About Us

Who We Are

ACC Capital was founded on the belief that access to capital can transform lives and communities. Since 1957, we've been dedicated to helping entrepreneurs turn ideas into thriving businesses by providing financing, guidance, and support where traditional banks often say no. Today, as a national non-profit CDFI, we continue to grow our impact, strengthening communities, creating jobs, and expanding opportunity across the country.

Our Story

Since 1957, ACC Capital has stood at the intersection of capital and community. What began as a vision by Winthrop Rockefeller and Arkansas Civic leaders, searching to stimulate economic opportunity, has grown into a mission-driven financial institution that helps businesses thrive, while aiding individuals in reaching their potential.

1957

  • A steering committee of 21 prominent business leaders, chaired by Winthrop Rockefeller, meets to lay the groundwork for the formation of what would become ACC, the First Arkansas Development Finance Corporation (FAFDC)
  • Articles of Incorporation for FADFC approved and charter issued by State Bank Commissioner

1958

First loan made to Scott County Industrial Development Corporation for $130,000 for the construction of a feed mill and hatchery for the Scott County Milling Company

1959

FAFDC's first office opens at 218 Pyramid Life Building; William W. "Bick" Satterfield is hired as FAFDC's first employee.

1961

Hill F. Carlson appointed CEO

1968

  • George H. Eagen appointed CEO
  • $5 million of capital deployed

1985

FAFDC name changed to Arkansas Capital Corporation

1989

ACC becomes Arkansas' first SBA Certified Development Company under the Small Business Investment Act to provide 504 loans

1990

  • C. Sam Walls, Jr. appointed CEO
  • ACC approved to participate in the SBA 7A Guaranteed Loan Program

1991

$30 million of capital deployed

1993

ACC becomes the first certified SBA Preferred Lender in Arkansas

1997

ACC approved as a lender under the USDA Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan Program

1999

Established Diamond State Ventures, Arkansas' first venture capital fund

2001

  • Inaugural Governor's Cup business plan competition with a $61,000 prize pool
  • $150 million of capital deployed

2002

Heartland Renaissance Fund becomes a Certified Development Entity through the CDFI Fund

2003

$200 million of capital deployed

2004

Heartland Renaissance Fund receives Arkansas's first allocation of $15M of Federal New Markets Tax Credits to support community development financing throughout the state

2006

Inaugural Youth Entrepreneur Showcase (Y.E.S.) business plan competition launched for 5th through 8th grade students

2007

  • $300 million of capital deployed
  • Connect Arkansas was established to manage Arkansas's portion of the Federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program to increase the public's adoption and use of high-speed internet through digital literacy training and Computers 4 Kids programs.

2009

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $55 million and $70 million of Federal New Markets Tax Credits in two allocations
  • $400 million of capital deployed

2011

  • ACC named National Small Business Investment Company of the Year by the SBA
  • $500 million of capital deployed
  • Diamond State Ventures named Small Business Investment Company of the Year

2012

  • Pine State Regional Center established to facilitate access to capital for Arkansas projects through the EB-5 Regional Center
  • Heartland Renaissance Fund receives $60 million in Federal New Markets Tax Credits

2013

Rush Deacon appointed CEO

2014

$700 million of capital deployed

2015

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund wins Non-Metro Project of the year from the Novogradac Journal of Tax Credits
  • ACC receives certification as a Community Development Financial Institution from the CDFI Fund

2016

Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $65 million of Federal New Markets Tax Credits

2017

$800 million of capital deployed

2019

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $35 million of Federal New Markets Tax Credits
  • $900 million of capital deployed

2020

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $35 million of Federal New Markets Tax Credits
  • ACC provides $55 million of Payroll Protection Program lending to help small businesses survive the COVID-19 pandemic

2021

  • Heartland Renaissance Fund awarded $40 million of Federal New Markets Tax Credits
  • ACC provides $22 million of Payroll Protection Program lending

2022

  • $1 billion of capital deployed
  • Sam Walls, III appointed CEO

2024

ACC rolls out Microloan program, offering lending options from $5,000 to $50,000

2025

  • Arkansas Capital Corporation name changed to ACC Capital
  • ACC hosts 20th Governor's Cup with >$140,000 prize pool
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Our Approach

Flexible loans for startups, expansions, equipment, working capital, etc.

ACC Capital believes in Partnership First. We aren't simply just underwriting and closing deals; we roll up our sleeves and work to understand your vision, your constraints, your goals. Whether you're a small business owner, a community developer, a lender, or an investor - our approach is rooted in flexibility, transparency, and collaboration.

Our Mission: Economic Change - To strengthen communities and empower entrepreneurs by making capital accessible and credible.

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Meet Our Team

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Linda Abrams

Executive Assistant

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Isabella Barnello

Marketing Coordinator

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Micah Brackett

Finance Compliance Analyst

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Eric Brown

VP, Underwriter

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Tonya Brown

Director, Information Technology

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Craig Calafati

EVP, Director of Lending

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La'Twan Cheathem

Vice President, Business Development Officer

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Michelle Chen

VP, Investor Relations

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Mac Crawford

VP, Business Development Officer

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Tess Davis

Loan Processor

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Rush B. Deacon

SVP, Special Projects

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Braden Duke

VP, Portfolio Manager

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Adriana Fuentes Archila

VP, Community Development

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Shannon Garcia

Loan Servicing Specialist

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Scott Gardner

Chief Financial Officer

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M. Sean Hatch

Senior Vice President

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Tiffany Henry

Executive Director, ACC Capital Foundation

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Angela Hernandez

Fall 2025 - Spring 2026 Intern

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Bert King

SVP, Operations

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Jeanie Kyle

HR & Accounting Coordinator

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Deepali Lal

VP, Compliance

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Leslie Lane

President

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David Moored

VP, Sr. Business Development Officer

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Lisa Morandi

VP, Closing Manager

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Jaclyn Nessel

VP, SBA Closer

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Joe Reynolds

VP, Sr. Business Development Officer

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Dillon Richardson

Director of Accounting

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Andrew Staples

VP, Small Business Lending

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Maddy Stricklen

Program Director, ACC Capital Foundation

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Sebastian Stubbe

CEO, Pine State

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Tismina Toh

Financial Manager

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Zoe Vernon

Administrative Assistant

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Daniel Vo

VP, Closer

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Lana Waldron

VP, Senior Underwriter

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Sam Walls, III

Chief Executive Officer

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Becka Webb

Vice President

Board of Directors

Jeff Amerine

Founding Principal, Startup Junkie Consulting

Jerry Bullard

Retired Banker

Kevin Burns

SVP, Stephens

Laura Fine

State Director, UALR / AR Small Business and Technology Development Center

Robert T. (Ted) Gammill

Principal, DD&F Consulting Group

J. Russell Guerra

Retired Banker

Emily B. McElroy

Senior Acct-Station Reporting, Murphy USA

Karen Marine

Retired Banker

Virgil L. Miller, Jr.

Group CRA Director, Arvest Bank Operations, Inc

Martha Moore

President, McCormick Works

Shamim Okolloh

VP Community Outreach, Encore Bank

Carroll Penick

Board Member, Bank Labs

Shelle R. Randall

VP of Chamber Administration, Director of Workforce Development & Existing Industry, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce

Bryan Scoggins

Retired

David H. Shindler

Retired Banker

Lorrie Trogden

CAE, President & CEO, Arkansas Bankers Association

Sam Walls III

Chief Executive Officer, ACC Capital

CDFI Advisory Board

Philip Adams

Esperanza Massana Crane

Martha Moore

Rodrigo Salas

Chauncey Pettis

Jeanette Balleza Collins

Shamim Okolloh

Our Footprint

ACC's reach spans multiple states, programs, and sectors. From small businesses in rural towns to community projects in low-income communities, our work is wide - yet always local in impact.

Learn More About Our Services
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Our Impact

We don't just fund deals - we offer change. Below are a few project highlights that show how our capital becomes transformation.

Arkansas School for Math, Sciences, and the Arts

Hot Springs, Arkansas • ACC Capital - Heartland Renaissance Fund

$15M for construction of a new student life complex with a new dorm, library and study space for a two-year, public residential high school that serves academically and artistically motivated students. ASMSA is one of 20 similar institutions in the country that focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math (STEAM) education. It has gained national recognition as one of the nation's top performing schools.

Big River Steel I and II

Osceola, Arkansas • ACC Capital - Pine State Regional Center

Now part of U.S. Steel, Big River Steel is one of the world's most advanced high-grade specialty steel plants and became the nation's first LEED-certified steel production facility. ACC Capital and its Pine State Regional Center EB-5 program subsidiary worked to bring more than $2.5 billion of foreign investment capital to the table for the construction of the plant in Mississippi County - an EB-5 rural Targeted Employment Area.

Bruno's Little Italy

Little Rock, Arkansas • ACC Capital - Lending Services

Since 1949, Bruno's Little Italy has been Central Arkansas's premier destination for authentic Neapolitan Italian cuisine. ACC Capital partnered with the Bruno family to get additional financing for the kitchen equipment needed to complete the restaurant's move to downtown Little Rock in October 2013.

View Our Impact

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