SBA Names 2013 Washington state Financial Services Champion of the Year

SEATTLE – The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 2013 Washington state Financial Services Champion of the Year is Elizabeth Rusnak, vice president and senior loan officer, Northwest Business Development Association (NWBDA). The NWBDA is a Certified Development Company (CDC) licensed by SBA to help administer the SBA 504 Loan Program, which provides financing for the purchase of fixed assets like real estate, buildings and machinery at low, fixed interest rates.  

Rusnak, who lives in Kirkland, Wash., has been in the financial industry for more than 20 years. As a vice president and senior loan officer at NWBDA, she has worked beyond the duties of a small business lender. She has spent countless hours educating both lenders and the small business owner on the SBA 504 Loan Program process and initiates the entire SBA portion of the project. Her goal has always been to ensure the lender and small business owner are completely aware of how the program works for their specific project, and takes special effort in guiding them through the entire process. “I am honored to receive the SBA Financial Services Champion of the Year award for the second time,” Rusnak said. “I am so thankful the U.S. Small Business Administration relies on me to represent the SBA loan programs in the community and to be an advocate for the agency.”  

As a senior loan officer at NWBDA, she processed 27 SBA 504 loans worth more than $17 million last year. For these loan results, she was recognized by the NWBDA as the “Top Producer in Number of Loans” for 2012. “These impressive loan results mean more small businesses are receiving access to capital, which is a major goal for the SBA,” said Regional Administrator Calvin Goings. “Elizabeth
Rusnak is an invaluable resource to her clients – both the lender and the small
business owner.”  

Building on her networking partnerships has increased Rusnak’s reach into the small business owner/lender community. She has diligently worked to connect business owners with financing sources, thanks to her lending industry experience. “I regularly refer small business owners to other partners who can favorably impact their success,” Rusnak said.  

From amongst her peers, the SBA Seattle District Office has chosen Rusnak as an
outstanding financial services champion who puts her clients first. “Elizabeth
Rusnak’s dedication and commitment to her customers is second to none,” said SBA Seattle District Office Director Nancy Porzio. “The Seattle District Office is
thrilled to honor her for her accomplishment as the Financial Services Champion
of the Year.” 

Rusnak and other Washington state SBA award recipients will be recognized for their achievements at the 2013 SBA Annual Small Business Awards Gala May 9 at the Museum of Flight. For more information about Rusnak and the NWBDA, call her at (425) 286-6673 or email erusnak@nwbusiness.org. For more information about the SBA 504 Loan Program or the SBA Annual Small Business Awards Gala, call (206) 553-7310.