After another excellent year during the pandemic of 2020, First Foundation Bank Equipment Finance Department has made additions, upgrades and promotions. All will play a major role in supporting and assuring its continued growth.
 
Ryan Gilbert has been promoted to the position of Credit Analyst III. Gilbert joined the company in 2016 as a Credit Analyst I. As the Credit Team and department have grown, Gilbert has grown with it. Gilbert now helps to manage the workflow of the Credit Team, answer questions of other Credit Analysts, helping to make sure that policies and procedures and service standards are followed. Gilbert reports to Garrett Reetz, First Foundation’s Vice President/Credit Department Manager.

Tyler Chu has been promoted to the position of Credit Analyst II. Chu joined our company in 2020 as a Credit Analyst I with an extensive background in small business lending. Chu will increase his responsibilities in support of Reetz and the entire Credit Team.
 
Stacey Thompson has had her job responsibilities in the Equipment Finance Department reassessed and realigned into a Lease/Loan Servicing Specialist II. Thompson joined the company in 2017 as a Lease/Loan Servicing Specialist I with an extensive background in equipment finance documentation and funding. Thompson will increase her responsibilities in support of Bree Johnson, Vice President/Operations Manager and the entire Operations Team.

Nelly Caravez has been promoted to the position of Lease/Loan Servicing Specialist II. Caravez joined the company in 2018 as a Loan Operations Assistant. As the Operations Team and department have grown, Caravez has continued to grow right along with it. Caravez will increase her responsibilities in support of Johnson and the entire Operations Team.

Kylie Link has joined the First Foundation Bank Equipment Finance Department Team as a Lease/Loan Servicing Specialist I. Link brings experience in the service and financial needs of small businesses. Link will be providing excellent customer service, while also processing title, insurance and documentation work. Link will be reporting to Johnson.
 
The First Foundation Bank Equipment Finance Department provides no direct lending programs and solely grows by funding relationships with independent leasing and finance companies throughout the United States.