Community Bankshares Adds Hurn, Gilpin, Sexton, Dunn, Bland, Amador, Pierson, Craig as Phoenix Lender Services

January 15, 2025

Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

Community Bankshares Adds Hurn, Gilpin, Sexton, Dunn, Bland, Amador, Pierson, Craig as Phoenix Lender Services

Chris Hurn, the new holding company President, says, “Small businesses are the backbone of the economy, yet accessing the capital they need remains a challenge, At Phoenix, we’re not just offering loans—we’re delivering the full spectrum of lending support services, ensuring that small businesses and lenders alike can thrive. With over 700+ years of combined experience, our 37-person team is uniquely positioned to tackle the complexities of SBA and USDA lending.”

Board Chairman Jeremy Gilpin adds, “By handling the intricacies of SBA and USDA lending, Phoenix allows lenders to focus on what they do best—serving their customers . Our goal is to make the process faster, easier, and more accessible while delivering unmatched expertise and support.”

CBI subsidiaries now include Community Bank & Trust of LaGrange, Georgia and Phoenix Lender Services.

Phoenix is led by:

  • Chris Hurn, President & CEO and President of CBI: Has extensive background in small business lending and is a national advocate for small businesses, regularly delivering congressional testimony, appearing in national media, and publishing articles that promote education and innovation in the industry. He has excelled in the small business finance space since 1998.  
  • Jeremy Gilpin, Chairman of the Board, CBI: One of the most well-known leaders in the USDA business lending industry, publishing articles, interviews, and giving keynote speeches nationwide. He began his banking/lending career in 1994.
  • Lance Sexton, EVP, Chief SBA Servicing & Liquidation Officer: Has a 30-year history in the origination, servicing, and liquidation of SBA loans. He most recently served as the Deputy Director of the SBA Little Rock Commercial Loan Servicing Center prior to working with Hurn at Fountainhead SBF, an SBLC.
  • Stephanie Dunn, EVP, Chief SBA Revenue Officer: Serves as a Council Member for the State of North Carolina’s Innovation Council and has 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Most recently, she served as the President of SBA Lending at Grasshopper Bank. She has also served as President of SBA Lending at IncredibleBank and First Bank.
  • Michael Bland, EVP, Chief SBA Credit Officer: an operational leader with extensive experience in SBA credit and underwriting services, formerly having worked with Hurn and Sexton at Fountainhead.
  • Doreen Amador, EVP, USDA Production: Involved in commercial lending for over 27 years, particularly in USDA business lending.
  • Shane Pierson, SVP, National SBA Sales Manager: Record-breaking sales executive driving business growth and having worked with Dunn at several lending institutions.
  • Matt Craig, SVP, Growth & Marketing: Marketing strategist renowned for building impactful brands and growing revenue, and having previously worked with Hurn, Sexton, and Bland at Fountainhead.

Phoenix Lender Services provides:

  • SBA Underwriting, Closing, Servicing, and Liquidations: Managing the full lifecycle of SBA loans, from origination to liquidation, while ensuring compliance and borrower support.
  • USDA Underwriting, Closing, Servicing, and Liquidations: Specializing in rural and underserved communities, PHX facilitates USDA business loans that provide critical financing for agricultural and rural development projects.
  • Secondary Market Sales: Enhancing liquidity for lending institutions through the sale of loans on the secondary market.
  • Exclusive Origination Services for CB&T: Streamlined origination services ensure a seamless application experience for CB&T clients.

To learn more, visit phoenixlenderservices.com.