Mick Goik, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Crestmark Bank, recently announced promotions and new staff within the company’s  SBA Lending Division. The SBA Lending Division, which recently marked its one-year anniversary, was established with a strategy to offer customized, timely SBA loan products, and financing solutions, to small- and medium-sized businesses nationwide. The division recently was named a preferred lender (PLP) by the Small Business Administration in its Preferred Lender Program. PLP lenders have streamlined paperwork processes, and the authority to review and approve loans for SBA funding. PLP lenders potentially can reduce the time to process SBA loans, and speed up funding to qualified businesses.

For several years, Crestmark’s SBA loans were a complement to other funding options to its core client base. Since creating the SBA Lending Division with a dedicated team, Crestmark has established a strong presence in niche industries including, independent insurance agencies, hospitality/hotel, and others.

Goik said, “We are excited to announce that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has granted Crestmark ‘Preferred Lender Status.’ This designation will help us get funding to qualified small businesses more efficiently. Earning this status exemplifies the hard work that our SBA Division puts in day in and day out. And to help with the hard work and the expanding division, over the past several months, Crestmark has promoted several members within the Division, and added new staff to ensure excellent service and meet growing demand.”

Crestmark’s SBA Division Staff Promotions and Additions:

Steven Gross, Senior Vice President, SBA Lending Division President

Gross was promoted to president of Crestmark’s SBA Lending Division from the position of senior vice president, national underwriting manager. Gross’s career in finance spans 30 years. He first joined Crestmark in 2011 as vice president and underwriter, and was based in Chicago. Prior to joining Crestmark, he was managing director for Chicago-based Bridge Finance Group. Earlier, he held regional positions at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, GE Capital Commercial Finance, and Fremont Financial. Gross is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.

Christopher R. Soupal, First Vice President, National Sales Director

Soupal, a founding member of the SBA Division, was promoted to first vice president, national sales director. Soupal has 20 years of diverse experience in the finance industry. Before joining Crestmark, Soupal was managing director for Stinson Street Opportunity Capital. Earlier, he held positions as managing director at RedRidge Finance Group; director at Bridge Finance Group; vice president at ABN AMRO/LaSalle Debt Capital Markets; and account executive at FINOVA Capital Corporation. Soupal has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ferris State University. In addition, he is a graduate of the Executive Education Program in business administration at the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza School of Business.

Chad Kerr, First Vice President, SBA Portfolio Manager

Kerr, who has worked for Crestmark since 2005, joined the SBA Division as first vice president, SBA portfolio manager. He had been first vice president, underwriting team leader for Crestmark’s East Division. Kerr has more than 20 years in the finance and banking industry, and during his career he has worked for Comerica Bank and Fremont Financial. In addition, he owned a field exam firm that provided services to banking institutions. Kerr has a BS in finance from Ferris State University.

Roger A. Bick, Vice President, SBA Underwriter

Bick joined Crestmark Bank as a vice president, underwriter in the SBA Division in January 2015. Bick’s career in banking and finance spans more than 20 years. Prior to joining Crestmark, Bick was vice president, Middle Market portfolio manager at RBS Citizens Bank. Previously, he held positions at Bank of America, including vice president, special assets portfolio manager. During his career, he also worked for J.P. Morgan Chase, where he held several positions, including vice president, underwriter II. Bick earned a B.S.B.A. in accounting from Oakland University, and an MBA from Wayne State University. He is a recipient of the George Harding Banking Scholarship Award.

Sharron Jekielek-Olko, Vice President, SBA Underwriter

Jelielek-Olko joined Crestmark’s SBA Division as vice president, SBA underwriter. Before joining Crestmark in 2014, Jekielek-Olko worked as a senior commercial real estate analyst at Wells Fargo Bank. Her previous work history includes the following positions: real estate underwriter for Level One Bank; commercial real estate underwriter at First State Bank; and asset analyst for Daimler Chrysler Corporation. Jekielek-Olko has a master’s degree in finance, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration, from Walsh College of Accountancy and Business Administration.

J. Wesley Barrett, Assistant Vice President, Underwriter

Barrett was promoted to assistant vice president, underwriter from the role of financial analyst for Crestmark’s portfolio team. He first joined Crestmark in 2010 as a junior field examiner. This role was followed by positions as a staff examiner and a senior field examiner. He is a graduate of Michigan State University.

Zach McDonald, Officer, SBA Sales Analyst

McDonald has been promoted to officer, SBA sales analyst and supports the new business sales process. He first joined Crestmark in 2012 as a junior field examiner, and subsequently was promoted to staff examiner. McDonald has a bachelor’s degree in economics from the University of Michigan.   

Sarah Thelen, Officer, SBA Financial Analyst

Thelen joined the SBA Division as a financial analyst in August 2015. In this role, she will manage the Division’s growing account portfolio. She joined Crestmark in 2012 as a junior field examiner, and since then was promoted to staff examiner, followed by a promotion to senior staff examiner. Thelen is a graduate of Michigan State University.

Dave Menoian, SBA Sales Analyst

Menoian has been named a sales analyst for the SBA Division in July 2015 and supports the new business process. Menoian joined Crestmark in 2013 as a junior field examiner, and subsequently was promoted to staff examiner. He earned a dual degree in business and philosophy from Kalamazoo College.

Crestmark is an FDIC-insured bank that provides innovative financial solutions for businesses nationwide. Financing solutions include asset-based lending, accounts receivable financing, lines of credit, term loans, factoring, machinery/equipment financing and equipment leasing.