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

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 & Compliance
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Strategic and process-oriented business professional with extensive knowledge of financial operations and accounting.
Mike Blackwell Chief Credit Officer
Erin Brigman Digital Content Specialist
Tracy Buckley Memphis Medical District Investment Fund Director
Loren Dabbs Loan Operations 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.
Keyunta Dawson Senior Business Advisor- Business Development
Meredith DeSpain Marketing Manager
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Seasoned marketing advisor and strategy leader with financial, tech and social sector experience. Committed to championing broader economic participation.
Jon Eisen VP Lending- Middle Tennessee
Rita Elders Administrative Specialist
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
Katie Hendrix VP Stakeholder & Client Development
Keith Hickey SVP Lending
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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.
Paige Hoover Senior Accountant
Dale Horne SVP Grants & Contracts Accounting
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Corporate Accounting Professional with 25 years of experience, committed to providing financial information in accordance to GAAP and GASB.
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.
Jarlecia Jones Pathway Women's Business Center Director
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.
Quentin Lawrence VP Lending- Chattanooga
Carla Loveless Headshot
Carla Loveless, CPA Senior Business Advisor
T.J. Miller Senior Business Advisor- Marketing
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Hands-on, tech savvy marketing executive and data-driven strategist helping businesses grow through sound marketing strategy.
Heather Mitchell Credit Analyst II
Kathy Morrison Senior Business Advisor
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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Skilled facilitator, curriculum developer, and founder dedicated to building sustainable business models to improve the organizational health of our clients.
Terry Randall Loan Closing Manager
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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.
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.
Tony Taylor VP Lending- East Tennessee
Bruce Trimble Senior Business Advisor, Financial
Ashley Verbert IT & Systems Coordinator
Anne Weber Senior Business Advisor, Strategic Planning
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.
Larry Wright Special Asset Portfolio Manager

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.

Tom Hunter 
Owner, American Heritage Trees

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

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

Jon Davies (Vice Chairman)
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

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.