Crestmark Establishes Crestmark California Regional Office, Welcomes Tom Lescher and Chante Lafall

TROY, Mich., April 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Crestmark is pleased to announce the establishment of a full-service Crestmark office in downtown Los Angeles; and the addition of Tom Lescher as Regional Executive Vice President; and Chanté Lafall, Operations Manager. As a part of the growing West division led by Pat Haney, West Division President, the move will significantly expand Crestmark's presence in the busy California marketplace. The office will support Crestmark California Business Development Officers Amy Efland, out of San Francisco; Randy Haney, out of Northridge; Leslie Johnson, out of Ventura; and Michael Santos, out of San Diego; and will support new prospects and clients in the area.

Lescher is an experienced asset-based lending and factoring professional with over 20 years of diverse industry experience. He joins Crestmark from Austin Financial Services where he served as Executive Vice President. Prior to that, Lescher worked with several financial organizations in California, including US Bank, Business Alliance Capital, and Fremont Financial. He has proven experience as an innovator who develops efficient processes and strengthens financial performance. Lescher is active in many financial organizations, and has a BA, Business Administration – Management from California State University, San Bernardino.

Joining Lescher is Chanté Lafall, who also has over 20 years of experience in asset-based lending. Lafall and Lescher previously worked together at Austin Financial Services, where she served as Operations Manager for three years. Prior to that, she worked at Business Alliance Capital where she was instrumental in developing the policies and procedures of the West Coast Division operations.

"It is great news to have Tom and Chanté join Crestmark as we embark on this significant addition," said Haney. "Crestmark has been steadily increasing its California footprint, and the office will give us the ability to provide more financial solutions to help the diverse small- to medium-sized business marketplace in California. We are eager to see what these changes will bring."

"We are excited about this opportunity, and look forward to making a significant impact in the marketplace," said Lescher. "The time is right, and we feel that having the expertise of the extended Crestmark team will be very beneficial."

About Crestmark: Crestmark (www.crestmark.com) is a nationally known and respected FDIC-insured bank that provides innovative financial solutions for small- to medium-sized businesses. Financing solutions include asset-based lending, accounts receivable financing, lines of credit, factoring, and equipment financing. Crestmark finances most business-to-business companies, and has extensive experience in helping many industries including transportation, manufacturing, staffing, petrochemical, government contracting, apparel and furniture manufacturing. Headquartered in Michigan, with offices in Florida, Louisiana, Tennessee, New York, Alabama, California, Illinois, Ohio, Maryland, North Carolina,and Texas.

SOURCE Crestmark