Tampa Bay’s Alternative Funding Options Expands With Addition of Senior Lending Professional

Wood will be instrumental in developing a new market for AFO’s services in Tennessee as well as spending time in Tampa Bay. Gowen added “We are positioning ourselves to become the leading alternative funding group in Tampa Bay and now have the opportunity to offer our services outside of our market in Tennessee. I look forward to the exciting days ahead.”

Wood, a Pittsburgh, PA native, moved to Tampa in 1971 with her family. She has 25 years experience in all aspects of banking having started her financial career with First Union in North Carolina and then moving back to Florida in 2001 for a position with Wachovia. At Wachovia she worked at five different centers, increasing their profitability while lowering their risk. From there Wood furthered her career in the financial industry as a Branch Manager with Colonial Bank and then Synovus Bank as a Retail Lead where she helped establish the first Synovus Bank in the Hillsborough County market. When Synovus stopped offering a hybrid factoring product, Wood left and joined Flagship Community Bank.

No stranger to alternative lending, Wood moved back into a lending position, where it quickly became apparent that there was a strong demand for alternative lending. Wood stated that “it was this understanding of the need for alternative means of funding and compassion about the issues facing small businesses that makes this new position at AFO so appealing. It was the logical next step in my career and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help satisfy AFO’s customers needs.” Wood will be working closely with CEO/President Cheryl O’Neill Gowen in developing new opportunities for businesses of all sizes in Tampa Bay and throughout the Southeastern United States.