Karen Lynch
Revolving Loan Fund Administrator
Karen Lynch is the Revolving Loan Fund Administrator for the Atlanta Regional Office. She came to EDA in 2018 after spending several years with financial institutions in the north. She began her career with a large New York City bank, then later ran an economic development organization in Vermont.
That position included the management of two revolving loan funds. It wasn’t always easy, she says, but she appreciated the hands-on interaction with small businesses and entrepreneurs and being a part of their success, something she still enjoys now at EDA.
While she liked the life that Vermont had to offer, she often longed to return to her home state of Georgia and the extended family she had so often missed.
“EDA gave me the opportunity to continue to do meaningful, hands-on work in economic development, while allowing me to reconnect with family.”
Today she calls Roswell her home, bringing years of experience to her position with EDA. She works with RLF operators at Economic Development Districts, municipalities, and non-profits throughout the region, advising them on such issues as analyzing credit quality and loan structuring.
Like other industries, the coronavirus pandemic brought new challenges to the world of finance. Some borrowers pivoted however, meeting societal needs that had popped up overnight. Karen fondly recalls a school sports uniform manufacturer who began making facemasks instead.
“Sometimes, the opportunities were unexpected,” Karen recalls, “like the kayak company that had to close its brick-and-mortar stores, who later saw online sales skyrocket to the extent that they had to double their manufacturing capacity. Chocolate makers and other comfort food businesses also saw a lot of growth.”
When not at work, Karen is an avid gardener and an adventurous cook. She receives a lot of assistance in both pastimes from her two German Shepherds, August and Tallulah.
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