Laura Leigh Tucker
Sherwood,AR
Summary
Experienced leader with a strong background in complex government financing programs, managing complex projects and achieving strategic objectives. Excels in developing efficient processes, ensuring high standards, and aligning efforts with organizational goals. Known for collaborative approach and commitment to excellence.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
VP - Credit Products Officer
Veritex Community Bank (FMR: North Avenue Capital)
07.2020 - Current
- Underwriter and loan packager for the USDA Business & Industry (B&I) Guaranteed Loan Program and the Rural Energy for America (REAP) Program. Including working directly with lenders to structure, determine eligibility, underwrite and analyze, and package loans for submission to the USDA.
- Work directly with attorneys, USDA staff, borrowers, and internal bank staff to facilitate loan closings, and obtain Loan Note Guarantees from the USDA.
- Direct communication and collaboration with borrowers and the USDA state and National Office staff.
- Peer reviews of all USDA loans for other credit officers
- Prepare and present loans to the credit committee.
- Assist lenders with USDA Regulations, rules, and procedures.
- Underwrote, submitted and closed $243,750,000 in USDA B&I loans over the past 4 years.
- SBA structuring and underwriting.
- Work directly with lenders to structure, underwrite, and present SBA loans to the credit committee.
Loan Specialist & Renewable Energy Coordinator
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
03.2010 - 06.2020
- Loan Specialist: Business & Industry Guaranteed Loan Program
- Program outreach, technical assistance to Lenders, loan application underwriting, presentations to the State Loan Committee, prepared recommendations for funding decisions, prepared all documents for loan closings, and serviced the loan after closed
- Worked closely with Lender during the loan process through loan closing
- Perform all site visits and Lender meetings
- Serviced the B&I Loan portfolio
- Routinely travel the State for presentations, workshops and individual technical assistance trainings for Lenders, public officials, small businesses and the general public
- Collaborated and participated in joint training sessions with the SBA (SBA Region 6 Deputy Director and business development staff)
- Energy Coordinator the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP), the 9005 Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, and other energy programs such as 9003 and 9004.
- Administered the Rural Energy for America Grant and Loan Program, including outreach, technical assistance and application assistance to small businesses and agricultural producers, all underwriting and approval of applications, preparation of all grant and loan closing documents, physical site inspections for environmental reviews and project completion confirmation, prepare all payment documents and all servicing actions after completion
- Program Specialist: administered the Value Added Producer Grant Program, including intensive application and technical assistance to agricultural producers and cooperative organizations, underwriting of applications for scoring and preparation for submission to the National Office for funding decisions
- Prepared all grant closing documents and performed all servicing actions including payment requests and monitor reporting requirements for the projects
- Participated as a team leader at national trainings for the VAPG program to train program specialists from other states
- Other Business Program Experience: 2010-2014: administered the following grant programs: Rural Business Development Grant (formerly the Rural Business Enterprise Grant and Rural Business Opportunity Grant); Socially Disadvantage Development Grant; and the Delta Health Care Grant; provided technical assistance to applicants, performed all underwriting of applications, scoring and recommendations for funding decisions; serviced all active grants during payment disbursements and after completion for compliance monitoring
- Worked with the RD National Office Staff on various programs including being a National Office Panel Review Participant for the Valued Added Producer Grant; Delta Health Care Grant, Socially Disadvantaged Development Grant, and the Rural Energy for America Program
- General Responsibilities: Frequent speaker at industry events to promote all business programs or provide specialized program training to Lenders, small businesses (both for-profit and non-profit organizations), public officials and agriculture producers
- More than 25 years of experience as an industry speaker on various government funded programs, and routinely provide training sessions to groups and individual applicants including Lenders, small businesses, professional organizations, municipalities, non-profits, universities, agricultural producers and the general public
Partner & Executive Real Estate Broker
Sperry Van Ness/Chandler Tucker Powell Group
10.2006 - 02.2010
- Responsible for daily operations of the company
- Commercial and investment sales, leasing, property management and business development
- Conducted meetings with sales and lease prospects and weekly sales meetings with internal staff and agents
- Provided financial underwriting including broker’s opinions of value and marketing opportunities
- Managed bank owned properties (REO) for out of state lenders
- Produced marketing brochures, presentation packages, and maintained on-line marketing websites
- Prepared monthly reporting to all clients regarding listing activities
- Company management included daily assignments and oversight of a small staff of licensed real estate agents and property managers
- Trained new agents to ensure compliance with all real estate laws and requirements
- Produced and maintained all online and print media for the company
Commercial Brokerage Manager & Executive Broker
Moses Tucker Real Estate
10.2003 - 09.2006
- Primary responsibilities included commercial real estate sales, leasing, management and business development
- Managed agents and administrative assistants, including delegation of responsibilities, implementation of internal policies and procedures, assistance with clients and closings
- Management and leasing of over 1.5 million square feet of lease space
- Responsible for marketing and advertising of properties
- Maintained on-line real estate websites
- Conducted weekly sales/leasing meetings
- Weekly reporting to management team and company principals
Multi-Family Housing Programs Manager & Tax Exempt Volume Cap Administrator
Arkansas Development Finance Authority
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Responsible for the overall administration of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program with an annual allocation of approximately $4.8 million and the State Tax-Exempt Bond Program with an annual allocation of approximately $230 million
- Supervision of staff and daily delegation of duties
- Monthly preparation and reporting to the Staff Housing Review Committee, the Board Housing Review Committee and the Board of Directors
- Continual reporting to the Internal Revenue Service
- Reviewed all applications for funding, including site visits, financial underwriting, financial feasibility, energy efficiencies, and review of market study to determine market feasibility
- Conducted annual reviews of program policies and procedures including public forums and research to enhance and modify the program delivery
- Conducted and presented at meetings with the general public, public officials, developers and housing professionals
- Provided program technical assistance, including individually training and regional workshops
- Administrator of the State’s Tax Exempt Volume Cap Fund included managing category funding availability, review and underwriting of applications, and reporting to the Board of Directors
- Frequent speaker at local and national industry conferences and events
Owner: Development Consultant
LLT Consulting, LLC
01.2006 - 12.2024
- Consulting services to real estate developers interested in federal financing opportunities through the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program for the purpose of building or rehabilitating multi-million dollar multi-family housing developments
- Property Management Consultant for commercial leases with the GSA.
- Consulting services to applicants seeking federal government loan and grant financing through the USDA.
Education
MBA - Finance
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AR05-2024
Bachelor of Business Administration - General Business
University of Arkansas At Little Rock
Little Rock, AR05-1994
Certificate in Business & Commercial Lending -
American Banker’s Association
2017
Law School Courses -
University of Arkansas At Little Rock School of Law
Little Rock, AR1996
The CCIM Institute
Licensed Real Estate Broker -
Rainey Realty School of Real Estate
Little Rock, AR2000
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson -
Rainey Realty School of Real Estate
Little Rock, AR1997
Diploma -
Northeast High School
North Little Rock, AR05-1990
Skills
- Relationship building
- Critical thinking
- Risk management
- Data analysis
- Industry best practices
- Policy and procedure development
Timeline
VP - Credit Products Officer
Veritex Community Bank (FMR: North Avenue Capital)
07.2020 - Current
Loan Specialist & Renewable Energy Coordinator
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Rural Development
03.2010 - 06.2020
Partner & Executive Real Estate Broker
Sperry Van Ness/Chandler Tucker Powell Group
10.2006 - 02.2010
Owner: Development Consultant
LLT Consulting, LLC
01.2006 - 12.2024
Commercial Brokerage Manager & Executive Broker
Moses Tucker Real Estate
10.2003 - 09.2006
Multi-Family Housing Programs Manager & Tax Exempt Volume Cap Administrator
Arkansas Development Finance Authority
01.2001 - 01.2003
MBA - Finance
Arkansas State University
Bachelor of Business Administration - General Business
University of Arkansas At Little Rock
Certificate in Business & Commercial Lending -
American Banker’s Association
Law School Courses -
University of Arkansas At Little Rock School of Law
The CCIM Institute
Licensed Real Estate Broker -
Rainey Realty School of Real Estate
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson -
Rainey Realty School of Real Estate
Diploma -
Northeast High School
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