HTLF Specialized Industries

Gary joined HTLF in October 2020. He is a noted speaker on the debt markets and has over thirty years of banking and finance experience. Throughout his career, Gary has been responsible for originating, structuring and managing corporate banking transactions including growth capital, acquisitions, management and leverage buyouts, turnarounds and recapitalizations. In his role at HTLF, Gary is responsible for new business development, portfolio management, credit quality and overall relationship management.

Gary is a Southern California native, enjoys the outdoors including golfing, fishing, hunting and water sports. He earned his undergraduate degree in Finance at the University of Southern California.

303.204.2355 | Email Gary*

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Bryan joined HTLF in October 2020 as a seasoned finance and middle market healthcare lender with knowledge across multiple sub-sectors and product lines. He has 20 years of experience in healthcare and lending, having started his career working for a large, national nursing home operator before moving into the finance and lending side of the business.

Bryan has been responsible for managing and structuring transactions across multiple healthcare sectors and credit structures, including real estate, leveraged lending and asset-based lending in support of transactions supporting acquisitions/expansions, growth, working capital, recapitalizations, bridge financing and others. His experience includes navigating the healthcare risk, regulatory and reimbursement environment.

Bryan earned his undergraduate and MBA at Ohio University. He lives in Denver with his wife, 2-year old son Nash, and pup Ella. He and his family are taking advantage of all the outdoor activities Denver has to offer. In normal times, they also love to explore food/restaurants and live music.

504.400.6923 | Email Bryan*

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Ed is Director Specialized Industries, SVP of Heartland Financial USA, Inc. (HTLF). He is responsible for the company’s food and beverage business including: refining our market strategy, growing existing partnerships and expanding our breadth of relationships, in direct collaboration with team members throughout our family of community banks.

Prior to joining HTLF, Ed served as Senior Vice President for Wells Fargo, where he joined in 2005. He was responsible for new business development and managing client relationships for the Food and Agribusiness Middle Market Banking Office. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, he held positions at Cole Taylor Bank, Bank of America and BMO/Harris Bank.

In addition to his company responsibilities, Ed has conducted speaking engagements at industry conferences and has published articles in the ABA and RMA Journals. He is on the Board of Directors of John Carroll University, is on the Illinois Agricultural Leadership Foundation Board of Directors where he serves on the Executive Committee, is a member of Posse Foundation’s Chicago Leadership Council, is the past Chairman of the Illinois Center for Violence Prevention, and is a past President of the Union League Club of Chicago.

Cooper received his Master of Business Administration from Northwestern University, Kellogg Graduate School of Management and his Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Administration from John Carroll University. He resides in Chicago with his wife Patty DeBiasi, and has two adult children: James and Grace. Cooper enjoys audio books, golfing, biking, and playing basketball.

773.899.1925 | Email Ed*

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Mark Smith joins HTLF Specialized Industries as a Director with over 30 years experience in asset based and C&I lower middle market/middle market lending. During his career, he has  structured M&A and recapitalizations as well as lines of credit, growth capital and cash flow facilities along with foreign trade and commercial real estate. He brings a wealth of industry expertise in automotive, aerospace, food, and healthcare.

Mark graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He is married with two children and enjoys spending time with his family, reading and outdoor activities.

949.698.8309 | Email Mark*

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Mike joined the HTLF team in 2016. After serving various roles in Credit and Portfolio Management, he joined HTLF Specialized Industries in the fall of 2021 as an Associate Director of Middle Market Banking. Throughout his career, Mike has been responsible for structuring and managing corporate banking transactions including acquisitions, buyouts, working capital and growth financings. In his current role, Mike is responsible for developing new business in the middle market along with collaborating with HTLF’s member banks.

A Northwest Ohio native, Mike earned his undergraduate degree from The Ohio State University and his MBA from The University of Toledo. He resides in Denver with his wife, Kelsie, and dog, Finn, where they enjoy an active lifestyle, including skiing, fishing and traveling.

419.351.4443 | Email Mike*

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