Chad Witcher
Hello
Chad Witcher
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
About Me
Chad joined AVANA Companies and its affiliates in 2023 as the Chief Operating Officer with his initial primary focus on AVANA CUSO with an emphasis on expanding the number of lead lenders and participating CUs, growing the AUM, and launching our SBA and C&I lending programs.Prior to joining AVANA Companies, Chad had an exemplary 20-year career at Zions Bank serving in several capacities, most recently as Senior Vice President and Director of its National Real Estate division where he oversaw the bank’s nationwide wholesale lending platform and multi-billion-dollar commercial real estate portfolio specializing in SBA 504 financing.

With a keen eye for streamlining processes, Chad has been pivotal in transforming operations to adapt to the rapidly changing financial landscape. His expertise lies in implementing cutting-edge technologies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, leading to enhanced service delivery and customer satisfaction.

Chad’s approach to operations is deeply rooted in his belief in teamwork and collaborative leadership. He has a track record of building and leading high-performing teams, aligning operational goals with business strategy, and ensuring seamless execution of complex projects. His strategic vision and hands-on approach have been instrumental in scaling operations, managing change effectively, and driving sustainable growth.As a Small Business Lending veteran, Chad has served on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO) for the last 5 years, and was on the Board of Directors for one of the nation’s Top 10 Certified Development Companies; Mountain West Small Business Finance, for 4 years.

Chad earned an M.B.A. from the University of Utah in 2009 and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration-Finance from Weber State University in 2003. In 2018 he graduated from the University of Washington’s Pacific Coast Banking School master’s level program.As the first college graduate in his family, Chad is a staunch advocate of higher education and community involvement. He has served over a decade on Weber State University’s Student Affairs Advancement Council and the Goddard School of Business & Economics Advisory Council, and volunteers as a mentor to students. Chad is also passionate about all things DEI; having served over 15 years on various employer and community DEI-related committees and projects, including scholarship fundraising for disadvantaged and underrepresented students.Chad enjoys sports, being active, and traveling. He is an avid basketball player, recently fell in love with pickleball, but maintains a love-hate relationship with golf. Additionally, Chad loves spending time with his family boating, kayaking, snorkeling in tropical locations, and biking/hiking Utah’s trails.