My role as SBA lending manager at Bell Bank is rewarding beyond words. It’s hard to quantify the intangible value of how SBA programs help make a difference in our local community. It’s a privilege for me to connect small businesses to this lifeline. As a former small business owner, I understand firsthand the liquidity and leverage challenges many small business owners can face, whether just starting out or managing ongoing operations.

It can be an uphill journey at times to stabilize a business and get the “cash to cash cycle” in balance. That’s why I’m so passionate about the SBA’s loan programs. These government-guaranteed loans give businesses a chance to obtain financing, even if they otherwise may not qualify for traditional bank loans. Frankly, SBA loans often can be the lifeblood that allows businesses to grow and thrive.

Devoting my career to SBA lending has been personally gratifying – and has provided countless learning opportunities, especially with the ever-changing landscape of SBA programs and the legislation surrounding them. It’s been an honor to be consistently ranked among the top regional SBA lenders.

I joined Bell Bank in March 2020, shortly before state closures and business shutdowns related to the COVID-19 pandemic began. With my arrival, we launched Bell’s SBA division. It was serendipitous timing was serendipitous, as a major project quickly dropped into my lap: implementing the portion of the Congressional CARES Act related to the SBA’s Paycheck Protection Program. My team was tasked with rolling out Bell’s side of the Paycheck Protection Program in a manner consistent with our total commitment to serving our customers – and giving them the unequalled personal service they are accustomed to receiving from Bell! Leadership gave us the tools to develop our system and process, resulting in an unbelievable feat of teamwork. It was awe-inspiring to be involved in a huge program that moved so nimbly, and ended up helping literally thousands of customers and businesses!

When I’m not at the office, I try to make plenty of room in my life for music and my family. As a former professional musician, I have a lifelong passion for music. The only passion for me that trumps music and SBA lending is family. My wife and I live in Plymouth, Minn., where we raised our children.