Born to disrupt the traditional lending experience
BHG Financial set out to eliminate the challenges of the lending process.
In 2001, the medical finance space was primed for disruption.
The traditional lending process wasn't working for medical professionals who needed larger loan amounts and faster approvals than typical lenders could provide.
So BHG Financial set out to create the most innovative commercial working capital solution on the market—dramatically reducing the time needed to structure, price, and underwrite an unsecured loan.
Powered by technology and our deep understanding of credit, we built a frictionless experience that was fast, hassle-free, and customized for each borrower.
Leveraging our high-performing loans, we capitalized on a second key opportunity. We created a state-of-the-art loan delivery platform where we could package and sell our high-quality assets to community banks—thus establishing BHG Financial as a trusted partner for financial institutions across the country.
Nearly 20 years later, we're firing on all cylinders
BHG Financial's cross-selling strategy results in booming growth.
We have proprietary risk and acquisition models, built by our team of expert data scientists, that allow us to serve professionals across all industries.
We’ve also partnered with the most influential medical and professional groups, equipment suppliers, and associations—further establishing our leading position in financial services.
And we’re leveraging cutting-edge technology to further monetize our core competencies into innovative product adjacencies:
- Unsecured personal and startup loans
- SBA 7(a) loans, as one of 14 non-bank SBA lenders
- Point-of-sale financing, with a focus on patient lending
- Business and consumer credit cards
- Risk management and compliance services for financial institutions
Looking inward, BHG Financial continues to be recognized regionally and nationally as a Great Place to Work® and has experienced tremendous growth, nearly doubling in size during the pandemic.
As we look to the future, innovation remains our top priority—and we’re running at full speed toward new opportunities.
The Future of BHG Financial
Pushing the limits of innovation.
At BHG Financial, we refuse to be satisfied with the status quo—and we don't let past achievements distract us from future opportunities. Here's what's on our horizon:
- Launching an online consumer loan platform to bring digital lending to community banks and credit unions
- Expanding our point-of-sale finance offering to merchants in the home improvement and retail spaces, among others
- Introducing new features on our patient lending platform to boost the overall patient experience and each healthcare provider’s bottom line
- Bringing digital banking, including checking and deposit accounts, to BHG Financial borrowers
- Enhancing our credit card program with new features and digital capabilities to ensure we're top-of-wallet
At BHG Financial, we're constantly motivated to launch new solutions to help our clients succeed.
As we look to the future, we'll never stop asking: How can we help you next?
Driving excellence from within.
Cohesive leadership with a proven performance history and a culture of innovation.
BHG Financial owes its history of success to its people: the driving force that consistently pushes us in new and innovative directions.
Our leadership plays a key role in our expansion into new markets for revenue growth and in creating an environment that fuels collaboration and execution at every level of the organization.
Chairman of the Board
Al Crawford
Chairman/CEO & Co-Founder
Al Crawford
Al Crawford is a Co-Founder of BHG and currently serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He is responsible for overseeing all facets of the company and its operations.
For 30 years, Al has expertly coordinated loan/lease sales and financing between community banks and companies. His unique passion and excitement for creating financial solutions shines at BHG. He has facilitated over $8.5 billion with financial institutions, including more than 1,200 banks nationwide.
Al provides guidance and mentoring to his Leadership Team, who he meets with daily. These 13 direct reports are leading their respective teams, and running the day-to-day operations of the company alongside Albert. Because of his hands-on, inclusive management style and thirst for knowledge, his presence in all locations and departments is evident.
In 2012, Al, along with co-founders Bob and Eric Castro, was named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Financial Services. And in 2009, he was one of an elite 10 selected from hundreds of the nation’s top CEOs to be a member of the Inc. magazine CEO Project.
Al earned his bachelor’s degree from Gettysburg College. He has held licenses as both a commodities broker (Series 3) and a stockbroker (Series 7).
Chief of Staff
April Brissette
Chief of Staff
April Brissette
As BHG’s Chief of Staff, April Brissette provides direct support to BHG Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Al Crawford, and serves as a strategic partner to the BHG leadership team across all areas of the business. She oversees and manages large cross-functional projects and initiatives to ensure they stay on-task, and coordinates the execution of key initiatives.
April joined BHG in 2007. Most recently, she served as President of Fund-Ex Solutions Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of BHG that is one of only 14 non-bank SBA lenders in the country. For more than 10 years prior, she was BHG’s Chief Credit Officer, leading the credit and funding teams and their processing of thousands of loan applications per month.
April is a member of the 2020 class of Leadership Greater Syracuse. She won a Central New York 40 Under Forty Award for her leadership in the workplace and community in 2017 and was named “Outstanding Mentor” in the Central New York Business Journal’s Successful Business Women Awards. She has earned the “Employee of the Year” award three times since joining BHG, as well as several other awards that recognize her impact on the business.
Before joining BHG, April gained experience in accounting while pursuing higher education. She earned her associate degree in Accounting from Onondaga Community College and her bachelor’s degree in Finance from Columbia College. She is currently pursuing her MBA.
Board of Directors
Eric Castro
Eric Castro
Eric is a Co-Founder of BHG, and serves as a trusted, strategic advisor to a number of BHG's affiliates.
He has a deep passion for effective leadership and execution. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Eric quickly learned the importance of having a strong leader to guide a motivated group toward significant accomplishments. He puts this experience and knowledge to work in advising teams on how to break barriers and reach new heights.
Always intrigued by the idea that success is directly correlated to meaningful human interactions and trust, Eric is driven to help people realize their full potential, achieve their goals, and find success in and out of the boardroom. Having built and led exceptional teams, he thrives on mentoring entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders. His fierce belief in putting quality into every aspect of life has not only helped shape his perspective and his approach, but helps him build respected and successful businesses.
Eric is an expert in leadership, people management, corporate culture, and organizational design. He's an entrepreneur who is driven by innovation, execution and results.
Harold Carpenter
Harold Carpenter
Harold Carpenter serves as Chief Financial Officer and as a member of Pinnacle's senior leadership team since 2000. As such, Harold oversees all of Pinnacle's financial operations, including strategic planning, financial forecasting, treasury, accounting, tax, investor relations and capital markets activities, including several follow-on equity offerings, numerous debt issuances and numerous mergers since 2006.
Harold was previously Lead Financial Manager for First American Corporation's Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana operations prior to its merger with AmSouth Bancorporation in 2000. First American was a $25B financial institution predominantly located in TN but with operations in several Southeastern US states. Harold joined First American in 1998 during its merger with Jackson, Miss.-based Deposit Guaranty Corporation, where he had served for four years as chief financial manager of the company's business units. His previous experience includes serving as controller for Commerce National Corporation in Shreveport, LA which was acquired by Deposit Guaranty and KPMG Peat Marwick as senior manager from 1982 through 1994.
Harold obtained a Bachelor's degree and a Master's of Business Administration in Accounting from Louisiana Tech University in 1982. He is a member of the AICPA and FEI. He has served on the board of the Nashville Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Tennessee Business Roundtable. He was a member of the 2015 class of Leadership Nashville and a 2017 class member of Leadership Tennessee.
Hugh Queener
Hugh Queener
Hugh Queener brings more than 30 years of experience to his role as Chief Administrative Officer of Pinnacle Bank and Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc in Nashville, TN, a position he has held since the company was formed in 2000.
Before joining Pinnacle, he spent 13 years at First American National Bank/AmSouth in a variety of positions including senior vice president of operations support, executive vice president of general banking, executive vice president of operations and technology and executive vice president of retail lending programs. Prior to rejoining First American, Hugh held executive level positions at software providers, The Kirchman Corporation and Systeme Corporation. He began his banking career as an audit officer with Park National Bank in 1979.
In addition to being on the Board of BHG, he also serves on the board of Apiture, Inc. in Wilmington, NC. He is a member of the Board of Directors Leah Rose Residence for Senior Citizens serving as chairman. He is also a member of the board and loan committee of Southeast Community Capital dba Pathway Lending, a board member of Downtown Partnership, a trustee of Tennessee Wesleyan University where he serves as vice chairman and is a member of Leadership Nashville and Leadership Tennessee. Mr. Queener is a member of Brentwood United Methodist Church (BUMC) and he also serves as a board member at Thembelihle School and Angels Care Center in Howick, South Africa both of which are supported by BUMC. He has been an active participant with the Boy Scouts having served on its executive committee and as scout leader, cub master and troop leader in the past.
Hugh earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Tennessee Wesleyan College.
Jim Crawford
Jim Crawford
Jim started selling BHG loans in 2008 and is a member of the Board of Directors. Over his 13 years selling BHG products, Jim has created relationships with hundreds of institutions and has been a driving force in positioning BHG as the #1 source of top-performing loans for community and regional banks. He also works closely with marketing, sales, credit and pricing for BHG's loan portfolio.
Before working with BHG products and loans, Jim had more than 25 years of experience in the government securities and mortgage industries including, finance and lending. Most recently, he was the sole owner and president of JC Mortgage Corporation. Jim directed all operations of the company, including originations, processing and compliance. Additionally, Jim founded JC Abstract Corporation to complement his mortgage offerings.
He earned his B.S. in Math and Economics from Muskingum University in Ohio.
Executive Leadership
Tyler Crawford
As COO, Tyler Crawford oversees operations and product strategy of BHG and its affiliate companies BHG Patient Lending and BHG MC Services, in addition to leading strategic growth, business efficiencies, and technology initiatives. Based in BHG’s corporate headquarters, he also focuses on growing of BHG’s operations in the South Florida region.
Since joining BHG in 2012, Tyler has served in numerous managerial roles across the organization, and led multiple new product and business development initiatives. Most recently, he served in a dual role as the Chief Business Development Officer of BHG and the CEO of BHG Patient Lending. Under his leadership, Tyler has developed and grown BHG Patient Lending, a leading provider of a patient financing to patients at ambulatory surgery centers and hospitals across the country. He also launched BHG’s Credit Card program, which has grown to over 60,000 customers and over $700 million in credit-card lines. Additionally, he previously oversaw BHG’s Manhattan office from its inception, which has grown to nearly 50 employees who manage BHG’s portfolio of products.
Prior to BHG, Tyler was an institutional Sales Trader at Dahlman Rose & Company, a NYC-based boutique investment bank focused on the natural resource supply chain. There, he was responsible for developing and expanding institutional and hedge fund client relationships through innovative trading ideas, daily market analysis, and communicating strategies to manage clients’ capital exposure.
Tyler received his B.A. from Gettysburg College and also his Series 7 and 63 licensing from the National Association of Securities Dealers. He also has received his property and casualty insurance agent & broker license from the Department of Insurance in New York State.
Juan Carlos Ortigosa
As the Chief Revenue Officer, Juan Carlos Ortigosa defines and maintains the revenue strategy, architects and integrates the revenue system, and designs and launches new revenue programs for BHG. Juan’s passion for excellence drives the company’s growth strategies — and is underscored by his commitment to creating a culture of accountability.
Before assuming his current role, Juan served as Chief Credit Officer and Vice President of Risk Management at BHG. His contributions during this time include successfully revamping the company’s credit model and building the analytics department from the ground up.
Prior to joining BHG, Juan was Assistant Vice President of Credit Analytics at BankAtlantic, where he developed predictive models to estimate delinquency and loan loss, and managed risk for a $5 billion portfolio.
Juan earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and management from Florida Atlantic University.
Dan McSherry
As Chief Financial Officer at BHG, Dan McSherry leads BHG’s corporate finance and investor relations departments. He focuses on the firms’ financial growth strategy, corporate investments, and financing needs.
Dan joined BHG in 2013 as Senior Vice President of Analytics, responsible for driving growth and profitability into the production channel through enhanced data analysis. He has also served in management roles for reporting and business intelligence.
Prior to joining BHG, Dan spent four years at Lockheed Martin Corporation. He has significant experience in the financial services industry, having spent time with CIBC World Markets Inc, UBS Financial and Charles Schwab & Co. Dan’s well-rounded experience includes sales & revenue forecasting, variance analysis, program budgeting and risk management.
Dan earned both his bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics and his MBA from Syracuse University.
Edmund Durant
As Chief Credit Officer at BHG, Ed Durant oversees the company’s Credit Risk Management and Risk Modeling, and is responsible for risk corporate accounting, budgeting, auditing, and risk management. He also leads BHG’s accounting department and policies, and is focused on growing the internal risk division.
An integral member of BHG since 2003, Ed has held positions in accounting, documentation, loan placements, credit underwriting, IT and most prior to his current position—Chief Financial Officer. He created the original credit matrix scoring system, the first aggregated loan amortization tracking system, and the margin calculation—a model to estimate lifetime net revenue on each individual loan transaction.
Ed was named to Central New York’s 2018 40 Under Forty list, recognizing leadership in both the workplace and community. He also received an award from the Business Journal News Network recognizing private company CFOs.
A contributor to his church and Pass ‘Da Rock, a Syracuse-based non-profit giving inner-city youth a safe place for sporting activities, Ed is passionate about charity.
Ed graduated from Colgate University with a bachelor’s degree in economics.
Zach Raus
As President of Lending Division, Zach Raus has established a powerhouse team of financing professionals responsible for millions of dollars in funded transactions. Through a relentless work ethic, passion for team building and love for the company, Zach has created an impressive culture of success in BHG’s lending division.
Zach started at BHG in 2012 as the corporate athletic trainer. His drive and ability to bring out the best in those around him quickly earned him a position in sales. Since that time, he has worked his way up to his current role and has achieved top honors in the process. His accolades include Sales MVP, Impact Player of the month, Global Impact Player of the Year in 2016, and 2017 Chairman’s Club.
Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Zach spent his childhood traveling the country competing in Motocross racing—and learning the importance of dedication, motivation, and discipline.
Meghan Crawford-Hamlin
As President of Institutional Relationships, Meghan Crawford-Hamlin oversees the sales strategy for BHG across bank partnerships, association relationships and its affiliate company BHG Patient Lending. Meghan leads a national team focused on growing premium revenue and enhancing the B2B experience for sales clients while driving sales strategy and market development. Meghan is responsible for managing all sales operations including sales reports, meeting sales targets, and estimating sales profit for products.
Since Joining BHG in 2015 Meghan has generated and serviced relationships with hundreds of community banks nationwide. She has personally managed the sale of hundreds of millions in financing of highly skilled professionals to institutional buyers. Meghan is very active in the bank industry, serving as a member of many state and national bank associations such as the American Bankers Association as well as the Independent Community Bankers Association. She frequently presents at events on portfolio diversification and credit risk.
Prior to working at BHG, Meghan worked as a Director at The Fitch Group Company, Business Monitor International. She managed the growth of the largest portfolio of North American clients in the financial sector. Prior to that Meghan worked for IAC, an American holding company that owns brands across 100 countries, mostly in media and Internet. She is an active member of New York Cares, American Cancer Society and CNY Autism Society of America. Meghan received her B.A. from Bucknell University.
Katie Barnes, PHR
As Chief Human Resources Officer at BHG, Katie Barnes oversees the strategy and direction of BHG's People Development (PD) department, leading various programs such as Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Employee Experience, and Compensation.
A member of BHG's team since 2012, Katie has helped the company grow from less than 100 to more than 1,100 employees, and is an advocate for the personal and professional development of every employee who walks through BHG's doors.
By acting as a strategic partner between PD and BHG, Katie and her team support and develop BHG's people throughout the employee lifecycle and help the company reach its business goals. Katie is also focused on building and nurturing BHG's award-winning culture, that is recognized both regionally and nationally by publications such as Fortune, Inc., American Banker and the South Florida and Central New York Business Journals every year.
Katie graduated from University of Central Florida with a bachelor's degree of science in event management and hospitality management.
Thomas Davis
Tom Davis is BHG’s Chief Placements Officer (2015 - current). In this role, he has managed BHG’s global cost of funds and revenue derived from $8.5 billion in loan sales to a network of more than 1,200 US banks. In addition, Tom is also responsible for the Funding team and related contract quality for more than 20,000 transactions annually. Prior to this, Mr. Davis managed the Bank Sales team for four years and began his BHG career as a Lead Analyst providing insight into loan sale methodology, costs, auction trends, bank industry trends and institutional marketing.
Before joining BHG, Tom was a Senior Analyst at National Grid providing analysis and contract management for D-Line construction and service contracts under the PM&CC group. Prior to National Grid, he was Vice President of Sedgwick Capital Corporation, where he managed operations related to providing construction and receivables financing for the resort timeshare industry. At Sedgwick, he managed accounting, analysis, reporting and contract management for developer and source bank financing.
Tom is a veteran of the NY Air National Guard (2002 -2008) and received a bachelor's from Le Moyne College.
Mark Schmidt
As Chief Executive Officer of Fund-Ex Solutions Group, Mark Schmidt oversees all aspects of productions and operations and provides strategic direction and managerial leadership.
Mark brings deep experience to his role as CEO. Prior to moving into his current position, he served as Chief Regulatory Relations Officer at FSG’s parent company, BHG. His expertise also spans seven years as Managing Director at Promontory Financial Group and 33 years with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), serving in multiple supervisory roles, including Regional Director of the Atlanta region and overseeing bank supervision policy in Washington, D.C. During his tenure at the FDIC, Mark was a consultant for the International Monetary Fund and participated in the 1996 Legis Fellows Program, working for the Banking and Financial Services Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Mark earned an MBA in Finance from the University of Missouri and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Iowa State University.
Danielle Walker
As Senior Vice President of Revenue Operations at BHG, Danielle Walker oversees data platform and leads management, vendor and third party relationships, strategic partnerships, and reporting. From data acquisition through visualization, she adeptly navigates business intelligence for BHG.
Danielle ensures quality data is delivered to the organization and is always looking for ways to expand our marketable universe. She is also responsible for all vendor and third-party financing relationships. With results and execution top of mind, Danielle works tirelessly to support BHG's revenue and growth. Since joining the company in 2012, she's gained deep experience in both marketing and sales, having worked in reporting and analytics, marketing and data, and sales operations.
Danielle graduated from The University of Florida with a bachelor's degree in Finance and Business Administration.
Brittany George
As the Vice President of Funding, Brittany George manages a team of highly-skilled professionals that execute the funding of a loan at lightning speed while maintaining the quality and integrity of the loan product. Funding also focuses on the overall customer experience while expediting the final steps of the loan process. Teaching and motivating her team to push beyond the limits, to take initiative and always be a team player has created a successful environment and has been a huge contributor in the department’s ability to constantly exceed expectations.
Brittany started at BHG in 2008, where she began her career in an entry level position. Utilizing her drive and strong will, she quickly progressed through multiple roles and later landed a position within funding, where she found her passion. The extensive knowledge and experience gained combined with her outstanding work ethic rocketed her career, placing her in the role she is in today.
Native to South Florida and daughter of an army veteran, Brittany was taught the principles of integrity, hard work, initiative, and consistency at a young age molding her into the leader she has become today. Brittany has received many accolades over the years including Peer of the Year, several Impact Player of the Month and Circle of Excellence Awards, and most recently the Beast Mode Award (2019), Presidential Award (2019), and All-Star Award (2020).
Matt Ondus
Matt has over 34 years of senior-level financial regulatory experience in the public and private sectors and is an expert in the field of Consumer Protection Laws and Regulations. Matt previously served 20 years as a Commissioned National Bank Examiner for the OCC, as well as a CFPB Compliance Examiner and a Director at Promontory Financial Group.
Jerry Bartlett
Jerry brings over 30 years of technology and finance experience, including the development and execution of significant advances in technological infrastructure with an emphasis on efficiency and continued market relevance. Before joining BHG, he served as the CTO for GreenSky. He was also recognized as one of ComputerWorld's Premier 100 IT Leaders based on his leadership during a critical merger at TD Ameritrade.
Legal & Compliance
Christopher Cali, Esq.
Attorney Chris Cali was appointed Chief Legal Officer of BHG in 2007. He is responsible for all aspects of BHG’s legal affairs. From compliance to collections litigation and customer service, Chris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to BHG.
Prior to joining the firm, Chris owned and operated a legal practice in New York where he concentrated on commercial transactions and corporate representation. He is licensed to practice law in the state of New York, where he is a member of both the New York State and Onondaga County Bar Associations.
Chris earned his Juris Doctor cum laude from Suffolk University Law School, where he was a member of the Moot Court Board. He also earned a master’s degree from Regent University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oswego.
Gale Simons-Poole
As Chief Regulatory Relations Officer (SBA), Gale Simons-Poole expertly navigates regulatory and compliance matters for BHG lending programs including SBA and also supports BHG’s risk management and reporting. Leveraging her deep industry experience, she ensures the highest standards are met.
Gale’s three decades in bank supervision include 23 years with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), most recently as Deputy Regional Director, Risk Management Supervision. Prior to joining BHG, she spent seven years as Director for Promontory Financial Group, advising clients from large insured national banks to community banks.
Gale holds an MBA from Louisiana Tech University and a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University.
Jim Kennedy
Jim Kennedy serves as the Senior Director of BHG’s Compliance Program, seamlessly administering BHG's Compliance Risk Management Program, ensuring compliance with laws, regulatory requirements, policies, and procedures, and identifying strategic compliance-related objectives. He brings deep financial industry experience and a wealth of knowledge to his role at BHG.
Prior to joining the firm, Jim was the Chief Compliance Officer at Green and Seifter Investment Advisors, where he was responsible for the compliance oversight of the firm's investment advisory representatives and the daily operations of the SEC-registered investment advisor.
Jim earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Boston College's Wallace E. Carroll School of Management.