Karen Howard serves as ELCDC’s Executive Director. Since November 2004, Karen has been responsible for the overall management of ELCDC in administering the 504 loan program in all counties of New Mexico and El Paso County, Texas. To date, ELCDC has approved 725 loans which, when leveraged, totals over $854,000,000. That’s more than three-fourths of a billion dollars in small business capital investment in New Mexico!

Karen has her master’s degree in Financial Management from City University in Bellevue, WA, and her bachelor’s degree in Education from Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. Prior to coming to ELCDC, she was the Executive Director for Montana Community Finance Corporation in Helena for over four years.

Karen has served as an instructor for National Association of Developmental Companies’ (NADCO) 504 professional training courses that help Certified Development Companies develop the knowledge and skills necessary to provide SBA 504 loan financing.

She is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional and has received numerous awards for her professional excellence and dedication to service. Karen oversees all operations of ELCDC ensuring each 504 loan project receives the quality service ELCDC strives for.

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