Washington Federal launches franchise finance division

Washington Federal has launched a formal Franchise Finance Division focused on helping established restaurant franchisees secure funding for their businesses. The division is being led by industry veteran Marisa Felker, who will work from the Arizona Regional Headquarters office in Scottsdale and oversee the program across Washington Federal’s eight-state footprint. 

“In recent years the restaurant franchise industry has been growing approximately 6% per year, and it is currently a $256 billion industry with no signs of slowing,” said Mike Brown, Arizona Regional President of Washington Federal. “While Washington Federal has been involved in helping franchisees for decades, with the addition of Marisa’s expertise, the time felt right to launch our own platform to help these businesses reach full potential.”

Over her 25-year career, Felker has served as a leader in franchise funding and also brings expertise in the areas of private banking and portfolio management. She has worked in leadership roles with both CitiCapital and GE Capital in franchise finance. Felker holds a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from Southern Illinois University. She earned her Master’s degree in International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

SCS Engineers expands Phoenix office

SCS Engineers is expanding the firm’s Phoenix, Arizona office to meet the growing demand for regional environmental consulting and engineering business and technical solutions. The most recent hires include Jesse Riddle, a senior landfill gas technician, and Norma Meza, handling the office’s regional outreach. 

Riddle provides clients with landfill gas monitoring and other related environmental monitoring services, helping them reduce operational costs. He also oversees landfill gas construction projects providing CQA expertise. He previously served as the landfill gas construction foreman for a large public solid waste services company for 10 years.

Meza creates outreach materials for clients, both in the solid waste industry and for planners, developers, financial, and insurance businesses requiring due diligence, or that may be involved in brownfields and landfill redevelopment. She also supports the identification of industry trends and provides analyses for SCS. 

“Jesse and Norma are dynamic additions to our team and will help SCS Engineers continue to bring valuable environmental solutions to our new and existing clients. Jesse brings hands-on expertise in field technical services and Norma to the outreach and communications arena,” said Randy Bauer, project director, and manager of SCS Engineers in Arizona and New Mexico.

“I’m excited about my career move to SCS Engineers,” said Riddle. “I look forward to helping our clients meet their goals with an environmental consulting company that emphasizes safety first for clients, employees, and the public.”

“SCS Engineers has a long history in the Valley providing critical environmental solutions to public and private entities,” said Meza. “I am here to help SCS improve our current outreach to increase public awareness about safety, technology, and integrated solid waste management.”

Chris Northrop joins Johnson Financial Group

Brian McKay, Vice President – Mortgage Regional Production Manager in Arizona announced that Chris Northrop has joined the company as Vice President – Mortgage Sales Manager in Arizona.

Northrop’s primary responsibility is to grow and strengthen the bank’s mortgage presence by adding a team of mortgage loan officers. He will be located at Johnson Bank’s Gainey location.

Northrop comes to Johnson Bank with 17 years of experience in both mortgage and private banking. Most recently, he served at Compass Bank for ten years. He is also a Certified Wealth Strategist®.