Meet the Sales Team

Anthony DiChiara

EVP, Head of Sales

Anthony and his team are fresh faces in the lower middle market independent finance world, where they use a relationship-oriented approach to creatively structure asset based credit facilities for lower middle market companies. Anthony’s background comprises extensive experience at leading banks and finance companies, including Wachovia Capital Finance, Merrill Lynch Capital, Heller Financial and Fleet Capital Corp., among others. He is active in the Secured Finance Network, Turnaround Management Association, and Association for Corporate Growth. When Anthony is not growing Gibraltar’s business, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, staying fit as an avid runner and following alma mater Notre Dame on the football field and hardcourt.

Direct: 224.235.4551
Email: adichiara@gibraltarbc.com
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Mike Conrad

SVP, East Region

Mike joined Gibraltar to open up the Charlotte office, where he is responsible for originating and executing new loan relationships in the East region. His is also focused on developing ongoing value-added relationships with restructuring advisors, investment bankers, private equity groups and other transaction-oriented professionals in his region. Prior to Gibraltar, Mike spent nearly 25 years in various originations roles with companies including Wells Fargo and Bank of America’s asset based financing and corporate investment banking groups. At Wells, he was instrumental in developing the private equity asset based direct originations effort. Mike and his wife have two sons. His family enjoys tennis, running, cooking and traveling. Mike graduated from Wake Forest and enjoys following Deacon sports and attending Carolina Panthers games.

Direct: 980.244.1376
Email: mconrad@gibraltarbc.com
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Scott Shapiro

SVP, West Region

In representing the West region for Gibraltar, Scott approaches every commercial financing request by first listening to his client’s needs and then structuring a credit facility accordingly. He brings 20 years of commercial finance experience to his role, having worked at both privately held and bank owned commercial finance companies. Scott is active in numerous industry trade organizations and a former board member of the Los Angeles Risk Management Association. He graduated from the University of California at Santa Barbara and currently resides in Palos Verdes with his wife and two children. When not helping clients with financing Scott enjoys golf, beach volleyball, and road cycling.

Direct: 310.921.9190
Email: sshapiro@gibraltarbc.com
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Tony Vassallo

SVP, Northeast Region

Tony brings over 25 years of asset-based lending experience to Gibraltar. He prides himself on providing honest and practical feedback to prospective clients and referral sources. He believes this is a major source of his success in developing close relationships with private equity groups, investment banks, debt advisory firms, restructuring professionals, accountants and attorneys. Tony developed his in-depth understanding of the many aspects of asset-based lending through positions in portfolio management, underwriting, and new business development. He has held these positions with top companies in the industry, including CIT Business Credit, BNY Financial Corporation/GMAC and Bank of America Business Capital. A graduate of St. John’s University in New York City, Tony is also a member of the Secured Finance Network, the Turnaround Management Association and the Association for Corporate Growth. In his free time, Tony enjoys spending time with family and attending concerts, baseball games and mixed martial arts events.

Direct: 917.860.7583
Email: avassallo@gibraltarbc.com
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Robin Oertel

SVP, Central Region

Robin possesses over 20 years of experience in the ABL industry at both regulated and non-regulated institutions including over 17 years at Wells Fargo Capital Finance and 7 years at Guaranty Business Credit (via acquisition of FINOVA and Fremont Financial). Robin’s experience across roles in field examination, relationship management, and business development allows her to create solutions that meet or exceed client and referral source expectations. Robin is an active member of the Turnaround Management Association and Association for Corporate Growth. Robin is originally from Northern Michigan and graduated from Ferris State University. Robin, her husband, and their three boys enjoy outdoor activities year-round including fishing, boating, gardening, baseball, and football.

Direct: 612.889.4301
Email: roertel@gibraltarbc.com
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Mark Pickering

SVP, Southeast Region

Since beginning his career with KPMG in New York, Mark has spent 25+ years working in the asset-based lending industry. His credit training and business experience in public accounting and the lending industry allow him to craft creative and effective marketing solutions for potential borrowers. Prior to joining Gibraltar, Mark spent the last decade as a business development officer for Ares Commercial Finance (and its predecessor First Capital). During his 25+ years of asset-based lending experience, Mark’s responsibilities have included marketing, underwriting, and portfolio management with Fleet Capital, Guaranty Business Credit, and Sun Trust Bank. A graduate of SUNY at Buffalo, he remains active with the Turnaround Management Association, the Association for Corporate Growth, and the Secured Finance Network. Mark and his wife live in Atlanta with their two children and dogs. When not helping Gibraltar achieve its new business growth goals, he is an avid golfer and enjoys traveling with his family and attending sporting events.

Direct: 404.849.3902
Email:mpickering@gibraltarbc.com
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Taylor Kennedy

VP, Southwest Region

Taylor is based in Dallas, TX, and is responsible for originating and executing new loan relationships in the Southwest region. Prior to Gibraltar, Taylor worked in the Corporate ABL Originations group at Wells Fargo Capital Finance, where he was responsible for structuring and underwriting new financing opportunities from private equity groups, turnaround advisors, investment banks, and internal business units. Prior to Wells Fargo, Taylor conducted business development for the oilfield services sector throughout Texas. Additionally, Taylor served in the United States Marine Corps for five years, completing combat tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Taylor earned his bachelor’s degree from Texas Christian University and his MBA from Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business. In his free time, Taylor enjoys going to concerts, traveling, attending Horned Frog football games, and training for endurance sports.

Direct: 903.746.4343
Email: tkennedy@gibraltarbc.com
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Diane Jankowski

VP, Loan Structuring Officer

Diane joined the Sales Team in 2018 with 25 years of experience in underwriting and relationship management from her tenure at JPM Chase Bank and GE Capital. She works closely with the Business Development Officers to understand prospective borrower operations in order to structure financing solutions to meet their liquidity needs. Diane is a graduate from Elmhurst College who later pursued her MBA in Finance. She also is a member of the Secured Finance Network. In her free time, Diane teaches yoga and is actively involved in several mental health and emotional wellness organizations.