Staff & People

Nate joined SCCLF in 2021, and brings with him over 25 years’ experience in community development finance, 18 of which were serving as South State Bank’s Community Development Officer. Throughout his career, Nate has championed small business development and worked to advance equitable access to capital across South Carolina.

Nate holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of South Carolina and a Masters of Business Administration from Indiana University. He has long provided leadership as a member of the Board of Directors for organizations such as South Carolina Association for Community Economic Development, Columbia Housing Development Corporation, and Richland Library Board of Trustees, Together SC, and the SC Community Capital Alliance.

Nate lives in Columbia. He is an avid gardener and enjoys traveling and spending time with his grandchildren.

As President of SCCLF, Deborah plays a complimentary leadership role to the CEO to ensure highly-productive day to day management of the organization. She maintains general oversight of internal operations and work plans, and helps establish and execute organizational priorities.

Deborah has over 30 years of experience leading community development organizations and programs. She brings a depth of knowledge and experience in the CDFI industry having founded and served for 12 years as the President and CEO of Greenville Housing Fund, which later became CommunityWorks Carolina.

Deborah holds a Master’s degree in urban planning from Texas Southern University and a bachelor of arts in English from the University of South Carolina. She is also an alumna of Furman University’s Diversity Leadership Institute. Deborah currently serves on the boards of organizations such as SC Community Capital Alliance, SC Association for Community Economic Development, the SC Small Business Chamber of Commerce and the Greenville Chamber of Commerce Board of Advisors.

As Chief Financial Officer, Nancy is responsible for all of the organization’s financial matters including formulating and implementing policies and plans to meet the organization’s short and long-term financial objectives, as well as assuring adherence to all required compliance, regulation, and financial reporting required of SCCLF’s programs.

Nancy is an accomplished accounting and financial professional with significant expertise in leading the consolidation of 11 multi-currency subsidiaries through audits and tax filings. She has demonstrated an ability to streamline business operations through system migrations that help improve efficiency, drive growth and ultimately increase the bottom-line of the organization.

Nancy holds a MBA in Finance from NYU and a BSBA from Bucknell University where she majored in Accounting and minored in Art.

Menia joined SCCLF in 2022 as Grants and Investments Manager. She has over 29 years’ experience as a trained research administrator and business professional, with specific focus on key areas - grants/proposal development, project management/leadership, operations, compliance, and nonprofit governance.  Menia has been highly instrumental and successful in securing federal, state, and local grants, contracts and cooperative agreements.  She has served as a principal investigator, compliance specialist and technology specialist for several federal grant projects (United States Army Medical Research, National Institutes of Minority Health Disparities, and U.S. Department of the Interior). She has served on national grant review panels and is a certified grant writer. Menia holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Claflin University and a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Claflin University.

Brian Colclough is a seasoned banking professional with 13 years of experience in the financial industry. As the Chief Lending Officer for the SC Community Loan Fund, Brian plays a pivotal role in directing and managing the loan portfolio of the organization. His expertise lies in establishing effective procedures and strategies that promote the long-term growth and success of the company.

Throughout his career, Brian has demonstrated his proficiency in various areas of lending, including consumer and business lending, as well as merchant services. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge and insights gained from his experience working with major banks such as Wells Fargo, regional banks like First Citizens Bank and Synovus Bank, as well as credit unions.

Brian’s primary focus and specialty revolve around small business lending and banking. He has successfully managed the entire lending process, from initial application to final approval, ensuring exceptional customer service and compliance with regulatory requirements. His dedication to providing tailored financial solutions to small businesses has been instrumental in driving their growth and success.

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Brian is a graduate of Claflin University, where he acquired a solid foundation in finance and business. He has also demonstrated his commitment to personal and professional development through participation in prestigious programs such as the Columbia Chamber of Commerce Leadership Columbia Program and the Charleston Metro Chamber's Minority Board of Directors Training in 2023.

With his extensive industry knowledge, leadership acumen, and strong network, Brian fosters meaningful relationships with external stakeholders, including regulators, industry associations, and community groups. He actively contributes to developing and implementing the company's lending strategies, aligning them with broader organizational goals.

Brian Colclough’s passion for empowering small businesses, combined with his strategic vision and wealth of experience, make him a valuable asset to the SC Community Loan Fund and a trusted leader in the banking industry.

Allen joined SCCLF in 2023, bringing with him over 20 years of experience of assisting entrepreneurs start, grow, and fund their ventures. Prior to joining SCCLF, Allen served as the Midlands Coordinator and Business Consultant of the SC SBDC Columbia Area Center. Where he led the office to its best overall performance in recent history. His particular areas of interest/expertise are all things entrepreneurial finance, Business Model Development, Marketing and Sales, Business Valuation, and Exit Planning.

Allen Brown has long believed that entrepreneurship is a vehicle to create and transition wealth. The core of his work focuses on helping entrepreneurs of privately held businesses elevate their activities in order to get control of their companies while achieving their personal, business, and financial goals with a focus on creating transferable value.

Allen holds four (4) Bachelor of Science degrees from the University of South Carolina and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Finance from Webster University. He’s also a graduate of what is now Truist Bank, formerly BB&T’s Management Development Program.

Allen lives in Columbia. He is an avid reader and enjoys watching college basketball and spending quality time with his family, especially his grandchildren.

The quote that best expresses his philosophy toward work/life came from his wonderful wife of 20 years, Darlene, “Teamwork makes the dream work. If the dream isn’t working, it’s because the team isn’t working.”

How he defines success: Loving God, Loving People, Fulfilling My God Giving Call the way He Commands.

Tamera joins SCCLF as the Grants and Data Impact Manager. She has several years of experience serving non-profit communities including roles in global environmental conservation and local youth houselessness prevention programs. Tamera brings her expertise in both grants management and direct community service. She has received many accolades across her journey in the non-profit environment, namely a Letter of Commendation from the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office and an award from the Department of Homeland security for her work with survivors of human trafficking. She also served as the U.S Foundation and Grants representative for a global conference spanning 12 countries. Tamera holds a B.S in Psychology with a concentration in Human Services from the College of Coastal Georgia and continues to serve her community with diligence and passionate pursuit.

Kimberley Brown joined SCCLF in April of 2023 as Community Development Loan Officer and will be responsible for supporting the mission through ensuring the continued growth of SCCLF's loan portfolio across South Carolina. She will be based out of the Columbia office. Kimberley has over 15 years' experience in the banking industry and has held a wide range of positions with increasing responsibility at several financial institutions. She also earned her South Carolina real estate license prior to joining SCCLF. Kimberley is a native of Irmo, SC. She received her Associate and Bachelor degrees in Business Management and Business Administration from Midlands Technical College and Webster University, respectively.

As SCCLF's Staff Accountant, Majda supports the financial management and operations of the organization through the maintenance of loan accounting records, servicing of loans receivable, and by providing accounting support.

Majda graduated in May 2019 from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting with a minor in Finance. Previously, Majda worked for AgFirst Farm Credit Bank where she focused on lending to farmers in rural communities. While working in the Loan Accounting Department for AgFirst, she developed her accounting skills as well as an interest in nonprofit work and a desire to serve her community.

Greg Perry is a native of North Charleston, SC. Greg has spent his life seeking to be for others what he wishes someone would be for him if he found himself in that same circumstance. This is how serving his community became a vital part of who he is today. He started a nonprofit in 2009 to assist single moms with the necessities to enhance their everyday lives. He has served as a mentor, youth basketball coach, and adopted dad at schools for young boys. Additionally, Greg served as a volunteer Chaplain at the detention center in North Charleston, SC. Greg has a B.S. in Business Administration, M.S. in Higher Education, and graduate hours towards an MBA from The Citadel. He has worked as an educator in a middle school, taught a marketing course, and now he is currently a program manager of an entrepreneurial program at SC Community Loan Fund.

Christine Smith joined SCCLF in May of 2023 as a Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager and is responsible for closing and servicing SCCLF’s loan portfolio. She is based out of the Charleston office. Christine earned an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from SUNY Broome Community College and immediately went to work specializing in mortgages and real estate. She has over 30 years experience as a real estate paralegal. Christine brings to SCCLR her extended experience in handling many commercial and residential real estate transactions of all types from contract to close. Additionally, Christine obtained her NYS NMLS mortgage license and utilized that license and loan background as a loan originator at a community bank in NY.

Christine is a native of Binghamton, NY and moved to Charleston, SC in 2017. She enjoys working with people of our community and assisting them to accomplish their goals in real estate owning and mortgage loan borrowing.

As the Office Administrator, Rebeckah works with employees to ensure they have all the tools and resources needed to complete their everyday tasks. She also helps implement new ideas and processes to SCCLF.
Rebeckah started working in administration when she served 5 years in the Air Force. When she transitioned out of the military she continued working in the administrative field. She has experience working with systems and creating new systems that fit well within a company. She is currently working on getting her bachelor's degree in business administration to continue she growth in administration work here at SCCLF.

As SCCLF Executive Assistant, Martha is responsible for a wide range of executive support and administration tasks. She acts as a liaison and provides support to our Board and Committees.

Martha came to SCCLF after serving nine years as the Executive Assistant at CommunityWorks, Inc.
In addition to her direct experience providing executive support in the CDFI field, Martha was employed at Duke Energy Corporation for several years. While there, she provided human resource services through research, training, and development.