Amplio Economic Development Corporation’s Board of Directors has named Brian McDonald as the company’s new CEO. In this role, McDonald will provide strategic leadership for the development and achievement of Amplio’s vision, mission and strategies, along with the annual goals and objectives necessary to carry them out. He will also be responsible for leading and supporting Amplio’s staff members as they continue to focus on superior service in preparing and closing SBA loan packages as well as maintaining the health of Amplio’s loan portfolio.
McDonald was selected after an in-depth search process that stretched over six months. Before joining Amplio, he worked at the Small Business Administration (SBA) for more than a decade, most recently serving as the district director for the SBA’s Minnesota district office. In this role, McDonald led his team to facilitate SBA-backed loans, advocated for and provided small businesses with opportunities in federal contracting, and worked to improve and strengthen small business growth across Minnesota. He has also worked in the SBA Headquarters Office of Entrepreneurial Development and for the U.S. Treasury’s CDFI Fund. McDonald holds a Master of Business Administration from Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business, as well as a bachelor’s degree from Syracuse University.
“Bringing Brian on board is a huge opportunity for Amplio and our customers,” says Wendy Ethen, chairperson for Amplio’s Board of Directors. “He brings strategic and visionary leadership attributes that – together with the experience of our existing staff – put Amplio in the position to grow into the successful organization we envision for the future.”
Amplio Economic Development Corporation is a nonprofit economic development organization serving small businesses in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Amplio is a Certified Development Company, certified by the U.S. Small Business Administration to provide SBA 504 loans, the SBA’s premier lending program for owner-occupied commercial real estate and equipment financing. Amplio also provides gap loans, makes referrals to other economic development loan programs and assists others in administering financial assistance. Amplio was founded in 1981 and has provided more than 1,300 SBA loans worth over $667 million.
