Advantage Capital’s Annual Impact Report
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Advantage Capital’s Annual Impact Report
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Our Team

As a company, we pride ourselves on our people.  We have a dynamic team of professionals who possess diverse but extremely relevant backgrounds.
Leadership
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New Orleans

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Michael Johnson

Managing Director
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Michael Johnson
Managing Director

Michael Johnson, an experienced venture capitalist and a specialized transactions attorney, is a managing director at Advantage Capital. He is involved in all aspects of the firm’s operations, with a primary focus on capital-raising transactions, regulatory compliance and government relations. He also serves as chief compliance officer.

Previously associated with New Orleans’ largest law firm, Jones, Walker, Waechter, Poitevent, Carrère & Denègre, Michael practiced securities and corporate law for a broad range of clients.

Michael received his J.D. degree from Stanford University School of Law, where he was a member of the Order of the Coif, and an his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College, graduating cum laude.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Franchesca Lorio

Principal, Finance & Accounting
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Franchesca Lorio
Principal, Finance & Accounting

Franchesca Lorio provides leadership in all aspects of the firm’s accounting and financial management. As a principal and controller of all Advantage Capital entities, she is responsible for the preparation of the firm’s financial statements and numerous other periodic reports to investors, lenders and various regulatory authorities. Franchesca is also responsible for cash management as well as the implementation and supervision of the firm’s reporting and compliance systems. In addition, she works closely with the firm’s independent public accountants in connection with the completion of the annual audits of more than 70 Advantage Capital entities.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Franchesca practiced public accounting for five years with several leading CPA firms, where she focused on tax and financial accounting matters.

Franchesca graduated cum laude from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, the American Society of Women Accountants and the Young Leadership Council.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Justin Obletz

Managing Director
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Justin Obletz
Managing Director

Justin Obletz is a managing director and chief financial officer at Advantage Capital, based in the New Orleans office. In his role, Justin manages the accounting, tax, and financial planning & analysis functions of the firm. Prior to his role as chief financial officer, Justin was a member of the investment team. He is an experienced multi-stage investor, having worked across the firm’s investment programs to evaluate and structure transactions, as well as monitor portfolio company investments. He currently serves on the board of directors of TurboSquid, Lamm Food Service and the Louisiana Technology Fund.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Justin worked in the New Ventures division of Trader Publishing Company in various strategic and operational roles. He began his professional career in the Assurance and Advisory Business Services group at Ernst & Young.

Justin received his MBA from the Darden School at the University of Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the University of Notre Dame. He is a certified public accountant (inactive).

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Talmadge Singer

Managing Director
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Talmadge Singer
Managing Director

Talmadge Singer is a managing director at Advantage Capital. He has extensive experience raising capital for and structuring tax credit equity incentivized funds, closing both levered and unlevered funds in excess of $1.5 billion. Talmadge has also syndicated more than $1.45 billion of state and federal tax credits. In addition to his fundraising functions, he supports Advantage Capital’s national expansion efforts, focusing on government relations at the federal level.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Talmadge was an associate in the Corporate and Securities practice group at Thompson & Knight LLP where he focused on fund formation, securities law and mergers and acquisitions.

Talmadge earned his J.D. from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University and was a member of the SMU Law Review Association. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Louisiana State University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Erron Flowers

Talent Acquisition Specialist
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Erron Flowers
Talent Acquisition Specialist

Erron Flowers is a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Advantage Capital. In this role, Erron helps attract new talent to join Advantage Capital’s expanding workforce by recruiting, interviewing, and facilitating the hiring process of new applicants.

Erron comes to Advantage Capital with 14 years of experience in higher education recruitment, event planning, and management at various universities across the southeast. Prior to joining the firm, Erron served as the Regional Assistant Director of Recruitment for Mississippi State University where he managed their east and west coast recruitment teams. Erron is also active in many professional organizations and serves as a member of the Society for Human Resource Management's New Orleans Chapter.

Erron holds a B.A. and M.P.P.A. from Mississippi State University, and would love to schedule a call with you to chat about the benefits of a career at Advantage Capital.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Lisa Gibson

Vice President
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Lisa Gibson
Vice President

Lisa Gibson is a Vice President on Advantage Capital’s Partner Services team. In her role, Lisa focuses on compliance and asset management of New Markets Tax Credit loan funds and standalone transactions within the firm’s Partner Services portfolio.

Lisa began her career as a tax accountant for KPMG, where she earned her CPA certificate.  Most recently, she was Director of Compliance and Asset Management for Tax Advantage Group by Cherry Bekaert in Greenville, SC, where she managed a portfolio of $680 million of NMTC transactions.  She also represented both CDEs and QALICBs in facilitating numerous NMTC investments into low-income communities and businesses.

Lisa received her Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Louisiana State University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Sam Gieseler

Associate
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Sam Gieseler
Associate

Sam Gieseler is an associate on the Partner Services team. He focuses on origination, servicing, and compliance for the firm’s partner services relationships for both federal and state new market tax credit programs.

Prior to joining Advantage, Sam worked in corporate development for a New Orleans based holding company, where he managed finances and operations for the firm’s portfolio companies.

Sam received his bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of New Orleans.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Darian Z. Harris

Associate
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Darian Z. Harris
Associate

Darian Harris is an associate on Advantage Capital’s national expansion team where he focuses on the firm’s economic development, public policy and public finance initiatives at the state and local level.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Darian served as a government affairs legal intern/extern at Troutman Pepper Strategies where he collaborated with various actors in the firm to coordinate and manage meetings with the legislature and other government officials. During law school, he was a legal intern in the Appellate Division of the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office and worked as a judicial Intern for the Honorable Chief Judge Reuben M. Green.

Darian received his J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law, where he served as the Vice-Justice of Phi Alpha Delta and was a member of the Black Law Students Association, and his bachelor’s degree in political science from Reinhardt University, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Brooks Kiser

Senior Analyst
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Brooks Kiser
Senior Analyst

Brooks Kiser is a senior analyst at Advantage Capital. As a member of the investment team, his primary responsibilities include helping underwrite new investments, performing due diligence and aiding in growth initiatives for the firm’s portfolio companies.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Brooks worked for IBERIABANK in New Orleans, LA. After spending a year working with the bank’s commercial underwriting team, Brooks switched roles and became the portfolio manager for the bank’s tax credit investment team, managing a portfolio of Historic, Low-Income, and New Markets tax credit investments.

Brooks received his bachelor’s degree in Public Relations with a business minor from Tulane University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Kenneth Krizan

Staff Accountant
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Kenneth Krizan
Staff Accountant

Kenneth Krizan is part of the accounting team at Advantage Capital. As a staff accountant, he is responsible for recording activity and preparing financial statements for many of the firm’s entities.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, he worked in the tax department of KPMG, LLP, where he specialized in accounting methods and tax credit services.

Kenneth received a master’s degree in Accounting with Data Analytics from the Villanova School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting Info Systems from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University. He is a certified public accountant.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Clare Landreneau

Accounting Manager
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Clare Landreneau
Accounting Manager

Clare Landreneau is an accounting manager at Advantage Capital.  She is responsible for recording activity and preparing financial statements for several of the firm’s entities.

Prior to joining the firm, Clare worked as the Treasury Manager for Service Corporation International where she managed all cash and debt related activity for the company.  Clare also worked in the banking industry for ten years as a VP and Controller for Hibernia Bank in New Orleans.

Clare received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana of Lafayette, where she majored in business management.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Julie Laperouse

Principal/Chief Talent Officer
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Julie Laperouse
Principal/Chief Talent Officer

Julie Laperouse is a Principal and Chief Talent Officer at Advantage Capital. With two decades of experience helping companies and clients create meaningful corporate cultures and establish strong, strategic people pipelines, Julie leads the human resources strategy for the firm.

Julie comes to Advantage Capital from Gulf Coast Bank and Trust Company where she was Director of Culture and Talent for a team of more than 800 employees. She also served as Managing Director of Training at Emergent Method; a management consulting firm focused on helping organizations achieve their mission. As Director of Talent Development for the Baton Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, she assisted local businesses in the attraction and retention of talent including executive recruitment and recruiting program development

Julie holds a B.A. from Louisiana State University. She also serves on the Emerging Leaders Council of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and runs The Alliance, a networking consortium of professional women. In 2017, the Baton Rouge Business Report named her to the list of Most Influential Women in Business.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Emily Medakovich

Compliance Administrator
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Emily Medakovich
Compliance Administrator

Emily Medakovich is a compliance administrator on the compliance team where she is responsible for underwriting, asset management and performing due diligence.

Prior to joining the firm, she was a liability adjuster at Allstate Insurance and a Claims Specialist at Nationwide Insurance, where she investigated auto claims and evaluated total loss. Emily has also worked as a financial relationship specialist at Regions Bank and a paralegal at Karr & Sherman Co.

Emily received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the Ohio State University where she graduated magna cum laude.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Sonny Nunes

Vice President
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Sonny Nunes
Vice President

Sonny Nunes, vice president and tax counsel, is involved in all aspects of the firm’s tax credit syndication practice, tax planning, and entity structuring and restructuring.  He is an experienced tax attorney with experience as a private practitioner and in-house counsel.  

Prior to joining the firm, Sonny was a partner in the law firm of Jones, Walker where he served a diverse client base as a trusted tax advisor.  After leaving Jones, Walker, Sonny spent a time with KPMG’s M&A tax group in New York and then served as vice president, tax counsel at American Express Company.

Sonny received an LL.M with a concentration in tax from New York University, a J.D. from Tulane Law School, and a BBA with a concentration in accounting from the University of Notre Dame.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Loren Richard

Accounting Administrator
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Loren Richard
Accounting Administrator

Loren Richard is an Accounting Administrator at Advantage Capital, where she assists with various duties for the firm's accounting team.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Loren worked at Brock Services, LLC as an accounting billing clerk, where she supported the project managers with creating monthly invoices generated for the work done on projects in the southern region.

In addition to her role at Advantage Capital, Loren enjoys crafting, baking homemade dog treats, and most importantly, being a great mother to her son Nicholas.

Loren received her bachelor’s degree in business management with a minor in business administration from Xavier University of Louisiana.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Keyaire Robertson

Talent Operations Specialist
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Keyaire Robertson
Talent Operations Specialist

Keyaire Robertson is a seasoned HR professional with a strong educational background and years of experience in the field. Holding both a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources and a Master of Science in Human Resource Leadership and Development from LSU in Baton Rouge, Keyaire has honed her expertise in the intricacies of HR management.

With a solid foundation from his academic pursuits, Keyaire has applied her knowledge in various roles, including her most recent position as an HR Specialist at a small community bank. Over her 8 years in the field, she has developed a deep understanding of HR practices and policies, making her a valuable asset in any HR team.

Outside of work, Keyaire enjoys spending weekends out with friends, soaking up sunny weather, and hunting for a good sale. Her vibrant personality and passion for HR make her a well-rounded professional, dedicated to both her career and personal interests.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Shannon Sasso

Accounts Payable Manager
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Shannon Sasso
Accounts Payable Manager

Shannon Sasso is the accounts payable manager at Advantage Capital.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, she was the Logistics Manager for an international John Deere distributor and dealerships.

Shannon received her bachelor’s degree from the University of New Orleans.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Erik Slavin

Associate
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Erik Slavin
Associate

Erik Slavin is an associate at Advantage Capital. As part of the compliance and structuring team, he focuses on investor relations, capital formation and deal structuring.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Erik was an associate at Vinson & Elkins, a law firm specialising in transactions and investments.

Erik received his JD from Tulane University Law School, his MBA from Tulane University A.B. Freeman School of Business, and his bachelor's in economics and psychology from Tulane University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Tony Toups

Principal
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Tony Toups
Principal

Tony Toups is a principal at Advantage Capital. He is involved in the firm’s national expansion efforts and economic development activities, working on the implementation of public/private investment programs that foster access to capital. He is a frequent speaker on these topics and also provides legal advice and representation as corporate counsel. A seasoned attorney and litigator, Tony was a partner with the New Orleans law firm of Adams and Reese prior to his tenure at Advantage Capital.

Tony’s nearly 20 years of law practice includes product liability defense, commercial litigation, construction cases and other complex matters. He was also a partner at Chaffe McCall in New Orleans and has experience in the news media and state government.

Tony earned his J.D. degree from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and his bachelor’s degree in journalism at Louisiana State University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Cassi Tran

Staff Accountant
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Cassi Tran
Staff Accountant

Cassi Tran is a Staff Accountant at Advantage Capital with a diverse background and a passion for learning and personal growth. She graduated from University of New Orleans with degrees in Finance and Accounting with concentrations in Management and Financial Analysis. She has recently transitioned from financing to accounting, demonstrating a strong commitment to developing her skills and knowledge in the financial field. She has a background working in various industries, including construction, banking, and healthcare, which provides a broad perspective on financial matters. Wearing many hats in her previous roles also indicates her adaptability and willingness to take on new challenges.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Ryan Ware

Analyst
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Ryan Ware
Analyst

Ryan Ware is an analyst at Advantage Capital. As a member of the capital markets team, he focuses on investor relations and capital formation efforts.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Ryan worked as a Regional Director for a national nonprofit organization based in Richmond, Virginia, where he was responsible for leading strategic growth for the organization.

Ryan received his bachelor's degree in finance from Mississippi State University and an executive certificate from University of Richmond.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Shannon Bartolo

Director of Accounts Payable & Receivable
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Shannon Bartolo
Director of Accounts Payable & Receivable

Shannon Bartolo is a member of the accounting team at Advantage Capital. As the manager of all accounts payable functions, she is a key asset in the overall management of the firm’s financial operations.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Shannon served as office manager for Standard Parking, where she maintained accounts payable, payroll and coordinated office operations, procedures and resources to facilitate organizational effectiveness and efficiency.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Tim Blanke

Senior Special Assets Associate
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Tim Blanke
Senior Special Assets Associate

Tim Blanke is a senior special assets associate in the government-guaranteed lending team. In this capacity, he plays a key role in the team’s loan portfolio servicing, collections and collateral management.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Tim served as an insurance adjuster for Associate Claims and Insurance Services.

Tim received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of New Orleans. Since 2013, he has been a member of a barbeque competition team that annually competes to raise funds for families suffering from pediatric brain cancer.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Susan Crockett

Assistant Controller
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Susan Crockett
Assistant Controller

Susan Crockett is an assistant controller at Advantage Capital. First servicing the debt portfolio, she moved into an accounting role in 2011, preparing many of the firm’s financial statements and assisting with quarterly transactions and reporting.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Susan worked in the banking and mortgage industries, processing and underwriting mortgage loans.

Susan is a certified public accountant and completed the CPA preparation program at the University of New Orleans. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Colorado State University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Katie Fury

Servicing Manager
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Katie Fury
Servicing Manager

Katherine “Katie” Fury is a servicing manager at Advantage Capital. As a member of the government-guaranteed lending division, she is responsible for assisting with the execution of loan applications and the coordination of closing and post-closing procedures.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Katie was a loan processor with the Bank of New Orleans where she was involved with processing loans and ensuring contract deadlines were met.

Katie graduated from the University of New Orleans with a degree in business administration.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Jennifer Guenard

Vice President, Controller
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Jennifer Guenard
Vice President, Controller

Jennifer Jeandron is a vice president and controller at Advantage Capital where she plays a key role in the firm’s accounting and financial reporting activities. As an accounting controller, she is responsible for oversight of the preparation of many of the firm’s financial statements.

Prior to joining the firm, Jennifer worked in the audit practices of KPMG, LLP and Deloitte and Touche, LLP. In that role, she served public and private clients in a variety of industries, including energy, banking, healthcare and oil and gas.

Jennifer is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana State University. She serves on the board of directors of the Young Leadership Council and is a member of the Junior League of New Orleans and the Society of Louisiana Certified Public Accountants.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Benjamin Johnson

Senior Accountant
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Benjamin Johnson
Senior Accountant

Benjamin Johnson is a senior accountant at Advantage Capital where plays an integral role on the firm’s accounting team. In his role, he prepares, examines and analyzes accounting records, financial statements and other financial reports.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Benjamin was an auditor for Ericksen, Krentel & Laporte, L.L.P, an accounting firm based in New Orleans.

Benjamin received his MBA from the University of New Orleans and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Holy Cross.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Anne Johnson

Principal
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Anne Johnson
Principal

Anne Johnson is a principal and helps lead the Capital Markets team, focusing on capital formation and investor relations across the firm's Renewables, LIHTC, NMTC and state tax credit platforms. She has more than 30 years’ experience in the public and private equity markets, and has closed nearly $1.5 billion in federal tax credit equity transactions and placed more than $400 million in state tax credits during her time with Advantage Capital.

Anne was with Johnson Rice & Co. for eighteen years, first as an equity research analyst and later in institutional equity sales. She worked in corporate finance for Deloitte and Chaffe & Associates, valuing privately-held companies and financial institutions for capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and estate planning. Immediately prior to joining Advantage Capital, she was with DeMonte & Falgoust CPAs, focusing on tax compliance and planning for corporations and individuals.

Anne holds an MBA from the University of New Orleans and a bachelor's degree in business from Rhodes College.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Selma Landry

Collateral Coordinator
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Selma Landry
Collateral Coordinator

Selma Landry is a collateral coordinator at Advantage Capital.  As a member of the government-guaranteed lending team and the investment team she monitors collateral and covenant compliance of the portfolio companies and assists in the closing of new transactions.

Selma comes to Advantage Capital with over 20 years of experience in the lending and financial industry, serving as a credit specialist, mortgage loan processor, legal assistant, and title clerk.

Selma attended Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo and received an associate degree in business from the Community College of Rhode Island.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Mary Beth Maygarden

Director of State and Investor Reporting
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Mary Beth Maygarden
Director of State and Investor Reporting

Mary Beth Maygarden is director of state and investor reporting at Advantage Capital. In this capacity, she maintains compliance with all federal and state statutes and regulations applicable to the firm’s investment operations.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Mary Beth served as a paralegal for Deutsch, Kerrigan and Stiles, LLP in New Orleans, where she provided litigation support in both federal and state jurisdictions. She also assisted clients with economic redevelopment matters in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.

Mary Beth received her master’s degree in humanities from the University of Texas at Dallas and her bachelor’s degree in medieval studies and history from Newcomb College-Tulane University, where she graduated cum laude.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Brian Muller

Accounting Manager
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Brian Muller
Accounting Manager

Brian Muller is an accounting manager at Advantage Capital. In this role, he is responsible for recording activity and preparing financial statements for several of the firm's entities.

Prior to joining the firm, Brian worked as a senior accountant for both Bourgeois Bennett, LLC and Carr, Riggs & Ingram, LLC. In this role, he performed audit procedures, including financial statement analysis and detailed testing of accounts at the trial balance and financial statement levels.

Brian received a bachelor's degree from the University of New Orleans, where he majored in business management, and a master's degree in business administration from Loyola University New Orleans. He is a certified public accountant.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Nicole Pilie

Director of Program Compliance
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Nicole Pilie
Director of Program Compliance

Nicole Pilié is the director of program compliance at Advantage Capital. As a member of the government-guaranteed lending team, she primarily focuses on the determination, management and reporting of New Market Tax Credit compliance guidelines.

Prior to joining the firm, Nicole served as a third-party liability adjuster with Hanover Insurance Group.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in psychology from the University of New Orleans.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Valentino Rovere

Vice President
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Valentino Rovere
Vice President

Valentino Rovere is a vice president at Advantage Capital. In this role, he works closely with portfolio companies, focusing on turnaround and liquidation.

Valentino first established a relationship with Advantage Capital in 1988. The firm invested in a New Orleans hotel development for which he was a managing partner and, later, a real estate consultant after the property was sold to be redeveloped as housing. In addition to his knowledge of real estate investing and turnaround business management, Valentino has nearly three decades of experience in hospitality management throughout the world. After beginning at his family’s restaurant Vittorio in his native San Remo on the Italian Riviera, he has owned and run three New Orleans area restaurants.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Philip Ruppel

Senior Vice President
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Philip Ruppel
Senior Vice President

Philip Ruppel is a senior vice president and a member of the firm’s investment team. His responsibilities include sourcing new deals as well as providing due diligence and valuation analysis for current and prospective investments.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Philip worked for Navigation Capital Partners in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was responsible for evaluating prospective investments, conducting due diligence of investments, executing transactions and monitoring portfolio companies. He also spent time in New York working as an investment banking analyst for Bear Stearns.

Philip received his MBA from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University and his bachelor’s degree in economics and business administration from Rhodes College.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Betsy Scallan Avila

Assistant Accounting Manager
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Betsy Scallan Avila
Assistant Accounting Manager

Betsy Scallan Avila is a assistant accounting manager at Advantage Capital. As a senior staff accountant, she is responsible for recording activity and preparing financial statements for several of the firm’s entities.

Prior to joining the firm, Betsy worked as an accountant for Allied Capital and PL Midstream, with a focus on accounting for entities in the private equity and oil and gas industries, respectively.

She received her bachelor’s degree in accounting from Louisiana Tech University and a certificate in project management from Louisiana State University.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Cara Schiffman

Senior Vice President
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Cara Schiffman
Senior Vice President

Cara Schiffman is senior vice president on the compliance team at Advantage Capital. Previously, she served as vice president of regulatory affairs.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Cara practiced regulatory compliance and consumer defense law at Sessions, Fishman, Nathan & Israel, LLC. During her tenure, she managed regulator and agency administrative proceedings, consulted with colleagues on Federal Trade Commission investigations and routinely interacted with State Attorneys General, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and state licensing agencies.

Cara received her J.D. cum laude from Loyola University School of Law, where she was a member of the Law and Technology Annual and earned a certificate in international law. She earned her bachelor’s summa cum laude from Louisiana State University, where she majored in international trade and finance with a minor in French.

Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community

Daniel Stoute

Director of Information Technology
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
Daniel Stoute
Director of Information Technology

Daniel Stoute is director of information technology at Advantage Capital. He analyzes current technology and implements it into the daily operations at Advantage Capital to better support the company. Daniel is committed to providing new technology and improvements to the firm.

Prior to joining Advantage Capital, Daniel served as the director of information technology for Eagle Distributors, LLC.

Daniel is a Major in the United States Air Force Auxiliary and is the Commander of the New Orleans Squadron. He is also an active aircrew member of the Search and Rescue Team, Counter Drug Task Force and the Louisiana Wing’s Public Affairs Officer.

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Advantage Capital - Investment Capital for Small Businesses - United States, Finance, Capital, Investment, wealth, local community
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