SouthStar Advantage

The SouthStar
Advantage

Tailored Financing Solutions for Your Business
Ready? Apply Today!
Meet Our Team

We Think
Outside the Box

At SouthStar Capital, we understand that every business has its unique story and challenges. That’s why we go beyond traditional lending by listening to your needs and creating customized financing solutions that empower your business to thrive.

  • Asset-Based Credit Decisions: Our funding is based on your company’s assets and the creditworthiness of your customers, not your past financial performance.
  • No Time Constraints: Whether you’ve been in business for a year or a decade, the time in operation does not impact our decision.
  • Fast, In-House Underwriting: We handle underwriting internally and can typically provide funding within 2-5 days.
  • Flexible, Custom Solutions: As a private company, we offer diverse products tailored to your business’s needs.
  • Overcome Challenges: We work with businesses facing tax liens, balance sheet issues, and DIP financing, offering the flexibility needed for growth.

We are committed to providing the financial tools and support your business needs to grow confidently. Let us be your trusted partner in success.

You Grow
with Confidence

  • Client Prescreening: We prescreen potential clients to help you better understand their creditworthiness, payment habits, and financial strengths.
  • Unlimited Growth Potential: We don’t limit your growth, allowing you to expand at your own pace.
  • Transparent Fees: No hidden costs—our fees can even be built into future bids or projects.
  • Fast Invoice Funding: Receive funding within 24 hours of invoice submission.
  • No Equity or Debt: Our solutions don’t require equity or add debt to your balance sheet, so you retain full ownership of your company without the pressure of repayment.
  • Long-Term Solutions: We don’t offer temporary fixes. Instead, we provide a lasting financial solution to drive immediate and future growth.

Our Service is
Centered Around You

  • Direct Decision Makers: Work directly with a decision maker to expedite your initial and ongoing funding needs.
  • Dedicated Account Team: Your business will be assigned a specialized account team to handle your daily funding needs and provide hands-on support.
  • 30+ Years of Experience: We bring decades of experience designing custom capital solutions for businesses like yours.
  • Flexible, Private Solutions: As a private lender, we offer unparalleled flexibility and personal attention to meet your unique requirements.
  • Relationship-Focused: Professionalism and building solid relationships are the cornerstones of our approach. We listen to your story and develop solutions that support your business’s goals.

You Thrive
With Our Team

  • 24/7 Online Access: Manage your cash flow in real-time through our customizable funding reports, available via secure online login.
  • Comprehensive Services: We handle collections, payment processing, account management, and underwriting, allowing you to save time and focus on growing your business.
  • Accounts Receivable Management: Stay current on all your receivables, even those you aren’t financing, with our comprehensive day-to-day management services.
  • Fast, Reliable Funding: Submit invoices electronically to your account manager and receive funding within 24 hours.
  • Always Available: Your dedicated account manager is available 24/7 to ensure you get the working capital you need when you need it.

SouthStar Advantage

Our Core Beliefs

SouthStar Capital
Urgency – We ensure approval and funding in days, not weeks.
SouthStar Capital
Integrity – Dedicated to transparency and accuracy in every aspect of our service.
SouthStar Capital
Flexibility – A private capital partner that embraces a big-picture perspective.
SouthStar Capital
Relationship – Collaborate directly with the decision-makers on your account.

Our Team

Bernard Linney

Bernard Linney

Chief Executive Officer

Susan Linney

Susan Linney

Chief Operating Officer

Michael Haddad

Michael Haddad

President

David Von

David Von

Executive Vice President

Scott Norris

Scott Norris

Vice President/Portfolio Manager

Christina Horton

Christina Horton

Corporate Controller

Becca Ripley

Becca Ripley

Director of Marketing

Todd Culbreth

Todd Culbreth

Regional Vice President

Jon Shane

Jon Shane

VP of Broker Relations

Brian Cate

Brian Cate

Assistant Vice President

Charlie Bacon

Charlie Bacon

Assistant Vice President

Luis Quinteros

Luis Quinteros

Sales Support/Business Development

Natalie Pelaez Arce

Natalie Pelaez Arce

Sales Support/ Business Development

Brandon Foster

Brandon Foster

Senior Staff Accountant

Sara Craig

Sara Craig

Project Manager

Victoria Van Dyke

Victoria Van Dyke

Assistant Portfolio Manager

April Berly

April Berly

Closing Manager

Jimmy Howard

Jimmy Howard

Underwriter

Adam Gloeckler

Adam Gloeckler

Closing Processor

Lori Wolff-Raines

Lori Wolff-Raines

Senior Account Manager

Katie Linney

Katie Linney

Senior Account Manager

Annie Griffin

Annie Griffin

Senior Account Manager

David Craig

David Craig

Senior Account Manager

Gerame Homsany

Gerame Homsany

Account Manager

Mohammed Alam

Mohammed Alam

Account Manager

Antonia Rye

Antonia Rye

Account Manager

Max Kirchgessner

Max Kirchgessner

Account Manager

Josh Walker

Josh Walker

Staff Accountant

Josiah Balthazar

Josiah Balthazar

Software Engineer/Security Specialist

Kelly Wilson

Kelly Wilson

Executive Assistant

Jon Lunn

Jon Lunn

Collections Manager

Finn Linney

Finn Linney

SouthStar Capital Mascot

Bella Linney

Bella Linney

SouthStar Capital Mascot

Join Our Team

SOUTHSTAR CAREERS

SouthStar Advantage

Our Core Beliefs

SouthStar Capital

Teamwork – Together, we can achieve great things when we share a common goal.

SouthStar Capital

Optimism – Every future holds new opportunities waiting to be explored.

SouthStar Capital

Experience – Leveraging accurate information and proven techniques leads to success.

SouthStar Capital

Creativity – Hard work and experience combine to tackle challenges with innovative solutions.

Trusted

SouthStar Capital has played a pivotal role in the success of my staffing agency. Their unwavering support in providing the necessary working capital has empowered us to stand toe-to-toe with industry giants, enabling us to pursue contracts with unwavering confidence to deliver on our commitments.

Albert Williams

The entire team is committed to communicating throughout the entire application, underwriting & funding process. The funding User Interface is simplified to expedite the transfer of funds, review previous transactions, and download reports for accounting purposes.

David Hill

I have had a great experience working with SouthStar. I'm a government contractor and they positively impact my business and cashflow. Brian was my first point of contact and he has been knowledgeable and diligent. Now, David is my account manager and the experience is still great!

Steve Kamguia

Kelly Wilson

Executive Assistant

Kelly Wilson joined SouthStar Capital in 2019 as the Executive Assistant to Bernard and Susan Linney. In her role, she helps oversee the daily flow of the office and ensures operations run smoothly.

Originally from the Washington, D.C. area, Kelly graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising. Her professional background in retail provided her with extensive customer service expertise and a strong ability to manage day-to-day business tasks efficiently.

Beyond her professional career, Kelly is passionate about giving back. She has been an active member of Fashion for Paws in Washington, D.C., where she has helped raise funds to support animals in need.

Outside of work, Kelly enjoys spending time with her dog and friends, relaxing at the beach, biking, and exploring new places.

Contact Information

Natalie Pelaez Arce

Sales Support and Development Specialist

Mrs. Pelaez Arce is a highly motivated and results-driven professional with a strong foundation in Business Administration, holding a Bachelor’s degree from Strayer University. She is currently pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Government Acquisitions, further strengthening her expertise in both business management and the specialized field of government contracting.

Her academic and professional background has provided her with a robust understanding of financial management, organizational behavior, and strategic leadership. With a focused interest in business administration and government acquisitions, she continues to build on her ability to drive growth and deliver effective solutions.

Outside of her professional and academic endeavors, Mrs. Pelaez Arce values spending quality time with her family and maintaining a well-rounded lifestyle that supports both personal fulfillment and career development.

Contact Information

Michael Haddad

President

With over 35 years in commercial finance, Mr. Haddad has built, scaled, and transformed financial institutions into market leaders. His expertise spans asset-based lending, factoring, equipment finance, M&A, and financial structuring, with a proven record of optimizing risk management and shareholder returns.

He has led the launch and growth of multi-billion-dollar finance portfolios, including $160M in new commitments at Axiom Bank and the expansion of Sterling National Bank’s division into a $3.5B diversified finance platform. Earlier, he founded Core Financial Group, raising over $1B in capital and delivering strong investor returns.

An active industry leader, Mr. Haddad has served on the SFNet board for over 20 years, including as President. He holds an MBA and BA in Accounting from St. John’s University and is recognized for driving growth, credit quality, and strategic execution across the finance sector.

Contact Information

Max Kirchgessner

Account Manager

Mr. Kirchgessner joined SouthStar Capital in April 2025 as an Account Manager. His primary responsibilities include building strong client relationships, verifying invoices and purchase orders, and ensuring a smooth funding process for SouthStar’s clients.

Before his role at SouthStar, Mr. Kirchgessner began his career in the senior living industry as the Director of Sales for an assisted living community. He eventually transitioned into medical sales for a hospice company and relocated to Charleston in the spring of 2024 with his wife and their dog, Goose.

Mr. Kirchgessner graduated from Mississippi State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Marketing. In his free time, Mr. Kirchgessner enjoys golfing, watching Mississippi State sports, and spending time with his wife and dog.

Contact Information

JoshWalker

Staff Accountant

Mr. Walker joined SouthStar Capital in April 2025 as a Staff Accountant. He plays a key role in supporting the corporate accounting team with financial reporting, reconciliations, and contributing across all areas of accounting operations.

Mr. Walker earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from The Citadel, where he developed a strong foundation in finance, accounting, and business strategy. Before joining SouthStar, he served as a Staff Accountant at a fast-growing F&I startup, where he was responsible for managing accounts payable and receivable, assisting with month-end close, and improving reporting workflows. He also brings prior experience in hospitality and financial services, having worked in hotel accounting and as an insurance broker—experience that helped him build strong skills in client relations, process management, and compliance.

Outside of work, Mr. Walker enjoys spending quality time with his family and exploring new places through travel. He’s a passionate Miami Dolphins fan and an avid poker player, drawn to the game’s mix of psychology, strategy, and competition.

Contact Information

Mohammed Alam

Account Manager

Mr. Alam began his career at Enterprise Holdings, which provided him the opportunity to relocate to Charleston, SC, after graduating from Central Connecticut State University in May 2019. Since then, he has worked in SaaS, selling software solutions for time tracking, resource management, and integrations across various industries, including non-profits. Now, as an Account Manager at South Star, he focuses on building strong client relationships and leveraging his business acumen to help companies achieve their goals. He studied Management Information Systems at CCSU, which deepened his appreciation for how the right technology can accelerate business growth.

Outside of work, he is an avid pickleball and tennis player, loves cooking and experimenting with dishes from different cultures, and travels abroad whenever he can—having solo backpacked through Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Nicaragua.

Contact Information

Antonia Rye

Account Manager

Ms. Rye is a former Legal Assistant at Amazon Web Services with 10 years of experience in the hospitality industry. The highlight throughout her roles has been connecting with people from all walks of life and cultivating meaningful moments and relationships with customers and colleagues. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Public Relations from Salisbury University.

In her free time, she enjoys exploring Charleston's food scene, visiting the beach, playing with her dog Arlo, and spending time with friends.

Contact Information

Charlie Bacon

Assistant Vice President

Mr. Bacon joined SouthStar Capital in 2024 as an Assistant Vice President. He is responsible for the Charleston, SC, and surrounding markets, where his role is to originate and structure commercial lending opportunities for lower middle-market businesses. He brings an investment banking background and experience in originating and executing financial transactions to SouthStar and its clients.

Before joining SouthStar, Mr. Bacon was an investment banker with Sequence Financial, where he led the company’s capital-raising services to alternative investment fund sponsors and provided M&A advisory services to lower middle-market companies. Most recently, he was an investment banker with Align Business Advisory and dedicated his efforts to successfully executing M&A transactions.

Mr. Bacon graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor’s degree in business with a major in finance and later obtained his MBA from the College of Charleston. He resides in Charleston, SC, with his golden retriever, Cooper.

Contact Information

Finn Linney

SouthStar Capital Mascot

Finn Linney started at SouthStar Capital in 2016 at just 8 weeks old. As SouthStar’s Mascot, his responsibilities include boosting overall office morale, acting as the official door greeter, and checking to make sure that trash cans are empty.

Finn’s favorite day in the office is when his Chewy package arrives, followed closely by Friday office lunches in the conference room. Finn enjoys swimming in his pool and taking boat rides in his spare time.

He obtained his degree at a puppy training school in Charleston, SC, in 2017.

Contact Information

  • Finn is too young to have his phone but can be reached through his parents, Bernard and Susan Linney.

Bella Linney

SouthStar Capital Mascot

Bella Linney started at SouthStar Capital in 2018 at just 8 weeks old. As SouthStar’s Second Mascot, she has received extensive training and works hand-in-hand with her older brother, Finn.

Bella’s responsibilities include greeting all office guests, keeping the kitchen floor clean at all times, and boosting morale with her one-on-one office visits.

In her free time, she enjoys playing with her brother, Finn, and going for walks.

Contact Information

  • Bella is too young to have her own phone, but can be reached through her parents, Bernard and Susan Linney.

Jon Lunn

Collection Manager

Mr. Lunn joined SouthStar in 2021 as a Collection Manager. He is responsible for coordinating all A/R functions and working with all external and internal departments, including Account Managers. Mr. Lunn provides a value-added function by assisting SouthStar clients in facilitating even cash flow with their customers.

Prior to joining SouthStar Capital, Mr. Lunn was Executive vice president and Chief Operating Officer at Sko-Brenner-American, a nationwide debt collection agency. He started his career at Dun & Bradstreet, where he handled debt collection, account management, and outside sales.

Mr. Lunn was a faculty member of the New York Institute of Credit, where he designed and taught the course on “Collection Techniques.” His book, The Consumer and Commercial Collection Desk Book, was published by Prentice-Hall. He was appointed Project Director of the first Federal Government Contract Awards for the collection of $ $1 billion worth of debt.

Mr. Lunn is also a past Chairman of the Commercial Collection Agency Association. He graduated from The City College of New York (CCNY) and the Graduate School of Credit and Financial Management, Dartmouth College. Currently, Mr. Lunn serves as a member of the Standards Board of the Commercial Collection Agencies of America.

In his free time, Mr. Lunn enjoys golf, going to the beach, spending time with family and friends, and binging on Netflix.

Contact Information

Luis Quinteros

Sales Support/Business Development

Mr. Quinteros joined SouthStar in May 2023. His primary role is to provide support for businesses in need of working capital and help them through the initial onboarding process, closing, and establishing a facility. To achieve this, he works directly with SouthStar’s VPs and the closing team.

Mr. Quinteros graduated from George Mason University in Fairfax, VA, with a bachelor’s degree in business management. He has extensive experience in account management, administrative support, banking, and customer service.

Mr. Quinteros lives in Atlanta and loves to spend his free time outdoors with family, playing soccer, and loves the beach and traveling to new places.

Contact Information

Josiah Balthazar

Software Engineer and Security Specialist

Mr. Balthazar joined SouthStar in January 2021 as a Software Engineer and Security Specialist. He works closely with SouthStar’s Senior Management and provides technical support to all SouthStar Employees. His primary responsibilities include managing all technology-related projects, developing custom software solutions, and building on the Customer Relationship Database to ensure the best client experience.

Prior to joining SouthStar, Mr. Balthazar worked as a Software Engineer and IT specialist for a managed service provider.

Mr. Balthazar enjoys spending time with his family & friends, developing personal passion projects, and keeping up-to-date with exciting, emerging technologies as they are developed.

Contact Information

Annie Griffin

Account Manager

Mrs. Griffin joined SouthStar in April of 2021 as a Collateral Analyst and has since transitioned into the role of Account Manager. She works directly with SouthStar’s Operation Managers. Her primary responsibilities include verifying invoices, purchase orders, and other items to ensure a smooth funding process for SouthStar’s clients.

Prior to joining SouthStar, Mrs. Griffin was the District Manager for a locally-owned women’s boutique in Charleston. She has over 10 years of Retail Management experience and loves building relationships with customers and making sure they have a great experience in the stores.

Mrs. Griffin has a Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and Management. She lives in Mount Pleasant, SC, with her husband and two daughters, Adelyn and Josephine. They spend most of their free time at the beach and enjoying all the Lowcountry has to offer.

Contact Information

Gerame Homsany

Account Manager

Mr. Homsany joined SouthStar in August of 2023 as an Account Manager. His primary responsibilities include document verification, risk management, and understanding the needs of SouthStar’s clients to ensure a smooth and timely funding process.

Prior to joining SouthStar, Mr. Homsany worked in Investment Management as a licensed trader and operations manager where he focused on maximizing returns, preserving capital, and providing unique market opportunities for high-net-worth individuals and small businesses. Additionally, Mr. Homsany has experience in Mortgage Lending and Banking where he has worked closely with a wide range of clients, building strong relationships and providing outstanding service.

Mr. Homsany graduated from West Virginia University. In his free time, he enjoys cooking, playing golf, and going to the beach with his wife, their two children, and their dog, Cece.

Contact Information

Katie Linney

Account Manager

Ms. Linney joined SouthStar in January 2022 as an Account Manager and works directly with SouthStar’s Operations team. Her primary responsibilities include ensuring clients' daily needs are met, ensuring an optimal funding process, verifying invoices, and providing vital account support.

Before joining SouthStar, Ms. Linney worked in the hospitality industry, working her way to upper management. While she enjoyed this career, she was ready for a change of scenery. Ms. Linney attended Southwest College of Tennessee, focusing on marketing, business, and communication courses.

Ms. Linney enjoys spending time with her family and two dogs, Remy and Lacey. She avidly loves anything outdoors, volunteering, baking, and rock climbing!

Contact Information

David Craig

Senior Account Manager

Mr. Craig joined SouthStar in March 2021 as an Account Manager. His primary responsibilities include verifying invoices, purchase orders, and other items to ensure a smooth funding process for SouthStar’s clients.

Before joining SouthStar, Mr. Craig was a customer service supervisor for one of the country’s premier manufacturing companies, which led employee training and customer support needs. Mr. Craig worked alongside his employees to help them achieve excellent listening skills, empathy, and respect in serving and communicating with their customers. These attributes allow him to understand and navigate current SouthStar clients' needs.

Mr. Craig enjoys spending time with his wife Sara, their beautiful daughter, Kinley, and their dog, Bo. He is also an avid baseball card collector and loves sports.

Contact Information

Lori Wolff

Senior Account Manager

Ms. Wolff-Raines joined SouthStar in February 2018 as an Account Manager and has since been promoted to Senior Account Manager. She works directly with SouthStar’s Operation Manager and has primary responsibilities including verifying invoices, purchase orders, and other items to ensure a smooth funding process for SouthStar’s clients.

Prior to joining SouthStar, Ms. Wolff-Raines worked in the Banking industry for 17 years as a Branch Manager, Assistant Manager, and Personal Banker. She worked closely with her customers to build strong relationships and help them meet their financial goals.

Ms. Wolff-Raines enjoys spending time with her family and friends, going to the beach, golfing, and playing with her two dogs, Rylee and Marley.

Contact Information

  • email: lori@southstar.com
  • phone: 800-763-3021 ext 131
  • direct: 843-972-3870
  • fax: 843-972-3870

Victoria Van Dyke

Assistant Portfolio Manager

Mrs. Van Dyke joined SouthStar in January of 2015 as an Account Manager. Since then, she has been promoted to Assistant Portfolio Manager and works directly with SouthStar’s Operations Manager. Her primary responsibilities include reviewing activity reports, approving transactions related to funding and collections, and reviewing and making recommendations for changes to policies and procedures. Victoria works directly with the Senior Account Managers and is responsible for evaluating client needs and challenges to manage risk and enhance client retention.

Mrs. Van Dyke graduated from Clemson University in May of 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a minor in Management.

Contact Information

Adam Gloeckler

Closing Processor

Mr. Gloeckler joined SouthStar in September 2022 as a Closing Processor to support the Closing Department. He works directly with the Closing Manager and Underwriters to support the client’s initial funding and onboarding.

Before joining SouthStar, Mr. Gloeckler was a Relationship Banker with Wells Fargo Bank for 11 years. He worked closely with high-value clients and small businesses to render advice so they could meet their short-term and long-term financial goals. In 2020, he also worked on the Underwriting team to assist with processing PPP Loans for the SBA.

When he is not in the office, Mr. Gloeckler spends a lot of his time playing guitar or singing at restaurants and bars throughout the Charleston area. He also enjoys spending time with his dog, Silas, seeing live music, and going to the beach. He has lived in Charleston for a little over 11 years and originally hails from Cincinnati, Ohio.

Contact Information

Jimmy Howard

Underwriter

Mr. Howard joined SouthStar Capital in April 2021 as an Underwriter. He works with Operations and the Closing Department, assessing the risk of new deals, analyzing existing clients, and identifying solutions to alleviate risk.

Before SouthStar, Mr. Howard worked as a branch manager in the consumer finance industry, underwriting in South Carolina and Kentucky. This experience gave him a risk-mitigating skill set that he continues to utilize and sharpen to position SouthStar and its clients for increased success.

Mr. Howard is a Charleston native who graduated from the University of South Carolina in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, majoring in Human Resource Management and Marketing.

Contact Information

April Dunlap

Closing Manager

Mrs. Berly joined SouthStar in February 2016 as a Closing Coordinator and has since been promoted to Closing Manager. She works directly with SouthStar’s Operations Manager and Account Managers. Her primary responsibilities include interacting with clients and processing funding requests. In addition to the aforementioned, Mrs. Berly assists in coordinating closings for all clients and preparing clients for the initial round of funding.

Prior to joining SouthStar, Mrs. Berly was the manager of a local store, where her responsibilities included building customer relationships, overseeing inventory production, and managing the regional employees.

Mrs. Berly graduated from the College of Charleston in May 2014 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her puppy, Riggins.

Contact Information

  • email: aprild@southstar.com
  • phone: 800-763-3021 ext 120
  • direct: 843-730-5937
  • fax: 843-730-5947

Sandee Buchwalter

Compliance Manager

Ms. Buchwalter joined SouthStar in 2014 as a Closing Coordinator, working directly with SouthStar’s Portfolio Manager. She has since been promoted to Compliance Manager. Her primary responsibilities include auditing client files and funding, reviewing legal documents, and tracking open STIPS.

Prior to joining SouthStar, Ms. Buchwalter worked as an Office Manager for a premier construction company in Charleston, SC. Her primary responsibilities were to schedule jobs and monitor the phases of the construction process to ensure that the new home was completed ahead of the deadline, order materials required for each job, orchestrate payroll, and manage accounts payable and accounts receivable.

Ms. Buchwalter is pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration in Human Resource Management. She enjoys spending time with her three daughters, traveling, camping, and watersports.

Contact Information

  • email: sandee@southstar.com
  • phone: 800-763-3021 ext 108
  • direct: 843-277-6410
  • fax: 843-730-5938

Sara Craig

Project Manager

Mrs. Craig joined the SouthStar Capital team in 2020 as Project Manager, working directly with SouthStar’s executive team. Her responsibilities include managing and directing special projects and goals for SouthStar’s growth and development.

Before joining SouthStar, Mrs. Craig worked 11 years as a registered radiologic technologist in the healthcare industry. She graduated from West Virginia University in May 2006 with a degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Health and Radiographic Sciences from East Tennessee State University.

Mrs. Craig lives in Charleston, SC, with her husband, David, their two beautiful little girls, Kinley and Olivia, and their dog, Bo.

Contact Information

Brandon Foster

Senior Staff Accountant

Mr. Foster joined SouthStar Capital in May 2023 as a Senior Staff Accountant. He works directly under the corporate controller, assisting with financial reporting and all other accounting tasks.

Mr. Foster holds a bachelor’s in accounting and has over six years of accounting and finance experience. He most recently worked as a Financial Analyst at a large technology company and as an auditor at two large regional CPA firms.

Mr. Foster enjoys spending time with his wife, playing video games, being active outside, and eating delicious food. He is also very involved in his local church and loves volunteering his time to help others.

Contact Information

Brian Cate

Assistant Vice President

Mr. Cate joined SouthStar Capital in 2017 as an Assistant Vice President. His main responsibilities are implementing and funding new businesses within the SouthStar framework, including developing commercial lending opportunities for small—to medium-sized businesses.

Before joining SouthStar, Mr. Cate owned and operated an international trading company and has done business in more than 20 countries worldwide. Before that, Mr. Cate was a mechanical design engineer working on commercial and government projects for NASA, NIST, and the USAF, as well as private companies in the semiconductor, construction, and medical device fields.

Originally from New England, Mr. Cate has lived in Summerville, SC, with his wife for the past 18 years. He has three grown children who also live in the area.

Contact Information

  • email: bcate@southstar.com
  • phone: 800-763-3021 ext 114
  • direct: 843-277-6581
  • fax: 843-800-8414

Jon Shane

VP of Broker Relations

Mr. Shane joined SouthStar Capital in 2021 as Vice President of Broker Relations. His primary responsibilities include growing and maintaining a large, strong network of brokers and financial professionals within the SouthStar framework and developing commercial lending opportunities with small—to medium-sized businesses.

Mr. Shane came to SouthStar with over 17 years of business-to-business sales and management experience. Before starting his business career, Mr. Shane was a physical education and health teacher. He also served as Athletic Director for a Christian High School in Milwaukee, along with Varsity head coaching responsibility in multiple sports.

Mr. Shane had a short minor-league career in the New York Yankees organization. He also loves golf (especially scrambles) and is a lifetime Green Bay Packers fan. He is also a fair-weather Milwaukee Brewer and Bucks fan. He loves hiking, biking, and the outdoors. He lives in Pendleton, SC with his wife and has four grown children.

Contact Information

Todd Culbreth

Regional Vice President

Mr. Culbreth joined SouthStar Capital in 2016 as an Assistant Vice President. He is responsible for the Charlotte, NC market, where his role is to create and develop commercial lending opportunities with small—to medium-sized businesses. He brings a background in asset-backed financing and experience in building lines of credit to help businesses grow. In 2017, Mr. Culbreth was promoted to Regional Vice President.

Before joining SouthStar, Mr. Culbreth underwrote and structured commercial financing through equipment leases and loans for Volvo Financial Services. Most recently, he worked as a trader in the energy sector and managed a renewable energy portfolio for XOOM Energy.

Mr. Culbreth graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a bachelor’s degree in business with a double major in finance and economics. He lives in Charlotte, NC, with his wife and their pet hedgehog, Sherman.

Contact Information

Christina Horton

Controller

Ms. Horton joined SouthStar in 2018 as a Senior Staff Accountant and has since been promoted to Controller. Her responsibilities include assisting SouthStar’s CFO with financial reporting preparation and overseeing the accounting department.

Ms. Horton holds a BSBA with a Finance Concentration, bringing over 20 years of financial and accounting experience. Her most recent 12 years were as a Financial Controller, managing annual budgets of $3M to $5M.

As a member of Seacoast Church, Ms. Horton serves in the Children’s ministry and leads mission teams to serve the beautiful women of Nicaragua. She enjoys time with her husband and son, painting, and at the beach.

Contact Information

Becca Ripley

Director of Marketing

Ms. Ripley joined SouthStar Capital in February 2024 as the Director of Marketing. With her experience, she leads the marketing department, spearheading marketing campaigns, digital strategies, brand development, market research, and event planning. Before her role at SouthStar, Becca served as the Director of Marketing for Roofing USA, where she excelled in digital strategy, lead generation, campaign execution, and brand awareness initiatives. Before Roofing USA, Becca was the Marketing Coordinator for Xtreme Roofing and Construction, developing campaigns, marketing strategies, and content creation. She also holds a HubSpot Inbound Marketing Certification and a Google Ads Certification.

A former Division One basketball player at the University of Miami and the University of Central Florida, Becca brings her competitive spirit and teamwork ethos to her professional endeavors. She graduated with an undergraduate degree in Human Communications and pursued a Master’s degree in IDS with a focus on Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Outside work, Becca enjoys running, beach days with her fiancé and their two beautiful Golden Retrievers, Draco and Graham, and cherishing moments with friends and family.

Contact Information

Scott Norris

Vice President/Portfolio Manager

Mr. Norris joined SouthStar Capital in August of 2022 as Vice President and Portfolio Manager. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Norris works closely with the Assistant Portfolio Managers and Accounts Managers to deliver world-class financial services to established and more recent clients, helping them grow and succeed.

Mr. Norris’s primary responsibilities include managing the overall risk of SouthStar’s client portfolio, reviewing requests for funding modifications, and assisting Account Managers in building and maintaining long-lasting, successful client relationships.

Before joining SouthStar, Mr. Norris served as Portfolio Manager of Paragon Financial Group, an eCapital portfolio company, and brings to SouthStar more than a decade of asset-based financing experience.

Mr. Norris graduated from the University of Massachusetts—Amherst with a bachelor’s in business administration, majoring in business management. He recently relocated to Mount Pleasant, SC, from South Florida and enjoys spending time with his wife Stephanie, their beautiful daughter Mila, and their dog Julie.

Contact Information

David Von

Executive Vice President

Mr. Von has over 15 years of experience in direct lending and finance. He has had successful careers at BB&T Bank, Emmco Inc., and GMG Inc., where he held a variety of management, operations, and sales positions. Most recently, Mr. Von formed and operated his own private company, Presidio Financial.

Mr. Von joined SouthStar Capital in May of 2008. To establish SSC as the leading specialty business finance company, Mr. Von has sharpened SSC’s strategic focus and concentrated its investments on the following long-term growth opportunities: production capacity development and expansion, technologies for client relationship management, and a transition from a limited funding source provision to a broad base solution across a variety of traditional and non-traditional opportunities in commercial, industrial, and private markets. Mr. Von currently works out of the Atlanta Region of SouthStar and is actively involved in expanding SouthStar’s sales production team nationwide.

Mr. Von holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Bob Jones University and a Master’s from the University of South Carolina.

Contact Information

  • email: dvon@southstar.com
  • phone: 800-763-3021 ext 104
  • direct: 404-602-0174
  • fax: 843-730-5943

Susan Linney

Chief Financial Officer/Operations Manager

Mrs. Linney brings over 20 years of experience in the finance industry to SouthStar Capital. Mrs. Linney has an extensive background in the banking industry, having served as vice president of Huntington National Bank and vice president of First Bank of Marietta. Over her banking career, Mrs. Linney’s responsibilities included Branch Manager, Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager, and Loan Operations Manager. Mrs. Linney was responsible for direct lending for small business products and commercial paper, where she underwrote and booked over $100 million in structured transactions. After leaving the bank, she joined a local Factoring company and managed the Factoring Operations and Invoice Verification divisions.

Mrs. Linney then opened a mortgage banking firm and developed it from a start-up to one of the largest mortgage banking companies in the Southeast, with more than $1 Billion in performing loans sold annually. During the six years she owned and operated the mortgage company, Mrs. Linney developed and managed a $25M banking line of credit and successfully funded all loans booked on the line by the investors. Mrs. Linney also managed the cash, projected cash flow, and the mortgage company's operations division. Mrs. Linney closed the mortgage company in 2008 and joined SouthStar Capital shortly after. Mrs. and Mr. Linney have a substantial portion of their net worth invested in SouthStar Capital, LLC.

Contact Information

  • email: susan@southstar.com
  • phone: 800-763-3021 ext 102
  • direct: 843-277-6411
  • fax: 843-730-5931

Bernard Linney

Chief Executive Officer

As CEO of SouthStar Capital, Bernard Linney provides leadership and strategic direction for the company. Mr. Linney began his financial career over twenty-five years ago in Commercial Banking as a loan officer. He was then recruited from the banking industry into the private sector, where he specialized in M&A transactions and specialty finance. While working as a commercial banker and in the private sector, Mr. Linney was involved in numerous factoring and asset-based lending transactions. A Factoring company he worked closely with offered to fund his first Factoring pool, where he was responsible for obtaining clients, underwriting, purchasing A/R, and growing the company. Bernard Linney has built multiple companies throughout his career, two of which have exceeded $20 million a year in revenue in less than five years. Bernard Linney also specializes in turnaround management, providing him a unique vantage point for SouthStar’s clients. Mr. Linney encourages a corporate philosophy of understanding clients' business to help them reach their financial goals.

Bernard Linney was a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborn Division of the United States Army for six years. He holds an A.A. in Business Administration and a B.S. in Business Finance. He has also attended the ABA Graduate School of Banking, Six Sigma Quality, ISO 9001, and numerous other Executive Training seminars and designations. Mr. and Mrs. Linney have a substantial portion of their net worth invested in SouthStar Capital, LLC.

Contact Information