Institutional Network leadership
Dedicated people delivering custom solutions for your bank.
Our representatives are experienced specialists dedicated to serving your bank's unique needs. These individuals, along with a multifunction support team, will provide sophisticated solutions to support your bank’s success.
Meghan Crawford-Hamlin
President, Institutional SalesMeghan Crawford-Hamlin is President of Institutional Sales at BHG Financial. She oversees bank partnerships and association relationships and is in charge of sales operations, strategy, and communications.
Her national sales team focuses on growing premium revenue and enhancing the B2B experience for all institutions while driving sales strategy and market development.
Joining BHG in 2015, Ms. Crawford-Hamlin immediately supervised the company's most extensive institutional portfolio, managing relationships with hundreds of community banks nationwide, and facilitating the sale of hundreds of millions in financing.
Prior to joining BHG Financial, Ms. Crawford-Hamlin served as director at The Fitch Group Company, managing growth for their largest portfolio of North American clients. Before that, she worked for IAC, an American holding company that owns brands across 100 countries.
Ms. Crawford-Hamlin is an active member of the American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers Association. She also sits on the board of Pathfinder Bank and works with Go Red for Women as a Woman of Impact Team Member.
She holds a bachelor's degree from Bucknell University.
Jim Crawford
EVP, Institutional Sales/BHG Board MemberJim joined BHG in 2008. In addition to his role as EVP, Institutional Relationships, Jim also serves on the board of directors for BHG Financial, providing the board with business insight from over 35 years of industry experience. He helps advise the company in matters that ensure profitable and healthy operations.
Before joining BHG, he was the sole owner and president of a successful title and mortgage company.
Mr. Crawford holds a bachelor's degree in math and economics from Muskegon University.
States Served: HI, TX, CA, VA
Melissa Whelan
EVP, Institutional RelationshipsMelissa joined BHG in 2006 as a member of the credit team. She later managed the closing department and held other leadership roles within the company, then continued her career in Institutional Sales.
Melissa grew up in Syracuse, NY, before moving to Louisiana. She earned a degree in exercise physiology from Louisiana State University (LSU), before returning to New York. She enjoys traveling around the country to attend her three children’s sporting events.
States Served: CT, FL, MA, TN
Nellie Szczech
EVP, Institutional RelationshipsNellie joined BHG in 2009. Originally from Odessa, Ukraine, she has lived most of her life in New York.
Nellie received her bachelor’s degree in business administration with concentrations in Finance and Legal Studies from Ithaca College in NY. She also spent a decade in the hospitality industry before changing career paths and joining BHG.
States Served: MO, IN, MI, NE
Tom Badolato
SVP, Institutional RelationshipsTom joined BHG in 2005. Prior to that, he was employed by the Bank of NY/Mellon Bank.
Tom grew up in Rome, NY, and received a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Buffalo State College. Tom enjoys spending time with his family, including coaching and attending his children’s sporting events.
States Served: KS, OK
Courtney Milana
SVP, Institutional RelationshipsCourtney joined BHG in 2015, helping community banks strengthen and grow their portfolios by connecting them with premium, high-quality borrowers across the country. Her great-grandfather was president of a small community bank in upstate New York, which is still in operation today.
Courtney grew up in Phoenix, NY, received her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Brockport, and earned her master's degree from the University of Kent in England.
States Served: AR, LA, MS, AL, MD
Kathleen Connellan
SVP, Institutional RelationshipsKathleen joined BHG in 2020. Prior to that, she was an executive sales representative for one of the world’s fastest-growing publicly traded technology companies.
Kathleen grew up in Cazenovia, New York, and graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences. For the past 10 years, she has been the Committee Chair for Autism Speaks. Kathleen resides in Weehawken, NJ, and enjoys singing and playing piano.
States Served: NM, NV, OH, PA, NJ
Joshua Karlgaard
SVP, Institutional RelationshipsJoshua joined BHG in 2024. Prior to that, he was Co-Head of Capital Markets in the commercial real estate division at Cross River Bank.
He graduated from the University of Minnesota Duluth with a bachelor degree in business administration.
Jordyn Sollars
VP, Institutional RelationshipsJordyn joined BHG in 2019, managing the relationships with BHG borrowers during the front-end originations process before transitioning to the BHG Bank Group. In addition to her current Institutional Relationships role, she assists with the Office of the CEO.
A graduate of Elmira College, Jordyn was a head instructor for the National Cheerleaders Association and also spent over a decade in the hospitality industry. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL, home of BHG’s Corporate Headquarters. She enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
States Served: KY
Sam Hamlin
VP, Institutional RelationshipsSam joined BHG in 2020. Prior to that, he worked in New York City in investment sales for Cushman & Wakefield and as a commercial real estate and investment sales broker for Colliers International.
In his free time, he likes to spend time with his family, play ice hockey, and enjoy time on the lake.
States Served: DE, MN, NY
Rachel Thornton
VP, Institutional RelationshipsRachel joined BHG in 2020 as an Account Executive before transitioning to her Institutional Relationships role in 2022. Prior to joining BHG, she was an Account Executive at BDV Solutions.
Rachel received a bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Wofford College in South Carolina. She volunteers with multiple charitable organizations and enjoys skiing, golfing, and yoga.
States Served: GA, NC, SC, WV, DE
