Meet The Equity First Consultants Team

Margreit has been passionate and dedicated to helping clients reach their financial goals since her career in the financial industry began in 1999. Her 23 years of experience is rooted in a strategy that concentrates on the basics such as good cash flow management, budgeting, and credit health. Once this is accomplished, it is a great reward for her to see clients able to build wealth over time.

Margreit is currently the Business Development Manager for Equity First and took the position to enhance the client service and financial needs of the growing organization. In her role she assists the team by analyzing client strategies, assists clients in their implementation plan and is a face for the growing brand in the community. Margreit spearheads the firms contract and helps to maintain a positive pipeline flow.

When not at work, Margreit enjoys volunteering with local community-based organizations. She enjoys living on Long Island with her two children and her very friendly cat. In addition, she is a published author of two children’s novels, Runaway at Sea, based on true life experiences of her grandfather.

As an award winning Marketer and Creative Director across all mediums, Stephen has been running Liquid Marketing group since 2008. As a business specialist with a pulse on the business community via his role as President of BOSS, when the pandemic hit in 2020 and the opportunity to engage with a company that allowed him to use his current skills and relationships was available, becoming the District Manager for Equity First was a natural fit. Stephen has demonstrated leadership in profit and non-profit sectors., is a resourceful, instinctive problem-solver with a strong sense of urgency. A respected team leader and business development specialist.

In his current role with Equity First, Stephen is responsible for building strategic relationships with industry professionals, build and foster brand awareness which includes the Equity First Financial Literacy Education Programs. As part of the team, he engages with community center, schools, libraries and business and facilitates free community programs as part of the Equity First Give-Back.

In Stephen’s downtime, he enjoys assisting local charities with volunteer work. He sits on several boards and is an active parent to his three adult children. Stephen currently resides in Deer Park, Long Island.

Dennis J. McGrath, is the managing partner at McGrath Klaus and Associates, LLP. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from Manhattan College in Business Administration and Finance. Mr. McGrath went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center where he excelled, graduating Magna Cum Laude, a member of the Touro Law Review, a Pro Bono Scholar, and an inductee to the Touro Honors Program. Additionally, he has extensive real world business experience, having owned and managed several international fashion design and manufacturing and companies for over 20 years and managing a medical supply company for the Cerebral Palsy Association of Nassau County.

Mr. McGrath focuses his practice of law in the fields of real estate transactions, foreclosure defense, personal injury and civil litigation. He is admitted to practice law in the States of New York, Connecticut, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and the United States District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

​Mr. McGrath was recently honored by Super Lawyers as a 2021 Rising Star in the legal profession. Additionally, he sits on the Board of Directors and is Chief Legal Counsel for Homes for Our Heroes, a not for profit organization helping to save homes of U.S. military veterans in financial distress. He sets himself apart from other attorneys by incorporating his wealth of business experience and interpersonal skills into his practice of law. Mr. McGrath also speaks fluent Spanish and does extensive work in the Hispanic community. He has consistently proven his dedication to achieving the best outcomes for his clients with a “take no prisoners” approach

As the co-founder of Equity First in 2004, Stephen plays a vital role in the daily operations of the organization. Stephen’s main responsibility is project management and is behind the scenes in the organization. He is responsible for technology upgrades, management flow and tools and other essential upgrades to keep the company data secure. Stephen is also a co-producer for the show The Credit Authority which is hosted by his partner, Rhonda Klch.

Stephen’s background in real estate investing, home buying and home inspection add tremendous value for the business relationships in this space that Equity First maintains. As a credit and financial solution center, Equity First works with many real estate investors, cash buyers and realtors – Stephen’s expertise lends to this area as he will often be a lead consultant on a project. His expertise is often valued for the clients we service as well. He is able to discuss distressed properties, costs of repair, market evaluations, and the foreclosure options with ease to a client that may be facing a foreclosure. In 2006 when the real estate market collapsed, Stephen led his team to assisting thousands of homeowner’s RETAIN home -ownerships by managing a dedicated team of staff to facilitate loan modifications on behalf of the attorney firms we are contracted with.

Stephen is the proud father of 5 boys and is dedicated to watching and helping them grow up. He is an active member of his community and in his downtime he enjoys all outdoor activities. He loves to be at his home upstate NY where he and the family have a beach home to enjoy- when the home is not in use, Stephen and his wife donate the time to families in need ( charity partners ). Stephen and his wife call the home, The Haven.

Anthony started his career as a Wall Street banker working with the largest banks in the world. While working on Wall Street, he built amazing relationships with banks, pension funds, hedge funds, credit unions, and private lenders. Anthony decided to open his own firm, specializing in small and medium sized businesses that needed to secure financing. This was a specific nitche that Anthony realized was needed but yet difficult to secure for the average person. Anthony is very creative working with clients and lenders , helping to facilitate action plans and business timelines. The lending products are business credit lines, business loans, asset-based financing, commercial loans, and grants. My advice to all business owners is to secure financing when you do NOT need it so it is there when you do.

As the small business specialist with Equity First, Anthony’s role is to deep dive into a clients business and understand the function, flow, deposits, agreements, cash reserves, assets and more. He works with clients to establish business credit, work through debt to income issues and restructure agreements. In addition, Anthony is responsible for the applications and submissions of applications. Anthony maintains a separate pipeline for small business clients and is in consistent communication until the file is approved, funded and closed.