Board & Staff

Staff

Inna Kinney, Founder and CEO

Inna Kinney is Founder and CEO of the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI), a Central Ohio based community development non-profit, established in 2004 with offices in Columbus, Ohio. Ms. Kinney’s experience with fundraising and management provided the foundation for the development of ECDI as an organization that impacts the community.

ECDI’s work in Ohio focuses on small business development, home ownership, post secondary education and access to capital for all. Through its micro-loan certification from the U.S. Small Business Administration and a status as a Community Development Financial Institution through the U.S. Department of Treasury ECDI is a leader in micro-lending with a portfolio of over $10 million. ECDI is funded by over 30 local, state and national governmental and private sources.

As CEO of ECDI her responsibilities center around supporting the long-term sustainability of the organization. Specific responsibilities include: setting the vision and strategic direction, fundraising, fiscal oversight and education of policy makers.

In addition to her duties as CEO of ECDI, Ms. Kinney serves the community as part of many local and national boards. Her board experience has been with the following organizations; Association for Enterprise Opportunity (a national membership organization supporting microenterprise development) and Microenterprise National Advisory Council, the United Way and Columbus Foundation Immigrant and Refugee Capacity Building Initiative Steering Committee; United Way Women Leadership Council, the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives Advisory Council; Huntington Bank Advisory Council; Ohio Refugee and Immigrant Advisory Committee.

Inna’s passion for economic development began in 1974 as she and her family became the first family resettled in Columbus from the former Soviet Union. Despite being new to the country and having limited English proficiency, Ms. Kinney’s family was able to achieve the American dream by starting a family business. She continues to teach these values through her work at ECDI and through her 3 children.

Her education at Ohio State University focused on international business, finance and economics. Inna is fluent in 3 languages. Both Inna and ECDI have been recognized on a national level as leaders in micro-enterprise development.

Steve Fireman, President

As an accomplished entrepreneur, Mr. Fireman has taken his experience and success as a business founder and owner to the non-profit world, where he currently serves as the President and General Counsel of the Economic and Community Development Institute (ECDI). Additionally, Mr. Fireman focuses his practice on representing and counseling small business clients.

Mr. Fireman has used his success in risk management and strategic planning to form his own company, Supreme Title Agency. His expertise took the company from infancy to profitability in six months, increasing the bottom line by 40% in just three years. He was also able to build MidAmerican Finance & Home Equity from $600,000 in mortgages per month to $6 million monthly during his tenure as CEO. His management experience includes oversight of retail and wholesale operations, strategic planning, marketing, secondary marketing, sales, investor relations, vendor relationships, loan processing, underwriting, closing and funding. In addition, he managed six Division Managers.

Mr. Fireman has served as ECDI’s Board of Directors for the past five years as Board Chair, and most recently, as a Director. He has been able to apply his success in the business world to help ECDI better serve current entrepreneurs through ECDI’s lending department. Additionally, Mr. Fireman has helped to direct ECDI’s vision, overseeing its development and ensuring that its programs continue to meet the needs of the community.

Mr. Fireman is a member of the Ohio and Columbus Bar Associations, American Corporate Counsel Association (ACCA), Mortgage Bankers Association and served on the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and Directions for Youth.

Jerome Jones, VP of Lending

Jerome W. Jones joined ECDI in June 2011 as VP of Lending. Prior to joining ECDI Jerome served as the Vice President of Business Services at Telhio Credit Union where he was responsible for the business loan department. He was also a Vice President of Community Development Lending for Key Bank and a senior loan officer for Community Capital Development Corp. Jones is also very active in the central Ohio community, serving on the United Way of Central Ohio Finance Committee and the City of Columbus Loan Review Committee, as well as serving as a board member of the Columbus Urban League. Jones is also a certified Economic Development Finance professional and attended Jackson State University and is a graduate of Franklin University. He resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Elnetta and two children.

Donna Kates, Chief Financial Officer

Donna Kates joined ECDI in January 2011 as Chief Financial Officer, bringing nearly 30 years of financial executive experience in non-profits. At ECDI, Donna is responsible for oversight of ECDI finances, ensuring compliance with funders, managing accounts receivable/payable, processing of payroll, program budgeting, strategic planning, and fiscal reporting and portfolio management.

Prior to joining ECDI, Donna was the Vice President of Finance and CFO of Isles, Inc., a community development non-profit organization based in Trenton, New Jersey. At Isles, Inc., she managed an annual operating budget in excess of $10 million. She established reporting mechanisms to facilitate departmental management of budgets, developed accounting policies that increased protection of corporate assets, and coordinated the annual audit. Before her tenure at Isles, Donna spent 25 years as Vice President of Finance, then CFO, of the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (AAHPERD).”

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Matthew Shad, VP of Development and New Initiatives

Mr. Shad joined ECDI in October 2011 as Vice President of Development and New Initiatives. In this role, he manages the internal operations within ECDI, and will be instrumental is developing new programming opportunities and funding resources going forward for the organization. Matt has served as a volunteer and Board Member from 2004-2011, and witnessed first-hand the powerful influence that ECDI’s programs have had on thousands of people in the Columbus Region. Mr. Shad brings a wealth of economic development experience to the organization. He has been in public service for 18 years in the Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus Regions. Locally, his experience includes positions with Franklin County Economic Development where he served as an early funder for ECDI’s revolving loan fund and as Deputy of Administration for the City of Whitehall, a community that has worked closely with ECDI initiatives. Mr. Shad has a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning from the University of Cincinnati and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Dayton School of Law. He is a certified urban planner and a licensed lawyer in Ohio.

Bob Kramer, Director of Food Safety and Food Services

Bob Kramer joined ECDI’s team in July 2010 as Director of Food Services and Food Safety. He is responsible for planning, managing and developing the Community Food Incubator and Bakery and Food Cart Commissary. Bob also administers technical food safety assistance to clients and teaches ECDI’s Level 1 Food Safety training course. Furthermore, he identifies potential partner organizations for ECDI’s programs and services and recruits clients for the Growing Entrepreneurs Initiative.

Bob brings to ECDI more than 30 years of experience with Columbus Public Health. For 12 of those years, he served as Supervisor of the Food Safety Program. Bob is a registered Sanitarian with the State of Ohio and served as Health Commissioner with the City of Bexley.

He has been a member of the YMCA for 35 years and enjoys running in his spare time.

Bob directs ECDI’s training, supporting ECDI’s clients who are pursuing Individual Development Accounts and/or loans, and the Growing Entrepreneurs Initiative, which he helped to create. The Growing Entrepreneurs Initiative is a broad public-private sector partnership that provides incubation facilities, training, networking, and technical assistance for food entrepreneurs and a wide variety of entrepreneurs in other industries and professions.

Pat Peakes, Director of Asset Development

ECD-29-of-78 Pat brings to ECDI more than 25 years as an administrative professional, with substantial experience in project coordination and management. Most recently, she served as Project Coordinator for JP Morgan Chase, contracting in Infrastructure & Operations and coordinating problems through resolution on a national project installing new technology. Furthermore, Pat acted as a liaison between users, and technical team leads to mitigate risks and ensure corporate standards were being met.

Hussam Al-Taie

Hussam Al-Taie joined ECDI in 2011 as an Asset Development Coach. In this role, Mr. Al-Taie provides case management for ECDI’s Individual Development Account program. Prior to joining ECDI, Mr. Al-Taie was involved in construction management for engineering projects, supervising the construction of clinics, police stations, and industrial complexes. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Building and Construction Engineering from the University of Technology in Baghdad, Iraq.

Billy Karmia, Lending and Sales Coordinator

Billy Billy Karmia joined ECDI’s team in 2008, bringing more than 15 years of sales and promotions experience. As the Lending and Sales Coordinator, he is deeply involved in community outreach, representing the organization at Chamber of Commerce functions and networking events. Billy represents the Growing Entrepreneurs Business Incubation Initiative at Pearl Alley Market, and in managing ECDI’s outreach network, is also engaged in promotion of the IDA and microenterprise development departments.

Ellen Harvey, Business Developer

ellen Ellen Harvey started her lending career directly out of high school with Beneficial Finance Company’s Accelerated Management Program. She later started her own company, Vision Mortgage Consulting, LLC. Most recently, Ms. Harvey served as an Outside Mortgage Loan Originator for Fifth Third Bank. She has a total of 17 years in the banking industry.

Ms. Harvey joined ECDI in January 2010, bringing her lending expertise and her experience as a small business owner. As a Lending Advisor, Ms. Harvey is responsible for client outreach and small business loan development. She reaches out to the community by attending and speaking at Chamber of Commerce events, churches, seminars and other community functions. She also works directly with microloan applicants, guiding them through the underwriting process.

Ms. Harvey is a board member of ATHENAPowerLink and a member of National Association of Women Business Owners. Additionally, she served as ECDI's representative to the Central Ohio Minority Business Association's (COMBA) lending roundtable. ECD-5-of-78

Evelyn Ebert, Development and Communications Manager

Evelyn Ebert joined ECDI in May 2010. As the Development and Communications Manager, she works to produce consistent branding for the overall organization and its programs and maintains the website, developing both traditional marketing avenues as well as social media strategies. Additionally, Evelyn designs ECDI’s print media and cultivates media relationships to maximize the organization’s community impact and visibility.

She comes from a social media and public relations background, previously interning with the Columbus Social Media Network and studying journalism and PR in graduate school at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Evelyn received dual B.A. degrees in French and Linguistics from the Ohio State University, while fostering a passion for Columbus’ underserved populations through community volunteer roles. She is thrilled to return to Columbus and work for economic justice at ECDI.

Evelyn enjoys cycling, vegetarian cooking, and travel.

Elisa Cooke, Portfolio Compliance Officer

Elisa Cooke joined ECDI in May 2011 as a Legal Intern within the Lending Department, after completing her first year of law school at DePaul University College of Law in Chicago, IL. By August 2011, she became a full time ECDI employee, working as the Portfolio Compliance Officer within the Lending Department and officially became a permanent Columbus resident. Within the Lending Department, Elisa is responsible for coordinating all the paperwork associated with the business of providing small-business loans, ensuring that it is as complete and accurate as possible. Elisa’s diverse work history of customer service positions within a variety of industries has prepared her for the continuing adventures of working with small-business clients and the myriad challenges they face. She considers herself lucky to be a part of an organization which does so much to directly benefit so many small businesses throughout Ohio.

Elisa received a B.A. in History and a B.F.A in Art History from Montana State University – Bozeman. She is continuing her legal education here in Columbus, enrolled in the evening program at Capital University Law School.

Jackie Elizondo, Executive Assistant

ECD-4-of-78 Jackie Elizondo holds the position of Executive Assistant and is the Human Resource contact at ECDI. Jackie joined ECDI in February 2008 as Accounts Payable / Accounts Receivable coordinator. Before joining ECDI Jackie worked for the Federal government in Canada at the U.S. Embassy. Jackie was excited when she was given the opportunity to join ECDI and work for a non-profit organization. She feels privileged that she is able to have a career that allows her to help the community. Outside of work, Jackie enjoys relaxing and spending time with her twin teenage boys (as much as teenage boys allow you to relax).

Kathy Brown, Cost Accountant and Compliance

kathy Kathy joined ECDI in September 2007 as Cost Accountant. She is responsible for billing and expenditure reports, and collaborates with other members of the fiscal staff on budgets and forecasts. Furthermore, she works with funders and accountants for program and company audits and assists with payroll and program cost allocations.

Kathy brings to ECDI more than 15 years of professional accounting experience, previously working for the State of Ohio Department of Public Safety as an Account Examiner, working for ADP as a Senior Funds Operations Specialist, and for Chase Bank in their marketing and finance department.

Luz Jaramillo, Asset Development Coach

Luz Luz “Lucy” E. Jaramillo joined ECDI to apply her past experience in dealing with the Latino community, to strengthen the organization’s outreach efforts, and bring its programs to Hispanic homebuyers and small business owners. Her duties as a program advisor include orientations, guidance and interpretations for Spanish speakers when completing the required documentation for program enrollment.

Lucy’s past work experience is very diverse and it has facilitated her job performance since she has always been involved with “people’s issues.” While living in New York and Florida, she held various work positions within the import and export industry, where she dealt with international and domestic commerce, banking issues, U.S. customs and free zone’s procedures and practices.

She started her career in the real estate business as a loan officer and is currently a licensed realtor and a certified notary public. She has been associated with various realty brokers such as Remax, Her Real Living and Century21.

Lucy also has obtained her property and casualty insurance license and volunteers some of her time and knowledge to various organizations such as The Ohio Hispanic Coalition and The United Way EITC tax preparation program. She is also a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), The Latino Housing Advocacy Committee, The National Association of Realtors (NAR) and The Columbus Board of Realtors (CBR).

Lucy is fluent in Spanish and English. Her hobbies include traveling, outdoor activities, arts and music.

Versión Español

Catherine Feerick, Business Developer

Catherine Feerick joined ECDI in October 2011 as a Business Development Officer. In this role she underwrites financing projects while assisting entrepreneurs in building a strong foundation for success. Prior to joining ECDI, Catherine served as Loan Officer at the Ohio Department of Development where she was responsible for administering the Innovation Ohio Loan Fund, a commercialization fund for early stage technology companies. Catherine volunteers with Local Matters and Consider Biking and enjoys attending local music and comedy performances. Catherine holds a Masters degree in City and Regional Planning from Ohio State and a Bachelor of Arts from Loyola University Chicago.

Melissa Goss, Bookkeeping Specialist

Lynn Stan, Accounts Payables and Receivables Coordinator

Lynn Stan joined ECDI’s team in July 2010, and serves as the Accounts Payables and Receivables Coordinator. Through her involvement at BalletMet, Leo Yassenoff Jewish Center, CBG Biotech, Edward M. Stan & Associates and Midwest Photo Exchange, Lynn brings to ECDI years of working in both the non-profit and for-profit business arenas. In addition to living in Olde Towne East, and being involved in their neighborhood association (OTENA), Lynn is very involved in the Hot Times Community Music & Arts Festival, held each September in Olde Towne, and this spring Lynn is helping Easton mount a 2011 Farmers' Market.

Steve Brady, Director of Business Operations

Steve joined ECDI in January of 2011 and comes with over 20 years of experience in the IT and retail environment. Before joining ECDI, Steve worked at Abercrombie & Fitch as the Director of Application Development. He was a member of the IT Leadership team, and a member of the IT Architect team. Initially responsible for Store Systems, Steve played a major role in increasing the number of A&F domestic stores from 150 to over 1000 locations. Prior to his 10 years at Abercrombie, he worked in retail at Mercantile Stores and spent 13 years at IBM.

Steve enjoys the outdoors, staying active and is looking forward to the challenges at ECDI.

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Melissa joined ECDI in May of 2011 as Bookkeeping Specialist. She is responsible for various accounting and reconciliation functions, includingaccounts payable, monthly bank reconciliations, assisting with grant reports, and maintaining loan databases. Before joining ECDI, Melissa worked as a finance assistant at the Social Science Research Council in Brooklyn, NY. She has also worked as a data entry clerk for the Ohio Public Defender. Melissa is excited to be back in Columbus and working for an organization committed to economic development.