Experience

Thornton CFO

• United States
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Fractional CFO

  • Jan 2002 - Present

  Thornton CFO provides fractional CFO services to small businesses (<100 employees) primarily in north Alabama, but anywhere virtually. We work with small business owners on an hourly or monthly retainer basis providing the strategy and advisory services of a Chief Financial Officer, but in a capacity that allows more budget flexibility. The solution does not come in a three-ring binder but by partnering with the small business owner in solving problems: cash flow management; understanding financial reports; debt restructure / new debt for growth, etc. Thornton CFO also provides technical assistance (coaching; advising) for entrepreneurs and small businesses (< 25 employees) who are clients of the Loan Fund at Neighborhood Concepts. Show less



Main Street Alabama

• Birmingham, AL

• Board Member

  • Nov 2014 - Nov 2020

  Main Street Alabama is focused on bringing jobs, dollars and people back to Alabama’s historic communities. Economic development is at the heart of this statewide organization’s efforts to revitalize downtowns and neighborhoods from Dothan to Florence. Main Street Alabama is affiliated with the National Main Street Center and utilizes the proven Main Street Four-Point Approach® to help communities organize themselves for success, improve the design of their neighborhoods, promote their districts, and enhance their economic base. Show less



North Alabama Revolving Loan Fund ("NARLF"), a subsidiary of Neighborhood Concepts, Inc.

• Huntsville, Alabama Area

• Loan Fund Manager

  • Jan 2016 - Jul 2020

  NARLF, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), provides technical assistance (coaching; advising) and loans of up to $250,000 to entrepreneurs and small businesses (< 100 employees) in North Alabama. As the fund manager, I coach/advise clients, originate loans and oversee the application / underwriting / approval process plus manage the entire loan fund portfolio. A big part of my job is to seek out and build relationships with referral sources and to build partnerships with other lenders. Show less



Top of Alabama Regional Council of Governments (T.A.R.C.O.G.)

• Huntsville, Alabama Area

• Revolving Loan Fund Coordinator

  • May 2014 - Dec 2015

  As RLF Coordinator I worked closely with bankers and economic developers in our region in helping to structure financing for businesses that might not qualify for conventional financing. The RLF Program makes good projects better by filling in the missing piece of the project financing, thereby creating jobs for the region As RLF Coordinator I worked closely with bankers and economic developers in our region in helping to structure financing for businesses that might not qualify for conventional financing. The RLF Program makes good projects better by filling in the missing piece of the project financing, thereby creating jobs for the region



Rotary Club of Decatur, AL

• Member

  • Nov 1991 - Dec 2015

  Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama was chartered on November 19, 1928 with twenty-four members. Rotary is a worldwide organization of more than 1.2 million business, professional, and community leaders. Rotarians, provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Rotary Club of Decatur, Alabama was chartered on November 19, 1928 with twenty-four members.



Calhoun Community College

• Higher Education
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Member, Board of Directors

  • Sep 2009 - Aug 2014

  The purpose of the Calhoun College Foundation is to support Calhoun Community College as it provides for educational and training needs for citizens of Lawrence, Limestone, Madison, and Morgan counties. The Foundation was established in 1975 and has generated over $7.7M since inception, of which $6.3M has been expended in support of scholarships, professional development, curriculum improvement, campus beautification, and promotion of Calhoun Community College. The Foundation accepts gifts of cash, securities, property, and materials on behalf of the College. It promotes Calhoun through the media, publications, and by personal testimony of its members. Show less



Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority

• Decatur, Alabama Area

• Member, Board of Directors

  • Jan 2004 - Jun 2014

  Established in 2004, the Decatur Downtown Redevelopment Authority (DDRA) was formed to provide consistent support and promotion of the city's redevelopment projects, and create easier avenues for private developers to build and remodel in the downtown and riverfront areas. The organization is governed by a board of directors and led by a full-time executive director, Mr. Rick Paler. The DDRA works closely with the city of Decatur, Alabama, the Morgan County Commission, the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, the Decatur-Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Decatur Downtown Merchant and Business Association (DDMBA) and other government and civic organizations. The Authority also works directly with private investors and developers to attract and encourage new development projects in the downtown Decatur and riverfront districts. Show less



CIT Small Business Lending

• Regional Account Manager

  • May 2005 - Jul 2010

  I was a Regional Account Manager for CIT Small Business Lending, the largest SBA 7(a) guaranty lender in the U.S. for nine years running. My responsibilities included business development and loan origination. Loans came from referral sources such as banks, CPAs and commercial real estate brokers. I was a Regional Account Manager for CIT Small Business Lending, the largest SBA 7(a) guaranty lender in the U.S. for nine years running. My responsibilities included business development and loan origination. Loans came from referral sources such as banks, CPAs and commercial real estate brokers.



Banking Career

• Various

  • Nov 1976 - Dec 2000

  My banking career started in November 1976 when I went to work with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, a Federal agency charged with the supervision of all national banks. From 1979 through 2000 I worked with a large regional bank (AmSouth) and four community banks. My duties over the years ranged from being City President; a Branch Administrator overseeing nine branches in Birmingham and later, Private Banking. However, what I enjoyed the most was commercial lending to small businesses, professional practices and individuals. Show less