Kimberly Brisky Named Managing Director of Communications and Engagement at SomerCor
August 19, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CHICAGO – SomerCor, Chicago’s leading Small Business Administration (SBA) Certified Development Company (CDC), is proud to announce the hiring of Kimberly Brisky as Managing Director of Communications and Engagement. Brisky is a public affairs professional with extensive experience in strategic communications, media relations, and external affairs. She joins SomerCor to further elevate the organization’s standing as a leading SBA lender and economic development resource.
“We are glad to welcome Kim to the team. Her proven ability to bring awareness to small business issues and success in coalition building are critical to enhancing our visibility and service in the region,†said Manny Flores, President and CEO of SomerCor. “The positive SomerCor track record speaks for itself. However, the addition of a senior communications professional will allow us to better engage the small business ecosystem, forge stronger partnerships with key stakeholders, and strengthen our brand in the SBA marketplace.”
Most recently, Brisky was the Director of Communications at the Small Business Advocacy Council (SBAC). During her tenure, the organization successfully ushered five bills into law on the state level and passed multiple Chicago code reforms. She created and led a comprehensive media and community engagement strategy that helped grow the SBAC’s visibility and impact, quickly transforming the organization into one of Illinois’ leading small business advocacy groups.
Prior to joining the SBAC, Brisky spent a decade working on Capitol Hill, where she served as a congressional aide to former Congressman Mark Kirk and later as a Deputy Chief of Staff to former Congressman Bob Dold. Brisky worked on a broad range of policy matters pertaining to small businesses and led Congressman Dold’s public engagement and communications strategy. Additionally, she held various leadership roles in several high-profile congressional campaigns. During her time in D.C., Brisky earned a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University.
“Advocating for greater access to capital for small businesses has been a common thread throughout my career, so I am very excited to join the team,” said Brisky. “SomerCor is undergoing a strategic growth plan that calls for enhanced engagement and communication with small businesses, lending partners and other critical constituencies, to make sure SomerCor is known as a trusted resource for small business lending and local economic development. I look forward to playing a leading role in this effort.”
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SomerCor is a Certified Development Company (CDC), a nonprofit corporation certified by the Small Business Administration (SBA). Founded in 1992, SomerCor provides capital to entrepreneurs throughout Illinois with a mission of business growth and job creation by offering SBA 504 loans in partnership with banks, credit unions and other lending institutions. SomerCor also facilitates and processes SBA 7(a) Community Advantage loans, City of Chicago Small Business Improvement Fund grants, and City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grants. SomerCor is committed to growing economic development opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs, employees and communities through partnerships with lending institutions and economic development agencies. SomerCor is ranked a Top 25 National CDC for SBA 504 loans and is Chicago’s largest 504 loan provider. It holds and services a loan portfolio in excess of $487 million, comprised of more than 965 loans to Illinois entrepreneurs. For more information visit www.somercor.com.
About the SBA 504 Loan Program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) developed the Certified Development Company/504 Loan Program (504 loan program) to promote economic development, create and retain jobs and meet certain additional public policy goals including providing capital to women, veteran and minority-owned businesses. The program helps lenders, such as national banks and federal savings associations provide eligible small businesses with long-term financing to acquire and improve major fixed assets for owner-occupied commercial real estate and heavy machinery. The program helps businesses by giving them access to long-term, fixed-rate financing with as little as 10 percent owner equity.
