Meet Our Team
Get to know our team of thoughtful and relationship-focused advisors.
Who we are
We are an experienced team of relationship-oriented advisors who provide customized lending solutions to meet our clients' unique needs. We're experts at providing flexible financing structures and are thoughtful about understanding the challenges of middle-market businesses. We strive to create solutions that work for our customers' immediate needs as well as future opportunities.
We support success stories
From a senior lender perspective, we pride ourselves on being thoughtful, patient and extremely involved. We'll serve as a trusted advisor for your business beyond the term of the loan. We're here to partner with equipment finance and asset-based lenders to support their long-term success.
Get to know our customer-focused bankers below.

Norb Schmidt
Executive Vice President, Director of Cadence Business Finance
Atlanta, GA 30309
As Executive Vice President and Director of Cadence Business Finance, Norb Schmidt oversees the strategic development, growth, and profitability of customized asset-based financing solutions. His role provides oversight to the Cadence Business Finance team. The CBF team works with middle market companies to leverage a broad range of assets - working capital assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, and longer-term assets comprising machinery, equipment, and real estate, to fund future growth. Norb has been with Cadence Bank since 2011.
Previously, Norb served as the Director Team Lead in Portfolio Management and Underwriting responsible for moving all deals from “prospect” to “closed and funded.” Utilizing a team approach, he designed and implemented a de novo Commercial Finance platform focusing on strong customer support and innovative financial products. Norb is an active senior member of the Secured Finance Network, Turnaround Management Association and Associations for Corporate Growth.
Stacey Alatis is the Senior Managing Director for Cadence Business Finance. Stacey has been with Cadence Bank since 2012. He serves as the EVP, supporting the Director of Business Finance as a seasoned financial and operating professional. Previously, Stacey’s roles included extensive Asset Based Lending, Leveraged Cash Flow and Commercial Lending experience with domestic and foreign financial institutions in charge of new loan onboarding. Stacey is an active senior member of the Secured Finance Network, Turnaround Management Association and Associations for Corporate Growth.
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John Cannon
Executive Vice President, Head of Portfolio Management
Atlanta, GA 30309
John Cannon is the Managing Director, Head of Portfolio Management for Cadence Business Finance. John has been with Cadence Bank since 2021. He serves as the EVP, supporting Cadence Business Finance as an accomplished lending professional, offering 21 years of experience in loan operations, underwriting and account management. Previously, John’s roles included extensive strengths in risk assessment and mitigation strategies for middle-market companies in both performing and distressed situations.

Arnita Lewis
Senior Vice President, Operations Manager
Atlanta, GA 30309
Arnita L.Lewis is the SVP, Operations Manager for Cadence Business Finance. Arnita has been with Cadence Bank since 2013. Prior to, Arnita served as the VP, Operations Team Lead in charge of New Loan onboarding, Operational processes and Fee Income, and Senior Collateral Analyst, providing funding needs and customer customer to Asset Based Lending clients.

Megan Lott
Managing Director, Head of Underwriting
Atlanta, GA 30309
Megan Lott is the Head of Underwriting for Cadence Business Finance. Megan has been with Cadence Bank since 2015. With over 20 years in the industry, Megan has previously served in roles including Portfolio Manager, Underwriter and Field Examiner.

Mostafa Aly
Managing Director, Originations
Houston, TX 77027
Mostafa Aly is the Business Developer for Cadence Business Finance in East Texas and surrounding regions, helping businesses address their working capital needs through asset based lending solutions. Mostafa has been with Cadence Bank since 2015. Prior to ABL, Mostafa served as the Program Supervisor in charge of credit analyst training, Workout Relationship Manager, and Portfolio Manager. He's an active member of SFNet and TMA.
Jim Johnson is a Business Developer for Cadence Business Finance. Jim has been with Cadence Bank since 2019. Prior to joining Cadence, He served in various management capacities for twenty-five years. Jim started his career as a commercial lender, prior to his specialization in Asset Based Lending. With two asset-based lending organizations, Jim helped start De Nova Lending operations and grew successful lenders. In addition to his roles in business development, he has held the positions of Underwriting Manager, Regional Manager and Chief Credit Officer. He is an active member of ACG, TMA and AM&AA. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

David Ellington
Managing Director, Originations
Atlanta, GA 30309
David Ellington is a Managing Director for Cadence Business Finance. David has been with Cadence Bank since 2019. Prior to, David served as a Director of Originations and Vice President in the Underwriting team. David is an active member of the Secured Finance Network, Turnaround Management Association and Associations for Corporate Growth. He currently serves as Vice President of the Board for the SFNet Emerging Leaders. David holds an accounting degree from Furman University and earned an MBA from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business.

Oz Lindley
Managing Director, Originations
Atlanta, GA 30309
Oz Lindley is a Managing Director of Business Development for Cadence Business Finance. Oz has been with Cadence Bank since 2021. Prior to joining Cadence, He served in various management capacities with PNC, RBS, Capital Sources, Summit and Comerica Bank(s). He is an active member of SFNet, TMA and AM&AA.

Steven Janson
Managing Director, Originations
Charlotte, NC 28277
Steven Janson is a Managing Director of Business Development based in Charlotte, NC for Cadence Business Finance. He has been with Cadence since 2022. He has over 25 years of corporate finance and lending experience and holds an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh and a B.A. in Economics from Virginia Tech. Steven has been recognized with business development awards from three prior lending institutions. He currently serves as the President of the Carolina's Chapter of the TMA and is an active member with the ACG and SFNet.
Mark Buren is a Business Development Officer for Cadence Business Finance. Mark has been with Cadence Bank since 2023. Prior to joining Cadence, he had similar roles with AloStar Capital Finance, CIBC, Wells Fargo and CIT. Mark is an active member of the TMA and SfNet.