Aaron Aldrich

About Aaron Aldrich

After years working inside the lending and underwriting ecosystem, one pattern has become clear:Most business acquisitions and growth initiatives don’t fail because of lack of opportunity — they struggle because of structure.Through my experience in the SBA lending and underwriting environment, I’ve seen firsthand that the difference between a promising deal and a financeable one often comes down to how risk, cash flow, equity, and operator experience are aligned before underwriting ever begins.As a Senior SBA Business Development Officer and Regional Vice President at Northwest Bank, I work closely with entrepreneurs, operators, and advisors navigating complex transactions and capital decisions. My perspective goes beyond financing itself — I’m deeply interested in the structural design of deals and how thoughtful preparation reduces friction, strengthens narrative clarity, and improves outcomes when capital is pursued.Previously, as Director of Lending Strategies at Bridgeway Capital, I contributed to strategic planning, program development, and lending initiatives while maintaining an active portfolio. That experience reinforced my belief that successful deals are rarely accidental — they are engineered through intentional structure and clear alignment.I’m passionate about helping entrepreneurs think more strategically about deal architecture — designing capital-ready opportunities that withstand real underwriting scrutiny and support sustainable growth.I’m especially drawn to working alongside operators who understand that bankability is engineered long before capital is pursued.

Experience

1. Senior Sba Business Development Officer, Regional Vice President

   Northwest Bank

   May 2023 — Present · Pittsburgh, PA, US

   Advise entrepreneurs and executive teams on customized financing strategies, resulting in successful funding solutions that support business growth and expansion- Structure SBA 7(a) and 504 financing solutions, facilitate business acquisitions, startups, and expansions with measurable growth impact- Build and leverage strategic relationships with professional advisors to generate new lending opportunities and facilitate client business growth- Deliver workshops to small business owners and bank partners, demonstrating how SBA loans can support business growth- Provide guidance on SBA SOP updates, advising stakeholders on implications for loan structuring and funding strategies.

Education

• University of Pittsburgh

  Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Economics

  2001 — 2005

• Point Park University

  Master of Business Administration (MBA), Business Administration and Management, General

  2007 — 2009

Skills

• Credit Analysis
• Commercial Lending
• Creative Financing
• Real Estate Investor
• Branch Management
• Finance
• Financial Literacy Training
• Investment Properties
• Entrepreneurship Development
• Entrepreneurial Finance
• Credit
• Portfolio Management
• Start-Ups
• Loans
• Commercial Mortgages
• Mortgage Lending
• Business Development
• Leadership
• Small Business Lending
• Strategic Planning
• Management
• Banking
• Relationship Management
• Small Business
• Retail Banking
• Entrepreneurship
• Real Estate Development