About Us

Michael Fanger

Managing Member & President

Michael began his banking career in 1981 and has mainly focused on equipment loans to small retail businesses and real estate loans on owner-occupied real properties. While his focus is in New York, New England and the Mid Atlantic regions, Michael has financed businesses throughout the United States. Michael was raised in the commercial finance business as his father was CEO and a principal stockholder of a successful national finance company from 1964 – 1997 when he retired. Michael’s thesis is to develop long term relationships with multi store retail operators and owner occupied, small, commercial real properties, and to assist those customers in building their personal and corporate wealth over time.

Michael was employed at Shawmut Bank (Boston, MA) from 1981 to 1986, leaving as a Vice President. He was employed at Medallion Financial Corp. (New York, NY) from 1997 – 2007, as Executive Vice President and President of Transportation Capital Corp., a subsidiary. Michael was deeply involved in two public offerings at Medallion raising a total of $130 million. He is the founder and CEO of Eastern Funding. Eastern has grown at a compound annual rate of 25% since inception. 

Brian Grell

Executive Vice President

Brian is a pivotal figure of Eastern's Credit Committee responsible for evaluating proposals and recommending loan approvals. Brian participates in management discussions, particularly with respect to the strategic direction of the company. From 1987 to 1997, Brian was the controller for the largest coin operated laundry equipment distributor and route operator in the United States. There, he packaged loans totaling over $60 million for laundry operators in the New York metropolitan area. Brian brings a unique experience to the laundry industry as he has not only been involved in the construction and financing of new industries but has also owned and operated coin laundries. Brian is a graduate of New York University and started his career at Coopers & Lybrand where he became a Certifies Public Accountant. Brain and Michael started Eastern together in 1997.

Stephen
Gramaglia

Senior Vice President

Stephen joined Eastern Funding just 18 months after its inception allowing him the opportunity to be directly involved in every aspect of running the company. His vast experience in the operations of credit, documentation, accounting and collections has made him an integral part of Eastern Funding. Stephen’s additional experience in the industry derives from his time at Medallion Financial Corp, TLC Funding Corporation and CPC Services, Inc. Today, Stephen’s role as a leader and top lender has contributed to Eastern Funding’s success. Stephen holds a BA in Business Administration & Finance from Pace University.

Nancy
Robles-Guess

Vice President of Loan Processing

With over 11 years of experience in the lending industry, Nancy serves as Eastern Funding's Vice President of Loan Processing. Nancy manages the Credit and Documentation teams while working collaboratively with Eastern Funding's Loan Officers and Credit Committee to facilitate and enhance the loan approval process. In addition to her core responsibilities, Nancy also assists with compliance, loan servicing, business development, and customer relations. Nancy was introduced to the lending industry via Fleet Healthcare Capital Leasing/Bank of America, where she spent six years working directly with legal, operations and documentation. Nancy obtained her BA in Business Administration-Management from Berkeley College.

Marc Stern

Chief Credit Officer

Marc began his working career in the family dairy business which was sold in 1988. From 1988 – 2005 Marc served as President of Viking Financial Services and Chief Operating Officer of Wascomat. He joined Eastern in 2007. At Viking Marc pioneered the concept of Prime Rate financing for the laundry industry. Having successfully done business throughout the United States, Marc understands what has to be done to get an application approved. He believes in the phrase “we can tailor make a program to fit your business needs”, and has help over 10,000 customers successfully obtain financing for their business. At Eastern, Marc is responsible for all new loan approvals, serves as the company’s Compliance Officer and is part of the Eastern senior management team. Marc is a graduate of Emory University and Cumberland School of Law and has been a member of the New York State Bar since 1981.

JP Nicoletta

Director of Sales

JP Nicoletta is currently serving as Director of Sales and Marketing for Eastern and has 12 years experience in the commercial lending and equipment leasing industry. Prior to joining EF in 2009 JP was Market Manager of New World Equipment Funding, LLC’s third party non recourse funding program. From November 1999 to April 2006 he served as a Relationship Manager with Sovereign Bank’s Commercial Vehicle and Equipment Finance Division in Melville NY. During his 7 years with Sovereign JP advanced to Program Management where he was involved with all aspects of building and managing an equipment portfolio in excess of $400MM. Eastern Funding was one of several client relationships he managed. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration: Marketing, from Fordham University in NYC and MBA from Long Island University’s CW Post College of Management.