Fueling Growth: How to Leverage SBA Loans in the Food Industry (29 May 2026)

Fri, 29 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This short educational webinar is designed for food manufacturers, distributors, grocers, and logistics providers seeking a clearer understanding of SBA-backed financing. Our FWB lending expert, Gabe Beukinga, will walk through how SBA loans are commonly used in the food industry and how these programs work. The session is designed to help operators not only understand their financing options, but also learn how to grow, expand, and free up cash flow by leveraging longer-term SBA loans with favorable rates and flexible structures—positioning their business for stronger, more sustainable long-term success.

SPEAKER

Gabe Beukinga

President Government Guaranteed Lending

First Women's Bank

Gabe Beukinga is a financial services executive and economic development expert who is dedicated to shaping an environment where small business owners and the community he serves can find opportunity and growth. In his professional life, Gabe is a dynamic, solutions-driven market leader in SBA lending. Gabe has been recognized as a top SBA lender in the country for the last decade. Gabe is currently the President Government Guaranteed Lending at First Women's Bank. He’s helped over 700 small businesses achieve growth and economic development through his tireless advocacy. Through his advocacy, he has helped provide over $1bn in capital to small business owners.

This event is in partnership with:

The Ripple Effect: Geopolitics and the F&B Supply Chain (3 Jun 2026)

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 22:00:00 GMT

From ingredient availability to packaging materials and energy costs, geopolitics are reshaping every step of the global supply chain. Join CFBN and Fifth Third Bank for a panel discussion on how today’s geopolitical climate is affecting the food & beverage industry. Hear diverse perspectives from CPG, supply chain, commodities, and restaurant experts on one of the biggest challenges facing F&B today.

Agenda

5:00 PM Doors Open

5:30 PM Panel Discussion and Q&A

6:45 PM Networking

8:00 PM Event Ends

Speakers

David R. Brown

Partner

Nixon Peabody

David is a lawyer and partner in Nixon Peabody LLP’s corporate practice group in Chicago. He focuses on M&A, joint ventures, corporate governance and general corporate legal counseling. Many of his clients are active in the food and beverage supply chain, ranging from producers of food and beverage products, to suppliers of key inputs and packaging.

Shayna Harris
Co-Founder and Managing Partner
Supply Change Capital

Shayna is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Supply Change Capital, investing in early-stage food system technologies, with over two decades of operating experience across 20+ countries in C-Suite and leadership roles at companies including Farmer's Fridge and Mars. A multilingual Fulbright Scholar, she holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and has been recognized as a Chicago Business Journal Woman of Influence, Inc Female Founders 500, and Top Emerging VC by Venture Forward. She serves on several boards including Celleste Bio and Helios AI, and is also a published author and Forbes contributor.

Jake Marwil

Principal

Fifth Third Bank

Jake is a principal at Fifth Third Bank specializing in commodity risk management. He began his career at a physical commodity trading firm focused on the steel and broader manufacturing sector, where he developed a deep understanding of supply chains and price dynamics.

At Fifth Third, Jake works with clients across the agricultural, metals, and energy markets to help them better understand commodity price risk and develop effective hedging strategies. He focuses on aligning financial solutions with clients’ underlying physical exposures, designing tailored strategies that support procurement, pricing, and margin stability.

Robert (Rob) Mueller
President
RIM logistics, ltd.

Rob is the President of RIM logistics, a leading global freight forwarding and logistics provider with a rich family legacy. A graduate of Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Marketing, Robert brings a global leadership perspective shaped by living and working in the USA, Asia, and the United Kingdom. His career spans strategic roles in operations, sales, and strategic planning, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the logistics industry and a strong lens on global inclusion.

Under his leadership, RIM logistics, ltd. has modernized operations, expanded international reach, and strengthened customer relationships while preserving the company’s commitment to service, innovation, and integrity.

Craig Albert, CFA
Founder & Managing Partner
Saphineia Manufacturing Partners

Craig Albert is the Founder & Managing Partner of Saphineia Manufacturing Partners, a team of 30 manufacturing, procurement and supply chain specialists exclusively serving the middle market Food & Beverage manufacturing industry. Our team brings 600+ years of hands-on, cross-functional expertise from leading Food & Beverage manufacturers such as Unilever, P&G, Wrigley, Mars, Hearthside, Kraft, Conagra, Treehouse, Kellogg’s and Kerry Foods.

Before entering the food manufacturing industry, Craig was co-owner and Portfolio Manager of Sheffield Asset Management, a $1.3bn long/short equity hedge fund. Earlier in his career, Craig was the Sr. Packaged Food Analyst at Sanford C. Bernstein & Co., a sell-side equity research firm.

This event is presented in partnership with:

We thank the following companies for their participation:

Chicagoland Food & Beverage Network upcoming events

Fueling Growth: How to Leverage SBA Loans in the Food Industry (29 May 2026)

The Ripple Effect: Geopolitics and the F&B Supply Chain (3 Jun 2026)

Agenda

Speakers