Board Members (2010-2011)

Juan G. Jimenez  Chair
Mercantile Bank (Retired)

Mr. Jimenez has over 40 years of experience in the banking industry, both in the Tampa Bay area and in the San Francisco Bay area. In addition to his banking career, Juan is an entrepreneur, having owned and managed many successful businesses.  His entrepreneurial experience, business connections and banking background give him valuable insight into the needs of the business community.  In addition to his position as a current Board member with GulfCoast, Juan serves on the Corporate Governance Committee, the Audit and Budget Committee and is Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee.

Lewis Benner   Vice Chair
1st Manatee Bank

Mr. Benner has been active as a commercial lender since 1978 in the Pennsylvania, Tampa and Sarasota markets. Prior to taking on his current position, he was instrumental in assisting to establish and oversee the lending functions of Sabal Palm Bank, a successful start-up bank in Sarasota. He is active with local chamber and economic development organizations. In addition to his position as a current Board member with GulfCoast, Lewis serves on the Loan Review Committee. 

Veatrice Farrell   Secretary
Corporate Funding Services, Inc.

Ms. Farrell has been involved in small business development for 25 years. Veatrice’s experience includes serving as a commercial lender for JPMorgan Chase. She is familiar with all types of nonconforming lending instruments, having worked with several non-profit organizations that focus on education, training and non traditional lending. Veatrice serves on the Strategic Planning and Loan Review Committees for GulfCoast.  She has received the organization’s “Outstanding Member Award” in recognition of her support to GulfCoast as a community organization member.

Kenneth “Kip” Thornton   Assistant Secretary
Fisher & Sauls, P.A.

Mr. Thornton has been associated with the prestigious law firm of Fisher & Sauls since 1975.  His law practice specializes in the representation of commercial lenders in the closing of loans.  Kip is well versed on SBA loan closings, having acted as closing agent for various participant banks working with GulfCoast Business Finance. He also serves on the Strategic Planning Committee and previously served on the Loan Review Committee.

Irene Hurst   Treasurer
College of Business, University of South Florida

Ms. Hurst is Director of the University of South Florida’s MBA Programs and has worked for the University of South Florida for over 20 years.  Previously, she was the Director of the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for 11 years, specializing in Women/Minority Business Development, start-up, business planning, and leadership.   Irene serves on numerous Boards/Advisory Boards, including Minority Economic Development of Tampa Bay Corporation, Tampa Crossroad, the STAR Technology Enterprise Center, Asian Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay and USF’s Federal Credit Union Supervisory Committee.   In addition to her position as a current Board member with GulfCoast, Irene serves as Chair of the Corporate Governance Committee and she has received the organization’s “Outstanding Member Award” in recognition of her support to GulfCoast as a community organization member. 

Ron Reuss  President
GulfCoast Business Finance, Inc..

Mr. Reuss has been active in SBA lending and economic development, assisting small business for his entire career. He has worked with five different  SBA Certified Development Companies (CDCs) situated in three regions of the United States and he has been active with that industry’s trade association, the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO), as well. In addition to his current position as President and Director of GulfCoast, Ron is involved with many of the region’s economic development organizations and chambers of commerce.

Kent Anderson
PNC Bank

Mr. Anderson is currently the Southern Team leader for PNC Bank’s SBA Division. Kent began his banking career as a national bank examiner with the U.S. Department of Treasury.  He has since served in several senior management positions including Transamerica Small Business as Senior Vice President and National SBA Sales Manager, Vine Street Financial as Senior Vice President, and Temecula Valley Bank as its Western Sales Manager.  Kent relocated to St. Petersburg eight years ago, and remains active in various community organizations, including The American Red Cross and several wildlife conservation organizations. Kent serves on the Strategic Planning Committee.

Paul Bailey
Terra Construction Group, Inc.

Mr. Bailey has been involved in commercial lending with several lenders serving the area since 1977. He last served as an incorporator and President of Signature Bank, which has now become Whitney Bank.  In 2003, Paul joined Terra Construction, a local contractor based in St. Petersburg as its Chief Financial Officer.  He has remained active as a board member to many local organizations and chambers.  In addition to his position as a current Board member with GulfCoast, Paul served as Corporate Chairman for several years, and he is a member of the Audit and Budget Committee and the Nominating Committee. He has previously served on the Loan Review Committee as well.

Bill McLaughlin
Pinnacle Financial Strategies

Mr. McLaughlin is Product Development Manager and assists with the implementation and development of new financial products for smaller community banks.  He also founded “Once in a Lifetime Safari,” an international travel business. Previously, Bill worked in the banking industry for 24 years and was active in managing and growing the portfolios for the Small Business Banking and Merchant Services divisions of several regional lenders. Bill has always been active in the Tampa Bay area supporting many community organizations.  In addition to his position as a current Board member with GulfCoast, Bill serves on the Corporate Governance Committee, the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Audit and Budget Committee.  He has received the organization’s “Outstanding Member Award” in recognition of his support to GulfCoast as a lending organization member.

Vincent "Vinny Muratore"
Zions Bank

Mr. Muratore has over 40 years of banking experience in the New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida markets. Presently, he is the Regional Director for the State of Florida for Zions Bancorp. His responsibilities include SBA 504 and commercial originations, submissions, work outs, foreclosures, OREO sales, loan modifications, and the purchase and sale of commercial notes. Additionally, he is a founding Board Member of Flagler Bank and serves on the audit committee. Mr. Muratore also serves on the NAGGL Region IV Liaison Committee.

Marty Normile
St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership (Retired)

Mr. Normile spent a majority of his career in the urban planning and development fields in the New York, London and Washington, DC areas.  Having served many years as Executive Vice President of the St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership, he remains active in various community organizations.  In addition to his position as a current Board member with GulfCoast, Marty served as Corporate Treasurer and he is a member of the Audit and Budget Committee.  Marty previously served on the Loan Review Committee. 

Denise Unley
Synovus Bank

Ms. Unley began her career in the financial services industry in 1977.  She has been in SBA lending for 12 years, most recently with Synovus Bank in St. Petersburg, serving as Vice President/SBA Lending Officer. Along with her SBA responsibilities, she also oversees the bank’s opportunities under the Community Reinvestment Act.  In addition to her position as a current Board member, Denise served as Corporate Secretary and serves as a member of the Strategic Planning, Loan Review and Nominating Committees. She has received the organization’s “Outstanding Member Award” in recognition of her organization’s support to GulfCoast as a lending organization member.