Coleman Thursday’s Movers and Shakers

November 20, 2014

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Report

NAGGL Names Kristen Granchelli As Vice President Of Government Affairs And Public Policy

“Kristen’s extensive experience on Capitol Hill will help steer NAGGL’s government engagement and we are pleased she is joining us,” says NAGGL President and CEO Tony Wilkinson. “I am confident her expertise will help us better serve small business owners and lenders.”

Immediately prior to joining NAGGL, Granchelli served as a Professional Staff Member for the Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator James Risch (R-ID). While with the Committee, Kristen was the principal advisor responsible for banking, access to capital, and tax issues for the Ranking Member and Republican members. Before joining the Committee, Granchelli gained invaluable political experience as an aide to former Senator Scott P. Brown (R-MA).

During her tenure with Senator Brown, Kristen honed her expertise in small business and economic development policy both in her capacity as an aide in Washington and on his 2010 and 2012 campaigns in Massachusetts.

Karen Bricken Named SVP, SBA Administration at USAmeriBank

“The past few years with USAmeriBank, starting and growing the SBA program from scratch, has been a very exciting time,” says Bricken. “I look forward to continuing our work and growing the program even more in this new role.”

USAmeriBank is, Tampa Bay’s number one SBA Lender in 2013. Bricken helped start USAmeriBank’s SBA department when she joined the bank in 2011. In just three years, they have grown the program from $0 to $70 million.

Golden Pacific Bank Announces Heather Luzzi as New Managing Director of Business Relations

“We are excited to have someone at the high level of caliber and stellar reputation of Ms. Luzzi on our team,” says CEO Virginia Varela. “With years of experience both as a community banker and an Officer with the SBA District Office, Ms. Luzzi is the perfect candidate to drive our goal of exceptional financial services to small businesses.”

Heather says, “I joined Golden Pacific Bank to immediately manage their innovative SmartBiz loan program because I see a need for getting capital into the hands of small business more effectively and efficiently. The online application process for SBA lending though SmartBiz is cutting edge and I’m very excited to be a part of it. I look forward to growing our team and marketing the product through banking partners around the country. The Smartbiz platform fills a significant void that small businesses and our economy need.”

Heather successfully held positions at various financial services organizations through her career such as Senior Account Executive, Branch Manager, and Regional Production Manager. Most recently, Ms. Luzzi was the Lender Relations Specialist and District International Trade Officer for SBA’s Sacramento District Office. Prior to that, she was a Senior Analyst for SBA in the 7a Loan Guaranty Processing Center located in Citrus Heights.

Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America Launch Elizabeth Street Capital Initiative in Los Angeles

“Women entrepreneurs need and deserve equal opportunities to access capital so they can build sustainable businesses, which will help them support their families and strengthen their communities by creating jobs,” says Bari Mattes, Tory Burch Foundation President. “Our goal is to dramatically increase awareness about affordable loans available to women entrepreneurs and, with these loans, help them to grow their businesses.”

The Elizabeth Street Capital initiative launched in January 2014 with an initial investment of $10 million from Bank of America and additional funds for operating grants shared by the Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America. The affordable loans are administered through local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) that support the underserved, including women entrepreneurs. VEDC is the CDFI partner serving Los Angeles.

“VEDC is proud to sponsor with the Tory Burch Foundation and Bank of America to bring this unique opportunity to woman-owned businesses in Los Angeles,” says Roberto Barragan, VEDC president and CEO. “As a leading lender to women and minority entrepreneurs, VEDC recognizes the need for better access to capital. The Elizabeth Street Capital initiative will help address these issues and provide loans and mentoring to women who are ready to take their businesses to the next level.”

“California has historically been a land of opportunity for many, but we must do more to support women-owned businesses,” says Janet Lamkin, California State President, Bank of America. “By partnering with VEDC here in Los Angeles, we’re working to provide the mentoring, expertise and access to capital that will help women entrepreneurs and business owners thrive, while helping bolster the state’s overall economy.”

Elizabeth Street refers to the location of Tory Burch’s first boutique, the launching pad for a business that has grown into a global brand with more than 140 freestanding stores and a presence in more than 50 countries around the world. The name speaks to the hard work and passion that drive successful entrepreneurial ventures and to the enormous potential of women-owned small businesses.

Upcoming Small Business Lending Conferences

Coleman’s 7th Annual SBA Secondary Market Forum, December 2, Washington D.C.
Coleman’s 15th Annual Rural Lender’s Roundtable, December 3, Washington D.C.
2015 Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, February 23-25, Location TBA
National Alliance of Commercial Loan Brokers Annual Commercial Loan Broker Conference, March 8-10, Las Vegas