Crestmark Chief Executive Officer Mick Goik announced the promotions of Matt Barbuscak, Steve Gross, Larry Pearce and Jack Talkington to executive vice president. All are members of Crestmark’s executive committee, and report to Goik.
“Crestmark is now in its 20th year of business,” said Goik, “and we are fortunate to have a great group of employees helping us build a strong, growing company. It is with great pleasure that I announce the promotions of Matt Barbuscak, Steve Gross, Larry Pearce and Jack Talkington to executive vice presidents in recognition of their hard work, and significant contributions to Crestmark’s growth.”
Matt Barbuscak was promoted to executive vice president, corporate operations manager from senior vice president, operations manager. Barbuscak, who is based at Crestmark’s offices in the Greater Nashville area, has more than 25 years of commercial finance experience. He joined Crestmark in 2004 as an account executive, and subsequently, he held various roles, including portfolio manager. In 2011, he was promoted to first vice president, credit manager, and named to the company’s executive committee. Before joining Crestmark, he worked for Standard Federal Bank and National Bank of Detroit. He has a bachelor of business administration, and an M.B.A., from the University of Michigan. He is a member of the Commercial Finance Association and Turnaround Management Association.
Steven Gross has been promoted to executive vice president, SBA Lending Division president from senior vice president, and president of the SBA Lending Division. He has been leading the SBA Division since January 2015. Gross, who is based in Troy, Michigan, has more than 30 years of experience in the finance industry. He joined Crestmark in 2011 as vice president in charge of credit assessment and underwriting for the Midwest Region. In 2013, he was promoted to senior vice president, national underwriting manager. Before moving to Crestmark, Gross was vice president, relationship manager at PNC Business Credit. Earlier, he was managing director of Chicago-based Bridge Finance Group; and held regional positions at J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, GE Capital Commercial Finance, and Fremont Financial. Gross is a graduate of Northern Illinois University.
Larry Pearce was promoted to executive vice president, Joint Ventures Group president from senior vice president of the division. Pearce first took the reins of the division in 2013 when he was named senior vice president, and managing director. Under his leadership, assets in the Joint Ventures Division have increased 64 percent. Based in Troy, Pearce was hired at Crestmark in 2005 as vice president of underwriting. In 2007, he was promoted to vice president, Midwest underwriting manager, and later was promoted to first vice president, underwriting manager. Before joining Crestmark, Pearce worked for Finova Capital Corporation as a vice president, account executive; and for Fremont Financial as field examiner/financial analyst. He has a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Ferris State University.
Jack Talkington was promoted to executive vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) from senior vice president, CFO. In April 2015, Talkington, who is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was named CFO. He is a member of the company’s executive committee. He joined Crestmark in 2008 as senior vice president of special projects when the company acquired Commercial Capital Lending. Since that time, he has made significant contributions, including overseeing the launch of Crestmark’s SBA Division, and the acquisition of TIP Capital. Earlier in his career, Talkington worked for Deloitte & Touche, for savings and loan institutions, and in the mortgage industry. Talkington has a B.A. in accounting, and is a licensed CPA.