Coleman Movers & Shakers — Hakim Kassam, Samuel Ortiz, and Chrissy Foster
June 17, 2021
Caity Roach
Contributing Editor
Coleman Movers & Shakers — Hakim Kassam, Samuel Ortiz, and Chrissy Foster
Hakim Kassam to Lead SBA Lending Division at Rising Bank
“In my new role, I am charged with creating and scaling a new SBA Lending national platform for SBA 7(a) and SBA 504 loans and helping small business owners start and grow their businesses,” says Hakim Kassam, Director of SBA lending at Rising Bank. “Rising Bank is an online bank grounded in a rich tradition of exceptional financial services and I am proud to be leading the efforts for future growth of the Bank’s SBA lending in national markets.”
Kassam is a results-oriented leader with 25+ years of progressive management experience in the financial and banking arena. Previously, he served as the managing director for the Small Business Finance division of BankUnited. He also has SBA management experience from Wells Fargo, Community Bank of the South, Temecula Valley Bank, and Imperial Bank.
Kassam holds a bachelor’s of arts degree in computer information systems from the University of Miami and obtained his MBA from the University of Miami Herbert Business school. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Country Bank Welcomes Samuel Ortiz as Small Business Development Officer
“Welcoming Sam to the Small Business Lending Team at Country Bank is very exciting for us,” says Miriam Siegel, First Senior Vice President of Human Resources. “He has an extensive background working with business owners to develop business plans, financing strategies and, in the process, building long-term partnerships.”
Ortiz, who resides in West Springfield, Massachusetts, has been in the commercial lending industry for 40 years. Ortiz is an experienced business development leader serving Western and Central Massachusetts. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Springfield Technical Community College and has attended various banking and financial programs throughout his career including The School of Finance and Management at Fairfield University.
“I truly enjoy working with small and mid-sized businesses seeking opportunities to enhance and grow their businesses,” says Ortiz. “Being proactive, creative, and looking outside the box to identify opportunities in helping existing and new customers, brings me great satisfaction and pride.”
Chrissy Foster Joins Sunflower Bank’s Houston Business Banking Team
“I am so excited to be a part of Sunflower Bank,” says Chrissy Foster, Sunflower Bank’s new SBA Expert Business Banker. “I know the tools and resources businesses with an upward trajectory need, and Sunflower Bank can provide all of them.”
Foster brings over 20 years of expertise in SBA lending to her new role at Sunflower Bank. She entered the banking industry in 1997 and has been trained in underwriting for all SBA products. In addition to her business banking experience, Foster has owned two businesses.
Foster is an active and committed member of the greater Houston community. She participates in multiple charitable foundations including Susan G. Komen Foundation and March of Dimes, and is a frequent participant with community business organizations such as SBA Houston District Lender’s Match, UH Small Business Development Center and Mid-America Lenders Conference.