Coleman’s Movers and Shakers

December 17, 2015

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman’s Movers and Shakers

Valley Economic Development Company Names Robert Lopez COO

“Robert’s experience in alternative lending will enable us to fulfill even more completely our mission of creating economic opportunity that strengthens communities,” says VEDC Chief Executive Roberto Barragan.

Robert will oversee daily operations of the VEDC’s small business lending and development programs while also creating an infrastructure to support the center’s national expansion.

He replaces Alex Guerrero, who became chief operating officer in June 2014. Guerrero has moved over to become senior vice president, external affairs for the organization.

Prior to the VEDC, Lopez had been director of servicing at national online small business loan provider Dealstruck and chief credit officer at microlender Accion San Diego.

The VEDC is among the largest nonprofit business development corporations in the greater Los Angeles market with five area locations and another in Oakland. It offers direct micro- and small-business loans as well as SBA loans.

KeyBank names Jim Fliss National SBA Manager.

“I am proud to be part of the KeyBank team and to our long-term commitment to the SBA programs…I look forward to this new opportunity and continuing to work hard for and offering solutions to the entrepreneurs and business owners across our national footprint”, says Jim.

Jim is responsible for all strategy, direct salesforce, sales support, loan closing and secondary market operations.

Jim previously held the roles of National SBA Credit Manager at KeyBank and prior was charged with growing revenue as the Sr. Manager and Director of Strategy for Key’s National Business Banking division.

Prior to KeyBank, Jim was for six years, the Regional Director for Zions Bank’s National Real Estate Group, and was responsible for growing their program across 19 states in the Midwest, Northeast, and Mid-Atlantic.

First Landmark Bank adds 3 Senior Vice Presidents in Commercial and SBA Lending

Marietta, Georgia-based First Landmark Bank president/CEO Stan Kryder announces the addition of three veteran bankers as senior vice presidents specializing in commercial and SBA lending: Mary Saad Williamson, Mark Nay and Elise Roper.

“Strong community banks need strong community-minded bankers, and Mary is that and more. I believe her former bank clients will be delighted to see her return to the banking industry, and I am delighted she chose to come to First Landmark Bank,” says Terri Bunten Guthrie, Cobb Market president for First Landmark Bank.

“Elise has been a commercial and SBA Lender in southeastern markets, including the Atlanta area, for nearly 20 years. From her Birmingham, Alabama office, she has helped businesses throughout the southeast start and flourish. We are excited to have her establish our Birmingham SBA Lending office and to continue being the go-to for SBA lending in Alabama and surrounding states,” says Kryder.

“After 16 years with SunTrust, Mark Nay entered community banking in 1998 and has been in a mainstay in the Canton/Cherokee County community banking market. He brings a wealth of experience to our organization and we look forward to serving his new and longtime clients,” says Kryder in his announcement.

Capital Grow Solutions Opens New Servicing Center

“Our staff has doubled in the past 12 months and we were on top of one another” says Principal, Gary Griffin. “The new facility gives us efficiencies and room to grow, which in turn, will allow us to better serve our Lenders.”

The Grand Opening was held December 10th and attended by over 100 regional and national Lenders.

Gary Griffin and Vinny Muratore are the principal owners of the loan service provider that opened its doors in 2008.