Greg joins Venturus as a veteran in the finance industry with almost 40 years experience in investment banking, corporate finance and small business lending, with the past 13 years dedicated to SBA lending.   With stints at firms like Shearson Lehman, PaineWebber, Quadrant Financial and Q2 Business Capital (with several of his fellow Venturus teammates), he has been a consistent top performer, regularly earning various awards such as Founder’s and President’s clubs.

As someone who understands the full spectrum of capital options, Greg has been successful utilizing a customer focused consultative approach, delivering financing solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of each client. He has an unwavering  passion for helping growing small businesses achieve objectives and thrive by providing access to capital to facilitate that growth.

Greg has a lifelong passion for offshore sailboat racing. He has been fortunate to compete in a wide variety of races over the past 50 years,  including multiple races from Chicago to Mackinac and  Newport to Bermuda. He also loves golf, spending time with his with wife, Beth, and traveling to visit their two daughters. 

Developed over his 17 years in small business finance, Richard has a strong passion and unique expertise lending to small businesses for owner-user real estate, up to 100% financing; business acquisitions’ partner buyouts, employee purchases and partial buy ins; franchises, business expansions and debt refinance/consolidations. Before joining the Venturus team, Richard’s career included tenure with Oaktree Mortgage; Citadel Commercial Lending and several top nationwide SBA lenders.

Richard fully embraces Venturus’ white-glove approach, prioritizing the unique goals and needs of each small business borrower. Every deal is structured with those objectives in mind, ensuring the financing solution is both strategic and personalized. It’s this drive and desire that makes Richard stand out for his exceptional service, deep expertise, unwavering client focus, and unmatched professionalism.

A graduate of Chaminade College Preparatory School and Boston College, Richard and his wife are very proud parents of their three sons. Outside of SBA lending, he enjoys coaching youth tackle football, basketball, and baseball. He also teaches second grade Sunday school and previously served as chairman of the Catholic Youth Council (CYC) Baseball and Softball program.

Rick brings more than 40 years of banking experience, including over 20 years in SBA lending, and remains deeply passionate about helping borrowers achieve their financial goals.

As the oldest of five children, Rick entered the workforce immediately after earning his Associate Degree in Business from Broward College. He began his career as a part-time teller with Landmark Bank (now Bank of America) while continuing his education, earning all American Institute of Banking Certificates by January 1980. He advanced through roles as a Consumer and Commercial Loan Officer before finding his true calling in SBA lending.

Rick has been highly active in the SBA lending community, including leadership with FLAGGL (Florida Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders), where he proudly served as President for two years prior to 2018.

His SBA lending career includes roles with TD Bank, UPS Capital Business Credit, United Community Bank, and most recently 44 Business Capital, a division of Berkshire Bank, where he served until March 2023.

A native Floridian, Rick enjoys the beach and the outdoors. Once an avid runner, he now enjoys daily walks. Rick and his wife are proud parents of three adult children and are looking forward to an exciting 2026 with both daughters getting married.

Rick and his wife also love to travel. His wife is a Travel Advisor franchisee, helping clients plan cruises, tours, rail journeys, and domestic and international travel.

Joseph is a licensed Texas real estate broker with more than 30 years of experience in commercial real estate and SBA government-guaranteed lending. He began his career after earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Fordham University in New York and has since developed extensive expertise serving the financing needs of small business owners throughout Texas.

Joseph specializes in SBA lending for owner-occupied commercial real estate and business acquisitions. With decades of experience in the Texas marketplace, he has a deep understanding of the challenges small businesses face when securing capital and is committed to personally guiding clients through the SBA lending process to ensure an efficient and effective experience.

Prior to joining Venturus as Vice President, Senior Business Development Officer in San Antonio, Joseph spent the majority of his career originating SBA loans across Central and South Texas, including more than 10 years as a Regional Account Manager with CIT Small Business Lending. During his time at CIT, he received the President’s Award for excellence and earned the prestigious CCIM designation from the CCIM Institute in Chicago.

Earlier in his career, Joseph worked as an Investment Specialist with CBRE, Inc. (formerly Coldwell Banker Commercial), where he focused on owner-occupied commercial real estate and income-producing investment properties.

Joseph is an active member of several professional organizations, including TABB, CCIM Institute, CTAGGL, CREW, and the National Association of Realtors.

Outside of work, Joseph enjoys riding his Harley-Davidson throughout the Texas Hill Country, listening to live country music, and spending time with family and friends.

Gary is a 45+ year veteran in government-guaranteed lending, with deep expertise across SBA, USDA, and related federal programs. Over the course of his career, he has built, led, and scaled lending platforms at both regional and national levels, consistently delivering strong production, operational discipline, and credit performance.

Most recently, Gary served as Executive Vice President at SBA National Servicing, LLC, where he led national loan originations through a brokerage platform and oversaw SBA portfolio servicing and credit functions. He has a proven track record of building high-performing teams and platforms from the ground up, having successfully launched multiple SBA lending divisions and led them across all phases—from business development and underwriting to national sales leadership.

Gary’s entrepreneurial leadership is highlighted by his tenure as President and CEO of Capital Growth Solutions, one of the nation’s premier SBA lender service providers. In this role, he advised financial institutions across the country on entering and scaling government-guaranteed lending, while also originating and structuring complex transactions. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated an ability to drive production, having generated tens of millions in loan volume annually and played a key role in establishing and restoring SBA Preferred Lender Program (PLP) status for multiple institutions .
A respected industry voice, Gary has provided training and advisory services to national lenders and trade organizations on credit, servicing, and business development. He has also served in leadership roles with the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL), representing small banks and contributing to industry advancement.

Gary is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in both Georgia and Tennessee and has been recognized with numerous industry honors, including Financial Advocate of the Year for Tennessee and Small Business Executive of the Year by Coleman Publishing.

Today, Gary resides on Tybee Island, Georgia, where he enjoys time with his family—including his four grandchildren—along with fishing, golf, and life on the coast.

Javier Jorge brings more than a decade of experience in SBA lending, government-guaranteed lending, business development, and entrepreneurship to Venturus. An entrepreneur at heart, Javier understands both the discipline required by lenders and the realities business owners face every day, giving him a practical and relationship-driven approach to helping clients grow.

Prior to joining Venturus, Javier served as EVP and Director of Government Guaranteed Lending at Locality Bank, where he led SBA business development and oversaw the department. Previously, he was SVP and SBA Director at LMCU/Pilot Bank, where he launched the SBA 7(a) division and helped generate more than $80 million in SBA loan volume. Earlier in his career, he held SBA and lending roles with First Green Bank, Midwest Regional Bank, and C1 Bank. Javier was also part of the team at First Green Bank when it was recognized as SBA Community Lender of the Year by the SBA North Florida District in 2017.

In addition to his banking background, Javier brings firsthand entrepreneurial experience to his work. He has co-founded two fintech companies and founded ChatBiz Finance, a platform focused on helping small businesses access SBA financing, working capital solutions, and nonprofit resources. He and his wife also own and operate three gyms in Miami, giving him a firsthand appreciation for the challenges and opportunities entrepreneurs navigate every day.

Javier currently serves on the boards of NAGGL (National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders) and TenNorth Group, a community development financial institution. He earned both his MBA, with concentrations in Finance and International Business, and his Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the University of South Florida. Fluent in Spanish and passionate about innovation, Javier enjoys leveraging technology and AI-driven solutions to help entrepreneurs and referral partners move ideas into execution more effectively.

Outside of work, Javier enjoys cycling (100 miles per week) and spending time with his two children and wife of more than 20 years.

Danny McDonald is a SBA Business Development Officer at Venturus with more than six years of specialized SBA lending experience and a track record of over $80 million in closed SBA 7(a) loan production. Known for his relationship-driven approach and deep understanding of SBA lending, Danny helps entrepreneurs secure the capital they need to acquire, grow, and strengthen their businesses.

Based in the Tampa Bay market, Danny specializes in SBA financing solutions for business acquisitions, working capital, expansion, and owner-occupied commercial real estate. His experience across multiple SBA lending institutions has given him extensive expertise in SBA SOP, underwriting fundamentals, and deal structuring strategies that help business owners confidently navigate complex transactions.

Danny also brings specialized knowledge of SBA International Trade Loans, helping businesses engaged in global commerce access long-term capital solutions to support continued growth. Fluent in both English and Spanish, he is passionate about expanding access to capital within underserved entrepreneurial communities and serving as a trusted advisor throughout the lending process.

Prior to joining Venturus, Danny held SBA lending roles with Locality Bank, Lake Michigan Credit Union, and Pilot Bank, where he consistently produced high-performing SBA loan portfolios. During the Paycheck Protection Program, he helped lead a bank-wide initiative that originated more than $120 million in PPP funding for small businesses across Florida. Earlier in his career, Danny was part owner and Sales Director of a technology startup that successfully scaled and was later acquired, giving him firsthand insight into the entrepreneurial journey and the challenges business owners face every day.

An active advocate within the small business community, Danny serves on the board of the Tampa Bay Latin Chamber of Commerce and regularly collaborates with community lenders, CDFIs, and nonprofit organizations to connect entrepreneurs with the right capital resources. He earned his MBA from the University of Tampa and a Bachelor of Mass Communications from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Outside the office, Danny enjoys pickleball and padle, fishing the waters of Tampa Bay, and supporting the Rays, Buccaneers, and Lightning. He believes strong relationships are the foundation of every successful business and meaningful opportunity.

In his capacity as a Vice President, Business Development Officer at Venturus , Cole Haiback helps entrepreneurs and business owners nationwide secure SBA financing for business acquisitions, startups, franchise opportunities, expansions, and commercial real estate purchases.

Cole began his SBA career at Ready Capital as a Credit Analyst before transitioning into production and business development. He later served as a Business Development Officer with Ready Capital and as Vice President and Business Development Officer with 44 Business Capital and First National Bank. His background on both the credit and production sides of SBA lending gives him a strong understanding of how to structure transactions, anticipate potential challenges, and efficiently guide borrowers through the financing process.

Cole has developed particular expertise in franchise lending and commercial real estate financing, while also working extensively with business acquisitions and startups. He enjoys working collaboratively with business owners, brokers, franchisors, and referral partners to understand each opportunity and find practical financing solutions that help his clients move forward with confidence.

His approach is straightforward: communicate clearly, be responsive, set realistic expectations, and work hard to get the deal done. Cole takes pride in building long-term relationships and being a trusted resource for clients and referral partners.

Cole earned his bachelor’s degree in Financial Management with an emphasis in Real Estate and a minor in Accounting from Clemson University. He is based in Hoboken, New Jersey. Two things you might not know about Cole: He is an avid golfer and a true food enthusiast. The next time you talk with him, ask about the best restaurant he’s discovered lately.

Blake is a passionate and results-driven financial professional known for cultivating strong relationships and maintaining exceptional communication with clients and referral partners alike. With nearly a decade of experience in the financial services industry, he brings both mastery and strategic insight to the Venturus team. Blake began his career as a Mortgage Loan Officer, where he quickly distinguished himself, and most recently served as AVP of Commercial Lending at a leading Idaho community bank. There, he discovered his true passion for supporting small business owners—playing a pivotal role in doubling the institution’s SBA lending portfolio within just 12 months.

Blake brings a high level of energy to each work day. He is eager to share his expertise and continue growing alongside a team with more than 150 years of collective SBA lending experience. His focus at Venturus will include providing 100% financing solutions for owner-occupied commercial real estate purchases and refinances, business acquisitions, partner buyouts, equipment financing, and franchise funding.

A proud native of Southern Idaho, Blake earned his Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Idaho in 2014. Outside the office, he finds his greatest joy in spending quality time with his wife and their two wonderful children. He also enjoys running outdoors, reading, and hitting the golf course whenever he can.

Nick brings a uniquely disciplined and service-driven perspective to SBA lending, shaped by nearly two decades of simultaneous service as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy and a State Trooper with the New Jersey State Police. After retiring from both distinguished careers, he redirected that same commitment to service into small business finance, serving as a Senior Vice President and SBA Business Development Officer at USA Funding before joining the Venturus team in 2026.

A graduate of New Jersey City University with a Master of Science in National Security Studies, Nick’s background in high-stakes environments instilled an unwavering attention to detail, strategic discipline, and a calm, trustworthy approach that borrowers rely on throughout the lending process. He focuses on structuring SBA 7(a) and 504 financing solutions, including up to 100% financing for owner-occupied commercial real estate, business acquisitions, partner buyouts, equipment purchases, debt refinancing, and working capital.

A New Jersey native, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, two young children, and their German Shepherd, Rocky. Outside the office, he has a passion for data analytics and artificial intelligence — an enthusiasm that reflects his forward-thinking mindset and commitment to delivering smarter solutions for the clients he serves.

With almost four decades of finance experience, Laura began her career in 1988 with Huntington National Bank’s commercial loan department. Since then, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience, having worked with banks of all types, but certainly thrives in a community bank culture characterized by strong camaraderie and teamwork.

Over the years, Laura has excelled in various roles, including commercial loan coordinator, loan documentation supervisor, commercial loan documentation specialist and SBA documentation and packaging specialist. Since joining Quadrant Financial in 2011 after stints at Bank One, National Bank of Indianapolis, CIB Bank, Symphony Bank and Indiana Business bank , she is ardent about helping small businesses prosper with the help of the Small Business Administration.

She has always enjoyed helping people, making a difference and creating impact as evidenced by being a three time Purple Cow Award winner at Quadrant; a You Rock award winner and the first recipient of the Living Our Values award at Q2, which recognized the employee who best exemplified key values of the company.

A graduate of Ball State University with an MBA from Butler University, in her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with friends and family, especially wither her two children and their partners. She loves going on road trips, taking walks, listening to and making music – either with her voice or the flute – and taking care of her pet cat Hannah and two grandcats, Kaylee and Ralph.

Following a couple years of expressing strong interest in the small business finance industry, Sam joined the Venturus team as a summer intern in the Summer of 2023, during which he received a crash course in the essentials of SBA lending. Sam immediately became a valuable addition to the team, working primarily with small balance loan borrowers and helping improve our operational velocity.  This resulted in Sam being promoted to a SBA Lending Associate, where he contributes in many diverse ways, but primarily in the processing of our ExpeditioUS product (10 year working capital loans $25,000 – $150,000.) Sam is thrilled to be part of the SBA lending community and learn as much as possible from the many experts in the industry.

Sam is currently a senior at the University of Kentucky, majoring in Finance and Business Management. Sam excels at most things, as evidenced by his impressive appearance on the Dean’s List every semester since enrolling in the Fall of 2020. After graduating in the Spring of 2024, Sam plans to join Venturus full time and build his career in this specialized field.

Sam enjoys following University of Louisville Athletics and attending all sorts of sporting events. Sam also enjoys the National Parks and plans to travel to many more in the future, with the ultimate dream of retiring in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.