Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority is announcing two changes to its Board of Directors. Longtime Board Member Frank Capella, Founding Partner of Oxer Capital Inc., is departing his position on the Board, and Stonehenge Capital Director Keith Jones has been approved by Franklin County Commissioners to join it.
“Frank and Keith represent the high caliber of our board members and the level of expertise they bring to our transactions,” says Finance Authority President Patty Huddle. “I can’t say enough about Frank’s contributions to our work, and we’re all excited to add Keith’s voice to our monthly Board meetings and various committees.”
Frank Capella: Seasoned Perspective
In addition to his significant commercial banking and capital experience, Frank brought an advisory perspective to Finance Authority discussions and deliberations. Prior to his work with Oxer, which he launched in 2014, Frank spent a decade with the Huntington Capital Investment Company’s Capital Markets Group. There, he originated and managed 36 investments representing more than $135M. Prior to that work, he spent more than 25 years in commercial banking with Huntington and HBD.
“In his roles as Board President, Investment Advisor, and sundry committee appointments, Frank provided to our Board a wealth of financial expertise informed with community awareness,” adds Huddle. “We can’t thank him enough for his contributions to our mission of providing competitive public bond and other financing options for local development.”
Keith Jones: Commitment to Community
Keith’s path to CFFA and public financing was both unlikely and beneficial to our purpose. Before his career in investment banking, Keith served as Head Pastor at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, TN, a position he held for six years. In addition to his weekly sermons, Keith was an active church board moderator and voice in committee meetings (a role he continues to serve in his family’s church in Columbus).
Keith’s preparation for the Finance Authority Board started with his first job after completing his MBA at Ohio State. His work with leading commercial real estate mortgage and investment banking firm Lancaster Pollard focused on senior healthcare and affordable housing. “I worked on projects ranging from bond financing for large organizations to agency-insured loans through FHA and FNMA for small affordable housing projects,” he says.
When an opportunity to work with the Stonehenge group became available in 2020, he was excited to work with a national firm focused on small business finance. “We work at the nexus of finance and community development, investing more than $1.5 billion in transformational capital,” he says. He has experience with Historic Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits, and Stonehenge’s rural revolving loan fund, which brings together public and private sector leaders to generate flexible capital resources. He takes a collaborative approach to close impactful investments, with a focus on communities that have traditionally suffered from a lack of access to capital.
Keith completed his MBA from the Fisher School of Business in 2016. He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Religion (with a minor in Accounting) from Case Western Reserve University in 2004, and his Master of Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary in Atlanta in 2007.
“Finance Authority Board members play a very active role in our organization, and I’m confident that Keith’s unique mix of experiences will extend our reputation for Board excellence,” says Huddle. “We’re so pleased he has joined us.”