Experience

• 

  Northern Initiatives

  • United States

  • Initiate Director

    • Mar 2024 - Present
    • United States

• 

  The Eckblad Group

  • Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

  • CDFI Consultant

    • Sep 2015 - Present
    • Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

    The Eckblad Group is a specialized advisory firm with expertise in helping CDFIs, microfinance institutions, and economic development organizations fulfill their important missions. Our own mission-driven organization helps those that empower small businesses and entrepreneurs who are otherwise underserved, underbanked, and/or undervalued. While we offer a range of services, The Eckblad Group’s reputation is built on its specific expertise in financial performance, underwriting, compliance and preparation for AERIS™ assessments, technical assistance and grant writing.

• 

  CNote

  • Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

  • Community Development Director

    • Feb 2019 - Jun 2023
    • Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

• 

  Sachen Contemporary Imports, LLC

  • Owner

    • Apr 2011 - Dec 2021

    Importing and Distribution for ZWEI GmbH and mic o mic of Schafer Toy Company GmbH.

• 

  C7a

  • Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

  • Loan Origination Partner

    • Oct 2016 - Feb 2018
    • Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida Area

    CEI 7(a) Financing LLC (C7a) is a for-profit subsidiary of CEI and one of 14 non-bank lenders licensed by the US Small Business Administration (SBA) as a Small Business Lending Company (SBLC). This allows C7a to be a participating lender in the SBA’s flagship 7(a) Loan Guarantee Program.The purpose of the 7(a) program is to make debt capital available to operating businesses that are unable to obtain financing under reasonable terms from traditional commercial lenders. To facilitate this, the SBA provides participating lenders with partial Federal guarantees on qualifying loans.Loan Size: $250,000 to $5 millionGeography: Contiguous United StatesBorrowers must be for profit and meet the SBA definition of a small business.

• 

  Milwaukee Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

  • Greater Milwaukee Area

  • Loan Officer

    • Aug 2013 - Jul 2015
    • Greater Milwaukee Area

    For over forty years, MEDC has worked in partnership with area banks in order to provide low interest loans to Milwaukee businesses. Because of our commitment to continuous improvement, our loan fund has been able to grow to over $60 million, allowing us to annually increase the number of businesses we serve.

• 

  Transfer Pizzeria & Cafe

  • Greater Milwaukee Area

  • Co-Owner

    • Mar 2008 - Jul 2014
    • Greater Milwaukee Area

    Delicious Food in a great atmosphere. Gluten Free options available.

• 

  The Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corporation

  • Greater Milwaukee Area

  • Senior Small Business Consultant

    • Sep 2007 - Sep 2013
    • Greater Milwaukee Area

    WWBIC is a statewide economic development corporation that provides quality business education and financing to Wisconsin’s entrepreneurs and small business owners.

• 

  South Milwaukee School District

  • Lakeview Elementary School

  • Community Learning Center Director

    • Mar 2003 - Sep 2007
    • Lakeview Elementary School

    • Create/maintain annual budget of $100,000.• Co-write sustainability grants • Human resource management• Comprehensive collaboration with daytime teaching staff 21st Century Community Learning CentersThis program supports the creation of community learning centers that provide academic enrichment opportunities during non-school hours for children, particularly students who attend high-poverty and low-performing schools. The program helps students meet state and local student standards in core academic subjects, such as reading and math; offers students a broad array of enrichment activities that can complement their regular academic programs; and offers literacy and other educational services to the families of participating children.