SBIA membership elects new Officers and Board of Governors

October 3, 2022 (Washington, D.C.) – The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA), the leading association for lower middle market private equity funds and investors, today announced its new 2022-2023 Board of Governors, including our Board Officers, Regional Presidents, At-Large Board Members, and designated Council Chairs. Gayle Hughes, co-founder and Partner of Merion Investment Partners and a member of the Mellon Growth Finance team, is the incoming Chair. Gayle has over 35 years of lending experience and has spent over half of her career working with entrepreneurial firms providing growth capital via leveraged cash flow and mezzanine. She was first elected to the SBIA Board of Governors in 2012 and has previously served our association as President of the Northeast Region, SBIC Council Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chair-Elect.

The SBIA also would like to recognize the outgoing Board members who have given generously of their time and efforts to support the association: Rodger Davis of Northcreek Mezzanine, Matt Harbaugh of Mountain State Capital, Michael Painter of Plexus Capital, Steven Pickhardt of GarMark Partners, and Ian Simmonds of Sixth Street Specialty Lending.

“We’re pleased to welcome our new Board members, all of whom have shown a strong commitment to SBIA over the years,” said SBIA President Brett Palmer. “We are privileged to have at our helm a group of experienced small business professionals from diverse geographies and representing a range of investment strategies. The SBIA Board of Governors is a powerful component of our association’s success, and we rely on the dedication, service and guidance of our members.”

At-Large Members for 2022-2023
Melinda Jackson, Cadence Bank, Texas
David Kocen, Bluehenge Capital Partners, Louisiana
Steven Lilly, FS Investments, Pennsylvania
Jan Bergeson, Ally Bank, Utah
Carl Kopfinger, TD Bank, Pennsylvania
John Mickelson, Midwest Growth Partners, Iowa
Stacey Wittelsberger, Patriot Capital, Maryland
Les Alexander, Jefferson Capital Partners, Louisiana
Jim Barra, Ironwood Capital, Connecticut
Melanie Brensinger, Anagenesis Capital, Florida
Stacy Harmsen, NorthCoast Mezzanine, Minnesota
Lars Hens, Zions Bancorporation, California
Mike Revord, Aldine Capital Partners, Illinois
Chris Sears, Truist Community Capital, Georgia
Kevin Sheehan, Multiplier Capital, District of Columbia
Eric Sloane, Southfield Mezzanine Capital, California
Gijs Van Thiel, 747 Capital, New York

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About the Small Business Investor Alliance
The Small Business Investor Alliance (SBIA) is the premier organization of lower middle market private equity funds and investors. SBIA works on behalf of its members as a tireless advocate for policies that promote competitive markets and robust domestic investment for growing small businesses. SBIA has been playing a pivotal role in promoting the growth and vitality of the private equity industry for over 60 years. For more information, visit www.SBIA.org or call (202) 628-5055.