Coleman Movers & Shakers — Steve Penza, C.J. Sentell, and The Regions Foundation

May 21, 2020 

By Caity Witucki
Contributing Editor, Coleman Movers & Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — Steve Penza, C.J. Sentell, and The Regions Foundation

Steve Penza Joins First Port City Bank’s Government Guaranteed Lending Division

First Port City Bank is pleased to announce its hiring of Steve Penza as Government Guaranteed Lender. In his position, Steve will be responsible for generating small business loans through the bank’s Government Guaranteed Lending Division throughout North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

Prior to joining First Port City Bank, Steve accumulated over 23 years of experience underwriting  SBA 7a and 504 loans. Steve earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Providence College.

“We continue to strengthen our SBA/USDA lending division in order to serve small businesses across the Southeast by providing them the capital they need to grow their business,” says  John McClure, senior vice president and managing director of First Port City Bank’s government guaranteed lending division. “Steve has the perfect combination of experience and community development to help customers succeed.”

C.J. Sentell Joins Pathway Lending 

Pathway Lending welcomes C.J. Sentell to its CDFI team as Vice President of Rural Lending. With over five years of experience in the CDFI sector, Sentell comes to Pathway having previously served as the Executive Director of FORGE, a 30-year-old CDFI loan fund in Arkansas. Sentell brings his experience managing a rural portfolio in Arkansas to his new role at Pathway, where he leads efforts to bring capital and resources to rural Tennessee.

“I am honored to join the dynamic team at Pathway. I am inspired by their relentless pursuit of economic opportunity for all, and I look forward to helping advance this mission across rural Tennessee,” says Sentell.

He holds graduate degrees from the University of Cambridge and Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of Hendrix College. A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Sentell is a lifelong entrepreneur and currently owns and operates a grass-fed cattle concern in the Ozark Mountains.

Regions Foundation adds $260K to CDFI Grants Fund

Alabama-based, Regions Foundation, a nonprofit run by Regions Bank, recently pledged to support ten community development financial institutions (CDFIs) that are assisting small businesses impacted by COVID-19. These grants are part of a collective $5 million committed by the Regions Foundation. 

“Every day, nonprofits and community organizations are connecting with small-business owners to provide customized guidance and financial assistance,” says Marta Self, Executive Director of the Regions Foundation. “These grants will help this important work continue.”