About Us

Fred Bender (C.E.O.)

Mr. Bender brings accomplishments from such companies as Time-Warner, Duke Communications, News Group Corp., Bender Brothers Builders, Amazing Realty and more, with expertise in construction, real estate sales, consulting, finance, marketing and technology. Mr. Bender earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Arizona State University. Also, Mr. Bender is an Arizona licensed commercial and residential contractor, and an Arizona licensed Real Estate Broker.

Ron Kuhn (C.O.O.)

Mr. Kuhn has over 30 years of hands on experience in the Homebuilding & Mortgage Lending industry.   In 1999 as National President of Beazer Mortgage corporate offices in Atlanta, Georgia;. Ron was directly responsible for managing a $350 million dollar warehouse line, and the daily operations and staffing for 32 Branch Offices licensed in 23 states. In late 2007 Ron relocated back to Arizona and accepted a position with a local home town Mortgage Banker where he is still working today.   Ron is highly respected in the Mortgage Lending and Home Building industry, currently holding a Class B General Contractors License and a Real Estate Brokers License.

Crocker H. Liu (Advisory Board) (Chaired Professor of Real Estate @Cornell University)

Crocker H. Liu is a past professor of real estate and finance at the W. P. Carey School of Business, where he held the McCord Chair. He previously taught at New York University and was associate director of real estate. His research interests are focused on issues in real estate finance, particularly topics related to agency, organizational forms, market efficiency and valuation. He was a professional realtor in Hawaii for a number of years and was a vice president with Prudential Real Estate Investment Group. He has consulted with RREEF, Milliman and Robertson, and Standard and Poors, among others. Liu earned his BBA in real estate and finance from the University of Hawaii , an M.S. in real estate from Wisconsin under Dr. James Graaskamp, and a Ph.D. in finance and real estate from the University of Texas.

Rob Calianno (Advisory Board)

Mr. Calianno, President/CEO of Distinctive Brands, Inc. where he has served in this capacity for over eight years . Distinctive Brands is a national / international consumer packaged goods company headquartered in Boulder, CO. Mr. Calianno has +25 years experience in executive level managerial positions in the Sales, Marketing, Finance and Strategic Planning functions with fortune 50 corporations. Mr. Calianno brings amazing experience and insight to the strategic decision making process at RE Champ, Inc.

Jessica Bender (Co-Founder)

With a strong technical (chemical engineering) and creative background (advertising), Ms. Bender has worked in market research and studied consumer trends while completing her BS in Marketing from Arizona State University. She has worked with a commercial and residential builder in Bender Brothers Builders. She comes from a family of Real estate brokers and agents. She graduated from ASU in May 2009, and now she lives in England working for OmniCom.

Bret Bender (Co-Founder)

Bret Bender is a graduate student of Arizona State University, majoring in English Literature and Teaching. For the last four years Bret has been a real estate entrepreneur, acquiring a variety of properties totaling in the millions. Bret thrives on creativity, knowledge, and the ability to sculpt his own successful financial future.

Jeff Rea (Advisory Board)

Mr. Rea has over 25 years of domestic and international management experience in marketing and sales, ranging from Fortune 50 companies (Frito-Lay, Miller Brewing Company, Whirlpool Corporation) to consumer product and new media startups. He currently serves as SVP, Marketing with EcoMedia, an early stage environmental media company. Mr. Rea received his MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg Graduate School of Management and his BBA from Washington State University

Karen Baker (Advisory Board)

Ms. Baker is currently the Executive Vice President/COO of OptoLum, Inc. which she co- founded seven years ago. OptoLum, Inc. is a national/international manufacture of solid state lighting located in Tempe Arizona. Ms. Baker has 25 years experience in accounting, finance, strategic planning, manufacturing and executive level management in organizations ranging from Chrysler Corporation, Ceco Building Systems, and startup electronics manufacturer Multimedia Telesys, Inc

Robert Kerekes (Advisory Board)

Mr. Kerekes is a former President of Ingram Periodicals and has held many senior level management positions in such diverse print and media companies such as Meredith Corporation, Ziff Davis Media and Marvel Entertainment Group. Mr. Kerekes has also been involved with the Periodicals & Book Association (PBAA), the largest magazine single copy trade association and as President been responsible for member growth over 12% along with helping the industry navigate new distribution channels and changing paradigms. Mr. Kerekes brings many years of high level accomplishment in major corporate settings involving contract negotiations, crisis management and new business development

Tom Fulcher (Advisory Board)

Mr. Fulcher; founder of The Idea Gardener® LLC, a business development and marketing consulting organization.   Mr. Fulcher has led projects and divisions for start-up, small, and large firms including Colgate-Palmolive and Heinz.  Mr. Fulcher serves as COO for a technology start-up in its capital formation process and recently served as CEO of an internet firm while marketing it for eventual sale.  He has held the positions of Director of Marketing, VP of Marketing, VP of New Business Development, VP of International Development, CEO and Board member. Mr. Fulcher serves on the boards of The American Marketing Association Phoenix Chapter, Economic Club of Phoenix, Audubon Arizona, and the Marketing Committee of Invest Southwest Capital Conference.