Meet our growing team of financial and tech experts

Leadership

Sherry Waner

CEO HelloBello®

Sherry Waner is the CEO of HelloBello®, an innovative technology platform that simplifies complex lending. A leader in the economic development and entrepreneurial ecosystem-building fields, Sherry has used technology to amplify impact throughout her career - including building software applications for federal assistance programs, using technology-based solutions for solving inefficiencies in the lending processes, and creating data impact and measurement programs.

Her deep knowledge of rural communities and the challenges they face for economic growth, combined with her technology and data expertise has enabled Sherry to create innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Sherry has over 31 years of banking experience, specializing in finding creative ways to provide access to capital that assists small business start-ups and expansions. She has coached thousands of startups and small to medium-sized businesses across industries on financing, fundraising, employee-buyouts, acquisitions, strategy, scaling, and other business essentials.

Prior to her role at HelloBello, Sherry served as Chief Development Officer (CDO) for First Southwest Bank, a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Bank, and partner organization First Southwest Community Fund, a 501c-3 non-profit. During her time as CDO, Sherry led First Southwest Bank to become one of Colorado’s leading specialized lenders – now known for its innovative financing models nationally. Sherry was also instrumental in the formation and capacity building of the partner 501c-3 First Southwest Community Fund.

Sherry attended the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado University- Boulder. She holds various leadership positions locally and statewide including Chair of the Colorado Minority Business Office Advisory Counsel-appointed by the Governor, Counsel Member of the newly chartered Colorado Office of Financial Empowerment-appointed by the Attorney General, President of the Board of Directors for the Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation-elected, and serving on the Advisory Board for Colorado Enterprise Fund focusing on New Market Tax Credit Projects for underserved communities.

Robert King

CTO

Robert is HelloBello®’s Chief Technology Officer. He is an innovative leader in the technology financial space, with 20+ years of experience leading diverse teams and building successful products, processes and software. Following service in the US Army, Robert pursued a career in IT in the banking industry. He has held multiple leadership roles for community banks, credit unions and large national banks with assets up to $50B.

These include Chief Information Officer for ICON Credit Union and Los Padres Bank, and most recently Chief Technology Officer for First Southwest Bank. Robert also worked for Fiserv, the world’s largest banking service provider, managing core conversions. Outside HelloBello, Robert has been involved in other successful IT start-ups, using his deep banking knowledge and innovative mindset to address IT challenges. In his spare time, Robert enjoys running a hobby ranch with his family near Durango, CO.

Andrea Poston

SCRUM Product Owner

Andrea is a Certified SCRUM Product Owner with over 15 years of software development experience in the roles of Project Manager, Product Owner, Scrum Product Owner, Sr. Business Analyst and Systems Analyst in various technology platforms.

Andrea will lead and oversee product development, system testing, release iterations, and business requirements to ensure every Financial Institution has all the tools they need to be successful in serving their communities financing needs.

Paul Ballas

UX/UI Designer

Paul has been a designer in the tech industry for 15 years. He was previously the first designer at two SaaS startups (both acquired), and managed large design teams at Oracle and Dentsu. He lives in Colorado with his wife, two dogs, and cat.

Roxanne DeMarco Rickert

Operations

Roxanne DeMarco Rickert has worked across private, nonprofit, and government sectors to create impactful change. She is passionate about economic empowerment and removing barriers to accessing capital, particularly in rural Colorado, believing that we should strive to create inclusive, equitable capital access for individuals and entrepreneurs.

To this end, she has secured more than $100 million in capital for rural Colorado.

Gina Harris

Non-Profit & Program Specialist

Gina has over 25 years of experience primarily as a CEO/Executive Director in the nonprofit sector. During her tenure, she has expanded two organizations’ mission impact and funding by over 500% through federal, state and foundation grants, as well as support from events, individual donors, and sponsors.

Gina is a speaker and contributing author to multiple books. Her story has been featured in the media, including CNN, The LA Times, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, Extra, People Magazine, and many local media outlets.

Gina has a Master of Science in nonprofit management and a Bachelor of Arts in television news, she has worked as a reporter and anchor for a CBS affiliate.

Kent Curtis

Board Member HelloBello® / CEO First SouthWest Bank

Experienced Chief Executive Officer with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Skilled in Portfolio Management, Banking, Loans, Credit Analysis, and Venture Capital. Strong business development professional graduated from University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Barry Spear

Board Member HelloBello®

Having graduated from the University of Northern California in 1975, John Barlow “Barry” Spear has lived in Durango since 1977, where he was first working as a news reporter for the Durango Herald. In 1980, Spear began law school at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas. After graduating with honors, he returned to Durango and began working for Shand, McLachlan and Newbold (which became Shand, McLachlan, Newbold, and Spear in 1990), concentrating on litigation and insurance defense.

In 1993 Spear took his practice to Maynes Bradford Shipps & Sheftel (MBSS) to provide it with a banking/civil litigation section, in addition to its nationally renowned Native law practice. In 1994 Spear became a partner at MBSS.

Over the 36 years Spear has lived in Durango, he has served on many boards of directors for non-profits, including the Durango Film Festival, Durango Art Center, Durango Adult Education Center, and Music in the Mountains. John is currently serving on the Homes Fund board. He has served as general counsel for several banks in southwest Colorado over his 30-plus career years as a lawyer.

John Smith

Board Member HelloBello®

After growing up in Alamosa and graduating from Alamosa High School, John Smith attended the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he attained a BS in Applied Mathematics.

Smith then moved to Houston, Texas to work for Texas Instruments, which was the beginning of a 40+ year career in high-tech. Having worked for both large corporations (TI, American Microsystems, Simpletech), as well as several start-ups, serving on the Board for corporations and non-profits, Smith is now the President of the Board of Directors for Tucson Botanical Gardens.

Jed Ellithorp

Board Member HelloBello®

Since 2000, Jed Ellithorpe has assisted with the operation of Aspen Produce, his family-owned potato packing facility in Center, and Ponderosa Partnership, their farm entity producing potatoes, cattle, hay, and grain. Since 2004, he has served on varied potato industry boards throughout North America, helped found United Potato Growers of Colorado and, from 2016-2018, chaired the Federated Potato Cooperative.

Ellithorpe founded an aviation company in 2018 and has served on the San Luis Valley Regional Airport Advisory Board. In 2006, he served as President of the Sand Dunes Shrine Club. Ellithorpe’s roots grow deep in the San Luis Valley. He is a fourth-generation potato farmer whose great grandfather was the valley’s first USDA potato inspector. His father, grandfather and great uncle worked in mining at Summitville and Elwood.

Chris Raper

Fractional COO

Chris Raper is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in data analytics, financial analysis, technology, and partnering to create solutions. This unique perspective enables the delivery of comprehensive solutions that address the most pressing needs of our clients.

Chris developed a passion for the Community Banking space during his tenure at Smiley Technologies, a core provider, starting with a Consultant Engagement leading to the roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Strategy Officer. During his time as CSO, Chris championed the development of an ECIP compliance/reporting product that quickly scaled to 40+ institutions.

Prior to Smiley, Chris spent 24 years in the telecom sector. This tenured experience provided him with a solid background in Product Development, Financial Planning, Data Analytics and Strategy. From large Fortune 500 companies to one branch Community Banks, Chris has the skills to make a real difference.

Chris is grounded in his faith and supported by his incredible wife and daughters.