White Oak Commercial Finance (WOCF), an affiliate of White Oak Global Advisors, hired two new executives: Matthew DeBernardo as managing director of originations, and Blake Voyles as head of lower middle market underwriting. The hires further enhance WOCF’s ABL offerings and capabilities in underwriting and deploying flexible capital solutions for middle market firms.
DeBernardo and Voyles join a growing team with international reach and cross-industry expertise. They join other new hires by WOCF in 2024 that include Meredith Fitz and Chris Gouskos. Fitz serves as head of portfolio for WOCF and a voting member of the WOCF credit committee. Gouskos also joined WOCF in 2024 as a managing director of WOCF originations, located in Atlanta. Lastly, Sungwook Han was recently promoted to senior vice president and portfolio manager in WOFC’s Los Angeles office.
DeBernardo joins from eCapital, where he served as senior vice president of ABL origination, identifying ABL deals valued between $3 million to $50 million. Prior to eCapital, he served as senior vice president at Alterna Capital Solutions and began his career at GE Capital. In the new position, DeBernardo will leverage his differentiated network to source opportunities and cement WOCF as the ABL platform of choice for middle market companies.
Voyles also joins WOCF from eCapital, where he was senior vice president, director of underwriting, responsible for all aspects of due diligence and underwriting for ABL transactions ranging from $3 million to upwards of $50 million. At WOCF, Voyles will bolster the firm’s sophisticated underwriting capabilities in the lower middle market, providing a compelling solution for non-sponsored backed firms in need of flexible capital.
“We are excited to welcome Matt and Blake to the WOCF team,” Tom Otte, CEO of White Oak Commercial Finance, said. “Their extensive experience sourcing and underwriting middle market lending opportunities further solidifies WOCF’s position as the choice partner for non-bank ABL solutions.”