or hundreds of years, community banks in the Southeast have offered local customers something that bigger banks can't. Community bankers sit with customers and explore creative lending alternatives, looking beyond credit scoring to place value on relationships with borrowers and their standing in the community.
Experience that Builds a Strong Foundation
Christopher J. Elliott, founder of GLANDON Capital Group, has devoted his career to diligent, thorough risk management while never losing sight of his commitment to an exemplary customer experience. Chris holds the prestigious credit risk certified designation (RMA-CRC) from the Risk Management Association, and is highly adept at making the most of opportunities in a changing financial marketplace. Before giving into his entrepreneurial itch, he made a major impact on the commercial lending activities of several well-known financial services companies, including 11 years at RBC Centura organizations in both Atlanta and Charlotte. Since starting out in 1989, he has arranged more than $1 billion in all types of commercial loans...and has managed regional $1 billion banking centers in Charlotte and Atlanta. Like the community bankers and private equity investors he serves, Chris' life and career has also been enriched by extensive civic and community involvement.Brooks T. Battle joined GLANDON in July 2006 as managing partner and head of the firm's Atlanta office. Before joining Glandon, he spent time in both commercial lending and commercial real estate with internationally recognized companies. In Atlanta with RBC Centura, Mr. Battle focused on commercial real estate financing and was responsible for more than $300 million in acquisition and construction financing while also honing his credit skills in a global risk management environment. Prior to RBC, Mr. Battle was with Cushman & Wakefield both in Atlanta and New York. At C&W he assisted clients with designing and executing innovative techniques to acquire, dispose of or finance real estate.
Brooks A. Melton joined Glandon Capital Group in 2009 as Managing Director. Mr. Melton is a native of North Carolina with over fifteen years of financial services experience including: DeNovo Bank Formation, Capital Raising, Correspondent Banking, Special Assets, Commercial Real Estate Lending and C&I Lending. Prior to joining Glandon, Mr. Melton was responsible for developing the South Carolina market for Pacific Coast Bankers' Bank and its predecessor, United Partners Bank. Before setting out to start United Partners Bank, a Charlotte based correspondent bank, Mr. Melton spent a year with The Bankers Bank. There he purchased more than $50 million in participations and assisted 10 DeNovo banks during the organizational phase. Mr. Melton also spent over 5 years with Bank of America. His first assignment with Bank of America was Middle Market Special Assets where he resolved over $100 million in problem credits. His second assignment with Bank of America was Private Bank Risk Management where his team was responsible for a $1.5 billion portfolio and he exercised joint credit authority ranging from $10 million to $60 million depending on risk grade. Prior to Bank of America, Mr. Melton spent six years with BB&T where he began his banking career in the Management Development Program and built a $75 million portfolio as a commercial lender in Charleston, SC. A graduate of Davidson College, Mr. Melton is married with three children. He serves on the Board of the Emergency Winter Shelter and as an Elder at First Presbyterian Church.
GLANDON's core banking and real estate finance capabilities are also greatly strengthened by a strategic partnership with First American Bank & Trust Company (www.fabathens.com), a closely-held community bank that celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2008. In addition to being an investor in GLANDON, First American provides us with state-of-the-art loan administration and loan-servicing support services that are so crucial to private equity investors. They are also part of our membership of community banks. To see how we fulfill our promise to "Do Quality Work," please contact us.