An SBA Partner To Rely On

The SBA process can be daunting.
We’re here to help.

SBA lending is stressful for borrowers and lenders alike, and Lyra has first-hand experience dealing with both sides of the process. 

Lyra President and CEO Shannon Jefferson first encountered the SBA lending process as a borrower, seeking a loan on behalf of a fast-growing, Philadelphia-based energy company where she worked as an executive. Her challenges in confronting a byzantine process led her to change careers so she could help banks more readily provide other growing businesses with needed financing.

SBA loans are a wonderful way to enable banks to support entrepreneurship and economic growth without taking on unwanted risk—but the process is difficult, and I wanted to make it safer and easier.

Shannon Jefferson, President and CEO at Lyra

Lyra’s team can also empathize with the bank’s perspective. Executive VP Kim Tulio spent 20 years as an in-house SBA lending leader at two community banks before joining Lyra in 2016. 

Lyra has processed thousands of SBA loans totaling $1.4 billion on behalf of dozens of financial institutions since launching in 2009.

“Lyra is a natural extension of our lending team,”

Jerry Trout, Senior VP and Lending Manager at Juniata Valley Bank, PA

Each of Lyra’s team members possesses extensive SBA lending experience:

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Shannon Jefferson

Shannon Jefferson
President & CEO

Shannon loves SBA lending because: “Growing up, I worked at my parents’ store and saw the benefit we provided to our community. I love helping other entrepreneurs get the funding they need to bring their own dreams to life and serve their communities in the process.”

Fun fact: Shannon solo-hiked the Long Trail, a 272-miles hike that winds through Vermont’s Green Mountains.

Kim Tulio

Kim Tulio
Executive Vice President

Kim loves SBA lending because “small businesses are the backbone of this great county, with owners who are passionate about what they do. Their passion inspires me to want to help them start, grow and succeed in their business.”

Fun fact: Kim was married in Montana’s Glacier National Park in 2019. She’s an avid horseback rider, and she and her husband have a pitbull named Dozer.

Stephanie Kelly

Stephanie Kelly
Loan Processing Manager

Stephanie loves SBA lending because: “it provides opportunities for lenders to build strong community relationships and help small businesses to meet their goals and excel.”

Fun fact: Stephanie is a music lover who frequently attends concerts with her family. She met her husband while he was working as a touring musician.

Susan Amick

Susan Amick
Loan Processing Manager

Sue loves SBA lending because: “I believe we thrive with the help of our communities, and by supporting a small business, you’re supporting your local community.”

Fun fact: Sue loves cooking, both for family and friends, and also as part of a food cart business she operates with her husband in Portland, Oregon.

Jo Lynn Entzminger

Jo Lynn Entzminger
Loan Servicing Manager

Jo Lynn loves SBA lending because: “There is joy in seeing small businesses grow and succeed. I love knowing that those small businesses are putting money back into their local communities, as well as providing jobs.”

Fun fact: Jo Lynn has visited all 50 U.S. States, as well as 12 different countries. Much of her U.S. Travel occurred during a four-year stretch when she lived in an RV.

Page McDaniel

Page McDaniel
SBA Lending Analyst

Page loves SBA lending because: “I come from a family of small business owners—my mom had a jewelry store, and my grandfather ran a small chain of bookstores. I saw their dedication and long hours first-hand, and realize how challenging it is to thrive.”

Fun fact: Page has completed several marathons, including the New York City Marathon.