This article was originally published April 2021. Updated October 2022.

Henry resides in Florida with his wife, their 11-year-old twin daughters and their three-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Chase.  Henry is a member of the Diversity Equity and Inclusiveness Committee for the Secured Finance Network.  Henry is also an active volunteer as an Ambassador and Coach for the First Tee youth golf and life skills development program. 

Please provide a bit of background including how you got into the industry and your current role.

I started my career in banking and secured finance upon graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, where afterwards I had the opportunity to train and work alongside some of the most amazing and renowned industry leaders in commercial middle-market lending and secured finance.  Throughout my 25-year career, I’ve held positions of increasing responsibility in relationship management, credit & underwriting, portfolio management and risk, all of which have leveraged my experiences in providing working capital solutions to businesses across the U.S. and abroad in commercial middle market and secured finance industries.  In my current position, I lead the asset-based lending efforts for First Horizon Business Credit in the State of Florida which is a high grow region for the Bank.  I’m responsible for executing on the strategic business plan to grow a client base by penetrating the asset-based lending solution in the region.  This position negotiates and structures asset-based lending facilities for companies and then ensures these loans are underwritten, approved, closed, booked and funded properly and in accordance with the Bank’s policies and procedures.  I also maintain prospecting dialogue with sponsor groups, accountants, attorneys and other centers of influence.  I’m tasked with keeping a clear, close line of communication with all of First Horizon’s commercial and regional bankers to ensure proper client planning, coverage priorities, resources and strategy to deliver asset-based lending solutions to companies throughout the regions.  I am also accountable for monitoring the credit risk and asset quality of the portfolio.  My deep experiences throughout my career has allowed me to build a brand as a trusted advisor who loves to garner and build deep, influential relationships with businesses, people and communities.  The best part of what I do are the opportunities to share my work experiences with others who like me aspire to overcome adversity, influence positive behaviors, and want to learn more about secured finance and how they can all be part of this growing industry.

Why did you join SFNet’s DEI Committee? 

The Diversity, Equality and Inclusiveness (DEI) Committee is responsible for promoting and executing a strategy that builds on the secured finance industry’s work and further incorporates a diversity lens into how it serves clients and communities.  I am part of this committee as it helps to foster a culture in an industry where DEI is good for business and it provides me with the ability to influence and be a change agent to help design strategy.  It also provides opportunities to mentor in order to help others advance in the industry.  As a Hispanic American executive born and raised in the United States by parents who migrated from Cuba to New Jersey in 1970, it excites me to be able to proudly represent my heritage as part of the diversifying landscape of our industry talent.  We are in a business where personal connectivity is key, so I’m never shy about speaking in Spanish at a client meeting to connect with owners who prefer a presentation in their native language, in order to genuinely know them, bring us closer together and establish trust.  I enjoy volunteering with the Committee’s mission of building a culture where all industry professionals are treated equally and feel welcomed, and where we can embrace and understand differing perspectives. 

What do you think the industry can do to increase diversity, equity and inclusiveness? 

I believe that building DEI into our industry is an opportunity to attract a broader pool talent which can have a voice at the table.  We can be more effective as industry leaders when we take a diverse and inclusive approach to all we do for our business, peers and communities.  A healthy culture is one that is also inclusive and empowers everyone in the industry.  The industry’s talent must be diverse in order to better connect with the ever-changing, innovative landscape of our clients and communities.

To see all the DEI resources, click here.