Homehelper Consultants - Chris Lopez, Denise Ecalono, Derek Zieder, Brian Gubernick, Jeff Buettner, Danny Schilling
Brian Gubernick CEO
Brian Gubernick attended the University of San Diego where he earned a Bachelor of Accountancy degree. Brian graduated Magna Cum Laude and received Departmental Highest Honors. He was also inducted into the Order of Omega Honor Society.
Brian began his business career with Deloitte & Touche LLP, a Fortune 500 company and “Big 5” accounting firm. Brian later joined Honeywell International as a Financial Analyst in the company’s Aerospace Division. In 2004, Brian entered the Real Estate industry. He co-founded I&G Ventures LLC, a real estate investment company that purchased, remodeled, and sold several million dollars of residential property. As I&G only purchased “distressed” properties, it was during this time that Brian learned the preforeclosure and REO process.
In 2007, Brian joined Keller Williams Realty and co-founded Homehelper Consultants. From its inception HHC experienced a great deal of success, specializing in assisting homeowners in financial distress. In 2008, Brian was ranked as one of the top 5 highest producing agents at Keller Williams Arizona Realty, an office of nearly 400 agents. In 2009, Brian was ranked #1 in the Office and also was #10 in the Southwest Region (over 18,000 agents). Brian is currently ranked #1 and #6 in the Office and Region, respectively.
In the last 12 months HHC has negotiated and closed over 200 short sale transactions at an impressive 90% success rate (listing to closing ratio). Homehelper Consultants has successfully closed over 400 short sales since 2007 and is nationally recognized as an authority in the industry. HHC has negotiated with over 60 lenders and mortgage servicers including Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, and Aurora Loan Services and has established a solid reputation with Loss Mitigation Departments throughout the country.
Brian has called Arizona his home for 22 years. Outside of work, Brian enjoys traveling, working out, and spending time with his wife and dogs.
Denise Ecalono LISTING & SELLING SPECIALIST
Upon a successful ten years in the dental field, Denise jumped into real estate and has not looked back since. Utilizing her proficient marketing skills, honest communication, and genuine compassion for people, Denise has devoted the majority of her time in assisting many Buyers & Sellers with their real estate needs. You won’t find many with such enthusiasm, ambition, and professionalism wrapped up in one little package. Outside of work, she always makes time to run, workout and enjoy her family & friends. Her biggest cheerleaders are her supportive husband and two vivacious kids!
Chris Lopez SHORT SALE MANAGER
Chris Lopez graduated from ASU with a B.S. in Real Estate Development and a Minor in Finance. While attending ASU, he held leadership roles throughout the college—most notably as president of the Lamda Alpha International Student Association, a land economics fraternity. His extensive professional experience includes years of working with distressed homeowners in pre-foreclosure as well as assisting on large tax lien projects.
Currently, Chris manages all short sale files in the HhC office, utilizing his skills, experience, contacts, intensity, and drive to ensure both efficiency and success. He is an active member of his community serving on the Urban Land Institutes Young Leaders Group; and when he finds leisure time, he enjoys lifting weights, cardio exercise, and traveling.
Derek Zieder TRANSACTION MANAGER
Derek Zieder attends Arizona State University where he is studying Business and Urban Planning set to receive his Bachelors Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. Derek was awarded Undergraduate Student Achievement Award for his role in the dissertation titled “The Non-Fat Tuesdays”, 2008 that was published in Journal of Sustainability, Feb 2009.
Derek began his business career with Wells Fargo Bank, quickly climbing the corporate ladder to Assistant Store Manager of retail banking after a year joining the company at age 19. In 2009, Derek entered the Real Estate industry and joined Homehelper Consultants, a top producing team within Keller Williams Arizona Realty, founded by Brian Gubernick, on of the top 5 highest producing agents at Keller Williams Arizona Realty.
Derek’s currently oversees all listing files under Homehelper Consultants as Transaction Coordinator. Outside of work Derek is an Arizona native and enjoys spending time with his family and traveling.
Matt Huff SHORT SALE NEGOTIATOR
A native of Arizona graduated from Horizon High School in 2004. After high school Matt chose to pursue his athletic career in football attending Glendale Community College. During his time at Glendale Matt received his associates degree and also won a national championship in football.
After his time at Glendale Matt was offered to play football at Northwestern Oklahoma State to further pursue his collegiate career. While there he continued to strive towards his athletic career while balancing and maintaining his academic career as well. After a year, he decided his academic career was more important finished his schooling at Arizona State University. There he received his bachelors degree in Business and Urban Planning with a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Matt joined the Homehelper Consultants team in January where he has been since. While working for HhC Matt is also pursuing his Real Estate License to further expand his knowledge within in the field.
Outside of work Matt enjoys spending time with his family and friends. His family also resides in the valley, where they own and operate a construction company, Huff & Sons Construction. Matt also has two brothers, Wes who works for Huff & Sons and Scott the oldest of the three is a collegiate football coach at Boise State University.
Danny Schilling SHORT SALE NEGOTIATOR
Danny Schilling graduated from Arizona State University’s School of Letters and Sciences with a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in both Business and Urban Planning. Danny also had a Minor in Business Finance and finished his 4 years graduating with magna cum laude honors. Danny chose this degree understanding that an interdisciplinarian is one who can solve complex problems and capitalize on opportunities from multiple perspectives instead of a single disciplinary perspective. Working in multiple areas throughout the past 5 years, mostly in customer service related roles, he has realized these are important skills that are a reflection of how the “real world” workplace—and life—operates.
During his duration at ASU Danny took on many leadership roles as a group leader in classroom group activities / projects. Danny’s professional experience consist of 5+ years in customer service positions and has since been working to help homeowner’s avoid foreclosure through the Short Sale process.
Outside of work Danny enjoys working out, golfing, and spending time life with family and friends. Danny excerpts most of his free time reading up on the health and wellness of the human body as he believes that this not only leads to a longer and more successful life but that it also pushes one through their day with more energy, effort, and focus.
Danny Thielen SHORT SALE NEGOTIATOR
Dan Thielen currently attends Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business striving for his degrees in Marketing and Supply Chain Management, in addition to, getting his minor in Communications. At ASU, Dan has held leadership roles throughout college as a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. These roles include Community Service Chair and Vice President of Intramurals. Dan is the newest member to the team and is learning the short sale business very quickly in the HHC office. Dan is an active member of his community and is a member of various ASU clubs including Arizona State Women’s basketball scout team. Dan enjoys competing in sports and movies.
