About Pathway Lending

A national leader in economic development lending, Pathway Lending is a Community Development Financial Institution that increases access to capital for underserved businesses in Tennessee & Alabama.

Our Mission

To provide lending solutions and educational services that supports the development, growth, and preservation of underserved small businesses, affordable housing, and sustainable communities. We are financing businesses and strengthening communities.

Our History

Created in 1999 as an economic development agency to increase access to capital for Tennessee businesses and certified as a Community Development Financial Institution by the US Treasury in 2002, we have a strong history of doing good work. We connect our clients with the resources they need to seed innovation and investment to create jobs and generate wealth in economically underserved communities. Our goal is no missed opportunities!

Our Target Market

Pathway Lending provides capital resources and educational services to businesses throughout Tennessee and Alabama; we also serve Kentucky through our Veterans Business Outreach Center. We focus our activities on underserved Target Markets that include businesses located in Qualified Investment Areas (as defined by low-income census tracts, poverty rates, and unemployment statistics) and African-American owned businesses.

Executive Team

Clinton B. Gwin President & Chief Executive Officer
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Industry leader in economic development lending. A proven innovator with 20 years of experience helping business grow.
Amy Bunton EVP | Chief Operating Officer
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Accomplished economic development executive who improved access to capital for women and minority-owned businesses.
Barbara Harris, CPA, CGMA EVP | Chief Financial Officer
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A respected corporate finance professional with experience in strategy, budgeting and non-profit management.
Hank Helton EVP | Chief Stakeholder Officer
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Accomplished financial and community development professional. Leading our team to connect opportunity and capital.

Our Staff

Joe Agnetta SVP Chief Credit Officer
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Experienced commercial lending professional. Builds credit policy and practices to strengthen Pathway's loan portfolio.
Alice Beshara Project Manager
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Experienced bank regulator with expertise in consumer issues and community development.
Lorraine Biggs, CPA SVP Controller
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Seasoned public and private accounting professional. Oversees accounting systems to ensure strong financial practices.
Richard Bird, CPA SVP Finance
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Strategic and process-oriented business professional with extensive knowledge of financial operations and accounting.
Loren Dabbs Loan Portfolio Specialist
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Dedicated liaison for post loan customer services. Responsible for crossing the t's and dotting the i's to keep our portfolio strong.
Brian Denney Alabama Regional Director
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Banking veteran and small business owner dedicated to growing Alabama businesses.
Meredith DeSpain Kelsey Marketing Strategist
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Seasoned marketing advisor and strategy leader with financial, tech and social sector experience. Committed to championing broader economic participation.
Brandon England Energy Efficiency Loan Program Director
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Expert in efficiency and renewable energy solutions. Equipped to help generate savings that grow Tennessee business.
Mark Evans Internal Loan Review Director
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Experienced in loan review, credit quality analysis and assessment overall portfolio risk. Conducts the evaluation of Pathway’s loan portfolio.
Leslie Hayes SVP Education
Keith Hickey VP Lending-East Tennessee
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Seasoned lender leading efforts to bring capital resources to small business owners and entrepreneurs across East Tennessee.
Paul M. Hoffmann SVP Communications & Policy
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Expert in program development, communications, and impact measurement. Dedicated to making real impacts in Tennessee and Alabama.
Dale Horne Senior Financial Accountant
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Corporate Accounting Professional with 25 years of experience, committed to providing financial information in accordance to GAAP and GASB.
Travis Hughes VP Lending-Memphis | West Tennessee
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Certified business consultant and accomplished lender committed to supporting Memphis area entrepreneurs with funding and counseling.
Premi John Data Entry Clerk
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Skilled researcher and database designer responsible for managing and streamlining the data behind our programs and clients.
Bob Lancaster Business Advisory Services Director
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Seasoned executive who draws on strategic planning, management, and accounting experience to ensure clients succeed.
Rena Mahaffey Business Advisor
Jennifer McLachlan IT Coordinator
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Leader in marketing, branding, and small business technology. Ensures Pathway delivers on its innovative programs.
Loretta Miles Loan Portfolio Specialist-504
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Government-guaranteed lending veteran specializing in the SBA 504 Program at our Paris, TN location.
Kathy Morrison Senior Business Advisor
Phylicia Coleman Moye, CPA Business Advisor
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Valued resource who provides sound business coaching and financial analysis services to entrepreneurs across Tennessee.
Aja Nowlin Compliance Specialist
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Experienced grants and compliance professional. Dedicated to strong oversight of grant programs and accurate stakeholder reporting.
Jennifer Ogg Executive Assistant
Reggie Ordonez Veterans Business Outreach Center Director
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Marine Corps Veteran and certified instructor dedicated to connecting fellow Veterans to entrepreneurial resources and education.
Dana Pacini Application Intake Specialist
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Skilled lending professional working as liaison between lenders and credit analysts to collect data and help clients achieve their goals.
Terry Randall Loan Documentation Coordinator
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Accomplished expert in managing credit, collateral, and documentation to close loans and make opportunity happen.
Nicole Robben Commercial Real Estate Director
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Expert in commercial real estate lending at CDFIs.  Dedicated to providing innovative financing to support affordable housing, mixed-income, and mixed-use projects in low to moderate income neighborhoods.
Donna Robinson Accounts Payable Specialist
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A veteran accounting professional with experience interpreting financial data and monitoring financial reporting.
Lori Rochelle SVP Corporate Operations
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A dynamic leader who wears many hats, she oversees office operations and keeps Pathway running smoothly and professionally.
Courtenay Rogers Women’s Business Center Director
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Experienced marketer and technologist passionate about empowering women and minority business owners with the education and resources they need to succeed.
Jessica Rohrer Portfolio Manager
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Experienced specialized lending professional.  Analyzes, manages and reports on credit risk to strengthen Pathway’s loan portfolio.
Pam Theis VP Lending-Middle Tennessee
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Expert business lender. Engages with entrepreneurs to evaluate their needs and connect them to the right resources.
Ashley Verbert Receptionist
Daniel A. Wilson SVP Loan Operations
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Veteran loan operations specialist. Directs and manages all loan fund operations to maintain strong portfolio health.
Mason Worthington, CPA Senior Business Advisor
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Respected business advisor dedicated to providing quality coaching to improve the organizational health of our clients.

Our Board of Directors

Pathway Lending is a private, 501(c)3 organization governed by an independent board of directors. The board provides fiduciary and organizational oversight and ensures we achieve our mission of growing businesses and strengthening Tennessee communities.

David Berezov (Chairman)
Associate Professor of the Practice of Engineering Management, Vanderbilt University School of Engineering

Tom Hunter (Vice Chairman)
Owner, American Heritage Trees

Dr. William H. (Herb) Byrd, III
Vice President for Public Service, University of Tennessee

Jon Davies
Senior Vice President/Compliance Executive – Community Affairs and Contributions, Regions Financial Corporation

Ivanetta Davis-Samuels
Senior Vice President – General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, Meharry Medical College

Andre Gist
CEO, MIG Steel Fabrication

Cindy Herron
Vice President EnergyRight and Renewable Solutions, Tennessee Valley Authority

Kelly Magill
Owner/CEO, KGV Studios

Hugh Queener
Chief Administrative Officer, Pinnacle Financial Partners

Want to join the Pathway Lending team?

Our nonprofit is growing! Any open positions will be listed below.