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March 4th – March 6th, 2025

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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.

See you in

Days
Hours
Minutes
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Every aspect of small business finance.

Join us for a conference that will bring together funders, brokers, industry thought leaders and policy makers. We’re excited to extend this industry-leading conference to now include funders, law firms, credit card processors and debt collectors. Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will feature engaging sessions led by a diverse group of the small business finance industry’s top CEOs, strategists and entrepreneurs on innovative financial technologies, best practices and advocacy. Attendees will also hear firsthand from policy makers and regulators, who will discuss Washington’s impact on small business funders.

Engage

On the issues facing small business financers across the country.

Connect

With small business financers just like YOU.

Discuss

Solutions that will ensure a safe and transparent method of access to capital for small businesses in this country that need it most.

Learn

The latest on key policy developments and hear directly from the policy makers who are shaping the future of the industry.

Engaging content. Beautiful venue.

While attending the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo, we invite you to make the most of your time by staying at the event venue, the iconic Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, ensuring your experience is nothing short of exceptional. Your room or suite, designed for your comfort and convenience, provides a luxurious haven to unwind or host private meetings. Including poolside gatherings, fine dining, world class entertainment, and a vibrant nightlife, this venue seamlessly blends business and leisure, promising an unforgettable experience. Book your room by following the link below.
Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314
Phone: 1-866-502-7529

Why we exist

Our story.

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.

Our Committee

SCOTT CROCKETT

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

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.

DEVERON GIBBONS

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.

FAQ

Funders Forum + Brokers Expo is the first conference organized for the small business finance industry, by the small business finance industry. It is an opportunity to engage with and learn from industry thought leaders and policy makers while networking with fellow funders from across the country. The Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will celebrate the small finance business industry and discuss solutions that will ensure a safe and transparent method for the small businesses in this country that need capital the most to access it.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo is the first conference organized for the small business finance industry, by the small business finance industry. It is an opportunity to engage with and learn from industry thought leaders and policy makers while networking with fellow funders from across the country. The Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will celebrate the small finance business industry and discuss solutions that will ensure a safe and transparent method for the small businesses in this country that need capital the most to access it.

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.

Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will take place from March 5 to March 7, 2024.
Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will be hosted at Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Seminole Hardrock Hotel & Casino
1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, FL 33314
We encourage you to come ready to learn from some of the nation’s top small business finance experts and policy leaders. You will want to have your laptop or other mobile devices on hand to take notes during the interactive sessions. 
The dress code for Funders Forum + Brokers Expo is business casual. This includes the forum sessions as well as the networking events. We recommend bringing a sweater or dressing in layers because the conference room temperatures can fluctuate.

A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available. For sponsorship or exhibitor opportunities, contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com as soon as you can.

Please contact info@thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com for more information.
The event has a no-refund policy. However, ticket exchanges and name changes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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.

What to expect

2024 Conference Agenda

March 2024

Tuesday

Details coming soon.

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:
Located at the DAER DayClub.

WEDNEsday

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

  • Panelist: Scott Crockett, CEO of Everest Business Funding
  • Panelist: Bill Gallagher, President of CFG Merchant Solutions
  • Panelist: Brad Smeidt, Co-Founder and Chairman at The Fundworks LLC
  • Panelist: Vincent Ney, CEO of Expansion Capital Group

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.

Enjoy a delicious meal and network with fellow professionals during this lunch break.

Sponsored By:
Located in the Sponsor Zone: Terrace Ballroom.
  • Panelist: Kate Fisher, Partner at Hudson Cook LLP
  • Panelist: Robert Gage, Partner at Hudson Cook LLP
  • Panelist: Lindsey Rohan, Deputy General Counsel at BasePoint Capital LLC
  • Panelist: Patrick Siegfried, Deputy General Counsel at Rapid Finance
Join a panel of top attorneys to discuss revenue-based financing and the legal support for a paradigm shift. This panel also discusses legal trends in litigation and the impact of regulatory developments.

Sponsored By:
Located in Salon East 4.

Moderator: Demetris Papademetriou, Founder of Middlemarch Partners

  • Panelist: Matt Biczak, Managing Director of Fortress Investment Group
  • Panelist: James Intermont, Managing Director of Atalaya Capital Management LP
  • Panelist: Peter McNierney, Executive Managing Director of Brean Capital
  • Panelist: Bruce Miller, Co-Head of the global Specialty Finance Investment Banking Group at Stephens

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: Alexis Shapiro, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Forward Financing
 
  • Panelist: Trey Markel, VP Sales & Marketing at Centrex
  • Panelist: Bob Gage, Partner at Hudson Cook
  • Panelist: Donald Maurice, Partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP
Technology continues to rewrite the rules for how we manage our businesses – while at the same time we’re faced with increased amounts of fraud and challenges on data security. Hear from our panel on how you can stay one step ahead in a constantly evolving environment for our industry.

Moderator: Lindsey Rohan, Deputy General Counsel at BasePoint Capital LLC

  • Panelist: Kate Fisher, Partner at Hudson Cook LLP
  • Panelist: Andrew Smith, Partner at Covington & Burling LLP
  • Panelist: David Picon, Partner at Proskauer
  • Panelist: Alexis Shapiro, Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Forward Financing

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

  • Panelist: Byron Donalds, Congressman Florida’s 19TH Congressional District
  • Panelist: Julio Fuentes, CEO/President Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC)
  • Panelist: Rachael Schreiber, Government Affairs Strategist at Catalyst
  • Panelist: Cory Mills, Representative of the 7th district of Florida

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.

Continue networking, enjoy drinks, and unwind at the evening social.

Sponsored by:  
Located in the Sponsor Zone: Terrace Ballroom.

Thursday

Details coming soon.

Conclude the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo with this networking brunch, offering a final opportunity to connect with your industry peers.

Sponsored By:
Located in the Sponsor Zone: Terrace Ballroom.

2024 Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Karl Rove

Political Strategist

Featured Speakers

Dr. Alex
Lawrence

EXPERT SPEAKER CHATGPT & A.I.

Marco
Rubio

Senator

Byron
Donalds

Congressman
Florida's 19th Congressional District

Kate
Fisher

PARTNER HUDSON COOK, LLP

Lindsey
Rohan

Deputy General Counsel BasePoint Capital LLC

Deveron
Gibbons

EVP OF GOVERNMENT AFFIARS & CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, EVEREST BUSINESS FUNDING

Mary
Donohue

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REVENUE BASED FINIANCE COALITION

SCOTT
CROCKETT

FOUNDER AND CEO EVEREST BUSINESS FUNDING

Bill
GALLAGHER

PRESIDENT CFG MERCHANT SOLUTIONS

David
Picon

PARTNER
PROSKAUER

James
Intermont

Managing Director Atalaya Capital Management LP

Bruce
Miller

co-heads Specialty Finance investment banking group

Peter
McNierney

Executive Managing Director Brean Capital

Vincent
Ney

President and CEO of Expansion Capital Group

DEMETRIS PAPADEMETRIOU

Founder Middlemarch Partners

Matt
Biczak

Managing Director
Fortress Investment Group

Jim
Granat

President of Small Business Lending at OnDeck

Andrew
Smith

Partner Covington & Burling in Washington, DC

BRADLEY
SMIEDT

Co-Founder & Chairman The Fundworks, LLC

Robert "Bob"
Gage

Partner Hudson Cook, LLP

Dan
Gans

Founder and Managing Principal at Polaris Consulting, LLC

Julio A.
Fuentes

CEO/President of Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC)

Rachael
Schreiber

Government Affairs Strategist at Catalyst

Trey
Markel

VP of Sales and Marketing for Centrex Software

Alexis
Shapiro

Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Forward Financing

Donald
Maurice

Partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP

Cory
Mills

Representative of the 7th district of Florida

Contact

More than just a conference.
An experience to remember.

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.

Another year, another industry leading experience everyone will be talking about. This year we will be heading to an incredible new venue to create incredible new experiences. Funders Forum + Brokers Expo will continue to grow and change the industry, and it will continue to be the event of the year everyone will be talking about. Don’t wait, lock in next year’s event at it’s low super early bird rate.
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Karl Rove

Political Strategist

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

EXPERT SPEAKER CHATGPT & A.I.

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

Senator

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.

Byron Donalds

Congressman Florida's 19th Congressional District

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 FISHER

PARTNER HUDSON COOK, LLP

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.

Lindsey Rohan

Deputy General Counsel to BasePoint Capital LLC

Lindsey Rohan is Deputy General Counsel to BasePoint Capital LLC. Previously, Lindsey served as general counsel to several startups in the Alternative Finance Space, helping shape best practices amongst the alternative finance community. Lindsey is a founding member and current President of the Alternative Finance Bar Association (“AFBA”), an industry side attorney resource for recent case law, regulations, and market trends.

DEVERON GIBBONS

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
EVP OF GOVERNMENT AFFIARS & CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT,
EVEREST BUSINESS FUNDING

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.

MARY DONOHUE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, REVENUE BASED FINIANCE COALITION

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

FOUNDER AND CEO EVEREST BUSINESS FUNDING

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

PRESIDENT CFG MERCHANT SOLUTIONS

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 PICON

PARTNER PROSKAUER

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

Managing Director Atalaya Capital Management LP

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

co-heads Specialty Finance investment banking

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.

PETER MCNIERNEY

EXECUTIVE MANAGING DIRECTOR BREAN CAPITAL

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.

VINCENT NEY

PRESIDENT AND CEO EXPANSION CAPITAL GROUP

Vincent Ney is the President and CEO of Expansion Capital Group (ECG), a small business lending firm specializing in innovative financial services for the small business community.
 
Over the past 25 years, Vincent has been a leader in alternative financial services for both the consumer and commercial sectors. His companies have helped thousands of underbanked and underserved consumers and small businesses across the nation achieve financial success. Vincent specializes in Risk Management, Strategic Planning, Business Development, Marketing Strategy, and Credit, and has a proven record of success for building financial services businesses across the United States.

DEMETRIS PAPADEMETRIOU

Founder Middlemarch Partners

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.

Matt Biczak

Managing Director at Fortress Investment Group

Matt Biczak is a Managing Director in the Credit Funds business at Fortress Investment Group, where he is focused on investments in the specialty finance space. Matt’s responsibilities include originating and structuring credit facilities, joint ventures and portfolio acquisitions of consumer and commercial assets. Prior to joining Fortress in 2006, Matt was an Associate in the Asset Securitization Group at DZ Bank which provided warehouse facilities to finance companies through the bank’s asset-backed commercial paper conduit. Matt received a B.A. in Economics from Bucknell University.

JIM GRANAT

PRESIDENT - SMALL BUSINESS LENDING ON DECK CAPITAL

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

Partner at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC

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.

BRADLEY SMIEDT

Co-Founder & Chairman of The Fundworks, LLC

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

Partner Hudson Cook, LLP

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

Founder and Managing Principal at Polaris Consulting, LLC

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.

Julio Fuentes

CEO/President of Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC)

Julio A. Fuentes, President and CEO of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC). In 2000, he founded the chamber in response to the tremendous growth of Florida’s Hispanic population. Today the chamber has grown to 38 chapters and manages a database of over 80,000 minority-owned businesses. The United State Hispanic Chamber Commerce and MBE Connect Magazine ranked FSHCC in 2011 as one of the top five Hispanic chambers in the country. FSHCC is the only statewide economic development organization serving the needs of the Hispanic community.

 

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

Government Affairs Strategist at Catalyst

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. 

Trey Markel

VP of Sales and Marketing for Centrex Software

Trey Markel is the VP of Sales and Marketing for Centrex Software, an enterprise operational software platform dedicated to the corporate and consumer finance sector.
 
Trey has been passionate and an advocate of fintech since he graduated from University of the Pacific with a degree in business marketing. Early on in Trey’s career he sold enterprise credit management software to organizations like Heritage Propane acquired by Amerigas, Pioneer Electronics, Lija Sportswear, Callaway Golf, and other large fortune 500 companies.

Shortly after Trey’ss time in credit management software, under the label iBank, Trey was awarded the first ever government contract by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) connecting owner operators and fleet owners in the transportation industry with specific lenders for fuel saving technologies. The government contract was a part of the EPA’s Smartway program to help lower emissions for transportation trucks in the United States. Trey then joined Forth, the parent company for Centrex in 2009 as its third employee, growing the software company today to over 150 employees.

Trey and Centrex are members of the Revenue Based Finance Coalition.

Alexis Shapiro

Senior Vice President & General Counsel at Forward Financing

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.

Donald Maurice

Partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP

Don Maurice is a partner at Maurice Wutscher LLP representing the financial services industry in compliance matters, bench trials, jury trials and appeals of individual and class actions. He is admitted to the Bars of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey and the District of Columbia and has practiced law since 1988. Don has been inducted into the American College of Consumer Financial Services Lawyers. Don serves as outside counsel to RMAI.

He is a fellow at the American Bar Foundation and a member of the Consumer Committee of the New York City Bar Association. He formerly chaired the Debt Collection Practices and Bankruptcy Subcommittee of the American Bar Association. He is certified as a Leadership Professional in Ethics and Compliance by the Ethics Compliance Initiative. He is editor of the Consumer Financial Services Blog (cfsblog.com). He is a frequent speaker and author on ethics, financial services, and privacy law. His many articles on consumer financial services law have been published in law reviews and trade publications.

Cory Mills

Representative of the 7th district of Florida

Born in Winter Haven, Florida, Cory Mills is a decorated U.S. Army combat Veteran. He left Florida to serve his country first in uniform, and then to serve further our U.S. State Department and other government agencies in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

He served with the 82nd Airborne Division and was a member of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) 20 in Iraq. While serving abroad, Mills was struck twice in 2006, once with an improvised explosive device (IED) and once with an Iranian explosively formed projectile (EFP). Former U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilizad presented Mills with a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad for his actions which saved members of his team and U.S. military service members. Prior to running for Congress, Mills created three businesses in Florida that employ over 100 Floridians and serve our law enforcement and military.

Mills has nearly 7-years of service in Iraq, approximately 2-years in Afghanistan, served in the Kosovo Campaign in 2000, and has traveled to the front lines of Ukraine during the Russian invasion to provide information for USAID and Department of State officials. He also supported anti-terrorism assistance training for the Kurdish forces in northern Iraq to help them repel potential insurgencies. In 2021, Mills successfully led the first overland air rescue mission in Afghanistan of an American woman and her three children.

Cory believes in FIGHTING for the people, restoring the voice of “We The People” — America’s voice — and making America First Again.