Darren Palestine

Managing Partner, Commercial Finance Partners

Biography:

Darren Palestine is the managing partner of Commercial Finance Partners, a Florida-based direct lender and loan consulting firm.  Prior to joining Commercial Finance Partners in 2016, Darren was previously the director of sales for Crossroads Financial, a nationwide asset-based lender focused on inventory and trade financing, from 2010-2016.  Commercial Finance Partners focuses on small business funding solutions, utilizing the company balance sheet, while also integrating outside capital sources if necessary to facilitate a funding.  Commercial Finance Partners focuses on accounts receivable, inventory, and equipment financing; offering both credit lines and term products to its customers.  Commercial Finance Partners is also an active SBA loan packager, with over $77 million of loans funded through SBA-backed lending institutions in 2018.  Darren attended the University of Florida, earning a master in international business in 2009.  

What advice would you offer to someone just starting out who wants to be a difference maker in their organization?

It’s important to have organizational buy-in. The company culture needs to foster creativity and out-of-the-box thinking – two areas I believe Commercial Finance Partners excels in.  Having the support of leadership, co-workers, or co-managers is key as making a difference both inside and outside the organization as it typically takes time away from the day-to-day normal workplace tasks.

Tell us more about your involvement with Experience Camps.  How was taking a week off work and completely disconnecting to volunteer rewarding?

Experience Camps has been the most rewarding experience I’ve enjoyed. I didn’t know what to expect last summer when I arrived at camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains. I was hoping to help kids cope with the loss; I ended up learning so much from the kids and learning how to deal with my own loss. I had no idea the impact it would have on me. Taking the week off was an adventure as well – having the organizational support was key as it took the pressure off and allowed me to enjoy my experience.

What was one of your most memorable experiences during that week off volunteering with the kids at Experience Camps?

My most memorable experience was the clinical work with the kids.  While the camp is focused on fun activities like most sleepaway camps, the clinical work is where you see the kids open up on their experience – many of them speaking about the loss they have experienced for the first time.  Watching the kids grow during the week and relate to each other was easily the most rewarding and memorable experience there.

What advice would you give to people who want to give back but aren’t sure how to select exactly which charities or organizations to dedicate their time to?

Find something you are passionate about.  Whether it’s volunteering on networking organizations or a social organization, the key is to find a cause or organization you believe in and provide a meaningful benefit to.  The personal reward often comes through the contribution so making sure it’s something you are passionate about is the only way to truly have an impact— both on the organization or cause and on yourself. I had tried to find something prior to finding Experience Camps that I felt connected too — often times, you feel like it’s an obligation unless you connect on a personal level. I immediately connected with Experience Camps and plan to be involved as long as I can be.

What do you enjoy most about your role at Commercial Finance Partners?

I love watching our team grow.  What started as an idea with Marcus Ferrari and myself has turned into a company with various verticals, employees and representatives around the U.S, and innovation.  Watching the growth of the team – both at an individual level and overall team level and managing some of the growth – keeps things exciting and allows me to consistently evolve myself on a day-to-day basis.  

What advice would you give to someone who says they wish they could be more involved in “giving back”, but just can’t find the time?

Giving back doesn’t necessarily have to be time-consuming.  Time management is key – there is no excuse for not finding the time as there are so many ways to potentially give back.  You don’t necessarily have to give back outside your organization — spending time with employees or co-workers can be “giving back” but also rewarding to the organization and to one’s self.  With the right time management, “giving back” helps create a nice pause in what often times can be the day-to-day or week-to-week grind of a normal work schedule.

To learn more about Experience Camps, please visit www.experience.camp to donate or learn more.