Siena Lending Group is a diverse team of experienced asset-based lending (ABL) professionals. Our team members are recognized authorities on commercial finance, frequently honored by industry associations for their excellence.
Recognized Industry Leaders
The Commercial Finance Association has named one of our team members as a “40 Under 40” honoree each year since the award’s inception.
David is a specialized lending executive with more than 30 years experience building and running asset-based lending businesses, executing debt restructurings, taking on interim management roles, and completing complex asset workouts and recoveries.
Prior to co-founding Siena, David was Chief Executive Officer of Burdale Capital Finance (BCF), a wholly owned asset-based lending subsidiary of Bank of Ireland, which provided transatlantic financing solutions to a $1.7 billion portfolio of clients. In 2006, David was hired to start BCF as a de novo ABL U.S. business and built it into a widely recognized brand. BCF was sold to Wells Fargo in 2012 as part of the bank’s deleveraging, necessitated by the IMF’s bailout of Ireland in 2010. More
Steve Sanicola
Director Risk & Portfolio Management
Steve Sanicola
Director Risk & Portfolio Management
Steve has more than 32 years of commercial finance experience, specifically in underwriting, risk management and portfolio management. Prior to Siena, Steve was Director and Head of Portfolio Management at Burdale. Steve’s ABL background includes various credit roles at GE Capital and Fleet Bank/Connecticut Bank & Trust.
Miin Chen
CFO
Miin Chen
CFO
Miin has 10 years of experience in accounting, audit, operations and treasury management. Prior to Siena, Miin was a direct report to the Controller at Burdale and has worked as an auditor at both PricewaterhouseCoopers and JH Cohn (CohnReznick). Miin is a CPA in the state of New Jersey and holds a Masters in Accounting from Boston College.
David Grende
President & CEO
David is a specialized lending executive with more than 30 years experience building and running asset-based lending businesses, executing debt restructurings, taking on interim management roles, and completing complex asset workouts and recoveries.
Prior to co-founding Siena, David was Chief Executive Officer of Burdale Capital Finance (BCF), a wholly owned asset-based lending subsidiary of Bank of Ireland, which provided transatlantic financing solutions to a $1.7 billion portfolio of clients. In 2006, David was hired to start BCF as a de novo ABL U.S. business and built it into a widely recognized brand. BCF was sold to Wells Fargo in 2012 as part of the bank’s deleveraging, necessitated by the IMF’s bailout of Ireland in 2010. More
Steve Sanicola
Director Risk & Portfolio Management
Steve has more than 32 years of commercial finance experience, specifically in underwriting, risk management and portfolio management. Prior to Siena, Steve was Director and Head of Portfolio Management at Burdale. Steve’s ABL background includes various credit roles at GE Capital and Fleet Bank/Connecticut Bank & Trust.
Miin Chen
CFO
Miin has 10 years of experience in accounting, audit, operations and treasury management. Prior to Siena, Miin was a direct report to the Controller at Burdale and has worked as an auditor at both PricewaterhouseCoopers and JH Cohn (CohnReznick). Miin is a CPA in the state of New Jersey and holds a Masters in Accounting from Boston College.
Anthony Lavinio
Director Underwriting
Anthony Lavinio
Director Underwriting
Anthony has 16 years of experience in the ABL industry, with a background of structuring and underwriting transactions between $3 million to $100 million. Prior to Siena, Anthony was the Senior Underwriter at Burdale. Anthony’s ABL background includes ABL underwriting roles at CIT, FINOVA Capital, LaSalle Business Credit and Keltic Financial Services.
Anthony Lavinio
Director Underwriting
Anthony has 16 years of experience in the ABL industry, with a background of structuring and underwriting transactions between $3 million to $100 million. Prior to Siena, Anthony was the Senior Underwriter at Burdale. Anthony’s ABL background includes ABL underwriting roles at CIT, FINOVA Capital, LaSalle Business Credit and Keltic Financial Services.
Jorge Chiluisa
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Jorge Chiluisa
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Jorge has 24 years of experience in the Commercial Lending industry primarily in Underwriting and Portfolio Management. Prior to Siena, Jorge worked at GE Capital for 23 years and at People’s United Bank.
Carrie Maiya
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Carrie Maiya
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Carrie has more than 11 years of commercial finance experience, spanning underwriting, portfolio management, workout, and field exam management. Prior to joining Siena, Carrie worked in various ABL and Cash Flow roles at GE Capital.
Steve Sanicola
Director Risk & Portfolio Management
Steve Sanicola
Director Risk & Portfolio Management
Steve has more than 32 years of commercial finance experience, specifically in underwriting, risk management and portfolio management. Prior to Siena, Steve was Director and Head of Portfolio Management at Burdale. Steve’s ABL background includes various credit roles at GE Capital and Fleet Bank/Connecticut Bank & Trust.
Jorge Chiluisa
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Jorge has 24 years of experience in the Commercial Lending industry primarily in Underwriting and Portfolio Management. Prior to Siena, Jorge worked at GE Capital for 23 years and at People’s United Bank.
Carrie Maiya
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Carrie has more than 11 years of commercial finance experience, spanning underwriting, portfolio management, workout, and field exam management. Prior to joining Siena, Carrie worked in various ABL and Cash Flow roles at GE Capital.
Steve Sanicola
Director Risk & Portfolio Management
Steve has more than 32 years of commercial finance experience, specifically in underwriting, risk management and portfolio management. Prior to Siena, Steve was Director and Head of Portfolio Management at Burdale. Steve’s ABL background includes various credit roles at GE Capital and Fleet Bank/Connecticut Bank & Trust.
Bill Seibold
VP Portfolio Management
Bill Seibold
VP Portfolio Management
Bill has more than 40 years experience in ABL/Commercial Financing and Factoring, covering all facets of Credit Administration and Portfolio Management. Prior to joining Siena, Bill was employed in various Credit and Portfolio Management capacities with both banking and independent ABL institutions, serving the entrepreneurial and middle markets.
Dexter-Leon Taylor
VP Audit
Dexter-Leon Taylor
VP Audit
Dex has more than 20 years of asset-based lending experience specializing in audit and risk management. Prior to joining Siena, Dex’s background includes various audit and credit roles at First Capital Business Credit, GE Commercial Distribution Finance, Textron Financial Business Credit, Evergreen Collateral Consulting LLC, Jefferson Wells International and CIT.
Michael Zielinski
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Michael Zielinski
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Michael has approximately 20 years of finance experience with his last 13 years focused on various roles in the Asset Based Lending Industry. Prior to joining Siena, Michael worked at Access Capital and Keltic Financial Service.
Bill Seibold
VP Portfolio Management
Bill has more than 40 years experience in ABL/Commercial Financing and Factoring, covering all facets of Credit Administration and Portfolio Management. Prior to joining Siena, Bill was employed in various Credit and Portfolio Management capacities with both banking and independent ABL institutions, serving the entrepreneurial and middle markets.
Dexter-Leon Taylor
VP Audit
Dex has more than 20 years of asset-based lending experience specializing in audit and risk management. Prior to joining Siena, Dex’s background includes various audit and credit roles at First Capital Business Credit, GE Commercial Distribution Finance, Textron Financial Business Credit, Evergreen Collateral Consulting LLC, Jefferson Wells International and CIT.
Michael Zielinski
Sr. VP Portfolio Management
Michael has approximately 20 years of finance experience with his last 13 years focused on various roles in the Asset Based Lending Industry. Prior to joining Siena, Michael worked at Access Capital and Keltic Financial Service.
Scott Elliotto
Director – New Business Originations
Scott Elliotto
Director – New Business Originations
Scott is an asset based lending professional with more than 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Siena, Scott worked in business development and origination roles for Burdale and GE Commercial Finance, and underwriting roles at Fleet Capital and CIT.
Stephen Fuscaldo
Director – New Business Originations
Stephen Fuscaldo
Director – New Business Originations
Steve has more than 28 years of experience in asset based lending, specifically in account management, underwriting, sales leadership and in origination. Prior to Siena, Steve served in various origination and credit roles at TD Bank, Burdale, GE Capital, and CIT.
Mark Orlando
Director – Western Region
Mark Orlando
Director – Western Region
Mark is the Western Region New Business Director, based out of Los Angeles. Mark has over 25 years of experience in the finance and asset-based lending industry. Prior to joining Siena, Mark was Principal and Senior Vice President at Ares Commercial Finance and Ares’ predecessor, First Capital. Mark has also served in various senior business development, credit, and management roles for Rabobank, U.S. Bank and LaSalle Bank (now part of Bank of America), as well as founding his own firm, Arrowhead Capital, where he served as Managing Director.
Scott Elliotto
Director – New Business Originations
Scott is an asset based lending professional with more than 20 years of experience. Prior to joining Siena, Scott worked in business development and origination roles for Burdale and GE Commercial Finance, and underwriting roles at Fleet Capital and CIT.
Stephen Fuscaldo
Director – New Business Originations
Steve has more than 28 years of experience in asset based lending, specifically in account management, underwriting, sales leadership and in origination. Prior to Siena, Steve served in various origination and credit roles at TD Bank, Burdale, GE Capital, and CIT.
Mark Orlando
Director – Western Region
Mark is the Western Region New Business Director, based out of Los Angeles. Mark has over 25 years of experience in the finance and asset-based lending industry. Prior to joining Siena, Mark was Principal and Senior Vice President at Ares Commercial Finance and Ares’ predecessor, First Capital. Mark has also served in various senior business development, credit, and management roles for Rabobank, U.S. Bank and LaSalle Bank (now part of Bank of America), as well as founding his own firm, Arrowhead Capital, where he served as Managing Director.
Nick Payne
Director – New Business Originations
Nick Payne
Director – New Business Originations
Nick is the Director of New Business Origination for the Midwest, based out of Chicago. Prior to joining Siena, Nick held various business development roles for Nations Equipment Finance, Van Eck Global, and Morgan Stanley.
Nick Payne
Director – New Business Originations
Nick is the Director of New Business Origination for the Midwest, based out of Chicago. Prior to joining Siena, Nick held various business development roles for Nations Equipment Finance, Van Eck Global, and Morgan Stanley.
Mohammed Islam
Underwriter Associate
Mohammed Islam
Underwriter Associate
Mohammed is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University where he attained his BBA with a concentration in Finance. Prior to joining Siena, Mohammed worked at Union Savings Bank in the Finance and Treasury department.
Anthony Lavinio
Director Underwriting
Anthony Lavinio
Director Underwriting
Anthony has 16 years of experience in the ABL industry, with a background of structuring and underwriting transactions between $3 million to $100 million. Prior to Siena, Anthony was the Senior Underwriter at Burdale. Anthony’s ABL background includes ABL underwriting roles at CIT, FINOVA Capital, LaSalle Business Credit and Keltic Financial Services.
James Persico
Sr. VP Underwriting
James Persico
Sr. VP Underwriting
Jim has over 20 years of experience across a multitude of leverage lending products, structures, industries, and economic cycles. Prior to joining Siena, Jim led various teams at GE Capital in managing leverage loans through their entire life cycle, including origination, underwriting, portfolio management, workout, and restructuring. Products include Unitranche, Securitization, Agency, Participation, DIP, Cash Flow, ABL and Restructured Equity. Jim is also a CPA and was employed at KPMG prior to GE Capital.
Mohammed Islam
Underwriter Associate
Mohammed is a graduate of Western Connecticut State University where he attained his BBA with a concentration in Finance. Prior to joining Siena, Mohammed worked at Union Savings Bank in the Finance and Treasury department.
Anthony Lavinio
Director Underwriting
Anthony has 16 years of experience in the ABL industry, with a background of structuring and underwriting transactions between $3 million to $100 million. Prior to Siena, Anthony was the Senior Underwriter at Burdale. Anthony’s ABL background includes ABL underwriting roles at CIT, FINOVA Capital, LaSalle Business Credit and Keltic Financial Services.
James Persico
Sr. VP Underwriting
Jim has over 20 years of experience across a multitude of leverage lending products, structures, industries, and economic cycles. Prior to joining Siena, Jim led various teams at GE Capital in managing leverage loans through their entire life cycle, including origination, underwriting, portfolio management, workout, and restructuring. Products include Unitranche, Securitization, Agency, Participation, DIP, Cash Flow, ABL and Restructured Equity. Jim is also a CPA and was employed at KPMG prior to GE Capital.
Jason Schick
Sr. VP Underwriting
Jason Schick
Sr. VP Underwriting
Jason has 15 years of experience in the Public Accounting and Banking industries, with experience at institutions including JPMorgan Chase Bank, Burdale Capital, and CIT. Jason has experience structuring, underwriting and syndicating transactions.
Jason Schick
Sr. VP Underwriting
Jason has 15 years of experience in the Public Accounting and Banking industries, with experience at institutions including JPMorgan Chase Bank, Burdale Capital, and CIT. Jason has experience structuring, underwriting and syndicating transactions.
Alkesh Badshah
Senior Software Engineer
Alkesh Badshah
Senior Software Engineer
Alkesh brings 20 years of software engineering and leadership experience to our team. At Siena, he is responsible for maintaining and enhancing our Passport system.
Joseph Colacino
Collateral Analyst
Joseph Colacino
Collateral Analyst
Joe has over 10 years of experience in Asset Based Lending as both a Collateral Analyst and a CA Team Lead. Prior to Siena, Joe worked at G.E. Capital and Chase Manhattan Bank in various operational and audit positions.
Martin Goni
Collateral Analyst
Martin Goni
Collateral Analyst
Martin graduated from Babson College with a B.Sc. in Finance and Economics. While at Babson, he held leadership positions in various programs, building foundations in financial and strategic analysis.
Alkesh Badshah
Senior Software Engineer
Alkesh brings 20 years of software engineering and leadership experience to our team. At Siena, he is responsible for maintaining and enhancing our Passport system.
Joseph Colacino
Collateral Analyst
Joe has over 10 years of experience in Asset Based Lending as both a Collateral Analyst and a CA Team Lead. Prior to Siena, Joe worked at G.E. Capital and Chase Manhattan Bank in various operational and audit positions.
Martin Goni
Collateral Analyst
Martin graduated from Babson College with a B.Sc. in Finance and Economics. While at Babson, he held leadership positions in various programs, building foundations in financial and strategic analysis.
Jeffrey Grobarcik
Credit Operations Manager
Jeffrey Grobarcik
Credit Operations Manager
Jeff has more than 13 years of experience in Asset Based Lending as both a Collateral Analyst and Operations Manager. Prior to Siena, Jeff worked at Citigroup, N.A., G.E. Capital and Burdale in various operational roles.
Troy Larsen
Collateral Analyst
Troy Larsen
Collateral Analyst
Troy graduated from Stonehill College with a BS in Finance and Economics. At Stonehill, he held leadership roles with the Financial Management Association as well as the Investment Finance Initiative. He holds certifications in Microsoft Excel, Bloomberg, and JMP.
Omoyeni Makinde
Collateral Analyst
Omoyeni Makinde
Collateral Analyst
Omoyeni has over 10 years of experience in Asset Based Lending as a Collateral Analyst. Prior to Siena, Omoyeni worked at Wells Fargo, Capital Finance and CIT, Business Capital in operations.
Jeffrey Grobarcik
Credit Operations Manager
Jeff has more than 13 years of experience in Asset Based Lending as both a Collateral Analyst and Operations Manager. Prior to Siena, Jeff worked at Citigroup, N.A., G.E. Capital and Burdale in various operational roles.
Troy Larsen
Collateral Analyst
Troy graduated from Stonehill College with a BS in Finance and Economics. At Stonehill, he held leadership roles with the Financial Management Association as well as the Investment Finance Initiative. He holds certifications in Microsoft Excel, Bloomberg, and JMP.
Omoyeni Makinde
Collateral Analyst
Omoyeni has over 10 years of experience in Asset Based Lending as a Collateral Analyst. Prior to Siena, Omoyeni worked at Wells Fargo, Capital Finance and CIT, Business Capital in operations.
Vlad Paskas
Collateral Analyst
Vlad Paskas
Collateral Analyst
Vlad graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a BS in International Business and Trade Commerce and an MBA in Analytics Intelligence. Vlad also has certifications for Financial Markets from Yale University and Macroeconomics from University of California, Irvine.
Vlad Paskas
Collateral Analyst
Vlad graduated from the University of Bridgeport with a BS in International Business and Trade Commerce and an MBA in Analytics Intelligence. Vlad also has certifications for Financial Markets from Yale University and Macroeconomics from University of California, Irvine.
Miin Chen
CFO
Miin Chen
CFO
Miin has 10 years of experience in accounting, audit, operations and treasury management. Prior to Siena, Miin was a direct report to the Controller at Burdale and has worked as an auditor at both PricewaterhouseCoopers and JH Cohn (CohnReznick). Miin is a CPA in the state of New Jersey and holds a Masters in Accounting from Boston College.
Andrew Forsythe
Controller
Andrew Forsythe
Controller
Andrew has over 10 years of accounting and taxation experience in both public accounting and private sector settings. His previous employers include Kreischer Miller, Verizon and most recently corporate accounting manager of a Philadelphia based investment management firm. Andrew is a CPA licensed in the state of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from Philadelphia University.
Robin Kerr
Office Manager
Robin Kerr
Office Manager
Robin has more than 20 years of experience in operations, sales and marketing. Prior to joining Siena, she worked at Commodity Risk Management Group and KOR Capital. Robin is a graduate of Denison University.
Miin Chen
CFO
Miin has 10 years of experience in accounting, audit, operations and treasury management. Prior to Siena, Miin was a direct report to the Controller at Burdale and has worked as an auditor at both PricewaterhouseCoopers and JH Cohn (CohnReznick). Miin is a CPA in the state of New Jersey and holds a Masters in Accounting from Boston College.
Andrew Forsythe
Controller
Andrew has over 10 years of accounting and taxation experience in both public accounting and private sector settings. His previous employers include Kreischer Miller, Verizon and most recently corporate accounting manager of a Philadelphia based investment management firm. Andrew is a CPA licensed in the state of Pennsylvania and holds an MBA from Philadelphia University.
Robin Kerr
Office Manager
Robin has more than 20 years of experience in operations, sales and marketing. Prior to joining Siena, she worked at Commodity Risk Management Group and KOR Capital. Robin is a graduate of Denison University.
Laura Merritt
Staff Accountant
Laura Merritt
Staff Accountant
Laura has worked as a staff accountant in auditing and tax departments at both large and midsize public accounting firms. Additionally, before coming to Siena, she was a staff accountant at Townsquare Media, Inc. and their online division, Townsquare Interactive. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BBA in Financial Accounting.
Laura Merritt
Staff Accountant
Laura has worked as a staff accountant in auditing and tax departments at both large and midsize public accounting firms. Additionally, before coming to Siena, she was a staff accountant at Townsquare Media, Inc. and their online division, Townsquare Interactive. She graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BBA in Financial Accounting.
