Want to know what it feels like to be part of the best conference organized for the small business finance industry, by the small business finance industry? You’re in luck! We’ve got a sneak peek into what you can expect by gathering in 2024 with fellow funders, brokers, industry thought leaders and policy makers alike for Funders Forum + Brokers Expo 2025.
The answer is simple; the future. The future of small business is the backbone of America.
Funders Forum was first held in 2018 and the spirit from that flagship event remains as strong as ever. Now Funder’s Forum + Brokers Expo has evolved into the most unique conference in its field, supporting the very heart of America, our small business community and the funders and brokers that help them thrive. Each attendee not only has the opportunity to network with like minded individuals, they have a chance to engage with the brains behind today’s small business funding policies and regulations. Most importantly, the proceeds from the weekend go toward the funding community itself to continue fighting for policies that will help make a difference for our funders, brokers, and especially the small business owners impacted by the funding community.
Scott Crockett is the founder and CEO of Everest Business Funding. He is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the finance industry. Mr. Crockett’s track record includes raising more than $500 million in capital and creating thousands of jobs. Scott has founded, built, and managed several finance companies in the consumer and commercial finance sectors.
Dan Gans is the founder and managing principal of Polaris Consulting, LLC. Under Dan’s stewardship, Polaris Government Relations has quickly become one of the most in demand boutique lobbying firms in Washington. Dan in an expert in fintech policy and works closely with the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs.
For more than 25 years, Deveron M. Gibbons has served as a strategic and tactical business leader and an advisor and counselor to governors, legislators, and members of Congress. He has also established himself as a creative force helping to shape the next generation of leaders, serving on the boards of trustees of two institutions of higher learning in his native Florida.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo welcomes small business financers from across the country to Fort Lauderdale to learn from and network with some of the nation’s top small business industry thought leaders and policy makers.
This two-day program will provide you with the tools, strategies and best practices you need to successfully compete in today’s rapidly changing business environment.
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities, contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com as soon as you can.
The Broker ticket option is exclusively available for those who are employed by a business financing Broker/ISO that is not a bank or those who are independent sales agents.
This option is not available to those who are employed by a direct lender or direct funder.
The Non-Broker option is available for interested parties that do not match the Broker ticket criteria.
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. Please click here to view our sponsorship levels. For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities, contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com as soon as you can.
March 2024
Check-in and pick up your name badge and a backpack filled with swag to kick off the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo.
Located in the Salon East Foyer.
Join us for a lively poolside networking event to connect with fellow attendees and industry leaders.
Sponsored by:
Details coming soon.
Start your day with a refreshing breakfast with your fellow industry professionals, Kosher options will be available throughout the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo to suit your preferences.
Sponsored by: USF Funding
Located in the Sponsor Zone: Terrace Ballroom.
Kick off the scheduled speaking activities for the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo with opening remarks leading directly into the keynote address by Karl Rove.
Located in Seminole Ballroom B+G.
Hear keynote speaker Karl Rove, former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, share his perspective on the current political environment.
Located in Seminole Ballroom B+G.
Moderator: Jim Granat, President of Small Business Lending and SVP at OnDeck
Hear from our panel of top company CEOs on where things stand for the industry post 2023 along with predictions for the years ahead; all moderated by the head of the largest SME funder in the United States, OnDeck.
Hear from Senator Marco Rubio during this informative session as he speaks about his experiences on the US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and about the value of SMB finance to the US economy.
Located in Seminole Ballroom B+G.
Moderator: Demetris Papademetriou, Founder of Middlemarch Partners
With inflation beginning to come down and the Fed’s tightening cycle appearing to have topped out, what does all this mean for the capital markets and the SME finance space, in particular? This panel is comprised of some of the people closest to what’s happening, both today and in the years to come.
Located in Seminole Ballroom C+D.
Moderator: Lindsey Rohan, Deputy General Counsel at BasePoint Capital LLC
There’s never been more going on in the revenue based finance industry when it comes to regulation, compliance and litigation. Another year and more disclosure laws have been passed, other states beginning to implement previously passed laws with a focus on compliance. Add in new and unique types of litigation including a challenge to the CFPB’s rule 1071. Hear from our incredible panel filled with some of the best legal minds in the industry on what’s happened, what’s happening and what may be coming in the future for your business.
Located in Seminole Ballroom C+D.
Moderator: Dan Gans, Founder and Managing Principal at Polaris Consulting, LLC
A discussion about the current political climate and how it impacts the commercial finance industry.
Listen to Dr. Alex Lawrence, PhD, discuss ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence, and discover strategies for leveraging it to achieve business success.
Located in Seminole Ballroom B+G.
End of scheduled speaking events for the Funders Forum + Brokers Expo 2024, be sure to join us for the evening social.
Located in Seminole Ballroom B+G.
Details coming soon.
Engaging and impactful content is only as strong as the venue it is presented in, that is why Funders Forum + Brokers Expo creates a full top notch experience down to the very last detail. Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is home to over a dozen award winning restaurants and bars, and expansive serene pool and endless entertainment opportunities. So don’t choose between an impactful conference and a get away, choose both with our event.
Former Deputy Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush
Karl Rove, an iconic political strategist and one of the most sought-after political pundits of our time, is best known for his provocative and robust knowledge of major political issues.
Rove served as Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush from 2000–2007 and Deputy Chief of Staff from 2004–2007. At the White House, he oversaw the Offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison, and Intergovernmental Affairs and was Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process. He was the architect of President Bush’s 2008 and 2004 White House victories.
Before the White House, he ran Rove + Co. a Texas based public affairs firm that consulted on over 75 GOP campaigns for Senator, Governor, Congress and statewide offices in 24 states.
Rove was described by author and columnist Michael Barone as “…unique…no Presidential appointee has ever had such a strong influence on politics and policy, and none is likely to do so again anytime soon.” Washington Post Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter David Broder wrote that Rove was a master political strategist whose “game has always been long term…and he plays it with an intensity and attention to detail that few can match.” Conservative editor and columnist Fred Barnes, called him “the greatest political mind of his generation and probably of any generation… He knows history, understands the moods of the public and is a visionary on matters of public policy.”
Mr. Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal, appears frequently on the Fox News Channel, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Courage and Consequence. His latest book is The Triumph of William McKinley.
A Colorado native, Rove lives in Austin, Texas where he teaches at the University of Texas and serves on the Texas State History Museum and McDonald Observatory boards.
Dr. Alex Lawrence wears dual hats as a tenured professor at Weber State University and as a seasoned entrepreneur.
At WSU Alex teaches his students about AI and the latest technology tools being used in business. His expertise in these areas has garnered him national recognition as an authority on ChatGPT and AI for business applications. This recognition resulted in Dr. Lawrence being showcased on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and participating in a spirited debate on CNN, viewed live by millions, among other national media appearances. Additionally, Dr. Lawrence is highly sought after as a speaker, consultant and advisor for innovative tech and AI practices and strategies.
Parallel to and preceding his academic career, Dr. Lawrence has been a lifelong entrepreneur. Over the past 30 years, he has been both a Founder and C-level Executive while launching and leading several successful companies, including one that ranked #34 nationally across all categories on the Inc. 500 list.
Right now, Alex is living his dream, maintaining a balance between teaching, consulting, and his entrepreneurial pursuits. In line with this, Alex currently owns the only EV used car dealership in Utah, EV Auto with two new locations opening in 2023-2024.
Despite his professional commitments, Alex prefers to spend time traveling with his wife and two daughters or playing golf and fly fishing with friends. Dr. Lawrence was an early executive for Lendio and being an instrumental part of the setting up of the company, Alex is still partnered with Lendio to this day.
Marco Rubio was born in 1971 in Miami, Florida as the son of two Cuban immigrants pursuing the American Dream. His father worked as a banquet bartender, while his mother split time as a stay-at-home mom and hotel maid. From an early age, Rubio learned the importance of faith, family, community, and dignified work to the good life.
Rubio was drawn to public service in large part because of conversations with his grandfather, who saw his homeland destroyed by communism. After meeting and marrying his wife Jeanette—and earning degrees from the University of Florida and the University of Miami Law School—Rubio served as a city commissioner in West Miami and Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives.
In 2010, he won a seat in the U.S. Senate. During his first term, Senator Rubio experienced the Washington gridlock. Efforts at reform met tough resistance from extreme partisanship and an engrained elite establishment, both of which benefited from the status quo.
Senator Rubio also saw firsthand the communities the establishment had left behind: towns and cities devastated by the loss of dignified work and corroded by a culture that had forgotten the need for faith, family, and community. But those experiences didn’t discourage Senator Rubio—they only strengthened his determination to revive the American Dream for hardworking Americans.
Now in his third term, he continues to enact common-sense policies that create good jobs, strengthen communities, and protect Americans from the Chinese Communist Party. In addition to providing award-winning constituent service, Senator Rubio has authored hundreds of new laws, including some that are truly transformational. He led the effort to reform the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and provide health care benefits to veterans suffering from toxic burn pit exposure. He doubled the federal child tax credit for working families. He kept millions of small businesses afloat during the pandemic lockdowns, through the historic Paycheck Protection Program. And he secured generous funding for Everglades restoration efforts.
Senator Rubio also wrote and passed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which represents the greatest turning point in U.S.-China relations in decades. For these achievements and more, the Center for Effective Lawmaking consistently ranks Rubio among the three most effective senators in Congress. Fighting partisan gridlock and elite complacency is never easy, but Senator Rubio is honored to serve his country and the people of Florida. Every day, he wakes up determined to make it easier for you and your family to pursue the American Dream. He will not stop until American politics is once again centered on common sense and the common good.
Elected by the people of Southwest Florida to Congress in 2020 and subsequently in 2022, Congressman Byron Donalds represents Florida’s 19th Congressional District. The 19th District encompasses parts of both Lee and Collier Counties along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
In the historic 118th Congress, Congressman Donalds is proud to serve as a member on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, and House Financial Services Committee. Prior to becoming a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Byron served two terms in the Florida House of Representatives where he was a champion for education reform and school choice, criminal justice reform, and more. Prior to public service, Byron worked in the finance industry for nearly two decades.
Byron and his wife, Erika, live in Naples, Florida with their three boys, Damon, Darin, and Mason.
Kate is a partner in Hudson Cook, LLP’s Maryland office and co-chair of the firm’s Business Funding practice group. Her practice focuses on the areas of Consumer Financial Services and Small Business Financing. Kate represents banks, finance companies, private equity and investment bank investors, merchant cash advance companies, and small business lenders establishing new programs and products, and conducts due diligence and compliance reviews of consumer lending and business financing portfolios.
Mary Donohue is the Executive Director for the Revenue Based Finance Coalition (RBFC). Before joining RBFC, Mary worked as a government relations specialist for CATALYST Government Affairs. At CATALYST, Mary managed various client portfolios in areas ranging from a variety of financial services issues to foster care policy in many states across the country as well as in Washington, DC. Her prior work also consists of developing and managing the federal and state public policy strategies for the small business lending brands within Enova International (NYSE: ENVA) (OnDeck, Headway Capital, The Business Backer), including coordination with Enova SMB’s P&Ls, corporate support groups, third party consultants, and industry organizations. Mary also developed and led public policy promotion campaigns and built networks of trade associations, industry partners, and non-profit groups to support policies that help create and maintain access to credit over the internet for America’s small businesses.
A well-seasoned government affairs professional, Mary lived and worked in Washington, DC for over ten years with a significant amount of time spent at one of DC’s top federal lobbying firms, Polaris Consulting. At Polaris, Mary specialized in financial services and labor client portfolios and implemented various strategic objectives through Congressional outreach and research.
Mary holds a Masters in Public Administration and Policy from American University and graduated magna cum laude from St. Lawrence University with a double major in Government and Psychology. In her free time, Mary enjoys hanging out with her husband, Parker, who is a U.S. Naval Officer and former Fighter Pilot, and their two dogs Cosmo, a Dalmatian, and Comet, an English Setter as well as her off the track Thoroughbred, Mucho.
Scott Crockett is the founder and CEO of Everest Business Funding. He is a seasoned professional with 20 years of experience in the finance industry. Mr. Crockett’s track record includes raising more than $500 million in capital and creating thousands of jobs. Scott has founded, built, and managed several finance companies in the consumer and commercial finance sectors.
Bill Gallagher has been the President of CFGMS since its inception in 2015. Prior to that, Bill was the Chief Credit Officer of CapFlow Funding, CFGMS’s factoring sister company, since 2009. Bill has held various senior-level Capital Markets and Investment Banking positions in the Institutional Fixed Income divisions of Lehman Brothers, and Barclays Capital.
David A. Picon is a seasoned litigator who has tried dozens of cases in various tribunals for financial services firms and public and private companies. David represents clients in complex commercial disputes in a wide range of matters, including complex securities issues, commodities and derivatives-related disputes, fraudulent transfer actions, alleged Ponzi schemes, and contract and employment-related disputes.
James Intermont is a Managing Director at Atalaya Capital Management LP, focused on private asset-backed investments in the Consumer and Commercial specialty finance space. Prior to joining Atalaya, he was a Vice President at Ares Management, and an Associate at Jefferies. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin – Madison in 2009.
Bruce Miller joined Stephens in 2004 and co-heads the firm’s global Specialty Finance investment banking group. Bruce and his team advise public and private commercial and consumer finance companies on M&A transactions, equity and debt capital markets transactions, and other strategic advisory assignments. Since 2006, the Stephens’ Specialty Finance group has advised on more than 200 transactions with deal value exceeding $25.0 billion. Prior to his career in investment banking, Bruce was a corporate lawyer with Alston & Bird in Atlanta, where he counseled numerous public and private companies on M&A transactions, securities offerings and corporate finance matters. He graduated from N.C. State University with a degree in finance and earned his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University, where he was a member of the Board of Editors of the Wake Forest Law Review.
Mr. McNierney is an Executive Managing Director of Brean Capital and a member of the firm’s Operating Committee. Mr. McNierney previously was President & Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Board of Directors of Gleacher & Company, Inc. Prior to that, he was CEO and Head of Investment Banking for Broadpoint, the predecessor of Gleacher & Company. Earlier in his career, he was a Managing Director in the Healthcare and Communications Technology investment banking groups at Robertson Stephens & Company and a Vice President in the Healthcare investment banking group at Smith Barney, Harris, Upham & Co., Inc. During his 23 year career, Mr. McNierney has been involved in several hundred equity and debt public offerings, private placements and merger & acquisition and strategic advisory assignments for public and private companies in a diverse range of industries. Mr. McNierney obtained his BA and JD/MBA from The University of Texas at Austin. He holds Series 7, 24, 63, 79 & 99 licenses.
Mr. Papademetriou is a founder of Middlemarch Partners and co-leads the firm’s merchant banking and investing efforts. He has spent over 28 years investing, advising, and operating high-growth financial business services companies across the payments, specialty lending, capital markets, and insurance sectors.
Mr. Papademetriou is an active investor and advisor to financial services companies with a particular focus on financial technology opportunities, having raised over $1.6B for clients. Because of his operating and financial experience, he also serves as a board member for a number of Middlemarch Capital Partners’ portfolio companies. Prior to founding Middlemarch, he was a Director at Knight Capital Group, a global trading firm, where he was responsible for originating, evaluating, and executing strategic investment opportunities and M&A with the mortgage-backed securities, equities, foreign exchange, and derivatives desks both in the US and in Europe.
He also served as the Head of Strategy and Corporate Development for CashEdge, Inc., a financial services transaction and risk management software company, where he focused on capital raising, M&A, and new product development. CashEdge was sold to Fiserv (FISV) for $465M in 2011. Earlier in his career, Demetris worked at Swiss Re Capital Partners, the $5B AUM Merchant Banking and Private Equity division of Swiss Re.
Jim Granat is a President of Small Business Lending at OnDeck, America’s largest online small business lender. In his role, he is responsible for bringing easy-to-access working capital to more small businesses in the U.S. as well as driving strategic partnerships. With a decade of experience in online marketplaces and lending in both the consumer and small business industries, Jim previously served as President at Lendio and as Chief Operating Officer at FDI Management. He holds his BA in accounting and finance from Arizona State University. While at ASU, Jim was a member of the golf team, and he later played professionally.
Andrew Smith is a Partner at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC. He counsels banks, non-banks, and financial technology providers on consumer financial services issues, including privacy, UDAP, credit reporting, fair lending, payments, and internet delivery of financial services. He has testified frequently before Congress on these issues, and regularly represents clients before the FTC and CFPB in law enforcement and rulemaking proceedings. Between 2018 and 2021 he was the Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, and he is a former Chairman of the American Bar Association’s Consumer Financial Services Committee.
Brad is the Co-Founder and Chairman of The Fundworks, LLC, a software-enabled alternative lender, based in Los Angeles. He is also a Partner of Rivonia Road Capital, an alternative investment firm focused on the financial services industry. Before co-founding The Fundworks, Brad sourced, structured and oversaw private equity investments for Lightyear Capital, an investment firm that acquires financial services businesses including banks, insurance companies and specialty finance firms. Brad started his career as an investment banking analyst at Deutsche Banc Alex. Brown. He holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and an AB from Stanford University.
Robert (“Bob”) Gage is a partner in Hudson Cook’s Michigan office.
Bob’s practice focuses on a wide range of issues affecting consumer and commercial financial services. He frequently speaks and writes on issues affecting consumer and commercial financial services.
Bob regularly represents clients who provide financing to small and medium size businesses in the form of loans, credit sales, leasing, factoring and revenue-based financing.
He regularly helps banks, finance companies, and other providers of funds establish new programs and products, reviews, drafts and negotiates contracts and related documents, and advises on recharacterization risk, regulatory compliance, and legal risk management.
Bob is a member of the Alternative Finance Bar Association.
Dan Gans is the founder and managing principal of Polaris Consulting, LLC. Prior to establishing Polaris, Dan managed the Telecommunications, Technology and Energy practice at a top 20 lobbying firm in Washington, D.C. for three years. Under Dan’s stewardship, Polaris Government Relations has quickly become one of the most in demand boutique lobbying firms in Washington. Dan in an expert in fintech policy and works closely with the House Financial Services Committee and the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs.
Dan is an eleven-year veteran of Capitol Hill. Most recently, Dan served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Bob Riley (R-AL). In addition to serving as Riley’s Chief of Staff, Gans was also a Senior Advisor (in a volunteer capacity) to Riley’s successful gubernatorial campaign in 2002. Dan worked with the campaign General Consultant to develop and implement a successful media, grass roots, and fundraising plan.
As Chief of Staff, Dan served as Congressman Riley’s principal strategist and advisor on all legislative and political matters including the Congressman’s work on the Financial Services, Armed Services and Agriculture Committees. Dan’s responsibilities included oversight and management of the Washington, D.C. and Alabama offices. Dan also served as the Congressman’s liaison to House leadership and the Republican Study Committee.
During his tenure as Chief of Staff, Gans was recognized by The Wall Street Journal for designing a state-of-the-art interactive Congressional website that implemented an e-video communication platform. Bob Riley was the first Member of Congress to communicate with his constituents using video email technology. It was no surprise that Campaigns and Elections magazine cited Bob Riley’s campaign website as one of the best in the country and critical to his election success in 2002. Dan has been a regular speaker on internet communication and e-strategy for the House Republican Conference. Dan also held a Department of Defense security clearance, which he was required to have in order to handle Riley’s work on the House Armed Services Committee.
Mr. Fuentes, of Cuban descent, received his degree in Business Administration from Iona College, located in New Rochelle, New York. After graduating, he began his career as an Investment Associate with Merrill Lynch from 1990-1992. For the next six years, Mr. Fuentes continued his career on Wall Street as an Investment Banker. Then in 1999, he joined the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce as a Membership Specialist focused on the Hispanic market. During this time, Mr. Fuentes recognized the need for an organization exclusively dedicated to the Hispanic business market, and thus, he founded the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
He formerly served on the Step Up for Students’s Governance Board, the Board of Directors for Florida Kidcare, Chairman of Latin CEO, appointed by Former Gov. Charlie Crist as Commissioner for A Blueprint for Juvenile Justice Reform, served on Gov. Rick Scott’s Education Transition Team, and appointed by former Presidential Candidate Gov. Mitt Romney’s Education Policy Committee. In 2018 Influence Magazine named Mr. Fuentes as one of the top 100 most influential people in Florida politics.
Mr. Fuentes resides in Wellington, Florida with his wife and two kids, Nicholas and Gabriella.
Rachael Schreiber helps lead CATALYST’s multistate government affairs practice nationally and leads the firm’s Texas office.
After two decades navigating government from the municipal to the federal level, Rachael has a unique blend of private and public sector experience making her an effective advocate and strategist. She previously served as vice president of government relations for one of the largest consumer specialty finance companies in the United States and led its professional teams across the country. Prior to more than a decade of lobbying on financial services issues, Rachael served at some of the highest level positions in the Texas State Capitol.
Alexis Shapiro is the Senior Vice President & General Counsel of Forward Financing, where she oversees all legal functions of the Company.
Prior to joining Forward Financing in April 2018, Alexis was a partner at the Boston-based law firm Goodwin Procter, where she advised companies and their officers and directors on strategies for avoiding liability and complex business disputes, with a particular emphasis in the financial services industry. Prior to Goodwin, Alexis was an attorney at Skadden Arps in New York City. Alexis is a board member of the Alternative Finance Bar Association (AFBA), an attorney-based organization that serves as a resource to its attorney members concerning current legal issues in the field of alternative finance.
Originally from New Jersey, Alexis graduated from Colgate University with a Bachelor of Arts, and from Boston College Law School with a Juris Doctorate. She currently resides in the Boston area with her family.
