Coleman Movers & Shakers — Mark Gibson, FranFund, Inc., and Robert Piechota

October 17, 2019

By Caity Witucki
Contributing Editor, Coleman Movers & Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — Mark Gibson, FranFund, Inc., and Robert Piechota

First Internet Bank Expands SBA Team

Mark Gibson has joined First Internet Bank’s SBA lending team as National Sales Manager. Gibson has over 20 years of experience in Small Business Lending, having most recently served as Managing Director and National Sales Manager for Ready Capital, where he built an origination team that was among the top 20 most active SBA lenders in FY 2018 and 2019. He is an alumnus of the University of Louisville and received his MBA from Bellarmine University.

“We’re excited to accelerate our SBA lending efforts and expand access to affordable loans serving entrepreneurs,” says David Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer of First Internet Bank. “Mark is a proven sales and operations leader who has built high-performing teams originating over $200 million in a year.”

“I was drawn to SBA Lending early in my career because the program allows small business owners to secure financing necessary to fuel their growth,” says Gibson. “With our SBA Preferred Lender status and a team of talented, experienced SBA professionals, First Internet Bank is able to expedite the loan approval process and offer a level of responsiveness that allows entrepreneurs to compete and win in their markets.”

FranFund Ranked Number One on Entrepreneur’s Annual Franchise Industry Supplier Ranking

The nation’s largest and fastest-growing franchise brands have named FranFund, Inc., the number one provider of financing solutions for franchisees.

FranFund offers funding programs to help franchisees open and expand their businesses ranging from SBA loans and 401(k) business funding to conventional loans and non-traditional solutions, including unsecured loans, securities-backed loans, equipment leasing, and refinancing programs.

“Helping franchisees overcome financing obstacles and realize their dreams of business ownership is gratifying on its own,” says Geoff Seiber, FranFund founder, and CEO. “Knowing that franchisors trust us most to help get their franchises up and running is truly rewarding. The recognition as their funding partner of choice validates our unique approach and commitment to personalized customer experiences.”

Robert Piechota Named the New Head of SBA’s Long Island branch

Robert Piechota has been named branch manager of the SBA’s Long Island office in Hauppauge, serving Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Piechota, who grew up in Mineola, has served as director of New York City College of Technology’s Small Business Development Center in Brooklyn for the past six years. He also previously ran his own consulting business and is a U.S. Army veteran and graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“My goal is not necessarily to do more [educational programs] but more targeted, impactful ones. I think my personal orientation is to get people to understand how to do business with the government,” Says Piechota. “I want to get more specific and granular with our programs. For example, if we are going to do a veterans’ program, I want to have specific workshops [broken out] in certain trades like information technology and security. I’d also like to create more frequent workshops for non-native English speakers […] We’ll have the capacity to conduct programs with SBA resources and other resource partners.”

Upcoming SBA Lending Professional Industry Events

NAGGL, October 28-30, New Orleans

Restaurant Finance & Development Conference, November 11-13, Bellagio Hotel, Las Vegas

2019 Annual National Rural Lenders’ Roundtable, December 4, Washington DC

2020 SBA Secondary Market Summit, January 8, 2020, Washington DC

Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, March 18-20, Asheville NC

America East Small Business Lenders Conference, August 12-14, Baltimore, MD

Music City Lenders Conference, August 19-21 (Tentative), Nashville, TN

FLAGGL Small Business Lenders Conference September 16-18, Orlando, FL