Crestmark announced the addition of Leslie Johnson as regional first vice president, senior business development officer. She reports to Ray Morandell out of the Midwest region office. She is located in Ventura, CA, and is responsible for covering the southern California market.

Johnson has a diverse background, with knowledge in law and finance. She joined Crestmark from Marquette Commercial Finance, where she worked for more than five years as senior vice president, origination officer, in the California market. Prior to that she was vice president, Business Development, for Austin Financial Services, Inc. From 2004 to 2006, she worked for Wells Fargo Commercial Banking as vice president, Business Development. In 1998, Johnson founded Cardinal Funding, a corporate debt placement firm. She ran that company until 2004.

Johnson earned her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona, and then obtained her law degree from the University of Kansas in 1995. She practiced law from 1995 to 1998 at McCormick, Barstow, Sheppard, Wayte & Carruth, and at Phi Alpha Delta Public Service Center, a non-profit corporation funded primarily by the U.S. Department of Justice. She then moved into the world of commercial finance.

“We are excited to have Leslie join the Crestmark family,” said Ray Morandell, SVP, Midwest region sales manager. “Our efforts to build a stronger presence in the California/West Coast market continues to gain momentum and with her knowledge and experience Leslie will be a key element in an ongoing process to support Crestmark’s reach.”

Crestmark is a provider of working capital solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses.