As Summit’s VP-Business Lending Ops, Vincent Rice wants to help make big things happen for commercial and real estate business in Wisconsin – especially small businesses owned by women and minorities. So coming to the state’s biggest SBA lender (that’s us!) was a natural fit.

Vincent’s no stranger to this economic mission, having led in developing an investment fund supporting women- and minority-owned small businesses at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. He also helped create apprenticeship programs to address the state’s workforce skills gap at the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development.

 (We sense a “People Helping People” pattern! See why Vincent fits right in here?)

Vincent truly gets the business community – once even owning a business supporting small manufacturers hoping to sell to private equity companies. And 30+ years of experience in product development and program management for Honeywell Aerospace, Corning, Inc. and Alliant Energy? Wow!

Still more talents: Vincent was a lead swimmer for Hampton University, where he got his electrical engineering degree, and he plays alto saxophone and loves smooth jazz concerts. He and his wife have two children and two grandsons.

VP-Business Services Robin Finco likes nothing better than helping businesses grow and thrive – and he works at Summit Credit Union because we foster an environment that lets him do just that. Sounds like a perfect match to us (and we think Robin’s business members would agree!).

Robin has more than 15 years of experience in the financial industry. His specialties include helping small businesses manage their cash flow and expand their operations and Robin also has a passion for commercial real estate and multifamily housing.

Robin has brought his many interests and talents to numerous local nonprofits including United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Special Olympics, Junior Achievement, Ducks Unlimited, Madison Development Corporation and the Middleton Lions Club.

Interested in finance since his college days, Robin holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with an emphasis in economics. His favorite after-hours activities include spending time with his family, enjoying Wisconsin’s beautiful outdoors and watching sports – Go Badgers!

How did our VP-Business Services, Darci Miller, know Summit Credit Union would be a good fit for her many talents? Because we share her dedication to helping women achieve financial security.

Darci’s been living that dedication for more than three decades and has a reputation for being a straightforward problem solver who works hard to help businesses – especially women-owned businesses – find the financial solutions that are right for them. Thanks to Summit’s flexible, local decision-making, Darci’s been able to help businesses of all types and sizes find the financing support they need.

Just as local businesses have benefited from Darci’s financial acumen, so have a variety of local organizations. She’s served on various Boards and been an active volunteer for numerous Milwaukee-area organizations including Tempo Milwaukee, Food and Beverage Wisconsin, Feeding America, WCREW and Commercial Association of REALTORS® Wisconsin (CARW). 

Darci is a graduate of Marquette University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science and MBA degrees. She and her husband are the proud parents of two sons, and weekends will often find them traveling to watch their younger son play collegiate baseball.  

Learn a little about Dana Hoffmann’s background – both personal and professional – and it’s easy to see why this VP-Business Services is so committed to helping owners start and grow their businesses.

Dana grew up in a family that stressed the importance of community. And after receiving an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Dana put that community-first philosophy to work as she helped small businesses – especially women-owned small businesses and real estate investors – find financing options that allowed their businesses to thrive. As Dana always says, there’s nothing she likes better than helping small businesses make their dreams a reality, and she’s spent the last 25+ years doing just that.

In addition to her job at Summit, Dana gives back to the community working with nonprofits that share her commitment to small-business success. Dana is a current member (and past president) of a women’s business organization, The Business Forum, a member (and past board member) of the Wisconsin Business Development’s Lender Relations committee and a lecturer at the Small Business Development Center. She was formerly on Wisconsin’s Small Business Administration Advisory Council, is the founding chair of the Wisconsin Credit Union League’s Business Lending Council and is a founding member of the LPGA Amateur Golf Association’s Madison Chapter.

When Dana isn’t busy making a difference for a local small business, you’ll find her on the golf course, spending time with her family – which includes a much-beloved 70-lb. Labrador – traveling or never passing up coffee!

Gary Szpara, VP-Business Services at Summit Credit Union, has an impressive 40+ years of experience in the industry. The dozens of businesses who have benefited from his business acumen over the years are proof of Gary’s skills. He’s helped start-ups launch, made it possible for established businesses to grow and supported commercial real estate investors as they’ve navigated the ups and downs of an often-volatile marketplace.

Gary is always looking for new ways to meet his business members’ needs. A graduate of Lubar School of Business at The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Gary is a lifelong learner and can frequently be found at industry seminars, webinars and trade conferences looking to uncover new ways to better serve his members.

Gary’s outside activities reflect his broad interests and community-first approach. On the professional front, Gary participates in the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce (MMAC) and the Waukesha County Business Alliance. After hours, Gary is an active member of his home community of New Berlin, where he’s the Market Manager of the New Berlin Farmers Market and the board chairman of The New Berlin Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau.

Just like Summit, VP-Business Services Jim Holden is all about community – or should we say “communities”?

First off, the business community of southern Wisconsin. Jim has been the go-to commercial lending expert for dozens of businesses over his nearly three-decade career. Businesses of all sizes and industries have turned to Jim for the advice, support and financing they needed to succeed.

Next, the Waunakee community, where it would be hard to top the number of organizations who count on Jim. His service roles include being treasurer for a local nonprofit fundraising organization that he co-founded; former treasurer for the Waunakee Neighborhood Connection, and the Waunakee Volleyball Booster Club; former President of the Waunakee Chamber of Commerce; Board member for South Central Wisconsin Ducks Unlimited chapter, and member of the Waunakee Knights of Columbus. Jim’s also brought his commitment and business acumen to the Village of Waunakee Economic Development Task Force, where he served as an advisor for the Main Street revitalization program and community pool project.

When Jim isn’t helping a business or non-profit succeed, he’s an avid member of Wisconsin’s outdoor community and enjoys fishing, paddleboarding, golf, snowshoeing and hiking in the Northwoods of our fair state. And Jim started his journey to lending as a member of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse community with a degree in business administration and sports management. He’s also a graduate of the WBA Commercial Lending School.

There are two important things to know about VP-Business Services Julie Spitzack.

One, that just like Summit, she’s passionate about helping small businesses succeed, especially those led by female entrepreneurs. Talk to a small business that’s worked with Julie and you’re likely to hear how she went out of her way to find solutions—no matter what challenges they faced.

And two, that Julie has a reputation for making the complicated seem easy. That comes from years of experience and exceptional communication skills. Julie started her career as a bank examiner with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)’s Chicago Office and honed her lending and management skills at a variety of financial institutions throughout the Midwest. She also has extensive experience working with real estate investors in the residential and commercial markets and earned the Small Business Administration (SBA) 7A Fundamental and Advanced Diplomas issued by the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL). It’s no wonder business members rave about Julie!

A number of local organizations and nonprofits have also benefited from Julie’s skills. She belongs to The Business Forum, Greater Madison Chamber of Commerce and previously Wisconsin Women Entrepreneurs and Dane Buy Local. Julie has been a tutor with Schools of Hope and served as a judge for the Madison College Challenge, which is a business plan competition geared towards students. On the non-profit front, Julie is a board member and chair of the finance committee for Community Action Coalition, and she also works with The Road Home, United Way and Junior Achievement.

Julie holds a Bachelor of Business degree from Western Illinois University and received her MBA from the Keller Graduate School of Management. After hours, you can find her biking, hiking, cross-country skiing or curling up with a good book.

Having worked at both banks and credit unions, VP-Business Services Garnet McLeod knows firsthand the difference a mission-focused, member-centric financial institution can make for business members.

The chance to be part of that difference was why Garnet was excited to bring his talents and experience to Summit Credit Union. And we know members will share Garnet’s excitement once they discover how his decade-plus in commercial lending – which includes extensive experience with underwriting and portfolio management – helps them navigate all their financial needs.

Pair that expertise with Summit’s local loan decisioning and get ready for business lending that’s effective, efficient and all about meeting your needs.

Garnet holds a BBA from University of Wisconsin-Madison in Political Science and Government. When he’s not helping local businesses achieve their goals, Garnet likes to golf, work out and travel to warm weather destinations.