
Prior to joining MBP, Alec was an Associate at Disruptive Technology Advisers, a boutique investment bank that focuses on late-stage private technology companies.
Prior to working at DTA, Alec spent time as a software developer creating automation tools for a technology startup in the automotive collision repair industry. Alec started a luxury travel and concierge company during this time as well.
Alec majored in Economics and minored in Mathematics from California Lutheran University.
Alec N. Ziff
Alec N. Ziff is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for, originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management.
Alec has experience structuring a variety of transactions involving permanent financing, construction financing, bridge and mezzanine loans and equity capital for the spectrum of property types. Throughout his career, Alec has been involved in the origination and underwriting of over $500,000,000 worth of debt and equity transactions.
Prior to joining MBP, Alec was an Associate at Disruptive Technology Advisers, a boutique investment bank that focuses on late-stage private technology companies.
Prior to working at DTA, Alec spent time as a software developer creating automation tools for a technology startup in the automotive collision repair industry. Alec started a luxury travel and concierge company during this time as well.
Alec majored in Economics and minored in Mathematics from California Lutheran University.
Nicole Chriqui
Operations and Relationship Manager
nchriqui@mbpartners.com
Nicole is the Operations and Relationship Manager at Max Benjamin Partners, responsible for day to day business management and oversight of MBP’s capital market relationships.
Nicole brings many years of experience in Real Estate as an investor and landlord in multiple states, having been involved in all aspects of property acquisitions and sales, rehabs, maintenance and tenant leasing. In addition, Nicole worked on the team that expanded the Warner Bros. Studio Stores from a handful of mall locations to hundreds of stores throughout the US and internationally. Having managed a successful e-business for 16 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge in sales, marketing and business administration. Nicole started her career as Operations Manager in the Institutional Sales office of Drexel Burnham Lambert in Beverly Hills, where she obtained her Series 7 license.
Nicole’s core guiding principles are professionalism and integrity. Originally from Montreal, Nicole speaks fluent French and has narrated 16 audiobooks in French and English. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, gardening and yoga.
Nicole graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration
Nicole Chriqui
Operations and Relationship Manager
nchriqui@mbpartners.com
Nicole is the Operations and Relationship Manager at Max Benjamin Partners, responsible for day to day business management and oversight of MBP’s capital market relationships.
Nicole brings many years of experience in Real Estate as an investor and landlord in multiple states, having been involved in all aspects of property acquisitions and sales, rehabs, maintenance and tenant leasing. In addition, Nicole worked on the team that expanded the Warner Bros. Studio Stores from a handful of mall locations to hundreds of stores throughout the US and internationally. Having managed a successful e-business for 16 years, she brings a wealth of knowledge in sales, marketing and business administration. Nicole started her career as Operations Manager in the Institutional Sales office of Drexel Burnham Lambert in Beverly Hills, where she obtained her Series 7 license.
Nicole’s core guiding principles are professionalism and integrity. Originally from Montreal, Nicole speaks fluent French and has narrated 16 audiobooks in French and English. In her free time, she enjoys skiing, gardening and yoga.
Nicole graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a minor in Business Administration
Richard Stein
Associate
rstein@mbpartners.com
Mr. Stein is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for, originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management. Richard was a partner at Hotel Financial Strategies for over 8 years, a boutique, hospitality focused finance firm that arranged over $2 billion in debt and equity for hotels around the world. Richard has over 30 years of experience as an investor, developer and capital markets advisor and throughout his extensive career, he has financed over $700 million worth of debt and equity transactions.
Prior to joining MBP, Richard founded and built a large printing and database marketing company located in Denver, Colorado. Richard worked as a consultant helping business owners turn around and reposition their companies and managed the San Francisco and Silicon Valley offices for the Merrill Corporation during the dot com expansion in 1999 and 2000.
Richard brings a wealth of knowledge to the MBP team and has excelled in the capital markets field—navigating through multiple real estate cycles and providing excellent service to his clients. Richard’s experience as a developer and investor has been pivotal in providing his clients with comprehensive and innovative capital stack solutions. Richard’s specialty focus includes hospitality, preferred and JV equity, permanent financing, and large construction loans across all asset classes nationwide.
Richard has a B.S. Marketing from Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado, Boulder, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude, and was American Marketing Association Student of the Year. He has a M.S. from Rochester Institute of Technology in Printing Technology, and an Owner President Management degree from Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA.
Richard enjoys snow skiing, bicycling, weight training, and travel in his free time.
Christian P. Bloom
Associate
cbloom@mbpartners.com
Christian P. Bloom is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for, originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management.
Christian has extensive experience across all asset classes and the entire range of the capital stack, ranging from perm financing to joint venture as well as tax credit LP equity. He has been involved in the originating, underwriting, and closing of hundreds of deals throughout his career.
Prior to joining MBP, Christian was a Financial Analyst at a global LIHTC syndicator where he was responsible for the management of Multi-Investor and Proprietary Funds with value in excess of $500 million. Christian was also responsible for maintaining relationships with the high-profile investors in each of his funds.
Christian received his B.S. degree in Real Estate Finance from NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. During his free time, Christian enjoys skiing and scuba diving.
Christian P. Bloom
Associate
cbloom@mbpartners.com
Christian P. Bloom is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for, originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management.
Christian has extensive experience across all asset classes and the entire range of the capital stack, ranging from perm financing to joint venture as well as tax credit LP equity. He has been involved in the originating, underwriting, and closing of hundreds of deals throughout his career.
Prior to joining MBP, Christian was a Financial Analyst at a global LIHTC syndicator where he was responsible for the management of Multi-Investor and Proprietary Funds with value in excess of $500 million. Christian was also responsible for maintaining relationships with the high-profile investors in each of his funds.
Christian received his B.S. degree in Real Estate Finance from NYU’s Schack Institute of Real Estate. During his free time, Christian enjoys skiing and scuba diving.
Zachary Ziv
Associate
zziv@mbpartners.com
Zak Ziv is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners where he is responsible for originating, underwriting, client management and capital partner relationship management. During his short tenure at MBP, Zak has quickly built client strong relationships and played a crucial role in the origination of more than $100M of debt and equity in multiple asset classes across the nation.
Zak has a highly diverse background with experience in numerous fields. Whether it be his time spent training dolphins for the Navy or the creation of multiple successful entrepreneurial businesses, Zak has always positioned himself at the top of the heap in any endeavor he steps into.
Prior to his arrival at MBP, Zak worked at the prestigious La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club. There he developed staff, member, and guest relationships as the Wine Buyer and Food and Beverage Manager of Club Dining Services. During his time at the LJBTC, Zak headed up the implementation of numerous financial systems, construction projects, and training protocols that increased year-over-year profits by more than 20% annually.
A native of Southern California, Zak was educated at San Diego State University in Sustainability, International Business, Finance, and Spanish. In his free time, Zak enjoys viticulture, surfing, camping and spending time with his family and friends.
Tomer Sheelo
Associate
tsheelo@mbpartners.com
Tomer Sheelo is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners, where he is responsible for originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management.
Tomer has experience structuring transactions involving permanent financing, construction financing, bridge and mezzanine loans, and equity capital for a wide range of asset types. Tomer also has experience with commercial real estate leasing and taxation of real estate partnerships.
Before joining MBP, Tomer worked at KPMG’s International Tax department, where he was involved in the structuring of U.S. real estate transactions with international institutional partners. He worked with sponsors and investors through complex JV structures, Partnerships, and privately-held REITs to ensure both a successful business plan along with IRS compliance.
Tomer received his B.A. degree, with a double major in Accounting and International Relations from the Hebrew University. He takes pride in his past military experience, which has taught him the importance of integrity, work ethic, and a strategic approach to solving problems. During his free time, Tomer enjoys cycling, hiking, family time, and volunteering within his community.
Tomer Sheelo
Associate
tsheelo@mbpartners.com
Tomer Sheelo is an Associate at Max Benjamin Partners, where he is responsible for originating, underwriting, client management, and capital partner relationship management.
Tomer has experience structuring transactions involving permanent financing, construction financing, bridge and mezzanine loans, and equity capital for a wide range of asset types. Tomer also has experience with commercial real estate leasing and taxation of real estate partnerships.
Before joining MBP, Tomer worked at KPMG’s International Tax department, where he was involved in the structuring of U.S. real estate transactions with international institutional partners. He worked with sponsors and investors through complex JV structures, Partnerships, and privately-held REITs to ensure both a successful business plan along with IRS compliance.
Tomer received his B.A. degree, with a double major in Accounting and International Relations from the Hebrew University. He takes pride in his past military experience, which has taught him the importance of integrity, work ethic, and a strategic approach to solving problems. During his free time, Tomer enjoys cycling, hiking, family time, and volunteering within his community.