Awards and Recipients

Third Annual T. McCoy

Cornerstone Award

This award honors Terry McCoy, who for 16 years, managed the SBAC

administrative responsibilities. In her daily work and faithful dedication to

the SBAC, Terry personified the very best aspects of her profession.

We have named her legacy award, the Cornerstone Award. The name symbolizes the strength

administrative professionals impart to the many organizations they support.

This award is given in recognition to someone who has achieved enduring professional excellence in the

field of Administrative Assistance.

This year’s recipient is Gloria Pace of the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Gloria has been described as “Grace Personified” by her former supervisor of ten years, Periklis Pagratis,

former chair of the Foundation Studies Department.

In quote; “Gloria Pace is exceptional in fulfilling the responsibilities of her position effectively and

gracefully. She is particularly effective in assisting students, faculty and staff from all areas of the college.

Gloria truly enjoys interacting with clients. She strives to create the best impressions about her

department and the university as whole. She has an intimate knowledge of the history of the facilities and

loves sharing her insights about the building, the department and the university with visitors.”

Gloria Pace

Small Business Lender of the Year

Small Business Lender of the Year is awarded to the Bank Loan Officer most

active in SBAC loan fundings for the year. Considering all loan programs,

large loans or small loans, this award recipient is ranked first in the number of

loans during our fiscal year, and in the event of a tie, the greatest number of

jobs created resulting from business expansions or start-ups financed.

In appreciation for working with SBAC to create access to capital for local small business owners we

recognize Ryan Martin of Sea Island Bank as SBAC’s Small Business Lender of 2013.

Ryan used four different SBA and SBAC loan programs to book six (6) loans totaling $2,016,000.

Ryan currently serves as Commercial Banker and Vice President for Sea Island Bank. Previous to that, he

served as an Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager and Commercial Relationship Officer at The

Coastal Bank.

Ryan earned a Bachelors of Science in Management/Finance from the Georgia Institute of Technology,

an M.B.A. from Georgia Southern University, and is a graduate of the Southeastern School of

Commercial Lending at Vanderbilt University. He currently resides in Savannah with his wife, Leigh, and

two children, Patton and Mary Estelle.

Ryan Martin

The Michael Bunn,

Sr. Memorial Rising

Star Award

The Michael Bunn, Sr. Memorial Rising Star Award has been given every year since its

inception to a business that has shown to be a “Rising Star” in its community.

Dr. Habigaile Cribe was referred to SBAC in the summer of 2011 for assistance in purchasing

the former Telfair Medical Group facility located in the City of McRae, Telfair County, Georgia.

The Georgia State Office of Rural Health considers the City of McRae and Telfair County as a

whole to be medically underserved. Dr. Cribe wanted to purchase and renovate the building to

revive primary care for the area. Financing $474,000 for the project was funded by SBAC in

partnership with the City of McRae and Merchants & Citizens Bank.

Dr. Cribe's medical experience in Telfair and surrounding counties made her the ideal physician

for this undertaking. From 2001 to 2008, Dr. Cribe practiced medicine in McRae, maintaining a

large caseload of patients. Her professional commitment to the rural counties positioned her to

rapidly rebuild the facility into a thriving place for healing.

Retiring Chairman of the Board

The SBAC has been privileged to have Tom Butler as its Chairman of the Board for the past two years.

Tom Butler is a long time SBAC advocate. He began participation to SBAC on the Loan Committee in

2001. His service there led to the position of Loan Committee Chair in 2007. After his time on this

Committee, Tom served on the Board of Directors in various offices, Secretary, Vice Chair, and then

assuming the title of Chairman for the last two years.

During his tenure as Chairman (2012-2013), there were 123 loans approved for a total of $26.2 Million

Dollars and 91 loans funded for a total of $14.8 Million Dollars.

Tom has been and continues to be an indispensable volunteer, supporter and friend to the SBAC. We

look forward to a continued relationship with him.

SBAC offer’s its sincere appreciation to Thomas Butler, Jr. for his outstanding leadership to the Small

Business Development in our region.

Board Member Retirements

SBAC depends on Board Members’ valuable time and essential governance to set our priorities for

meeting economic development mission and program goals from year to year.

For Outstanding Leadership to the Small Business Assistance Corporation from 2010 to 2013, we would

like to thank the following members of the Board, who are retiring this year.

Larry Blige (2010 – 2013)

Linda Jaeger (2010 – 2013)

Patrece Grant (2010 – 2013)