Coleman Movers & Shakers — Christopher Soupal, Michael Bland, Roger Unger, Jeff Vratanina

April 18, 2019

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Movers & Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — Christopher Soupal, Michael Bland, Jeff Vratanina, Roger Unger

Crestmark Promotes Christopher Soupal to Executive Vice President,
President of Government Guaranteed Lending Division

“I am pleased to announce the promotion of Christopher to Government Guaranteed Lending Division president,” says Mick Goik, President of Cresmark. “He has been a driving force in the growth of the division since its inception, and has helped to build an impressive and talented team. I have no doubt that his vision and tenacity will keep the division on the path to continued success.”
Soupal joined Crestmark in January 2014 as national sales director, and was responsible for helping to launch the division, formerly named Crestmark’s SBA Lending Division, that same year. In 2015, he was promoted to first vice president; and in 2016, he was named senior vice president. While acting as national sales director, the division grew from its de novo launch to funding over $300 million in 2018. The division also became a Top 50 SBA lender and a top three USDA lender nationally; and grew from two employees to its current staff of 26.

Before joining Crestmark, Soupal was managing director for Stinson Street Opportunity Capital. Previously, he held positions as managing director at RedRidge Finance Group; director at Bridge Finance Group; vice president at ABN AMRO/LaSalle Debt Capital Markets; and account executive at FINOVA Capital Corporation.

Soupal earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ferris State University, and is a graduate of the Executive Education Program at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.

Fountainhead Small Business Finance Names Michael Bland COO

“We tapped a passionate and experienced lender to run the operations of our new 7(a) lending organization,” says Chris Hurn, CEO of Fountainhead SBF and Fountainhead Commercial Capital. “Michael has deep experience in SBA lending that is already bringing value to our organization and our clients.”

Prior to joining Fountainhead SBF, Bland was senior vice president and SBA credit manager for Evolve Bank and Trust. Over a 22-plus year career in small business lending, Bland has worked for several top financial institutions and looks forward to leveraging his experience and passion to help small business owners achieve long-term success. He has provided loans to thousands of small business customers during his career.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from Indiana University.

1st Security Bank of Nevada Names Roger Unger SVP, Director of Sales & Marketing

“At First Security Bank, we believe that small businesses are the economic drivers of our communities,” says Jason Awad, Chief Executive Officer. “Roger’s proven leadership skills and extensive background in managing SBA lending will ensure that we serve even more small businesses in the Las Vegas Valley.”

“We are thrilled to have Roger bring his talent and expertise to better serve our clients,” says Carolyn Crockett, President and Chief Credit Officer for First Security Bank of Nevada. “His experience in business banking and SBA lending make him a great asset for our clients and the Bank.”

Prior to joining First Security, Unger served as Vice President, SBA Lending Business Development Officer for Wells Fargo Bank for 10 years. While there, he led all SBA sales and business development activities in Las Vegas and the River Cities.

“I look forward to working closely with Jason, Carolyn, and the rest of the Bank’s terrific team of lenders to continue serving our customers and supporting their success,” says Roger.

Active in his industry and community, Unger serves on the Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas executive board. He’s also a longstanding member of the Las Vegas Host Lions Club and an engaged member of Trinity United Methodist Church, for which he was Chairman of the Finance Committee from 2001 to 2018.

Unger holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Northern Arizona University.

Jeff Vratanina Named SVP of Fountainhead Capital

“We have aggressive growth goals for Fountainhead across our SBA and conventional lending platforms,” says Chris Hurn, CEO of Fountainhead Commercial Capital and Fountainhead SBF. “Jeff brings a depth of experience that will help us strengthen relationships with existing partners while also developing new funding channels. We are perfectly positioned to take advantage of his skills as we grow our business.”

Prior to joining Fountainhead, Vratanina had a long and distinguished career in residential mortgage banking. In 1988, he co-founded Pinnacle Financial Corporation which grew into a top 50 residential lender with 125 retail branches, five operations centers and more than 1,200 employees. The Pinnacle family of financial services companies offered insurance, title insurance, commercial mortgages, broker dealer services, equipment leasing and REO services. He exited Pinnacle in 2008 and has since held various consulting and executive positions within the residential mortgage industry.