Coleman Movers & Shakers – Sherry Martin, Armen Balian, and Tony Diaz

April 6, 2023

Delaney Sexton
Contributing Editor

Coleman Movers & Shakers – Sherry Martin, Armen Balian, and Tony Diaz

Sherry Martin Joins the SBA Complete Team as SVP, Director of Client Bank Development

Jerry Kinlaw, Executive Vice President of SBA Complete says of Sherry joining the team, “We are very excited to have a veteran government lender like Sherry joining us. Our client base will benefit tremendously from her knowledge and skills. The expertise, history and connectivity she brings to the organization just adds to the already fantastic team we have helping banks throughout the nation make SBA and government lending an option in their communities.”

Within her role she will be responsible for engaging, enrolling, expanding, and empowering banks to increase access to capital by offering SBA lending services. She most recently was the Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at Georgia Primary Bank where she was responsible for restructuring and growing the banks SBA/USDA lending division. However, in early 2020 her focus swiftly shifted to the implementation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Heavily involved in the government lending industry and community, she has been honored by the Georgia Small Business Development Center (SBDC/UGA) for her strong commitment to innovation, economic growth, and business leadership. Sherry is actively involved with the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), where she currently serves on the Board of Directors, chairs the Small Lender East, and Co-chairs the Public Policy committee. She also currently chairs the Invest Atlanta loan committee where she’s actively served since 2009. Sherry is also the past Chair and current Vice Chair for the Georgia Lenders Quality Circle (GLQC), and in 2014 was awarded the first ever Lifetime Commitment Award for her dedication to the small business community.

In 2015, she was named one of the Top 25 Women of Atlanta by Steed Media and Rolling Out magazine. The U.S. Small Business Administration recognized her as the 2017 & 2022 Financial Services Champion of the Year for the state of GA. In 2019, she was awarded the Business Award from the Clark Atlanta University National Alumni Association. She is a member of the Leadership Buckhead Class of 2022 and most recently, she was named one of Atlanta’s Top 100 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League.

When asked about her move to SBA Complete, she notes, “I made the switch because I feel like I can make a greater impact at SBA Complete. Small business is my purpose and my passion. Access to capital is one of the biggest hurdles to business ownership and/or growth. Bringing more banks into the SBA lending capabilities gives entrepreneurs more options.”

Wallis Bank Announces Armen Balian as VP, Commercial Lending Officer

“Armen will bring value through his diversity of experience in his banking & non-banking background” states Nasrullah Khan, EVP/Chief Lending Officer. “His knowledge of manufacturing & import/export makes Armen a great asset for our customers but will be a great education tool for other Wallis Bank employees as well.”

Armen Balian joins Wallis Bank’s team in Los Angeles, California. What started as an underwriting job, developed a passion for the banking industry and an entrepreneurial mindset. Armen has over 25 years of banking experience and specializes in financing business acquisitions & mergers.

Armen has developed his customer relationships with the mindset of “understanding them personally and always being prepared for their call.” He is a great addition to the ever-growing Wallis Bank team.

PlainsCapital Bank Welcomes Tony Diaz as AVP, Commercial Loan Officer

“We’re pleased to welcome Tony to PlainsCapital,” says Joe Pitch, Executive Vice President of commercial lending. “We are committed to building an experienced lending group at One Victory Park, and Tony’s professional expertise makes him an excellent fit for our growing team.”

Diaz has more than five years of financial services experience. He joins PlainsCapital from Texas Security Bank where he served as a relationship manager. He received his bachelor’s at Maryville College and his MBA from Mississippi State University.

“I’m pleased to be joining PlainsCapital at such an exciting time,” says Diaz. “I look forward to serving business owners in Dallas and providing them with the lending solutions they need to pursue their goals.”