With 35 years of direct lending experience and pari-pasu capabilities, Eric brings a unique mix of expertise to M&A lending. His team at First Bank of the Lake is in the top 1% Nationwide as recognized by the SBA in 2023. After graduating from the University of Florida with a Finance degree in 1991, he attended LSU School of Banking program while he was with Farm Credit Bank, his first employer and the nation’s largest agribusiness lender. Eric eventually headed up the corporate loan department for Farm Credit in SW Florida, and originated a single large acquisition finance deal for an ESOP buyout for $120 million. Eric has held various lending positions with Suntrust Bank, First Union Bank, and was the chief lender for a De Novo startup in Florida that was successfully sold to a larger regional Bank.
Eric got his first direct experience with SBA lending while at First Union in 2001 and was recognized as the top SBA lender in Florida for First Union Bank in 2001 and 2002. Other experience includes acting as a bank portfolio consultant and advisor for the FDIC from 2009 to 2012, and being owner/Broker of a successful commercial mortgage business where he lent his own funds. On owning his own commercial brokerage, Eric says “lending your own money certainly gives you a different perspective on making loans and taking risk”.
Eric has been in an SBA lending capacity with First Bank of the Lake since July 2020 and prior to that with its affiliate, Advantage Capital Partners, since 2016. Eric specializes in M&A financing and has additional background lending to manufacturers. Of the various positions he has held, Eric says First Bank of the Lake feels like home and he gives full credit to his outstanding support team for his success.