Lee's Biography

Lee H. Bienstock
Director of Business Development, Meridian Capital Group
Finalist on NBC's The Apprentice

Lee, graduated from Cornell University with distinction and a 4.0 GPA, where he received a B.S. in Policy Analysis and Management.

While attending Cornell University, he won business plan writing and marketing competitions, served as a teaching assistant for courses in Entrepreneurship and Management, and was a member of The National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

Mr. Bienstock attracted national attention in 2006 when he appeared for 15 weeks as a finalist on NBC's "The Apprentice" with Donald Trump. Chosen from among one million applicants to vie for a position at the Trump Organization, Mr. Bienstock became one of the final two candidates and the youngest finalist in the history of the series. At age 22, Lee became an analyst for Accenture, one of the largest business consulting firms in the world. He has worked for Merrill Lynch, researching emerging markets, creating portfolios and compiling business plans for high net worth clients, including an investment banking deal with an estimated value in excess of $100 million. Previous experiences outside of corporate America include, working at a day treatment program for the mentally ill, volunteering at soup kitchens and teaching fourth grade children in an inner-city school.

Lee draws his inspiration from his grandfather who immigrated to the U.S. penniless and uneducated, yet through hard work and determination was successful through investing in real estate. Today, Lee serves as Director of Business Development at Meridian Capital Group specializing in Commercial Real Estate finance.