Siena Lending Group named Scott Elliotto president and Michael Zielinski director of portfolio management, while Todd Eubanks joined the company as deputy chief risk officer.
Elliotto has been with Siena Lending Group and its predecessor, Burdale Capital Finance, since 2007, most recently serving as CEO of Siena Healthcare Finance. His appointment to president of Siena Lending Group will facilitate the continued integration of Siena Healthcare Finance into the broader organization.
The role of president of Siena Lending Group was held by David Grende, the company’s CEO, who performed both responsibilities in a dual capacity. This transition allows Grende to devote his full attention to being CEO while elevating Elliotto’s market-facing skills and credit experiences to the company’s executive team.
“I’m delighted to welcome Scott to the executive team in the role of president,” Grende said. “This change will enable our leadership to deliver maximum impact to our clients and stakeholders as they navigate changing waters. Scott is an ideal fit for his new role; he embraces today’s borrowing environment while holding onto the traditions and principles that create long-lasting relationships for both lenders and borrowers.”
Eubanks joined Siena Lending Group from Accord Financial, where as senior vice president for underwriting and portfolio risk he advanced a risk culture that aligned to Accord’s broader strategy while maintaining critical functions and controls. Eubanks is replacing Jim Persico as deputy chief risk officer, who will move back into an underwriting role with Siena Lending Group. Both Eubanks and Persico will be members of the company’s credit committee.
“With this change, SLG will continue advancing our ongoing philosophies on servicing clients while addressing risk as a priority that underpins our strategy, culture and day-to-day activities,” Steve Sanicola, chief risk officer of Siena Lending Group, said. “Todd will add to the outstanding foundation that Jim helped to put in place starting in 2020, when he stepped into the role in response to the pandemic. He now returns to his chosen field of underwriting where his considerable insights and experiences will be felt across our organization.”
Zielinski, in his new position as team leader, will oversee the training and assimilation of portfolio talent into the Siena Lending Group culture and operations. He has more than eight years of experience with the company and 20 years in finance and asset-based lending. Prior to Siena Lending Group, Zielinski held roles with Access Capital and Keltic Financial Services.
“Mike’s promotion to team leader for portfolio management will ensure that our talent pipeline is strategically aligned to the changing needs of our clients,” Grende said. “Mike brings a multi-dimensional lens to this responsibility given his intimate knowledge of SLG, his hands-on experiences in overseeing portfolios, and his technical knowledge regarding asset-based lending and other finance and lending functions.”
