Equipment Financing. Franchise Financing.
We get the deal done!
The Star Hill Financial Story
Star Hill Financial LLC is a certified minority-owned equipment financing company providing franchise financing, equipment lease financing, and consulting. Star Hill believes in a hands-on approach that delivers value providing financial solutions tailored to our partners organizational objectives. We offer a full line of financing options with personalized professional service, competitive rates, and flexible terms. We value the importance of relationships and use our expertise to partner with our clients and develop customized solutions. Star Hill Financial, LLC is certified as a Women’s Business Enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third-party certifier of the businesses owned and operated by women in the U.S.
Meet the Leadership Team
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Hollis Bufferd
CEO
Hollis Bufferd is the CEO of Star Hill Financial. She has over 10 years of experience in the equipment finance business. She saw the growing need for a minority owned and operated lessor in the equipment financing space. That need, combined with her passion for helping other companies be successful, led to the creation of Star Hill. She prides herself on providing the utmost service to Star Hill’s clients, and continually developing those relationships to drive results. Hollis received a Bachelor of Science in Management with a concentration in Small Business Consulting from the University of Connecticut.
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Keith Smith
President, Equipment & Franchise Finance
Keith Smith has over 20 years of experience leading equipment finance and franchise teams. Prior to joining Star Hill, he held the dual roles of President of both the Equipment Finance and Franchise Finance Divisions for Sterling National Bank. He led those divisions and grew the portfolio from $150 million to over $2 billion in outstanding assets. An avid baseball player, he played in the 1994 College World Series. Keith received a Bachelor of Arts from The College of Saint Rose.
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Christopher Wellbrock
Senior Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer
Christopher Wellbrock has over 8 years of extensive credit-related experience ranging from analyzing and structuring complex transactions to writing underwriting policies. He previously worked as a Vice President, managing a Specialty Finance Credit Group primarily focused on the food and beverage industry. At Star Hill, he’s a credit advisor for the Franchise Finance Department, mainly within the QSR (Quick Service Restaurant) industry, evaluating credit risk and monitoring the portfolio. Christopher received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Fordham University.
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Zerka Gul
Vice President, Operations
Zerka Gul has more than 20 years of experience in finance. Prior to joining Star Hill, she worked with TIAA Commercial Finance in various roles. Her background includes documentation, syndication, operations and compliance, auditing, and asset and portfolio management. Throughout her career, she syndicated, managed, and serviced nearly $400 million in commercial finance and commercial real estate transactions. Zerka received her Bachelor of Arts from Ramapo College of New Jersey, Anisfield School of Business.
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Margaret Ervin-Means
Documentation Specialist