On this episode of  In Good Companies, we’re talking business beginnings—the things you can do to prepare for what’s ahead. Guests Alan Thomes (Managing Director of SBA Banking, Cadence Bank) and Allan Adams (State Director, University of Georgia SBDC) join us to discuss bulletproof business plans, funding options, and developing relationships with key stakeholders. Together, we’ll uncover key resources, like expert consultation (for free!) from the Small Business Development Center and low-risk loans through the Small Business Administration. You’ll learn who you need to talk to and how to avoid the pitfalls of overexcited entrepreneurship. Read the full show transcript.

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Meet the Host

Patrick Pacheco, Executive Vice President, Trust Executive, has more than 25 years’ experience in wealth management, in addition to the designing and implementation of tax and related planning strategies.

Pacheco’s background includes years of legal practice and multiple degrees, including an LLM* Taxation from University of Houston, a JD from Southern Methodist University, and both an MBA and BS in Economics from University of Texas at Arlington.

He is also board certified in Estate Planning and Probate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Meet the Speakers

Alan Thomes, EVP, Managing Director of SBA Banking, has over 20 years of lending experience with over 10 years of SBA-specific experience. Prior to his role as Managing Director of SBA Banking at Cadence Bank, Thomes served as President of SBA Banking and the North Fulton/Gwinnett Market President at State Bank. He is a graduate of the Graduate School of Banking at LSU and also completed Regions Bank’s Commercial Credit School in Birmingham.

Thomes holds the Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) designation for treasury management. He previously served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Banker’s Association as the President of the Leadership GBA Executive Committee.

Thomes is also a graduate of the Leadership North Fulton program and a former board member of the Greater North Fulton Chamber of Commerce.

Allan Adams, State Director at The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center, has served with the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center in several capacities. These include roles with the Minority Business Division, the International Trade Division, and the Rural Economic Development Program, as well as serving as Associate State Director.

Additional experience includes positions as an Associate Director at the Carl Vinson Institute of Government and as a staff member in both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives.

He is a member of the Georgia Economic Developers Association and the National Association of Small Business Development Centers.

*Cadence Bank does not provide legal, accounting or tax advice to any client who receives trust services from Cadence Bank.

This podcast is provided as a free service to you and is for general informational purposes only. Cadence Bank makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content in the podcast. The podcast is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice and should not be relied upon for such purposes. To the extent that this podcast includes predictions about the economy, these predictions are subject to a number of variables and you should confer with your legal, accounting and tax advisors for their input regarding the possible outcomes of any economic subject matter discussed herein.