Small Business Lending Team Directory
First Merchants Experience Small Business Lending Team
First Merchants SBA division operates under the name Small Business Lending. Our SBA loans range in size from $500,000 to $5 million and are typically used for:
- Commercial real estate
- Machinery and equipment purchases
- Business acquisitions and partner buy-outs
- Franchise financing
- Debt refinancing
Our experienced team has deep SBA expertise and knowledge resulting in a seamless experience for borrowers.
Jim Valete
EVP, Chief SBA Lending Officer
910.690.0945
[email protected]
Jim joined the team from Busey Bank where he served as Executive Vice President – Director of Business Banking & Government Guaranteed Lending and focused on SBA 7(a) lending. During his nine years at Busey, he also served as the Senior Credit Officer for Business Banking & Middle Market Banking. While in this role he identified Busey’s opportunity for a niche SBA 7(a) lending program, which he created in 2016 and developed in subsequent years. Prior to his tenure at Busey, Jim’s three-decade career in banking has included roles as Chief Credit Officer at Stearns Bank, N.A. and founder/president of a De Novo bank, plus other prominent roles in credit administration, management of lending teams and special assets management.
Jim earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1984 and his Master of Business Administration from DePaul University in Chicago in 1989. He is also one of the founders of the Champaign Chapter of First Tee, which offers character education programs at golf course facilities, elementary schools and youth centers.
Chuck Jaeger
SBL Business Development Director
615.540.3297
[email protected]
Chuck Jaeger brings over 25 years of experience in finance, commercial, and small business lending. Prior to joining the FSB team, Chuck was a top contributor for Quadrant Financial, Bank United, Certus Bank, Community West Bank, and Prime Trust Bank. Throughout his career, Chuck has worked with customers across a wide variety of industries, helping them achieve their commercial objectives.
Chuck got his start in banking after receiving his Bachelors of Science in Business from the University of Evansville, and his MBA from Marquette University. Since then, Chuck has continued his education completing NAGGL’s ‘SBA Lenders’ course and attending the Southeastern School of Commercial Lending. Chuck considers continuing education to be one of the most important aspects of providing good counsel and service to his clients.
Scott Parrott
SVP, SBL Post-Closing Manager
502.678.0749
[email protected]
Scott Parrott manages the Servicing and Portfolio Team and oversees all FMB Small Business Lending’s secondary market activities, including the execution of sales to investors and the cultivation of investor relationships. Scott brings more than 30 years of small business and commercial lending experience. Prior to joining FSB, Scott was the SBA Lending Coordinator for Stock Yards Bank. Before joining Stock Yards, he created the Government Guaranteed Lending department for Ascencia Bank and served as a Business Banking Officer for US Bank and PNC Bank. Scott has a diverse SBA background that ranges from originations to liquidations, as well as a solid understanding of all operational functions.
Scott began his banking career after receiving his Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from the University of Georgia, and his MBA from Webster University. Additionally, Scott has continued his education by attending the Southeastern School of Commercial Lending and the ABA National Commercial Lending School.
Kristi Florence
VP, SBL Closing Manager
817.528.1113
[email protected]
Kristi Florence brings over 18 years of SBA experience with a high focus on the operational side of SBA lending. Prior to joining FSB Small Business Lending, she served as the SBA Loan Closing Manager at Gulf Coast Small Business Lending for 4 years. Kristi gained most of her knowledge before Gulf Coast, as she was previously with US Bank for 10 years and held various SBA relations roles and positions.
John Caruso
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
440.665.1209
[email protected]
John Caruso has over 20 years of financial service experience in commercial and consumer banking spaces. Prior to joining the team, John was recognized as a top contributor during his time at MBNA, National City Bank, PNC Bank, US Bank, and Huntington National Bank. Throughout his career, John has been able to help customers across a wide variety of industries and backgrounds achieve their commercial and personal goals by working with them to find the best financial options for their unique situations.
John has been involved with SBA lending since 2004 and has been an SBA Business Development Officer since 2014. His experience in prior roles includes Group Manager, Underwriter, and Relationship Manager, which provides him with insight into the full loan application process. John takes pride in developing long-term relationships with his clients through working with a sense of urgency and delivering on what has been promised.
Dave Hrabrich
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
773.259.9830
[email protected]
Dave Hrabrich joined the SBA team as Vice President and Business Development Officer. In this role, Dave is responsible for helping franchisees access SBA loans to grow their businesses, cultivating franchisor relationships, and capitalizing on his strong track record in the franchise arena.
Dave has over 25 years of experience in the franchise finance industry with both conventional and government-guaranteed lenders including: Merrill Lynch, National Franchise Acceptance, Byline Bank, and First Bank of the Lake. Over the years, he has underwritten, credit approved or originated over $750 million in funded capital to franchise owners/operators for acquisitions, refinancing, new unit construction and major renovations. Dave has also personally benefitted from the SBA 7(a) loan program when he was a two-unit franchisee for Sport Clips.
“As a previous franchisee and with my well-rounded franchise background that includes working directly with upper management of franchisors to design specialized loan programs and reliable lending to franchisees directly, I can relate to my borrowers’ challenges and opportunities. I provide solutions and structure the right loan for their stage of development,” says Hrabrich. “I put my years of experience to work helping entrepreneurs grow their brand’s units, and I enjoy the privilege of helping them succeed.”
Colin McNulty
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
314.598.1796
[email protected]
Colin McNulty’s career in the banking industry started in 2005. In 2012, he found his passion for SBA lending and has been helping small businesses unlock their full potential. Prior to joining the team, Colin worked at several community banks spanning 7 years where he learned how to provide outstanding customer service. After working for several community banks, Colin started working at The PrivateBank/CIBC for 10 years. Colin has worked as a commercial and SBA producer for most of his career, which gave him the knowledge and experience to focus on customer service and provide each client with a broad range of options to meet their needs.
In 2012, Colin was recognized as a top producer for both SBA and conventional loans at CIBC. Through his accomplishments, he navigated a team of lenders and led them each to prosper in their roles. Making connections is one of the many special talents of his, as he has developed a national network of brokers and business professionals.
Colin’s mantra is it’s not the number of closings he achieves, but the response he gets from the clients he closes with.
Hunter Myers
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
502.420.8493
[email protected]
Hunter Myers began his banking career in 2017 as a teller at First Savings Bank, where he embraced the institution’s “Customer First” approach to delivering outstanding service. Over the past seven years, he has advanced to the role of Business Development Officer for the Bank’s SBA Division. Hunter’s passion for the banking industry is further accentuated by his impressive academic achievements.
He holds undergraduate degrees in Banking & Finance, Managerial Finance, and Real Estate from the University of Mississippi. During his tenure at Ole Miss, he served as Service Chairman of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, organizing community outreach and charitable events. While pursuing an MBA from the University of Louisville, he joined the bank’s SBA Division as a Business Development Associate. In this role, Hunter worked closely with the established Business Development Officers to streamline the loan funding process. Upon completing his MBA, Hunter was promoted internally to Business Development Officer, where his strong problem-solving skills prove invaluable in providing entrepreneurs with the necessary financing to achieve their business goals.
John Reda
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
845.803.9524
[email protected]
John Reda started his professional journey as an analyst for Nova Capital Global Partners in Investment Banking. In 2020, he jump-started his SBA career as a Business Development Associate at First Bank of the Lake, focusing on building strong relationships and supporting clients’ access to capital through government-guaranteed lending programs. John holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from SUNY Cortland, where he strengthened his skills in research, critical thinking, and problem‑solving - all of which he brings into his work with small business clients today. Through his industry experience and financial services background, he continues to focus on making it more possible for business owners, ensuring profitable growth, operational excellence, and exceptional customer service.
Mindy Stodart
AVP, SBL Business Development Officer
513.235.5113
[email protected]
Mindy Stodart is a versatile and solutions‑driven resource for entrepreneurs whose small businesses are experiencing rapid growth and need access to capital. She has over eighteen years of experience in sales with a focus on small business lending during the last six years. Throughout her career she has driven market share in everything from payroll services to pharmaceuticals. As a small business owner herself, operating an art and framing shop, Mindy has firsthand insight into the challenges entrepreneurs face, including managing cash flow, scaling operations, and navigating complex financial decisions. This personal experience fuels her passion for helping business owners secure the funding they need to grow with confidence.
Bill Sweeney
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
945.775.6324
[email protected]
Bill Sweeney has been focused on small business lending for 17 years and has 23 years of banking industry knowledge. Residing in Pompano Beach, Florida, Bill has a proven track record in helping small businesses with SBA financing and works to forge a prosperous relationship for business owners after funding. His roles as a Branch Manager, Small Business Banker, and Commercial Banker at prominent organizations such as Wells Fargo, SunTrust, Regions, and Hanover Bank have provided him with extensive banking and lending knowledge. Bill graduated from ITT Tech where he obtained his Associate’s degree in Electronic Engineering and went to Florida Atlantic University to further his studies. Demonstrating a deep commitment to his community, Bill’s involvement includes 25 years with the American Legion S.A.L. (serving as Commander for the last 7), 28 years as a dedicated youth sports coach, and his current role as treasurer for a local high school baseball club.
Greg Young
VP, SBL Business Development Officer
469.885.7418
[email protected]
Greg has been in the banking industry since 2003, bringing more than two decades of experience to his role. He focuses on small business lending and joined the team in 2021, where he works closely with entrepreneurs to help them access the capital they need to start, grow, and sustain their businesses.
Greg spent the first fifteen years of his career in New York City, gaining valuable experience in a fast-paced financial environment before relocating to Dallas, Texas with his family. This diverse background allows him to understand the unique needs of business owners across a wide range of markets. He specializes in SBA lending, serving clients from the Midwest to the East Coast, and is known for guiding borrowers through the process with clarity and efficiency.
When he’s not helping entrepreneurs bring their visions to life, Greg enjoys hitting the open road with his family, always on the lookout for the next adventure.