JULIE PARKER | BOARD TREASURER

Julie is the President & CEO of Great Lakes Commercial Finance (GLCF) in Grand Rapids, MI. GLCF is one of only three Certified Development Companies (CDCs) in the State of Michigan, specializing in Small Business Administration (SBA) 504 and 7(a) Loans to help small business owners finance commercial real estate and equipment. GLCF partners with various lending institutions throughout Michigan to offer business owners a low down payment (typically 10%) at a competitive, fixed interest rate for 10, 20, or 25 years.

Before joining GLCF in 2015, Julie was the Executive Director of Lakeshore 504 for 14 years, another CDC located in Michigan and housed within the Michigan West Coast Chamber of Commerce. There, Julie realized her passion for helping small businesses and being an integral part of their overall expansion and growth. Like the Chamber of Commerce, CREW is an organization that allows her to make the critical connections that help facilitate this process.

Julie loves spending time with her family, walking her dog, riding her bike, traveling, and boating on Lake Michigan. She has a son and a daughter that are now grown, and a husband of 30 years, who is also a small business owner.

Fun Fact: Julie followed in her grandfather’s footsteps. Del Crowe was a former Vice President at Old Kent Bank (now Fifth Third Bank) and retired in 1988. After his retirement, Del subsequently volunteered at GLCF and was one of their original founding board members. Ultimately Del became the President of GLCF until he officially retired in 2005. In the late 90s, Julie, who was also a former Old Kent Bank employee, took some time off to be at home with her two small children. When her kids started school, Del offered her a part-time position at GLCF, and she worked there for a few years before moving to Lakeshore 504 in Holland. In 2015, she left Lakeshore 504 and returned to GLCF to take her current position as President & CEO. Today, Del Crowe is 101 years old and still loves reminiscing with Julie about GLCF.