Ryan Black has 17 years of banking experience that he applies to the SBA lending team at First Business Bank. He has held a number of roles in his career, ranging from retail banking to commercial underwriting, and now focuses on providing lending solutions for commercial clients using the SBA lending programs. Ryan specializes in helping small businesses with business and real estate acquisition financing, partner buyouts, debt refinance, start-up financing and construction loans. LinkedIn
Jason is an experienced trainer and business consultant with a background in entrepreneurship and leadership. Having built a successful business in the event industry, he understands the challenges businesses face. Jason is passionate about helping leaders and entrepreneurs grow and improve. His practical, collaborative approach drives lasting success. In 2022, he was named Executive of the Year by In Business Magazine and featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Vogue Australia.
Jason Chance - Director of Leadership & Management
LIFT Consulting, LLC
Jason is an experienced trainer and business consultant with a background in entrepreneurship and leadership. Having built a successful business in the event industry, he understands the challenges businesses face. Jason is passionate about helping leaders and entrepreneurs grow and improve. His practical, collaborative approach drives lasting success. In 2022, he was named Executive of the Year by In Business Magazine and featured in Martha Stewart Weddings and Vogue Australia. LinkedIn
Lindsay Cremona - Attorney at Law
Jellum Law, P.A.
Lindsay is a litigation attorney with Jellum Law, P.A. who has successfully represented clients in a variety of complex civil litigation and bankruptcy matters, including breach of contract claims, enforcement of UCC rights, and fraud claims. Lindsay works with financial institutions to protect their interests in loan collection and liquidation, as well as regulatory compliance for the Small Business Administration's government-guaranteed lending programs.
Janet M.Dery - Esquire
Starfield & Smith, P.C.
Janet M. Dery is a Shareholder in Starfield & Smith, P.C. and based out of its Fort Washington, PA office. Her practice’s primary focus is on commercial lending, business law, and real estate. Representing bank and non-bank lenders in commercial lending transactions nationwide for the last 20 years, she has extensive experience as closing counsel for various financial transactions, many of which involve government assisted programs and multi-jurisdictional issues and collateral. LinkedIn
Phil Frechette - Supervisor Financial Analyst, Office of Credit Risk Management
US Small Buisness Administration
Phil Frechette is a Supervisory Financial Analyst with SBA's Office of Credit Risk Management (OCRM). Phil is responsible for the oversight, review and examination of SBA Supervised 7(a) Lenders (e.g., SBLCs, CA-SBLCs and NFRLs) and has been with the Administration for over 10 years. Prior to OCRM he served as a Lender Relation Specialist with the New Hampshire District Office. Before coming to the SBA, Phil served as a Staff Accountant for the Department of Defense.
Gregory Fritsch, Managing Diector
Fritsch Consulting, LLC
Greg is a senior-level executive with over 30 years of successful experience and expertise in banking, business, and leadership. He often works as a transformational interim executive in lower—to middle-market entities, where his holistic approach to transforming organizations is most successful. He looks at financial and operational performance, talent optimization, business strategy, and culture to determine how each needs to be re-engineered to meet stakeholder goals and objectives. LinkedIn
John Gossett
Presenter details to be announced!
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 Coach
EWH University for Small Business
Mike Hossian, Operations Analyst, has been a valued member of FTA's Client Services Team since March 2022. His primary responsibilities include handling secondary market lender investor inquiries related to payment discrepancies, reconciliations, and outstanding claims. He supports all other Client Service functions and is a high contributing team member who embraces lead roes when called upon. Prior to joing FTA Guidehouse, Manik spent 5 years with TD bank advancing his skills.
LinkedIn
Andrew Hendricks - SBA Business Development Associate
First Business Bank
Andrew has 7 years of commercial banking experience with the last 4 focused solely on SBA Lending. Andrew started his commercial banking career as a commercial credit analyst before joining the First Business SBA Team as a portfolio manager. His main focus now is aiding the First Business SBA business development team and guiding borrowers through the SBA loan process. Andrew earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison and resides in Wauwatosa, WI with his wife and Labrador puppy. He is an avid outdoorsman with a passion for wildlife and outdoor sports including golf and tennis.
James Keig - Attorney at Law
Jellum Law, P.A.
Jamie is an attorney and Partner at Jellum Law, licensed to practice in Minnesota. He joined the firm in 2015 focusing his practice on commercial loan transactions, specifically U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 loans. Jamie represents a diverse range of clients in the financial services industry, from large national banks to closely held business entities. He values the relationships he develops and takes pride in becoming an essential member of his clients' teams.
Kyle Kuntz - Vice President, Loan Officer, Northeast WI Team Lead
WBD, Inc.
Kyle Kuntz is a Vice President & Loan Officer and the Northeast WI Team Lead for WBD. Kyle has worked with SBA loan solutions for nearly 14 years and joined WBD in 2010. In his current role, Kyle helps lenders and their borrowers gain access to long-term fixed rate financing on owner occupied commercial real estate and equipment through the SBA 504 loan program. Website | LinkedIn
Christopher Lewis - Senior Examiner
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Christopher Lewis has been a commissioned Senior Examiner working at Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for the past 18 years. Preceding his current position in the Reigonal & Community Supervision Department, Chris was credit lead for a large bank examination team in the FRBC's LBO portfolio. He previously worked at LaSalle Bank, Chicago, IL as an Assistant Vice President in the Global Securization Trust Securization Division acting as trustee for MBS and CMBS securizations.
Brandon Marriott - Assistant Deputy Comptroller
Comptroller of the Currency
Brandon Marriott is the Assistant Deputy Comptroller for the Milwaukee Field Office of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). In this role, Mr. Marriott is responsible for the supervision of 17 nationally chartered institutions and supervises a staff of 26 examiners. He took on these responsibilities in May 2024 following the same role in the Peoria Field Office for 7 years. He has served the OCC in a variety of bank supervision and leadership roles during his 20-year OCC career.
Spring Nelson - Attorney at Law
Jellum Law, P.A.
Spring Nelson is an attorney and Partner at Jellum Law, licensed to practice in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Prior to joining Jellum Law, she gained extensive experience from her role as in-house counsel at a national commercial bank. She focuses her practice on advising financial institutions on all aspects of commercial loan transactions and banking regulations, specifically on U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 loans and USDA loans, and is an SBA 504 Designated Attorney.
Lorry Rifkin - CPA
We Tame Your ChaosUsing his 40+ years of experience in accounting, operations, sales, and marketing to drive business improvement. Mentoring clients, to supercharge their ability to overcome obstacles and find opportunities in their business. LinkedIn
Cari Sabel - Business & Cooperative Programs Specialist
USDA Rural Development
Cari Sabel is the team lead for OneRD Business & Industry guaranteed loans at Wisconsin Rural Development and has been with RD for two years. She has more than 15 years of commercial/business lending experience plus over 15 years of government service within USDA. Her knowledge base covers most aspects of lending. Cari enjoys family time with her spouse, four grown daughters & their significant others, and four grandbabies. In February 2025 she landed a 45.2 inch and 17.7 pound sturgeon.
Alan Sisson - Financial Examiner Supervisor
Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions
Alan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the ABA National Commercial Lending School. Additionally, he carries a Certified Examinations Manager certification through the Conference of State Bank Supervisors.
With over 37 years of experience in the financial institutions industry, Alan manages a team of eight field examiners and supervises 41 banks in the southwest region of Wisconsin, overseeing a total of more than $30 billion in assets. He is actively involved with the Graduate School of Banking, serving on its Alumni Board and as a faculty member for the FiSim class.
Keith Schlegel - Export Finance Manager, Office of International Trade
SBA
His mission is to enhance the ability of SME's to compete in the global marketplace. He works with Banks and Resource Partners throughout IL, IA and WI to increase access to capital for small businesses both internationally and domestically. He brings experience in international trade, lending, and supply chain finance. Prior to the SBA, he has 20 yrs working in banking covering global trade & supply chain finance. He earned a degree from DePaul University with a major in International Studies. LinkedIn
Wesley Walsh
Business Lending Partners (BLP)
In his role as a 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
Benjamin Wollin - MAI, AI-GRS: President
Valuation Compliance, LLC
Ben Wollin is the President of Valuation Compliance, a commercial Appraisal Management Company with over 25 bank clients across the Midwest. He is a former field appraiser with L.A. Duesterbeck and was a former Senior Real Estate Analyst for T.Wall Properties. Ben is a Former Director on the Board for the Wisconsin Chapter of the Appraisal Institute and is an active member of the Risk Management Association. Ben and his team review approximately 1,500 appraisals per year. LinkedIn
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