Coleman Movers & Shakers — Tony Zara Joins Newtek as EVP, Credit and Risk Management

November 2, 2017

By Bob Coleman
Editor, Coleman Movers and Shakers

Coleman Movers & Shakers — Tony Zara Joins Newtek as EVP, Credit and Risk Management

Tony Zara Joins Newtek as EVP, Credit and Risk Management

Barry Sloane, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer says, “We are very excited to welcome Tony Zara to our team. With his depth and breadth of experience in business development and SBA loan credit evaluation as well as his expertise in funding SBA 504 construction loans and term-loan financing, we believe he will help improve and augment policies and procedures, credit underwriting, transactional deal flow and funding in NBC’s SBA 504 program.

Tony has over 15 years of experience in strategic planning, business development and SBA loan credit evaluation with expertise in SBA 504 loan products. Most recently, Zara was Executive Vice President, National Sales and Director at Mercantile Capital Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Iberiabank Corporation, where he helped develop a national lending business that specialized in providing fixed-asset acquisition and construction financing to small business owners through the SBA 504 loan program. In addition, Tony oversaw and was part of a national sales team that funded over $2.2 billion in SBA 504 loans.

Zara holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics with a concentration in Finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business Undergraduate Program.

Heather Luzzi Named Sacramento SBA District Director

“Heather Luzzi is an experienced banker and leader who understands the challenges of small business owners who want to start and grow companies in the Sacramento area,” says SBA Region IX Administrator Michael Vallante. “Heather will be a strong advocate for the Sacramento District’s business community.”

Luzzi previously held leadership positions at several financial services organizations including Senior Account Executive, Branch Manager, and Regional Production Manager. Most recently, she served as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of SBA Lending for a small community bank. She has also worked at SBA as Senior Analyst, District International Trade Officer, and Lender Relations Specialist.

Carlos Mendoza Retires as SBA Fresno District Director

Carlos Mendoza has been a strong leader and advocate for small businesses across the country,” said SBA Region IX Administrator Michael Vallante, in a statement. “His dedication to people who start and grow businesses, and his commitment to the community has made a difference in the lives of many. Carlos has made many significant contributions to the Small Business Administration, and entrepreneurs during his tenure, and he will be missed.”

During Mendoza’s 15 years in Fresno, he served as an advocate for Central California and Central Coast small businesses, bringing additional resources to the Valley including the Emerging Leaders mini MBA program, several PRIME grants, a Women’s Business Center, and the Small Business Development Center.

In 2014, the Small Business Administration bestowed the Eisenhower Award for Mission Support, SBA’s highest honor, on Mendoza in recognition of his exemplary contributions to SBA’s mission.

For the last 15 years, Mendoza has volunteered as a board member of the local Combined Federal Campaign, the federal government’s official philanthropy employee-based program which has raised millions of dollars for local nonprofit and community based organizations.

A Correction

SBA says I attributed a quote on Tuesday to the wrong SBA official regarding equity injection for startups. I have removed his name and the quote from the article.

Upcoming SBA Lending Professional Industry Events

FLAGGL, November 13-15, Orlando

Restaurant Finance & Development Conference, November 15-17, Las Vegas

10th Annual 2017 SBA Secondary Market Summit, December 4-5, Washington D.C.

Coleman’s 2017 SBA Lending Awards, December 5, Washington D.C.

The SBIC Summit: Increased Profit, Improved Regulatory Compliance, December 6, 2017 Washington, DC

USDA Rural Development Lenders Meeting, December 7, 2017 Washington, DC

Southeastern Small Business Lenders Conference, March 7-9, Asheville

Mid-America Lender’s Conference, April 15-17, Fort Worth

America West, June 20-22, Costa Mesa