Hello [first_name], I am asking for your vote to be re-elected to the NAGGL Board of Directors.  I have served for a 3-year term and look to continue my service to our industry.  The last three years has included the COVID crisis and PPP lending frustrations.  Now that we are starting to move away from "operating within an emergency", I would like the opportunity to help lead us back to a stable SBA 7(a) lending program. I have been in the SBA lending industry for over 35 years as a lender, a consultant, a NAGGL staffer and an educator. I have known many of you through the years connecting at NAGGL conferences, training and training events and other regional lending groups.  I was introduced to SBA lending in my first job working for a Certified Development Company (504 lending).  I progressed into the SBA 7(a) Loan Program when I went to work for a non-bank lender (SBLC) as a business development officer. The 7(a) program became my primary focus for the rest of my career when I went to work for a small community bank.  The bank became a Preferred Lender (PLP).  I was awarded the Financial Advocate of the Year by SBA for Region VI. I served as Board member for NAGGL before approaching NAGGL for a full-time job as manager of training. I was hired by NAGGL to head up training programs where I grew the educational program from 1-2 training courses to the creation/development of the NAGGL diploma program.  I created the curricula, hired instructors and developed logistical approaches to providing training (classic and custom).  My role evolved from Manager of Training to Chief Operations Officer (COO) where I continued to serve as an instructor, but I also provided technical assistance to lenders across the country.  I had the opportunity in the 12 years I was employed by NAGGL to make great connections with other lenders, SBA employees and industry service providers. I became a consultant providing SBA lending technical assistance, training, loan portfolio audit services, SBA loan policy and procedures development and SBA loan department set up.  My consulting company was transitioned to a national lender service provider where I became part of their consulting team. During my "consulting" years, I was part of a creation team that developed SBA loan application software, sbaOpen.  I joined another lender service provider as Manager of Training to its client lending institutions.  The LSP was acquired by Newtek Business Services Corp. shortly after I was hired and my role evolved from training to other institutions to training internally for Newtek Small Business Finance (NSBF). Newtek is the fifth largest SBA lender (FY2021).  My role today is to provide continuing education to the lending teams responsible for SBA 7(a), 504 and conventional lending.  I also assist with the continued updating of all lending policies and procedures documents as regulations change and internal processes evolve. I appreciate you taking the time to learn more about my story.  Please vote for me to serve you on the NAGGL Board of Directors.  With my experience and insight, I know I can be an effective voice with and to those that have the biggest impact to the small business lending industry.

If you have any quesitons, you can reach me directly at 214-507-7710, or at kmchugh@newtekone.com.