Summary:
- Peachtree Group named Zach Chandler SVP of government lending strategy.
- He was SVP of government-guaranteed lending at Thomas USAF Group.
- He will lead strategy and business development for government lending platform.
Zach Chandler is now Peachtree Group’s senior vice president of strategy for government lending. He will oversee the company’s government lending platform, including programs backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other federal loan programs.
He joins Peachtree from Thomas USAF Group, a major originator of USDA and SBA loans, where he served as SVP of government-guaranteed lending, Peachtree said in a statement. He expanded the firm’s lending capabilities, built borrower relationships and aligned growth strategies with financial partners.
“Zach’s leadership and experience in the government-guaranteed lending space will be instrumental as we continue to scale our platform,” said Greg Friedman, Peachtree’s managing principal and CEO.
At Thomas USAF, he served as vice president and commercial loan officer, overseeing loan origination, credit evaluation and client relationships. He led due diligence and underwriting for middle-market borrowers and structured financing across industries.
Friedman said adding the USDA Business & Industry Loan Program expands the company’s ability to provide long-term financing in smaller and underserved markets where bank lending has declined.
“Integrating USDA lending into our broader credit platform expands our reach, diversifies our capital solutions and allows us to support borrowers across the full spectrum of commercial real estate and operating businesses,” he said.
Peachtree is acquiring First Western SBLC Inc., doing business as PMC Commercial Trust, a Dallas direct lender of SBA 7(a) loans. The closing is subject to SBA approval and other standard conditions.
Atlanta-based Peachtree is led by Friedman; Jatin Desai, managing principal and CFO and Mitul Patel, principal.
