Movers & Shakers: Barbara Morrison Retires, TMC Financing Welcomes Omar Salah, Plus Lori Robertson & Brian Chung

September 11, 2025

by Bob Coleman
Founder & Publisher

Movers & Shakers: Barbara Morrison Retires, TMC Financing Welcomes Omar Salah, Plus Lori Robertson & Brian Chung

Barbara Morrison, Founder of TMC Financing, Retires After 45 Years

“I am incredibly proud of what TMC has accomplished and the extraordinary team that made it possible,” says Barbara Morrison. “Together, we’ve built an organization that drives small business job creation and economic growth. I’m confident that TMC will continue to thrive under Omar’s leadership.”

TMC Financing proudly announces a new chapter in its leadership. After 45 years, TMC Financing Founder Barbara Morrison is retiring. Omar Salah has been appointed President and CEO, and will start October 6, 2025.

Morrison, a Bay Area small business advocate and civic leader, founded TMC Financing in 1981 and has led the organization to become the nation’s largest Certified Development Company (CDC). Under her leadership, TMC has provided over $16 billion in SBA 504 commercial real estate loans to more than 8,000 small businesses, helping create an estimated 78,000 jobs across California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and Hawaii. Morrison also founded Working Solutions and TMC Community Capital, expanding access to capital for underserved entrepreneurs.

“Barbara is truly an icon in the SBA 504 community,” states DJ Kurtze, TMC Financing Board Chair. “Her vision, tenacity, and unwavering commitment to small businesses have shaped not only TMC, but the entire industry. We are deeply grateful for her decades of leadership and the legacy she leaves behind.”

TMC Financing Names Omar Salah as New President & CEO

“I’m honored to join TMC and lead an organization that has empowered thousands of small businesses to grow and thrive,” says Omar Salah. “I look forward to working with our dedicated team and partners to expand access to capital and opportunity for entrepreneurs across TMC’s footprint.”

Omar Salah brings more than two decades of experience in banking, entrepreneurship, and innovation to his new role as President & CEO of TMC Financing. He will start October 6, 2025.

Salah most recently served as Executive Vice President and National Director of Small Business Banking at Comerica Bank, where he was a member of the senior leadership team. During his tenure at Comerica, Salah launched several groundbreaking initiatives, including the company’s first small business digital lending program, Zelle for Small Business, and award-winning treasury packages.

Salah holds a doctorate from the University of Southern California, where his research focused on human performance improvement and organizational trust. He also earned an MBA from UC Irvine and a bachelor’s degree from Cal State San Marcos. A recognized industry leader and frequent public speaker, Salah serves as a volunteer with several community-based organizations.

“Omar brings a rare blend of strategic vision, operational excellence, and a deep commitment to small business success,” says DJ Kurtze, TMC Financing Board Chair. “His leadership experience and innovative mindset make him the ideal person to build on Barbara Morrison’s legacy and lead TMC into its next era.”

Countybank’s Lori Robertson Appointed Assistant Vice President

“Since joining Countybank, Lori has brought incredible dedication, sharp financial insight, and a collaborative spirit that has greatly benefitted our Accounting department and organization,” says Tremayne D. Lee, SVP and Senior Financial Controller. “Her ability to lead by example, mentor team members, and work seamlessly across departments has made her a trusted and respected colleague.”

Countybank announced that Lori Robertson has been appointed Assistant Vice President by the Board of Directors.

Robertson joined Countybank in July 2013 as an Accounts Payable Accountant in the Accounting department. Over time, she transitioned to the role of Financial Accountant, providing support to Countybank’s Mortgage, Trust, SBA, and Wealth Management divisions. In 2022, she was promoted to Senior Financial Accountant and Banking Officer, and in 2023, she began supervising additional staff as the department expanded.

Robertson is a graduate of Greenwood High School and earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from Lander University in 2000. She resides in Greenwood.

Stone Bank Adds Brian Chung as SBA Construction Specialist

Stone Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Brian Chung to its SBA Division, where he will serve as SBA Construction Specialist. Chung previously held a similar role at Dogwood State Bank, where he handled SBA construction loans and project administration.

Chung will be based out of Stone Bank’s headquarters and operations center in Little Rock. Chung holds a Bachelor of Science in Business from Arizona State University.