The American Association of Private Lenders (AAPL) announced the nominees for each category of the AAPL Excellence Awards: Members of the Year, Community Impact Award and Emerging Leader Award.

The awards, running for the first time this year, showcase private lending professionals who leverage their unique resources to solve problems, advance industry and professional performances, kick-start innovation and improve community conditions.

“We have seen outstanding submissions in each of the categories. All of the nominees have shown that they are among the best in the private lending business.”

Linda Hyde, executive director of AAPL, said: “We have an incredible group of successful entrepreneurs and seasoned professionals that we couldn’t be prouder of. They are who help elevate standards of excellence to help raise the perception of private lending. The Excellence Award Committee judges have their work cut out for them this year.”

The full list of nominees:

AAPL’s Community Impact Award:

–          Brett Crosby, PeerStreet

–          Bob Eakin, JCAP Private Lending

Member of the Year:

–          Erica LaCentra, RCN Capital

–          A.J. Poulin, Applied Business Software, Inc. (The Mortgage Office)

–          Allen Shayanfekr, Sharestates

Emerging Leader:

–          Carrie Cook, Ignite Funding

–          Nema Daghbandan, Esq., Geraci Law Firm

–          Brew Johnson, PeerStreet

–          Jennette Pokorny, American Life Financial

–          Sohin Shah, InstaLend

–          Jeffrey Tesch, RCN Capital

The winners will be announced during AAPL’s 8th Annual Conference at Caesars Palace, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017. For more information about AAPL’s Excellence Awards and the annual conference, visit www.aaplonline.com