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About Us

What's the best way to finance your growing business? Call us and we'll let you know if an Essential Capital program or alternative financing is most appropriate for your needs.

We'll give you tips on how to prepare to work with lenders to get your loan.

Essential Capital Finance, Inc. is focused on moving businesses forward from small businesses to large businesses, from today's opportunity to tomorrows. We do that by providing the capital our clients need to facilitate their growth or to purchase land, buildings and equipment.

Essential Capital is a Florida Certified Development Company, authorized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to make loans to businesses for capital improvements and fixed asset acquisitions under the SBA's 504 Loan Program. Essential Capital works with commercial lenders and business owners to arrange loans that bridge the gap between a business owner's available equity, and what can be reasonably borrowed through conventional financing. Formerly known as the Jacksonville Economic Development Company, (JEDCO) Essential Capital has a long history of helping businesses grow.
"The Essential Capital Team is committed to expediting your funding with friendly, efficient service."
Cleve Warren
President/CEO

Essential Team

Corporate Officers


Cleve
Cleve Warren

President/Chief Executive Officer

 

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 and is involved in a variety of local and national civic activities. 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 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 is an alumnus of both Leadership Jacksonville and Leadership Florida.

Staff

Karen
Karen Rose

Chief Administrative Officer

 

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, Office Manager and Projects Officer. Karen holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Accounting and Math from Ohio State University.

   
   

Jeannine Balanky
Jeannine Balanky
Senior Business Development Officer

 

Jeannine is responsible for increasing the company’s network of SBA clients. Jeannine has an extensive background in Mortgage Banking, Management, Institutional Sales, Underwriting, Product Development, Appraisal Analysis and Marketing Strategies. Before joining Essential she was a Mortgage Consultant with Synovus Mortgage Corp. Jacksonville, Fl.; President of First Coast Home Loans, Jacksonville, Fl.; and a Private Banker with Wells Fargo, Jacksonville, Fl. Jeannine has been a licensed mortgage broker since 1995 and has won many prestigious sales awards.

   

Board Members

Officers

Chairman

     

Gregory Owens
Jacksonville Electric Authority

   

Vice-Chairman

 

    

Secretary

 

Janice Donaldson                                                            
University of North Florida SBDC

   
Treasurer Henry Johnson
  Business Consultant

Members

Grafton D. "Duke" Addison, III  Addison Commercial Real Estate, Inc.
Michael Balanky  Chase Properties, Inc.
Robert Baldwin Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce 
George A. Barnes George Barnes Realty 
Murray Beard Communities in Schools of Jacksonville 
Ronald C. Belton  Riverplace Analytics, LLC 
Debbie Buckland  SunTrust Bank 
John Duce Wachovia Bank 
Cecil Gibson  EverBank of North Florida 
Arnett C. Green State Farm Insurance Agency 
Mike Green CNL Bank 
Melissa Hong  Visual Solutions 
Lock Ireland  
Iris Jones BB&T
Mia Jones  Florida State Representative
Reginald Lawrence, Sr.  Vet Center 
Steven A. Stern Stern & Stern Associates 
Cleve Warren Essential Capital Finance, Inc.
John Williams  Vistage 
Paul Woods  Paul Woods Realty, Inc. 

Community Outreach

Essential Capital supports the following Jacksonville organizations:
-Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida
-I.M. Sulzbacher Homeless Shelter
-Children's Home Society of Florida
 

Professional alliances:
-National Association of Development Companies
-
City of Jacksonville
-Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce