Jeff Christensen, NENEDD’s Business Loan Specialist, will celebrate 26 years with the District in September. Jeff provides business consultation and loan packaging services. Jeff has extensive experience in loan fund management, business training, and as a technical assistance provider. He manages NED, Inc. and NENEDD’s $16.7 million Business Revolving Loan Fund (RLF). Jeff has completed the National Development Council’s (NDC) economic development courses, is a certified Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP), an Accredited Business Planning Advisor (ABPA), a graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and has a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University in Bloomington. Jeff has also received National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) training for revolving loan administration and is a member of NADO’s Economic Development Financial Service (EDFS). He has extensive experience in packaging of federal loan programs including EDA, CDBG, USDA’s IRP, REDLG, RMAP and RBEG programs, and private foundation funds. He has been providing technical assistance since November of 2004. In that time period, he has provided technical assistance to over 2,200 small businesses. This has resulted in the creation and/or retention of over 3,800 jobs. Prior to becoming NENEDD’s Business Loan Specialist, he was NENEDD’s Deputy Director for over four years.
Tell us about your family: Married to Kerri for 50 years in August, 3 children, 12 grandchildren.
Tell us about your pets: One dog, Millie Marie, mixed breed, 4 years old.
What is your favorite movie? It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World
What is your dream vacation? Attend all NASCAR races in one year.
What’s one thing on your bucket list? Attend all NASCAR races in one year.
What is the most rewarding part of your job? Working with the future.
What is your favorite time of the year and why? Summer – warm/hot weather
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? Steak
What kind of car did you drive in high school? Ford Mustang Mach 1
What’s your nickname, and is there a story behind it? I have several…all have stories.
What’s a fun or interesting fact about you? My wife and I are high school sweethearts. We had a mock wedding in high school 5 years before we were actually married. The mock wedding was held in an old Lutheran church that was being used for our high school band/choir. One of my best friends performed the ceremony. His father was the Lutheran minister in that church.
