The Risk Management Association (RMA) is a not-for-profit, member-driven professional association serving the financial services industry. Its sole purpose is to advance the use of sound risk management principles in the financial services industry. RMA promotes an enterprise approach to risk management that focuses on credit risk, market risk, operational risk, securities lending, and regulatory issues. 

Today, RMA has approximately 1,900 institutional members. Relationship managers, credit officers, risk managers, and other financial services professionals in these organizations with responsibilities related to the risk management function represent these institutions within RMA. Known as RMA Associates, these 18,500 individuals are located throughout North America and financial centers in Europe, Australia and Asia.​

S​​​ession Speakers

Janet M. Dery​ - Esquire
Starfield & Smith, P.C.

Janet M. Dery is a Shareholder of Starfield & Smith, P.C. based in its Plymouth Meeting, PA office. Assisting bank and non-bank lenders in hundreds of commercial lending transactions nationwide, she has extensive experience as closing counsel for various financial transactions, with an emphasis on those including SBA lending programs. Janet is also a NADCO certified closing attorney for certified development companies located in or with projects in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland. LinkedIn​

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Mckayla Garski is a Tax Manager at Wipfli, based in Wausau, Wisconsin, and has been with the firm for over four years. Her experience includes federal and state tax compliance for financial institutions, its shareholders, and individual taxpayers. She works on tax returns for clients ranging from community banks to multi state, SEC registered banks.​ LinkedIn

John Gossett​ - Assistant Center Director Fresno Commercial Loan Service Center Post Servicing Actions

John started out in the banking world while in college. He has worked on both sides of SBA lending – As a lender within a bank and as a loan specialist and supervisor within the SBA – He knows and understands the issues from both sides of the SBA and wants to help you smoothly navigate through SBA lending. I want to help you to avoid Bills from the SBA. 

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Brent Halfwassen - Founder & Owner, MKE Business Coach
MKE Business Coach

Brent Halfwassen is an experienced business owner and operator, and possesses invaluable first-hand experience with the challenges and successes of business ownership. As a four-time business owner himself, Brent understands the critical importance of aligning vision, implementing effective processes, and building the right team to drive business growth.​​ LinkedIn

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Kate Halfwassen - Owner of MKE Business Coach
MKE Business Coach

Kate Halfwassen is a proven thought partner, having held key operations and finance roles throughout her career. Her C-Suite experience provides her with a deep understanding of business from the inside. She is known for championing empowerment and guiding teams toward achieving their growth goals. Kate excels at navigating the challenges of overwhelm by offering clear, actionable insights that align strategic vision with action steps across all levels of the organization.​​ LinkedIn 

Joseph Hastreiter -​ Business Trainer​
EWH University for Small Business​

​Joseph Hastreiter grew up in a family business and spent nearly 15 years helping lead and grow it as a partner and Sales and Marketing Director. Along the way, he saw how many business to grow. After doubling his own family business, and working with thousands Joseph created EWH University to help business owners and teams successfully grow there businesses and go from Burnout to Breakthrough™.​ LinkedIn​

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Andrew Hendricks -​ Assistant Vice President, SBA Lending
First Business Bank

Andrew Hendricks is an Assistant Vice President with the First Business Bank SBA Lending team based out of Brookfield, WI.  Andrew brings over 10 years of banking experience to his role within the SBA Lending team at First Business Bank. Andrew has held numerous roles in his career, ranging from commercial loan underwriting to portfolio management. In his current role Andrew focuses on helping entrepreneurs access the right financing structures to support growth, expansion, and long term stability via the SBA 7(a), SBA Express, and SBA 504 lending programs. He specializes in acquisition financing, franchise lending, and owner occupied real estate transactions across industries such as professional services, skilled trades, and assisted living facilities. Andrew earned his B.S. in Economics from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and outside of work he enjoys golfing, playing tennis, and spending time outdoors. LinkedIn

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​Nick Jellum - President, Jellum Law​
Jellum Law, P.A.​​​

Nick focuses his practice on advising the firm’s lending institution clients throughout the Country on all aspects of commercial loan transactions, from loan documentation and loan workouts to collections and liquidation, specifically focusing on U.S. Small Business Administration lending programs. Nick is an active member of a number of banking and lending organizations and associations and is a frequent speaker on a wide variety of SBA and conventional commercial lending issues. LinkedIn

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Scott Wallace - Director of UWSP's Center for Buisness & Economic Insight

Dr. Wallace joined UWSP in 2000. He is a tenured full professor and brings ten years of business experience to the SSBE. He has a B.A. in Economics from Drew University and has earned both a M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics at the University of Connecticut. He currently serves as the Director of UWSP's Center for Business and Economic Insight. ​

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Business Lending Partners (BLP)

In his role as Vice President & Loan Officer with BLP, Wes is an expert in navigating the SBA 504 program. Serving formerly as a commercial lender at a community bank, Wes leverages his experience to guide borrowers and lenders through SBA 504 financing on projects throughout the state of Wisconsin.​​​ LinkedIn

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Hunter is a Tax Manager based in Wipfli’s Madison, Wisconsin office. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Hunter has been with Wipfli for over four years, serving clients primarily in the Financial Institutions industry. In addition, Hunter works with Wipfli’s National Tax Office, supporting firmwide tax initiatives and technical efforts.​ LinkedIn

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Treva Wetherell - Head of Coaching Services
LIFT Consulting​

Treva brings over 20 years of experience supporting people and organizations across industries like healthcare, higher ed, non-profit, finance, construction, law, and tech. She’s known for her warm and curious approach, along with a process-driven mindset that helps create environments where people feel supported, empowered, and ready to grow. When she’s not helping leaders and teams unlock their potential, you might find Treva traveling and spending time with family. ​LinkedIn​

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Ben Woodward - Vice President, Business Development Officer
​Banc of California​

Ben Woodward is a Vice President and Business Development Officer with the Banc of California National Small Business Lending team, where he partners with business owners to deliver Small Business Administration (SBA) financing solutions that support growth, transitions and long-term success.

Mr. Woodward brings more than 20 years of commercial lending experience, with deep expertise in SBA lending. He entered small business lending driven by a passion for helping owner-operators achieve their goals, whether through acquisitions, expansions, equipment purchases, debt restructuring, commercial real estate or startup financing. He works closely with clients to navigate the SBA 7(a) and 504 loan programs and bring their business plans to life.

Over the past decade, Mr. Woodward has supported more than 100 entrepreneurs and facilitated more than $150 million in financing. Prior to joining Banc of California in 2026, he served as Vice President and Senior Business Development Officer at First Internet Bank. Earlier in his career, he was a Vice President at Byline Bank, a nationwide preferred SBA lender.

Mr. Woodward is active in professional organizations and serves on the planning committee for the Chicago chapter of the Midwest Business Brokers and Intermediaries. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University.

Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family in the mountains and long-distance cycling.

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