FLOORING

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At 23, he started Hansons’ Windows & Siding Inc. in Fraser with $5,000 he had saved from a job selling windows, according to the bio on his website. Elias was the only employee when he launched his company in 1989 and grew it from a replacement window company into an $80 million home improvement and remodeling business with a catchy jingle. In 2017, Elias sold a controlling interest to Detroit-based private equity firm Huron Capital Partners LLC, but maintains a seat on the board.

Elias believes his experience, coupled with his son’s education as a 2019 graduate of the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, can help Refloor go national.

“This is something that we’ve always wanted to do, since Daniel was a kid. We’ve always wanted to do something together and the pandemic helped push us closer together,” Elias said. “This business is kind of the opposite of 1-800-Hansons. Everybody at some point, multiple points, needs roofing or windows. With floors, it’s something you want. We want to ensure we have what the customers want because they’ll likely not have to come back again.

“I’m not saying we never have problems. If we see a fire, we put it out right away. With this, I try to do things how my wife would want them. That’s how we think about everything.”

In establishing Refloor, Brian Elias bet on himself, investing $3 million to $4 million of his own money to get the business up and running.

“I’m looking forward to investing more. I really want to have lightning-fast growth with this business,” he said. “Based on our projections, I don’t think I’ll have to invest any more. I think this is going to be huge.”

Not slowing down

Even with his son taking on a major role with Refloor, Brian Elias has no plans to ride off into the sunset anytime soon. Daniel is a big reason for that.

“Nothing warms my heart more than waking up every day and going to work with my son. I think he feels exactly the same way,” Elias said. “I love the idea of working together and building something — taking his education and my in-home customer service experience and merging them together.

“And I see great things for this business. It took me 30 years to hit $80 million (in sales with 1-800-Hansons). It’s feasible we could hit $80 million next year with Refloor. Once you have a recipe for success, you can re-create that. I’m thankful to God for 1-800-Hansons.

I’m able to take the things I’ve learned and combine it with Daniel’s organizational skills. I think we’re a dangerous team.”

Elias has no plans to retire. Enjoying working with Daniel is one reason why, but there’s more to it.

“I plan to work with my son for the rest of my life, or until he kicks me to the curb,” Elias said. “I’m 57. I go to work to have fun. I don’t have any hobbies. I don’t golf. My hobby is going to work. I work six days a week. I have a wonderful marriage. This is what I enjoy, though. I wake up every day ready to go to work.”

Following are some fast facts about the family-owned company:

Owners: Brian and Daniel Elias

Headquarters: Troy

Locations: Detroit, Toledo, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati and St. Louis, Mo.

Sta : Close to 200 employees

Residential installations completed in 2022: About 4,000

Projected installations in 2023: Around 7,000

2022 sales: $32 million

2023 projected sales: $50 million-$60 million

Daniel Elias said he’s always wanted to own a business, and he believes Refloor has staying power.

“When I got to college, I heard from people that school was a place to get me ready for a job. In the back of my head, I knew I didn’t want to work for anybody else. I wanted to start a concept with myself or my dad,” Elias said. “When I graduated I took some time to figure out what I wanted to do and we’ve been able to start this business from scratch. ...

“I couldn’t be more excited about what we’re building. Being a part of the growth, you can feel the excitement in our building every day.”

Contact: jason.davis@crain.com

(313) 446-1612; @JayDavis_1981 is group of commercial banking professionals uses their diverse skills to grow their book of clients, increase loan portfolios and revenue, expand their banks into new regions and support startups and LGBTQ+-, diverse-, veteran- and women-owned businesses. ey are also active in their communities and industries through board membership and volunteerism.

Terri Cable Michigan President

First Merchants Bank

Cable is the top leader in the state for First Merchants Bank, an $18 billion nancial institution headquartered in Muncie, Ind., with operations in four states, including Michigan.

She managed the integration of First Merchants Bank with the former Level One Bank after their merger and is responsible for nearly $43 billion in deposits, $2.5 billion in loans and more than 300 team members.

e bank’s executive team “handpicked (Cable) to lead the Michigan Market’s integration and development because of her expertise in growing diverse, high-performing teams,” said First Merchants Corp. President Michael Stewart.

Additionally, Cable created the post-merger strategic growth plan for Michigan that incorporated talent recruitment, development and succession, client service segmentation and industry specialization.

Cable actively supports and volunteers for organizations that champion economic and community development. Her e orts include mentoring young professionals through Community Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, St. Francis University in Pennsylvania and the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership, where she served as council CEO. Cable is also a member of the American Heart Association leadership council.

Tommy Gasso

Senior Vice President of Commercial Lending Community Financial

Credit Union

Gasso joined Community Financial Credit Union in 2013 and, in less than 10 years, grew its collective commercial portfolio from $20 million to $220 million, a sizeable gure for the metro Detroit-based credit union.

Gasso’s team of commercial lenders closed 70 loans totaling $88 million in 2022. Many of those loans were for small businesses. About $20 million of that portfolio supports new residential construction in some of Detroit’s underinvested neighborhoods.

Under Gasso’s leadership, Community Financial also expanded its housing lending in Detroit, supporting the new construction of 112 housing units.

“Tommy pushes Community Financial to be one of the best commercial lenders in Michigan,” said Community Financial CEO Tansley Stearns. “He is a connector, dreams boldly and cares deeply about Michiganders and helping businesses thrive.”

Gasso’s drive to lend to communities of color is in uenced by his childhood experiences, seeing the challenges his family faced as business owners.

Gasso is a member of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce board and spearheaded the industry association Fuel Michigan’s DEI committee.

Steve Davis Michigan Market President Comerica Bank

Davis oversees Comerica’s business and community engagement e orts in the state and leads the bank’s middle market and business banking teams.

Davis manages approximately 120 colleagues in this role and is responsible for over $10 billion in commitments and loans. He oversees the business and community engagement of approximately 4,500 colleagues throughout the state, managing more than $37 billion in deposits as of June 2022, and supports over 300 nonpro ts. Davis also serves as president of Comerica Leasing Corp.

“Steve’s leadership experience of over 30 years, in-depth understanding of the market, and extensive knowledge of numerous industries enable us to continue improving how we build relationships to support our customers,” said Peter Sefzik, senior executive vice president and chief banking ofcer at Comerica Bank.

Davis serves on Detroit Regional Partnership’s Leadership Circle and volunteers for Detroit Regional Partnership’s Talent Solutions program.

Kim Gorman

Managing Director & Michigan Market Executive

Wells Fargo Bank

Steve Englehart

Senior Vice President & Senior Commercial Executive Fifth Third Bank

Englehart oversees the bank’s middle market, health care, higher education, not-for-pro t and government/institutional relationships within the Eastern Michigan region. Englehart’s team includes 16 account managers working with more than 300 clients on credit, treasury, depository, investment and risk management needs.

Under his leadership, the Fifth ird Bank team was responsible for over $275 million in new outstanding loans and over $500 million in new loan commitments to Michigan-based businesses in 2022.

“Steve’s dedication to cultivating the talents of his team means our customers and the communities we are privileged to serve remain at the center of everything we do,” said David Girodat, regional president of Fifth ird Bank, Eastern Michigan.

Englehart also actively serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan and the Michigan Chapter of National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

Marybeth Howe

Executive Vice President

Commercial Banking, Wells Fargo e division has grown signi cantly under Howe’s leadership, increasing its portfolio by nearly 40 percent in commitments in 2022. Her team is the fastest-growing regional commercial banking division for Wells Fargo.

Gorman is responsible for leading the Wells Fargo Commercial Banking business for the state of Michigan, including the emerging middle market, middle market and mid-corporate segments. She manages Wells Fargo o ces in metro Detroit and Grand Rapids with well over $1 billion in loan commitments and several hundred million dollars in deposits.

Her team grew its portfolio by 26 percent in 2022 through multi-billion-dollar nancing packages, securitizations, asset-based lending, mergers and acquisitions, treasury solutions, health care and more.

Gorman led the team’s transition from o ce-based to remote-based work and collaborated with her associates to create processes that ensured client service support. She collaborates with the Michigan team at First Independence Bank to foster a partnership with its Black minority depository institution in Michigan and Minnesota to help build the bank’s loan assets.

Additionally, her charitable activities include a role as vice chair and future chair of the board of trustees for Leader Dogs for the Blind. She is a long-term member of Financial Executives International and Wells Fargo Women’s Connection.

Howe leads the Great Lakes Commercial Banking Division for Wells Fargo, which includes Michigan, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. She oversees a team of 125 professionals working with businesses with $10 million to $2.5 billion in annual revenues. Howe supports credit origination, treasury management, investment banking and asset-based lending products and services.

Howe serves as a member of the board of trustees of the Citizens Research Council and the Wells Fargo Great Lakes Charitable Committee, which directs funding to nonpro t enterprises in the Midwest.

“Marybeth generates innovative solutions while leading with a steadfast hand that only someone with her experience and institutional knowledge can have, said Laura Schmaltz Oberst, executive vice president and head of Central Region Commercial Banking at Wells Fargo.

METHODOLOGY: The honorees featured in this Notable Leaders in Commercial Banking report were nominated by their peers or companies. Crain’s Detroit Business editors selected nominated honorees based on their career accomplishments, track record of success in their eld and contributions to their industry and community, as outlined in the detailed eligibility forms. Special Projects Editor Leslie D. Green, lgreen@crain.com, managed this Notables Leaders in Commercial Banking report, and Mike Scott wrote the honoree pro les based on nomination and candidate forms. Crain's Detroit Business is accepting nominations for Notable Leaders in Behavioral Health until March 31, 2023. For questions about how to nominate someone for a future Notable award program, visit our Nomination Page or contact Notables Coordinator Ashley Maahs at notablesdetroit@crain.com.

Dimitrius Hutcherson

Executive Vice President, Chief Technology O cer, Chief Administrative O cer

First Independence Bank

Hutcherson oversees First Independence Bank’s retail branches in Michigan and Minnesota and its technology, human resources and marketing departments. He is a member of the bank’s IT, HR/ compensation, audit, asset and liability and external a airs committee.

“Dimitrius provides impactful leadership with our institutions on a daily basis,” said First Independence Chairman and CEO Kenneth Kelly.

“His connectivity to our team and his network across banking, along with personal relationships, have allowed him to demonstrate success.”

Hutcherson’s biggest win may be leading the bank’s conversion to a new platform. e core banking platform is built on an open, scalable architecture that provides customers with a more robust digital banking experience.

A big part of Hutcherson’s role is creating relationships with community, business and charitable associations. His board memberships include the Michigan Strategic Fund, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Junior Achievement of Southeastern Michigan, Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation and Harvard Business School Club of Michigan.

Kristine Kerns

Director of Middle Market Banking and Ann Arbor Market President Comerica Bank

Kerns manages $3 billion in loans and commitments for Comerica as of December 2022. In that capacity, she manages a middle-market team of 26 professionals. As a 29-year Comerica president, Kerns also doubles as its Ann Arbor regional president, responsible for building the bank’s market presence.

Her e orts contribute to Comerica’s Commercial Banking division having the highest concentration of commercial and industrial loans among the top 25 U.S. nancial holding companies. She participates in several professional organizations, including Inforum Michigan, the Association for Corporate Growth Detroit and the Detroit Economic Club. A big part of Kerns’ role is tied to community outreach and service. She serves on the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra board, volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Washtenaw County and United Way of Washtenaw County and is a Healing Hearts Society member of Ele’s Place in Ann Arbor.

“Kris has a deep passion and commitment to help our customers succeed, and she integrates those same qualities into her exceptional community involvement,” said Comerica Bank Michigan Market President Steve Davis.

Kyle Johns Senior Commercial Banker Independent Bank

Independent Bank created Johns’ lending group in 2021, and she grew her portfolio to $50 million in outstanding loans in less than two years. Johns booked $43 million in new loans and exposures in 2022 alone, adding six new commercial relationships to Independent Bank’s portfolio.

One of Johns’ most impressive professional accomplishments was when she used her history, connections and industry knowledge in health care nancing to lead the underwriting of a behavioral health hospital for Independent Bank.

“Kyle understands her customers’ business at a deep level, allowing her to anticipate needs and provide strategic advice to guide success,” said Joel Rahn, executive vice president of Commercial Banking for Independent Bank. “She is also an outstanding person, as evidenced by her willingness to give back to her community through board involvement and volunteerism.”

Johns dedicates time to community and charitable activities, serving as a member of the Henry Ford Hospital, Ascension Hospital and Oakland University boards. She also led the e orts to bring free women’s heart health testing to customers and employees at Independent Bank.

Larry Mann

Senior Vice President, Business Banking Market Manager Bank of America

Mann has twice worked for Bank of America, returning as a senior relationship manager in 2019 after a stint with the bank from 2001-09. Mann oversees a team responsible for $591 million in total deposits and $432 million in loans and leases. He manages seven senior relationship managers and three commercial associates. at team provides strategic and nancial advice to metro Detroit companies with annual revenues of $10 million to $100 million. Mann’s team funded $98.7 million in loan originations and closed deposit balances of $24.4 million in 2022.

“Larry’s community engagement is as impressive as his work (in commercial banking),” said Dana Locniskar, a managing director and private wealth advisor for Bank of America.

Mann serves as a member of the Economic Development Alliance of St. Clair County, Motor City Mentors in Macomb County and Detroit Bible Institute boards. He is also a member of the Business Banking National Diversity and Inclusion Council and BELT (Black Executive Leadership Team) Michigan for Bank of America.

David Mannarino

Market President

Key Bank

Mannarino is responsible for the overall strategic direction of Key Bank’s Michigan market. He leads the middle market, business banking, health care, real estate capital and retail lines of business and the bank’s various investment banking teams. He also oversees more than 120 Michigan-based Key Bank employees.

One of Mannarino’s notable accomplishments is playing an integral role in Key Bank’s expansion into Grand Rapids. His commercial banking team exceeded loan growth goals in 2022, signicantly expanding the number of its new client relationships while building the brand.

Mannarino’s e orts allowed Key Bank to be recognized as a primary market player in the state, said Cascade Partners Managing Director Raj Kothari. “He transformed (the Michigan market) from a side thought to a key market focus,” Kothari said.

Within the community, Mannarino chairs the American Heart Association Heart Walk and Cycle Nation fundraiser and is treasurer of the Methodist Children’s Home Society.

Mary McCoy Vice President Commercial Banking JP Morgan Chase

McCoy’s role at JPMorgan Chase is largely dedicated to supporting diverse-, women-, veteran- and LGBTQ+-owned businesses. She and her team of eight professionals provide clients with resources for business growth, including capital, mentorship, education and networking. Additionally, McCoy is the Detroit team lead for commercial banking, deploying Chase’s national strategy for underserved businesses locally.

She is involved in JPMorgan Chase Business Resource groups and is a member of its Volunteer Leadership Group board. McCoy is also the marketing and events co-chair for Chase’s Women on the Move Michigan chapter. McCoy spends time volunteering or as a mentor with the Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council, National Veterans Business Development Council and Great Lakes Women’s Business Council.

“Mary has always been able to provide us with suitable loan options and cash management services that best suit our needs,” said McCoy’s client Tamira Chapman, president and CEO of technology rm Storehouse in a Box.