C-Suite Wednesday — Bonnell, Drew, Garcia, Massey, McFatter, Vehrs Named Coleman 2018 Emerging SBA Lenders of the Year

November 21, 2018

C-Suite Wednesday — Bonnell, Drew, Garcia, Massey, McFatter, Vehrs Named Coleman 2018 Emerging SBA Lenders of the Year

Maggie Bonnell, Fidelity Bank

Maggie began her SBA lending career in 2011 when she joined Fidelity Bank as an SBA Loan Processor (Closer). In this role, she was able to expand on her prior customer service experience and help customers understand and close their SBA loans. In her role as a loan processor, she mastered the SBA and USDA programs requirements, which was crucial as she operated as the point of contact for Business Development Officers, customers, closing attorneys, and brokers. Very quickly, Maggie earned the respect of her peers and became a point person for others trying to navigate through challenging and complex situations.

“As a part of Fidelity Bank’s SBA Department Management, Maggie truly represents all that is best and hoped for in our department. She inspires me each and every day to go above-and-beyond what is expected and challenge myself to find solutions that better our Bank and our community. SBA Lending is vastly improved with people like Maggie. Her willingness to get out of her comfort zone and participate as a trainer at industry events, is just one more example of why I consider her a role-model,” Claire Huse, Senior Vice President Fidelity Bank

Ray Drew, Ready Capital

In early 2015, Ray had the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of a start-up SBLC called Ready Capital . Ray should be considered for recognition because as Ready Capital’s longest-tenured BDO, Ray played an prominent role in helping Ready Capital become one of the top 25 most active SBA 7(a) lenders in the country. He originated three of the five loans we needed to close in order to apply for PLP status. Ray was our top producing BDO in 2016, a top three BDO in 2017, and has closed the highest number of loans in 2018 YTD. He’s entering his third year serving on the board of FLAGGL where he’s made a big impact with regards to modernizing the association by revamping their website, building a LinkedIn presence, and created a communications committee. He’s also created a LinkedIn group for SBA professionals under 40 called Emerging Powerhouses in SBA Lending where young professionals in the industry can network and share ideas.

“It is my pleasure to nominate Ray Drew as Emerging SBA Lender of the Year (Under 40). As head of the Sales Division at Ready Capital, I have seen Ray rise steadily from industry neophyte to seasoned top performer in a short three years. Ray tackled the product and the process right out of the gate and played an important part in honing the production process early in our development by continually asking questions, challenging the status quo, and bringing solutions to aid in our steady growth into a top 25 7(a) lender,” Mark Gibson, National Sales Manager, Ready Capital

Paola Garcia, Excelsior Growth Fund

Excelsior Growth Fund recently became an SBA microlender in January 2017 and Paola has been instrumental in developing the program at our organization. Since launch, we have made 42 SBA microloans totaling $1,549,000 and Paola has been personally involved with more than half. She has worked with these borrowers (many of whom are minorities, women and/or immigrants) to resolve credit issues, prepare financial statements and projections, better define their projects, and increase their overall management capacity so they can get approved and access the capital they need.

Per Steve Cohen, President of Excelsior Growth Fund, “Paola Garcia is one of the SBA Microloan Program’s unsung heroes, helping her clients avoid pitfalls, access capital and prepare for its utilization. By offering superior advisory services, she ensures that her customers have the best chance they can in reaching their dreams, building wealth and creating jobs in their communities.”

Tye Massey, Paragon Bank

“Tye has worked with me for 14 years having started as a Credit Analyst. During the Great Recession he gladly accepted lower positions in the bank treating them as learning experiences. He is now a large producer closing in excess of $25 Million in the past four years. Additionally, he is committed to the industry and serves on the Board and incoming President of the Georgia Lenders Quality Circle. Having worked together at three different financial institutions over the past 14 years, I would say he is a cornerstone of out Small Business Capital Group and I have taken great pride in seeing his career develop” Charles Yorke, President, Small Business Capital Group, Paragon Bank

Christopher McFatter, HomeTrust Bank

Christopher has taken the lead in starting up the Government Guaranteed Lending group at the bank. He has successfully worked with the bank to create a culture around the product that is free of stigma. He has been effective in creating an excitement around the initiative that has allowed impressive success from the start. In the first 10 months HomeTrust had been able to fund 17 loans for over $30MM and successfully acquire PLP status.

“Christopher is eternally positive and helpful throughout the process as evidenced by feedback from both borrowers and staff. He manages three lenders that have quickly been able to effectively establish a great reputation and put capital to work in their markets. In their first year, HomeTrust has become a top 10 NC lender in the space.,” Will McClain, Windsor Advantage

Brett Vehrs, Ameritrust CDC

“I greatly respect Brett for his knowledge, his ability to explain things concisely and his personality that allows him to make borrowers feel at ease. Bottom line I am a big Brett proponent.” Steve Henery, Sr. Vice President Skagit Bank

Brett joined Ameritrust in August 2011. Brett didn’t have any SBA experience or lending experience. His background was Hospitality and Food Services. He has gained knowledge and taken steps to be decisive in developing strategies for his own growth along with developing strategies to increase his loan portfolio. While early years were not always easy and I’m sure filled with a level of frustration, Brett has persevered and has many lenders and borrowers that love working with him. He is contagious with his energy and positive attitude. Refreshing. Now six years with us, Brett is a young leader who helps lenders and brokers navigate the SBA process and is helping business owners have an opportunity to build their dreams. Teaching them about the program, walking with them to completion.