Coleman Movers & Shakers Thursday — Steve Gross, Steven Brown, Marquis Bank, John Bechtold

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Movers and Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers Thursday — Steve Gross, Steven Brown, Marquis Bank, John Bechtold

Acclivity Financial names Steve Gross as SVP, Portfolio Management

“Servicing and liquidating SBA and USDA loans properly is critical to maintaining the government guaranty and mitigating losses in the portfolio. Steve brings over 38 years of experience and strong working relationships with SBA personnel to our team,” says Gregg Sherrington, Chief Operations Officer. “His knowledge of the 7(a), 504, and USDA programs and his history of working with SBA, will allow us to continue our focus on providing capital to main street businesses, while being good stewards of the SBA and USDA programs. We are excited he is here and look forward to his contributions to our growing team.”

“Acclivity Financial has put together an incredible, experienced team of SBA professionals,” says Steve. “I am pleased that I can bring my experience to Acclivity, and I’m proud to be a member of such a fine group of people.”

Prior to joining Acclivity Financial, Gross served as SVP, Director of Portfolio Management Small Business Finance at BankUnited. He has extensive experience in portfolio and assets management as well as a thorough knowledge of SBA and USDA procedures and policies.

Gross received a B.S. in Economics from North Carolina State University. He has an active role in community activities and formerly served as a member of The Knoxville Arts Council, Chamber of Commerce, Better Business Bureau and United Way.

Steven Brown Joins Harvest Small Business Finance as Senior Vice President

Harvest has tremendous momentum and I am very happy to be here,” says Steven Brown.

Managing Director Todd Massas adds, “Steven is an old pro in this industry and we are thrilled to add him to our team on the East Coast.”

Over the course of his career, Steven has enjoyed tremendous success with various SBA lenders, including Lehman Brothers, CIT and Northeast Bank. Steven is a leading lender/expert in the Midwest market and has also established himself as a knowledgeable and proficient nationwide lender as well.

Steven graduated as a varsity student athlete from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, Michigan,

Marquis Bank hires team for Fort Lauderdale expansion

Steve Sanzone

“We view the growth into these markets as a natural progression and I am delighted to welcome Steve and his team to Marquis Bank. They are talented bankers and their track record speaks for itself,” says Chairman and CEO Javier Holtz.

“Our success is built on our ability to deliver reliable financial services with a great deal of personal care, one client at a time. Because of that I am confident that we will be able to make an impact in the Broward market,” Steve Sanzone says.

The new team will be headed by South Florida banking veteran Steven Sanzone who joins Marquis as market president after spending the last 14 years as executive vice president and senior loan officer at Stonegate Bank.

Sanzone will be joined by Senior Vice President and Commercial Lending Officer Mark Huard, who will be responsible for developing business and commercial real estate relationships in Broward and Palm Beach Counties. Huard has held similar positions at Stonegate Bank, Community Bank of Broward and Union Planters Bank. Also joining the Fort Lauderdale team are Banking Center Manager Jerry Grace and Commercial Loan Assistant Hazel Acea.

In Memory of John Bechtold

From Ken Byrd . . . .

Hello friends. It is with tremendous sadness that we have to pass along information on the death of a NTAGGL board member. John Bechtold died suddenly Tuesday March 13. He was at the airport traveling for a family wedding when he died of an apparent heart attack or aneurysm.

John Bechtold is very well known to the SBA community as the owner of Accredited Valuation Services, Inc. The firm has valued over fifteen hundred closely held businesses for SBA loans, business owners wishing to sell their businesses, estate and gift tax, marital dissolution and buy-sell agreements. John was a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) that holds the prestigious Accredited in Business Valuation (ABV) designation offered by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He was very proud, when his daughter, Sarah joined the firm to help him expand the business. He served on the NTAGGL board as the Associate Director for over 6 years.

Most knew John for his generous and adventurous spirit. His love for his wife Gwen and 2 daughters, Kelsey and Sarah. His love for speed, whether running or in a sports car. Thus, when God took him – he would be proud that he went Fast…

Upcoming SBA Lending Professional Industry Events

Mid-America Lenders Conference, April 15-17, Fort Worth
Room Block Expires March 22

11th Annual SBA Export Lender’s Roundtable, April 18, Washington D.C.

NAGGL SBA Lending Technical Conference, May 1-3, Chicago

NADCO Spring Summit, May 6-9, Arlington

Franchise Times Finance & Growth Conference, May 7-9, Las Vegas

SBA BDO Summit, May 21-23, Napa Valley

America West, June 20-22, Costa Mesa
Exhibitor booths are sold out – all other sponsor levels are still open.

America East, August 1-3, National Harbor, MD

Great Lakes Lenders Conference, Detroit, August 16-17

FLAGGL Small Business Lenders Conference, August 20-22, Orlando
Early bird ends April 13th

National Alliance of Commercial Loan Brokers, October 16-18, Miami

11th Annual Secondary Market Summit, December 4, Washington D.C.