Coleman Movers & Shakers – Rich Grant, Rita Mitchell, Bob Gonzales, Elle Merkley, and CDC Small Business Finance

October 27, 2022

Delaney Sexton
Contributing Editor

Coleman Movers & Shakers – Rich Grant, Rita Mitchell, Bob Gonzales, Elle Merkley, and CDC Small Business Finance

Rich Grant Named CEO of Bay Area Development Company

Reflecting on his appointment by the Board of Directors and Baird’s departure, Grant says, “I am honored to be leading the Bay Area Development team. Our team has significant experience, passion and commitment. Under Jim’s leadership, Bay Area Development has thrived. Jim’s contributions to the 504 industry and loan program are significant and invaluable. We are excited for Jim in his future endeavors and I am excited for the opportunity to continue our mission to assist our small business clients.”

Rich brings many years of experience at multiple levels of SBA lending including business development and program management experience both in the CDC world and banking. The Board of Directors and former CEO James Baird have every confidence that Rich’s attention to detail and customer service will ensure the continued excellent and responsive service that you have come to expect from us.

Rita Mitchell and Bob Gonzales Join Altus Recruiting as Executive Recruiters

“We are ecstatic to have Rita Mitchell and Bob Gonzales join our team of Executive Recruiters at Altus Recruiting. They will be integral members of our SBA Recruiting Team. We value their extensive SBA experience and Yvonne Bramson and I look forward to helping them learn the Executive Recruiting business. Both Bob and Rita have worked with Altus Recruiting as Clients over the years and that trust formed the foundation for them to join our Team and help us serve the SBA Community,” says Mike McLain President of Altus Recruiting.

“I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the SBA community by joining the ALTUS RECRUITING team! They are known for their industry knowledge, expertise, and professionalism. I have the upmost respect for Yvonne Bramson and Mike McLain, whom I’ve known and worked with for 17 years. As nationwide recruiters for the SBA industry I consider them the best in the business,” says Rita Mitchell.

“I am thrilled about joining Altus Recruiting, teaming up with Michael McLain, Yvonne Bramson, and Rita Mitchell. Altus over the years has shown great commitment, professionalism, and integrity in the Executive Recruiter industry. I look forward to providing ‘concierge service’ to both my professional banking and non-profit clients, as well as our strong, excellent team of candidates,” says Bob Gonzales.

“Rita and Bob, we trust that you will find this to be a company you both can be proud to represent! As a group comprised of talented individuals, every person is a vital part of the success we all enjoy. We are thrilled to have Rita Mitchell and Bob Gonzales join us and look forward to your contributions to our team,” says Yvonne Bramson, Senior Executive Recruiter / “Headhuntress” at Altus Recruiting.

Fountainhead Welcomes Elle Merkley as a Commercial Loan Specialist

“Elle’s attention to detail, problem-solving skills and driven personality are a huge asset to our diverse and experienced team,” says Fountainhead CEO, Chris Hurn. “Her expertise will help Fountainhead stay true to our core tenants of speed, service, specialization and sincerity as we guide America’s small businesses on their path to success.”

Throughout Merkley’s 19 years of professional, commercial lending experience, she has worked with national banks, regional banks, community banks, nonbank lenders, certified development companies and fintechs to achieve multi-millions in funding for commercial borrowers nationwide. Passionate about helping others, Merkley effectively communicates, provides guidance and builds strong relationships with small business borrowers so that they feel taken care of and valued. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Merkley will help America’s businesses secure the financing they need to grow and succeed with Fountainhead’s specialized SBA 7(a), SBA 504, and low LTV conventional loan programs.

“One of my grand joys is helping businesses secure the business loans they need,” says Merkley. “Together with the Fountainhead team, I’ll strive to make securing financing as efficient and simple as possible for our borrowers and referral sources. Business owners can focus on running their businesses and confidently trust us to be there for them to deliver the funding they need.”

CDC Small Business Finance Earns #1 Spot as Top SBA 504 and Community Advantage Lender Nationwide

“As always, we lead with our values and put our borrowers first. These results are proof that working in and with communities can put us on top. Every dollar we lend and every loan we make has a tangible impact on the life of a business owner pursuing their dream,” says Ellis Carr, President and CEO of the Momentus Capital family of organizations, which includes CDC Small Business Finance, Capital Impact Partners, and Ventures Lending Technologies. “These are great achievements that speak to our dedication to our borrowers, the businesses they run, and the communities they serve.”

In the federal fiscal year running from October 2021 through September 2022, CDC Small Business Finance approved $592,271,000 in SBA 504 loans, which is $5.6 million more than the next SBA lender. With 428 approved SBA 504 loans, this meant an average of more than $1.383 million per loan.

During the same time period, CDC Small Business Finance approved $37,561,700 in Community Advantage loans, far surpassing all other lenders nationwide by nearly six times. With 253 approved Community Advantage loans, this meant an average of more than $148,000 per loan.

CDC Small Business Finance also earned the top spot on the state level in Arizona, where it was #1 in the number of loans approved, combined, for 504 and Community Advantage loans, with 99 loans in the fourth quarter totaling $95,034,500.

“These achievements are all the more impressive because our colleagues made them happen during a busy year of transition at Momentus,” says Raymond Guthrie, Chief Investment Officer and Head of Capital Deployment for the Momentus Capital family of organizations. “This shows the SBA, the rest of the industry, and — most importantly — our borrowers that we remain committed to small businesses and the positive change they can drive.”

SBA Lending Conference Schedule 2023

Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference – February 12-14 – Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island

America West Small Business Lending Conference – March 14-16 – San Diego, CA

Mid-America Lenders Conference – April 19-21 – JW San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa

Great Lakes Lenders Conference – July – TBD

America East Small Business Lenders Conference – August 16-18 – Encore Boston Harbor, A Wynn Resort

FLAGGL – September 20-22 – JW Mariott Orlando Grande Lakes

Kentucky Small Business Lenders Conference – November – Louisville, KY