Steve is President and co‐Founder of George Smith Partners, Inc. He (and his team) have arranged over $3 billion of financing in over 200 transactions during his 30 years at GSP, including all types of construction, bridge and permanent financing on commercial and residential properties along with highly complex structured financing including mezzanine, preferred equity, and equity placements.

Steve is a recognized specialist in the area of hotel financing. He has been involved in over 30 hospitality related transactions totaling $500 million in the last 15 years. He also has expertise in apartment financing and renovations of older buildings along with solutions to environmental issues.

He started his real estate career 38 years ago by using his real estate license in the family development business. For a while, he worked as a professional electrician. He has extensive experience in hotel management and operations, having worked for Hyatt and Sheraton Hotels. Later, he worked for Kotin, Regan and Mouchly, a consulting firm specializing in econometrics, real estate consulting for municipalities and redevelopment districts.

Steve earned an MBA from The Wharton School of Finance in 1984. He also earned a BS from Cornell’s School of Hotel Administration in 1979, graduating #1 in the class.

Steve is active in community affairs. He served as Chairman of the Real Estate and Construction Division of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles. He is a founding member of the Eagle Scout Association of Los Angeles. He is an active member of the Moriah Society of the University of Judaism, the Cornell Society of Hotelmen, the Wharton Club of Southern California and of the California Mortgage Bankers Association.

He is happily married for three decades to Julie and has two grown children, Benjamin and Alanna.

At the time of our 40th reunion, Steve is thrilled that his daughter is newly married (March 2019) and now expecting – a double celebration! Business continues to be strong with Steve’s production now exceeding $4B and 250 transactions, including a recent $220M construction loan and $105M bridge loan.