Our highly skilled team is experienced in making affordable lending to small real estate developers and small business owners committed to developing underserved neighborhoods. Meet the team members working behind the scenes.
Executive Team
Watchen Harris Bruce
Watchen Harris Bruce
President and CEO
Clarence Snuggs
Clarence is responsible for guiding our business expansion strategies, capital solutions, community development activities, and operational growth. He is a seasoned community development professional who has demonstrated a solid track record of successful leadership and related industry knowledge. His work in the public, private and community sectors has produced outcomes which have led to significant success in building and stabilizing communities. Clarence has completed programs in Executive Education at the Harvard Kennedy School for state and local government officials, Leadership Maryland, and Leadership Montgomery. He has an MBA from Howard University and a BA from Winston Salem State University.
Clarence Snuggs
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
Small Business Lending Division
Walter Lara
Loan Officer (Bilingual/Spanish)
Atsouco Saint Louis
Technical Assistance Associate
Sean Chrysostom
Small Business Training & Development Officer
Bonnie Crockett
Bonnie is responsible for the Small Business Lending Division, developing products, processes, and procedures, initiating and managing partnerships, managing staff, reviewing loan packages, and ensuring the quality of technical assistance, loan origination, and servicing. She began her professional career as an attorney in the field of banking and commercial law, and after discovering her passion for community development, worked as Executive Director of nonprofits and small business development programs, Baltimore leader of a regional CDFI, and Adjunct Professor in a master’s-level entrepreneurial development program. Bonnie has an A.A. from Villa Julie College, and a B.A. and J.D. from the University of Baltimore.
Bonnie Crockett
Vice President & Director of the Small Business Lending Division
Don Cutwright
Don is responsible for the origination, underwriting and closing of small business loans in our lending footprint. He has more than twenty years of experience in the finance and business development fields, through roles ranging from relationship and sales management, business banking, and business brokerage at a variety of financial institutions. Don is skilled in networking, building solid client relationships, financial analysis, and structuring and negotiating business loans. He has a BS in Marketing from Auburn University.
Don Cutwright
Loan Officer, Small Business Lending Division
Ulric Donawa
Ulric is responsible for the origination, underwriting and closing of small business loans in our lending footprint. He has an extensive background in business and commercial lending including conventional and SBA guaranteed lending over the past 20 plus years. Prior to his banking career, Ulric was Director of Training at a first-time homebuyer training program. Ulric has a degree in Economics from CUNY, Brooklyn College.
Ulric Donawa
Loan Officer, Small Business Lending Division
David Freeman
David is responsible for providing primary business coaching and advising to prospective and current borrowers. He began his career as a youth counselor in a residential program helping young men build life skills and later moved into the finance industry as a leader at numerous financial institutions. David utilizes his business acumen to assist entrepreneurs with completing business plans, preparing for the loan process, and advising current borrowers on the financial health of their businesses and identifying potential vulnerability. He has a B.S. in Psychology from Elizabeth City State University and an MBA from Loyola College.
David Freeman
Small Business Training & Development Officer
Jaclyn Whitley
Jaclyn is responsible for supporting the Small Business Lending team by managing loan inquiries, maintaining documentation, producing reports, and coordinating scheduling. She has extensive experience providing coordination and executive administrative support in nonprofit and higher education settings. Jaclyn holds a Business Administration Certification from Baltimore City Community College and a Business Technology Certification from Anne Arundel Community College.
Jaclyn Whitley
Small Business Associate, Small Business Lending Division
Real Estate Lending Division
Reno Pratt
Reno Pratt, Jr has experience in finance and sales and has helped organizations and clients achieve landmark returns on investments. He has been active in the field of sales, marketing, and real estate for over a decade. Over the years, Reno has built credibility through hard work and resilience. He is eager and excited to bring his skills to Baltimore Community Lending as a Loan Analyst and Assistant Loan Officer. In this position, he will service the real estate lending team with real estate underwriting knowledge and sales experience. He is able to employ a big picture approach, identifying and making recommendations on key areas.
Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Reno earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Finance at Morgan State University.
As a member of Beta Omega Social Services 501 (c) 3 & Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Inc., he is committed to promoting community service programs that improve the physical, economic, and communal well-being of youths and families in Baltimore/Washington community and beyond. Reno also enjoys spending time with his family, hitting tee shots on the golf field, and racing motorcycles.
Reno Pratt
Loan Officer & Loan Analyst
Sean Russell
Sean Russell is responsible for managing the Real Estate Lending Division team and ensuring the quality of loan origination and servicing. He has over 40 years of experience in real estate and construction finance, including community development debt, equity finance, and residential real estate development, construction, and sales. Sean’s past roles at banks and development entities range from Principal, Realtor, Development Director, Director of Financial Services, and Vice President. He has a B.S. in Business/Chemistry from High Point University and has completed many credit/financial Analysis, real estate appraisal, and management training programs.
Sean Russell
Vice President & Chief Lending Officer
Ned Fields
Ned is responsible for providing guidance and support to loan applicants and approved borrowers for their construction projects. He has over 30 years of experience managing and facilitating construction projects in both the private and public sectors. Ned’s skillset includes technical knowledge of building construction, mechanical engineering and architectural research on environmental impact, planning and coordinating projects in renovation, managing construction budgets for contractor payments, and collaborating with construction professionals and clients. He has an associate’s degree in Construction and Engineering from John Tyler Community College.
Ned Fields
Manager of Building Facilities and Construction
Dierdra Pressley
Dierdra is responsible for marketing products and services, identifying new customers, and originating loans. She has more than 20 years of experience underwriting single and multifamily housing projects, as well as in business development, relationship management, and portfolio management. Dierdra is a strategic and creative leader with a deep understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and keen ability to help entrepreneurs and real estate developers leverage capital for results. She has a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning, both from Morgan State University.
Dierdra Pressley
Loan Officer, Real Estate Lending Division
Tracy Evans
Tracy is responsible for marketing products and services, identifying new customers, and originating loans. She has more 20 years of experience underwriting single family and multifamily housing projects, commercial and small business lending, and community development. Tracy is a strategic and creative leader with a deep understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion and keen ability to help entrepreneurs and real estate developers leverage capital for results. She has a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from Hood College.
Tracy Evans
Loan Officer, Real Estate Lending Division
Roy Miller
Roy is responsible for supporting the Small Business Lending team, including the coordination and management of loan inquiries and applications. He has over 30 years of experience as a loan officer, underwriter, and housing counselor at various banks, lenders, and community development nonprofits. Roy has developed and supervised programs such as a merchants association, housing initiatives, and job development programs. He studied Data Processing at the Community College of Philadelphia and Business Administration at Catonsville Community College.
Roy Miller
Loan Administration Coordinator, Real Estate Lending Division
Administration & Finance
Vachee’ Anderson
Administrative & Fundraising Assistant
Jessica Brockington
Jessica Brockington has a passion for helping people and telling the story. Skilled in Outreach, Marketing, and Public Relations, she has a very strong communications background and brings a fresh outlook to the team. As The Marketing and Communications Officer for Baltimore Community Lending, Jessica’s goal is to utilize her personal and professional skills to help continue the mission of BCL. She has utilized her skills in marketing and engagement in the non-profit sector for several years in Baltimore City and she is just getting started. Jessica is very excited to be a part of the BCL Team.
Jessica is a West Baltimore Native and an alumna of Howard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism-Concentration in Public Relations.
As a fairly new homeowner, she spends the majority of her time on home projects getting inspiration from Pinterest. In addition to enjoying her new home with son, she loves crating, scrapbooking and spending time with family and friends.
Jessica Brockington
Marketing & Communications Officer
Susan Kelly
Susan is responsible for the organization’s monthly financial statements, compliance filings, yearly audit preparation, budgeting and cash management. In addition, she oversees loan servicing, payroll processing and human resources. Susan joined Baltimore Community Lending in September 2010 as an Executive Assistant, was promoted to Office Manager, Assistant Controller, and Finance Manager before becoming CFO in 2020. She has prior experience in banking and accounting as well as a degree in both Economics and Psychology from Virginia Tech.
Susan Kelly
Chief Financial Officer
Patricia “Pat” Clements
Pat is responsible for implementing fundraising campaigns, developing donor relationships, managing and directing daily operations, and providing executive leadership support. She has extensive experience in residential and small business lending as well as construction management. Her leadership roles have involved operations, loan origination, and servicing at various financial institutions. Pat serves on the Baltimore Homeownership Preservation Coalition, the Asset Building and Community Development Steering Committee, and the Baltimore Predatory Lending Task Force. She has a bachelor’s degree in History from Morgan State University.
Patricia “Pat” Clements
Major Gifts Cultivator, Operations Administrator, and Executive Assistant to the President & CEO
Edwina Vinton
Edwina supports payment processing, accounts collections, accounts reconciliations, and other financial matters. She has a strong track record as a negotiator and result driven debt collector. Edwina can work in any environment and can adapt to complex situations. She has a BS in Business Administration and an MBA in Finance, both from Walden University.