Small Business Capital

Eric has nearly 30 years of banking experience, and is considered a specialist in SBA and USDA lending. In addition to his focus on government-guaranteed lending, he has held positions of senior credit analyst, branch manager and vice president. Eric has played an integral part of achieving Preferred Lender Status for several financial institutions under the SBA’s 7(a) Program as well as obtaining Certified Lender Status under the USDA’s Business & Industry Lending Program. Eric joined Ridgestone Bank in 2006 and in 2009 became a senior vice president. He will continue to lead the Brookfield, Wis. commercial team at Byline Small Business Capital.

Jessie is a leader in government guaranteed banking with more than 25 years of SBA and USDA lending experience. She started in packaging and closing and has been a lender since 1995. She has worked for regional and national banks, a national non-bank lender and for a local 504 certified development company. Known for her quick and direct approach, Jessie is skilled in financing business acquisitions, partnership buyouts, refinancing, and various other sophisticated business transactions. Whether the industry is manufacturing, healthcare or other service businesses, she can get to the heart of a situation and handle the most complex deals. Jessie joined Ridgestone Bank in 2006 and will continue her focus on SBA and USDA lending at Byline Small Business Capital.

Matt’s focus is on government guaranteed lending for small and medium sized businesses throughout Wisconsin, with an emphasis on the greater Milwaukee area. After beginning his career in credit, Matt gained commercial banking experience with a diversified regional bank focusing on SBA and USDA lending. He also gained experience through a management training program, to include business development, credit analysis, loan closing documentation and relationship management. Matt joined Ridgestone Bank’s commercial lending team in 2013, where he earned Sales Achievement Awards for three consecutive years. Matt will continue his exceptional work ethic at Byline Small Business Capital.

Bill brings more than 15 years of commercial banking experience to the team, and will utilize his last several years in SBA lending to focus on government guaranteed lending throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Bill previously worked in Chicago, Phoenix and Milwaukee, where he excelled in business development and commercial banking relationships. Bill joined Ridgestone Bank in 2014 and is looking forward to the opportunities ahead with Byline Small Business Capital.

Derek has nine years of commercial banking experience, including extensive credit and underwriting expertise. He enjoys serving as a financial advisor to a broad range of clients and utilizing SBA lending programs that best meet their corporate profile and financial goals. Derek has great success in assisting buyers looking to acquire small and mid-sized businesses, as well as supporting existing companies looking to grow through mergers and acquisitions. His expertise also includes helping business owners obtain financing for their owner-occupied commercial real estate. Derek joined Ridgestone Bank in 2016 and will continue to work with business owners throughout Southeastern Wisconsin at Byline Small Business Capital.

Avelina provides credit and closing support to the commercial lending team in addition to focusing on SBA loan lead generation. Avelina’s background in multiple aspects of banking and loan processes make her a valuable asset to the lending team and to business clients throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Avelina joined Ridgestone Bank in 2009 where she held various positions such as personal banker, commercial banker and closer. In 2015, Avelina achieved the Top Performer-Gold Closing Achievement Award. Shortly thereafter Avelina was promoted to business development associate, which she will continue at Byline Small Business Capital.

Erik has worked in banking and small business finance for 12 years, specializing in SBA and USDA lending. He previously built an internal SBA department and managed the credit department for a $1 billion community bank in Wausau. He has also worked for Wisconsin Business Development, administering SBA 504 loan programs and packaging SBA 7(a) loans for community banks. Erik’s goal is to work with companies to restructure their balance sheets, which puts them in a better position for future growth. Erik joined Ridgestone Bank in 2014, and will continue help companies underserved by traditional banks find access to long-term working capital with Byline Small Business Capital.

Tom has 11 years of experience in banking and finance and focuses on deploying his lending experience and SBA expertise to provide government-guaranteed lending options to each of his customers. He assisted with the launch of the SBA program at a former bank, which soon led the Madison market in new SBA loan volume. Tom joined Ridgestone Bank in 2015 and will continue to provide SBA and USDA lending options to businesses throughout Southwestern Wisconsin and the Madison area with Byline Small Business Capital.