Cleve Warren
Chief Executive Officer
President

Cleve is a former Vice President and Corporate Banking Officer with the Barnett Bank of Jacksonville. He is a nationally recognized economic development consultant and business advisor. Cleve is involved in a variety of local and national civic activities. He currently serves as Chairman of the board of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority, Vice Chairman of the 4th Judicial Circuit Nominating Commission, and Chairman of the Eartha M.M. White Legacy Fund.

Cleve is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Banking and Finance from the 'Coggin School of Business' at the University of North Florida, a graduate Degree in Business Administration from Jacksonville University, and he is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree in Educational Leadership at the University of North Florida.

Cleve is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserve and he is an alumnus of both Leadership Jacksonville and Leadership Florida.

Karen Rose
Accountant

As a former controller for a multi-state business for more than ten years and years of experience working in CPA firms, Karen brings a wealth of experience to her position as Essential's accountant.

Karen holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Math from Ohio State University. She joined Essential Capital in January 2006.

Carlton Shelton
Senior Business Development Officer

Carlton is responsible for management and oversight of the sales and marketing team, and has primary responsibility for marketing the sba 504 loan program. Carlton has more than twenty years experience in banking and financial services. He is a former Vice President for retirement plan services with First Citizens Bank in North Carolina, and also served as Vice President and wealth strategist with Suntrust Bank in Jacksonville. Most recently, Carlton served as President of Paragon Financial, which is an independent financial advisory firm located in Jacksonville.

Already actively involved in the community, with a broad network of affiliations, carlton now serves on Mayor John Peyton's International Business Coalition, is on the economic development committee for blueprint for prosperity, and is chairman of the research consortium committee for the Jacksonville Community Council Inc.

Carlton received his undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan, and earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the university of North Carolina in Greensboro.

Donna is responsible for management and oversight of the underwriting and servicing team, and has primary responsibility for underwriting loans for the SBA 504 program.

Donna has more than 25 years experience in the banking industry. She served Barnett Bank and its successor, Bank of America in many roles including credit risk management, sales and sales management, and operational risk management.  Most recently she was Senior Vice President at Florida Bank of Jacksonville as a client relationship manager.

Donna has been a part of the Jacksonville community for over 20 years and has been actively involved in many organizations including Learn to Read, Inc., the Epilepsy Foundation of Northeast Florida, Beaches Episcopal School and Women Business Owners of Northeast Florida.  She will also be serving on the board of directors of the local chapter of RMA.  As an adoptive parent, Donna is very involved in the local adoption community and serves as a board member of the First Coast Families with Children from China as well as a consultant to prospective adoptive families.  

Donna received her undergraduate degree from Brown University, and earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the Simmons College Graduate School of Management in Boston, MA.

Voncile Heath
Portfolio Manager

Voncile has been employed with Essential Capital for over five years; she is responsible for overall management and servicing of the company's SBA 504 loan portfolio, the maintenance of the company's corporate files, and for all accounts payable and office administration.

Voncile has more than twenty years experience in office administration and management information systems with firms in Jacksonville and the New York metropolitan area.

Chairman

Murray Beard
Partner, Morgan Davis Associates

Vice-Chairman

Carl Insel

Secretary

Janice Donaldson  
Regional Director Jacksonville, UNF Small Business Development Center

Treasurer

Henry Johnson
Loan Administrator, First Coast BBIC

Grafton D. "Duke" Addison, III

Michael Balanky

Chase Properties, Inc.

Ronald C. Belton

Riverplace Analytics, LLC

Debbie Buckland

Suntrust Bank

Mike Green

Bank of North Florida

Dan Hilken

Wachovia Bank

Melissa Hong

Visual Solutions

Lock Ireland

Mia Jones

State Representative

Gregory Owens

Owens Group, LLC

Steven A. Stern

HVS International

Cleve Warren

Essential Capital Finance, Inc.