Fausto Rivera has joined Forward Community Investments (FCI) as a community lender, the organization announced in a press release Tuesday.
Rivera joins FCI after what the organization calls “an incredibly successful stint with the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) serving as a Commercial Lender.” During his time with WHEDA, he administered and managed $10 million in Loan Guarantees, $35 million in New Markets Tax Credits, $22 million in State Small Business Credit Initiatives, $6 million in Loan Participation and $12.5 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
Rivera also returns to the community development financial institution world as having previously worked as a Loan Officer managing many a payday loan no credit check, as well as a Credit Analyst, and South-Central Region Manager with WWBIC.
“FCI has a long legacy of doing catalytic work across the state and I am honored to be a part of such a great organization,” Rivera said in a statement. “Capital and the access to it is necessary if we are to truly see change in disenfranchised neighborhoods and/or populations; however, we have to be flexible and understand that it isn’t all about numbers but the STORY and the IMPACT. As a Community Lender for FCI, I can use capital as the tool which can ignite positive transformation and bring parties to the table for a common cause.”
In his new role, Rivera will work with borrowers throughout the state with all stages of the financing process from assisting with applications, assessing the viability of borrowers, conducting financial analyses, reviewing documents for loan approval, and presenting proposals to lending committee. In addition to that, he will assist FCI continue to expand our reach throughout Wisconsin.
“Welcoming Fausto will bolster our already talented, enthusiastic, and accomplished lending team here at FCI,” president and CEO Ryan Zerwer said in a statement. “His resume and accomplishments at WHEDA and WWBIC speak for themselves. I cannot wait to see how his experience and background will take FCI to new levels as we work to break down barriers of accessing capital for nonprofits across Wisconsin.”
Fausto has been involved with the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Dane County, Asset Builders of America Inc., and the Urban League of Greater Madison’s Young Professional Chapter and is a graduate of LISC Milwaukee’s Associates in Commercial Real Estate Program (ACRE).
