Direct commercial lenders. Bridge loans and opportunistic capital.

Craig Truen is a real estate finance executive and entrepreneur with more than 40 years of experience in private lending and commercial finance. As an owner and operator of his own real estate portfolio, he brings firsthand insight into the capital, operational and investment decisions that shape successful real estate ventures.

Craig founded Truen Associates in 1987 and established Haryn Capital Corp. in 1995, which has since funded more than $200 million in short-term bridge loans. In 2004, he partnered with John Michaels to form Truen & Michaels Associates, which has funded more than $1 billion in commercial mortgage financing, private lending and opportunity financing. The firm also operates as a direct lender through its own private opportunity fund, providing capital for transactions requiring flexible structures and timely execution.

His experience encompasses office, retail, multifamily, cooperative and storage properties; medical facilities, hospitality assets, grocery stores, gas stations and nightlife venues; agricultural properties, development projects and owner-occupied commercial spaces. His financing capabilities are supported by longstanding relationships with institutional and private capital providers.

Craig has maintained enduring client relationships throughout his career, combining deep financing expertise with an owner's perspective to align capital with clients' investment priorities and long-term objectives.

John Michaels is a commercial real estate finance executive with extensive experience in banking leadership, lending strategy and direct capital deployment. His background combines institutional credit expertise with the commercial perspective of a business owner and private lender.

During more than 13 years at Interbank of New York, John assumed leadership of the real estate department in 1994 and was appointed Senior Vice President in 2001. Under his leadership, the real estate loan portfolio became the bank’s largest asset. As a member of the Credit and Management Committee, he helped direct lending policy, pricing strategy and relationships with real estate investors and brokers.

In 2004, John partnered with Craig Truen to form Truen & Michaels Associates. He has since funded more than $1 billion in real estate transactions across diverse commercial assets and complex financing structures. The firm also provides direct lending through its own private opportunity fund, expanding its capacity to deliver flexible capital solutions.

John brings strategic oversight and personal involvement to each client engagement, aligning financing structures with investment objectives and guiding transactions through execution. His approach emphasizes competitive terms, thorough preparation and enduring client relationships.

Sandra oversees the loan department at Truen & Michaels Associates, managing the firm’s loan portfolio, banking facilities, direct client relationships and investor relations. She brings more than nine years with the firm, supported by over a decade of prior banking experience and five years in consumer loan processing.

Sandra has been instrumental in attracting new investors and originating loans, contributing to the firm’s growth and access to capital. She provides operational oversight throughout the lending process and serves as a central point of coordination for clients, banking partners and investors.

An integral member of the team, Sandra combines lending expertise, business development experience, and operational discipline to support efficient execution and enduring relationships.

Greg supports business development and marketing at Truen & Michaels Associates, bringing more than three years of experience with the firm. He combines digital marketing, social media and relationship development to attract new clients and cultivate opportunities that have resulted in closed transactions.

His writing expertise strengthens the firm’s communications and media presence, translating its financing capabilities into clear, targeted content. Greg’s work supports the team’s growth by expanding its reach and connecting with prospective clients in an evolving market.