Navitas Credit Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of United Community Bank, announced John Martella will join the organization as Senior Vice President of the newly formed Navitas Capital division. This new division will be focused on middle market transactions starting at $500,000 and provide a variety of funding solutions for companies with revenues over $10 million. Business will be sourced through relationships with equipment vendors, certain franchise concepts, independent lessors, financial institutions and captives.

Martella is a recognized industry leader with more than 35 years of experience and over $3 billion funded throughout his career.

“I am confident that by joining Navitas, I will be able to better serve the needs of all my valued clients. The company has demonstrated best-in-class technology-based solutions that provide the highest level of execution and service to its business partners and their customers,” he said. “We will be leveraging the resources and infrastructure of Navitas and developing the types of products and services that will make Navitas one of the premier providers of middle market equipment finance solutions.”

Gary Shivers, President and Chief Executive Officer of Navitas, added, “John is a seasoned leader with the expertise we need to successfully build and grow in this market segment. The recent acquisition by United Community Bank has provided the additional capital required to be competitive in middle market. We are very excited about having John as a member of our leadership team.”

Jean Cutting also will be joining the division as Vice President of Business Development. Cutting has more than 30 years of experience in middle market lending and previously held positions at US Bank Equipment Finance, Bank of America and LCA.

Navitas Capital commenced operations on May 1.

Navitas Credit has its headquarters in Ponte Vedra, Fla.