VEDC Appoints Robert Lopez as Chief Operating Officer

LOS ANGELES–(BUSINESS WIRE)–VEDC today announced the appointment of lending executive Robert Lopez
as chief operating officer (COO).

Lopez joins VEDC at a time of tremendous growth for the organization.
His primary duties as the newly appointed chief operating officer will
be to establish and secure an infrastructure that will support VEDC’s
national expansion while overseeing daily operations of VEDC’s small
business lending and development programs.

VEDC has a $35 million small business loan portfolio and offices in
California, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas, Utah, and the New York Tri-State
area (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut). VEDC has lent $380 million in
direct and guaranteed loans to more than 104,000 small businesses and
created more than 28,000 jobs over the last 39 years. Seventy percent of
VEDC borrowers are women and minority business owners.

Lopez comes to VEDC from national online small business loan provider
Dealstruck, where he oversaw client services and portfolio risk
management as director of servicing. He previously served as chief
credit officer at microlender Accion San Diego.

“Robert joins VEDC at an important time in our history as we seek to
serve more entrepreneurs in a growing number of markets,” said Roberto
Barragan, president and CEO VEDC. “Robert’s experience in alternative
lending will enable us to fulfill even more completely our mission of
creating economic opportunity that strengthens communities.”

“As the leading small business lender among Community Financial
Development Institutions (CDFIs), VEDC is poised to dramatically change
the lending landscape,” Lopez said. “I am pleased to be here in this key
role at this pivotal time.”

About VEDC
VEDC is a leading non-profit small business
lender that is changing the way small business lending is done by making
it more available and impactful. VEDC’s mission, as a certified
Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), is to help create
jobs and promote economic development in under-served communities. It
provides loans and micro-financing options to small businesses,
particularly those owned by women and minorities, that don’t qualify for
traditional bank financing. VEDC’s expanding portfolio is composed of
community-based loan funds in California, Illinois, Nevada, Utah, New
Jersey, Connecticut, Florida and New York. For more information, visit www.vedc.org.

Contacts

VEDC
Lisa Winkle, (818) 907-9977 x231
lwinkle@vedc.org