Mick Goik, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Crestmark Bank, 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.

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 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. Previously, he was managing director for Chicago-based Bridge Finance Group, and held regional positions at JPMorgan Chase, GE Capital Commercial Finance and Fremont Financial.

A founding member of the SBA Division Christopher R. Soupal, first vice president and National Sales director, 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.

Chad 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.

Roger A. 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. Previously, 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 JPMorgan Chase where he held several positions, including vice president, underwriter II.

Sharron Jekielek-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.

J. Wesley 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.

Zach McDonald was 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.

Sarah 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.

Dave Menoian was 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.