{meta_title}

SBA Recognizes Florida First Capital and VP & BDO Kristen Tackett at Annual Small Business Week Awards Ceremony

May 2016

The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently acknowledged the winners of its 2016 District and State of Florida Small Business Week Awards during the 24th Annual Small Business Week Celebration held in Jacksonville.

Kristen Tackett (pictured at left), Florida First Capital Vice President and BDO, received the award for the 2016 North Florida and SBA State of Florida Small Business Financial Advocate of the Year.

Over the last 12 years, Tackett, who covers Northeast Florida and is based in Jacksonville, has put together over 500 deals resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in SBA 504 loans. Throughout her career in the Certified Development Company (CDC) 504 loan industry, and specifically over her 12 years with Florida First Capital, Tackett has been a relentless champion of support for small businesses, job creation and economic development.

Florida First Capital was awarded as the leading SBA Lender in North Florida for 2015. The company earned the top lender spot in the North Florida District for total dollar volume in FY 2015 among all 7(a) and 504 lenders.

Out of a combined total of $502,576,500 in 504 and 7(a) financing produced in the district for the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, 2015, Florida First Capital accounted for $43,508,000 of that amount. Among 504 Certified Development Company (CDC) lenders only, the company's performance accounted for 53% of the 504 dollar total in the district. In comparison, the six other competing CDCs in the district produced a combined total of $38,771,000.

Florida First Capital has held the top SBA lender position in the North Florida District - which covers 43 counties and stretches from Orlando to Jacksonville and west through the Florida Panhandle - for the last 12 years among a list of notable banks, credit unions, non-bank lenders and other CDCs.

Additionally, the SBA recognized two of Florida First Capital's 504 loan clients as award winners.

J. Peter Wilking, President of A1A Solar Contracting, Inc., in Jacksonville, received the award for the 2016 North Florida District and State of Florida Veteran-Owned Small Business Person of the Year. A1A Solar Contracting provides commercial and residential solar electric (photovoltaic) design and installation services.

Sarah Blake, President of Elipsis Engineering & Consulting in Winter Garden, received the award for the 2016 North Florida District and State of Florida Woman-Owned Small Business Person of the Year. Elipsis Engineering & Consulting provides services in the fields of construction materials testing as well as project and contract management services and construction engineering inspection services.

The SBA 504 Loan Program offered through Florida First Capital offers up to 90% financing at below-market, fixed interest rates with amortization terms up to 20 years. 504 loan proceeds may be used to finance the purchase of major fixed assets, including owner-occupied commercial real estate, emergency efficient “green” projects and/or heavy duty fixed machinery and equipment. Projects start at $125,000 and can exceed $20 million.

Florida First Capital wishes to thank its 504 commercial lending partners as well as congratulate its 504 loan clients as well as its North Florida District sales team: Kristen Tackett, VP & Loan Officer, Northeast Florida Region; James Hosman, VP & Loan Officer, Northwest & Florida Panhandle Region; and John Hanrahan, VP & Loan Officer, Central Florida Region.

For more information about SBA 504 loans in Florida,contact a Florida First Capital Loan Officeror email us atinfo@ffcfc.com. Phone: 850.681.3601 or toll-free at 888.320.5504.