Sheldon Bartel
Director, Advisory Services
Courses: ED101, ED201, ED202, and ED300
Sheldon Bartel is a Central Region Team Field Director for Grow America. Previously, he was a Small Business Loan Officer for the Grow America Fund. Mr. Bartel joined the region as a Field Director in 2019. He provides housing, community, and economic development technical assistance to clients in Arizona, Nebraska, New Mexico, Tennessee, and Texas. He underwrites commercial and housing real estate projects, has completed housing plans for many clients, and assists with designing, managing, and appraising economic and housing development financing programs and projects. He works with nonprofit economic development corporations, overseeing revolving loan funds utilizing various sources of public and private capital. A Certified Economic Developer (CEcD), Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), and a Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP), he is knowledgeable across the field.
Dryck Bennett
Senior Director, Curriculum Development
Courses: ED101, ED201, ED202, ED300, and HD420
Dryck Bennett is Director of Curriculum Development for Grow America’s Training Division. He is an expert in economic and community development finance, with 17 years at the nonprofit.
Mr. Bennett started at Grow America as a Lending Manager, overseeing loan origination and underwriting processes. He became Chief Credit Officer for the Small Business Lending group, including the Grow America Fund (GAF) and Community Impact Lending Fund (CILF). He implemented financing solutions for small businesses and real estate projects, finding success for diverse initiatives.
In April of 2025, Mr. Bennett transitioned to Grow America’s Training Division, using his experience to design innovative training programs. He delivers high-level courses on community and economic development.
A published author, Mr. Bennett holds master’s degrees in History and Urban Planning, Design, and Economic Development.
Shanita Bush
Producer
Shanita Bush serves as Certification Coordinator and Training Producer for Grow America’s Training team. In this dual role, she manages the organization’s nationally recognized certification programs while supporting the delivery of Grow America’s courses and webinars by producing high-quality live and virtual learning environments.
With a background in program administration, learning operations, and certification management, Shanita helps ensure that Grow America’s professional education programs operate efficiently and maintain high standards of quality. She oversees certification processes, manages continuing education and recertification requirements, and collaborates closely with instructors, staff, and certified professionals to support ongoing professional development.
As Certification Coordinator, Shanita manages certification records, digital credentialing through the Credly platform, and recertification requirements that help professionals remain current with industry practices. She also assists certified professionals in navigating recertification pathways and continuing education opportunities.
In her role as Training Producer, Shanita supports the delivery of courses and webinars by managing the technical and logistical aspects of live instruction, coordinating course operations, and assisting with exam administration. Her behind-the-scenes leadership enables instructors to focus on teaching while ensuring a seamless and engaging learning experience for participants.
Marian Campbell
Assistant Director, Affordable Housing Development Services
Courses: HD410
Marian has expertise in mortgage banking, corporate securities compliance, and affordable housing development and compliance. For the past 25 plus years her career has consisted of community and economic development work in various communities across the country. She currently works as a director for Grow America in the St. Louis metropolitan statistical area, Madison and St. Claire Counties in Illinois, and the State of Connecticut. Marian’s focus is on affordable housing development and her work has supported underserved communities, promoted equitable housing access, and contributed to sustainable neighborhood revitalization.
Virginia Flores
Senior Director, Advisory Services
Courses: HD420 and HD423
Virginia Flores is a Senior Director on Grow America’s West Team, with over 15 years of experience managing policy development and planning projects.
She began her career in early and K-12 education. After completing graduate studies in city planning, she spent over a decade at the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), focused on rental assistance, Native American housing, and multifamily housing. While on the Senate Appropriations Transportation and Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee, she worked on the Fiscal Year 2020 Appropriations Bill and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
Later, Ms. Flores coordinated and managed technical assistance delivery to 60 Build Back Better Regional Challenge finalists, a $1B Economic Development Administration. Now, Ms. Flores provides technical advice to local governments and development agencies on affordable housing and economic development programs.
John Gerber
Associate Director, Advisory Services
Courses: HD420
John Gerber is an Associate Field Director at Grow America. He started his career with the NY Forward Loan Fund, contacting small business owners to provide aid. He underwrote loans within that Fund, Southern Opportunity and Resilience Fund (SOAR), and Washington State Small Business Flex Fund, providing $11.4 million to 185 small businesses.
Later, he joined the Technical Advisory Services East Team, where he underwrites and evaluates multifamily, mixed-use, and commercial real estate project applications for financial assistance. This includes right-sizing tax abatements and HOME funds for IDAs and counties across New York. He aids multiple cities in Connecticut with real estate project transactions and underwrites Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds for the Puerto Rico Department of Housing.
He holds a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics.
Jackie Gorman
Executive Managing Director of Training
Courses: HD420
Jackie Gorman is Managing Director of Training. She is a skilled community, economic development, and training professional. She joined Grow America as a Senior Director for the SEED Academy, a program aiding BIPOC real estate developers.
As CEO of San Antonio for Growth on the Eastside, Inc. (SAGE), a revitalization and development nonprofit, she grew their annual budget from $200,000 to $1.6 million and the staff from 2 to 14.
Ms. Gorman has had a diverse career, including leadership positions with the Texas Engineering Extension Service and building subdivisions and tract homes for a national home builder.
A service-disabled veteran, she served as a Military Intelligence Officer in the U.S. Army. Gorman is a community leader and has served in many volunteer leadership positions. She is knowledgeable in board governance and a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians.
Kevin Gremse
Managing Director, Advisory Services
Courses: ED101, ED202, ED300, and HD420
Kevin Gremse is a Senior Director for Grow America, managing teams in over 30 municipalities in the Eastern United States. He has structured business and real estate development transactions exceeding $5 billion nationwide.
Mr. Gremse coordinates economic and housing development services, including technical assistance, training, small business lending, and tax credit equity investment to public and private sector clients. He works in Grow America’s affiliated programs, including federal tax credits, public facility developments, and small business lending in client communities.
He is an experienced instructor in Grow America’s training programs, and a frequent panelist at economic development trade conferences.
Mr. Gremse has a bachelor’s from the University of Scranton and a master’s degree in public finance from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government.
Melissa LaFayette
Director, Advisory Services
Courses: ED101 and ED201
Melissa LaFayette is a West Region Field Director for Grow America, based in Washington. She provides technical assistance to communities across the Pacific Northwest and Nevada in housing and economic development finance, plus expertise on small business development and commercial affordability. She has managed multiple small business revolving loan funds, underwritten small business and real estate projects, and supported communities through over $5 million of COVID-19 relief programs. Previously, Ms. LaFayette served as a Community Economic Development volunteer in the Peace Corps and worked for several community development organizations. She is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Gonzaga University and a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Washington.
Corey Leon
Senior Director, Instructional Services
Courses: ED202, HD410, HD420, HD423, and HD435
Corey Leon is a Senior Field Director for Grow America. He joined the nonprofit in 2011 as a Field Director. Now, he helps local communities to achieve their development finance goals, including commercial/industrial real estate development, rental and for-sale housing, small business credit analysis, and financing. Mr. Leon is a prolific course instructor, conference speaker, and curriculum advisor. Prior to joining Grow America, he was the Principal of the Development Incentive & Consulting, LLC, and a developer.
Mr. Leon is a Certified Economic Development Finance Professional and Housing Development Finance Professional, and he holds a master’s in public policy from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Political Science from Western Michigan University.
Andria Martinez
Senior Director, Advisory Services
Courses: ED101 and ED201
Andria Martinez is a West Region Field Director for Grow America. She guides local governments on economic development, underwriting, feasibility, program management, focusing on revolving loan funds. Previously she was Small Business Loan Officer for the Grow America Fund (GAF) for 10 years in California, Nevada, and Washington.
Her passion is in helping entrepreneurs and women overcome adversity and achieve success. Ms. Martinez holds a bachelor’s in Economics (minoring in Spanish and Portuguese) from UCLA.
Her work includes 2023-2027 HUD Consolidated/Annual Plans for Los Angeles County and City, five-year updates on EDA Administrative Plans (San Joaquin County and Long Beach), Monterey County CEDS & annual updates. She served as Program Operator of Garden Grove MicroBiz Program, 3rd party administrator of LACDA’s CCE Capital Projects, and was involved with many COVID-response programs.
She is a Certified Economic Development Professional with clients throughout California.
Conor McCarthy
Director of Lending and Portfolio Operations
Courses: ED101
Conor McCarthy is a Director of Lending at Grow America. He manages a team that is responsible for originating and structuring business loans in Grow America’s markets throughout the country.
Mr. McCarthy has managed various business loan programs, deploying tens of millions of dollars, up and down the capital continuum. Those include complicated transactions for businesses looking to acquire their commercial real estate and smaller infusions of working capital to fund a business’s operating cycle. He is experienced in all levels of small business finance and within the wider field of economic development.
Mr. McCarthy holds a bachelor’s from Colorado College, a Masters in Public Administration from Baruch College, a Masters of Business Administration from New York University, and is an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP).
Geoffrey Person
Director, Advisory Services
Courses: HD420 and HD423
Geoffrey Person has been a Director with Grow America for the past four years, based in Connecticut. He has more than 14 years of residential and affordable housing finance experience. Mr. Person provides technical assistance for nonprofits and municipalities relative to housing development, and underwrites small business loans on behalf of municipal clients. Mr. Person began his career at the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), where he spent more than eight years in various roles, including work in Multifamily Housing Development, Finance, and Asset Management. Mr. Person is a graduate from the University of Connecticut and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Hartford Barney School of Business.
Courtney Pogue
Senior Director, SEED Academy
Courses: SEED Academy
Courtney D. Pogue is Senior Director for Grow America’s SEED Academy. There, he puts his economic development and real estate expertise toward training real estate developers in equitable development.
Previously, he was Director of Economic and Community Development for Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. As Director of Economic Development for Dallas, Texas he facilitated over $2.8 billion in private investment and 15,000 job commitments. He also served in this role for Clayton County, Georgia and Deputy Director for Cook County, Illinois.
He is founder/president of Waterworks Group, contributing to over $500 million in projects. He holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, an MLS from Vanderbilt University Law School, and a BBA from Howard University. Mr. Pogue is licensed in real estate and holds designations in real estate, finance, affordable housing, and sustainable development expertise.
Laura Salinas-Martinez
Director, Advisory Services
Courses: HD420 and HD423
Laura Salinas-Martinez is a Grow America Technical Advisor. She is experienced in federal grants administration, community development, policy development, program implementation, and housing development finance.
Ms. Salinas-Martinez advises governments and nonprofits on community development initiatives across affordable housing development/underwriting, economic development, policy development, program implementation, compliance, federal grants administration, and more.
Previously, she was San Antonio Housing and Urban Development Grants Administrator, funding over $20 million in critical community development. During the pandemic she developed policies and led processing for the City’s COVID-19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program, deploying tens of millions of dollars. She has worked in housing and development within Yakima, Washington, San Antonio, and Brooks, Texas.
Ms. Salinas-Martinez serves as Board Member for San Antonio’s Neighborhood & Housing Services, member of the San Antonio Housing Commission’s Public Engagement and Outreach Subcommittee, is a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional, and a Texas Realtor®.
Patricia Santa Cruz
Director, Advisory Services
Courses: HD420
Patricia Santa Cruz joined Grow America in November 2021 as Field Director in Technical Advisory Services (Central Team). She assists organizations in community development, primarily with federal programs (where she has 20 years of experience). Her recent clients include Hamilton County, Ohio; DeSoto, Texas; Springfield, Illinois; and Memphis, Tennessee.
She has over 13 years of experience in Community Development Block Grants (CDBGs) through Housing and Urban Development (HUD) departments, and HOME Program funds. Most recently, she oversaw $21 million in San Antonio’s CDBG and HOME funds, and $17 million for the CDBG Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.
She has experience in IDIS, environmental reviews, plus Section 3 compliance, eligibility, and administration. She assisted with the City’s $140 million COVID‐19 Emergency Housing Assistance Program. She led the department’s Equity Action Plan, outlining two‐year strategies for advancing racial and economic equity.
Diana Sasser
Managing Director, Advisory Services
Courses: ED101, ED201, and ED300
Diana Sasser is a Managing Director at Grow America, leading the Technical Advisory Services West Team. Based in Long Beach, California, she helps local communities and nonprofits to structure financing for housing and economic development using federal, state, and local resources. She has worked to implement small business grant and loan programs nationwide, focused on minority and low-income businesses. Ms. Sasser has designed, developed, and implemented Covid-response and recovery resources throughout the country since March 2020.
Ms. Sasser has over 20 years of experience as an economic development professional, focused on real estate and small business development. She has extensive knowledge of financial underwriting for business credit and commercial real estate, and is skilled in creating financial packages for Covid-related needs. She is knowledgeable in bridging gaps between development costs and private sector investment, utilizing a broad range of financial resources.
Carl Spikner
Assistant Director, Advisory Services
Courses: ED202 and HD410
Carl Spikner is an Assistant Director on Grow America’s West Team. He joined in 2020 and is based in Salt Lake City. He has held senior leadership positions in Fortune 100 and not-for-profit organizations. He led community-transforming real estate developments, organizational capacity building, and community development initiatives.
Currently, Mr. Spikner delivers technical assistance and capacity-building to local governments and nonprofit organizations in Utah, Nevada, and California. His support of real estate development includes consulting, advising, lending, policy advising, and reviewing projects seeking government assistance.
Mr. Spikner supports small business lending initiatives by underwriting business loans, conducting due diligence, and providing program administration. He is a certified Housing Development Finance Professional. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from DePaul University, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Indiana University, and a master’s degree in Real Estate Development from the University of Utah.
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