Meet our Leadership

Oscar Garcia

Chief Risk Officer

A true problem solver, Oscar Garcia directs underwriting and portfolio loss management for BorrowWorks.  His driving mission is to improve credit quality and raise profitability for our clients by leveraging data analytics  and employing advanced modeling techniques.  Oscar enjoys solving puzzles, so alternative lending risk management through customer solutions design is a natural fit for him. For the past 15, he successfully met these goals while serving in risk and finance leadership positions across organizations both large and small. Oscar is a proud Aggie, earning a BBA in Accounting and Finance from Texas A&M University.

Alta Owen

Chief Product Officer

Alta Owen oversees product of Borrowworks financial platforms. Prior to assuming her current role, she served as a Call Center Supervisor, advancing to the position of Director of Operations and Product Owner. Before BorrowWorks, Alta worked for ACC Management, Inc., a private equity holding company, directing accounting and operations for 36 storefront lending locations in three states. Alta’s story illustrates the talent fostered within the BorrowWorks environment.

Heather Julian

Chief Marketing Officer

Heather Julian oversees brand, customer acquisition and engagement, public relations, and advertising for BorrowWorks and our clients.  Her 20-year financial services career includes executive positions in marketing, product development, regulatory affairs, and cash management as well as consumer, mortgage, and commercial lending.  Increasing customer acquisition by 625% and consistently outperforming industry average click through rates are among her notables.

Jeff Forsey

SVP Internal Audit & Operations

Jeff Forsey authors, implements, and adapts compliance programs for clients of BorrowWorks while working with general and outside counsel concerning government affairs. Previously, Jeff was CEO of ACC Management, growing the company to 45 lending locations during his 11 years.  He also spent eight years with Beverly Enterprises, a publicly-traded healthcare company, managing internal audits before advancing to VP of Finance in the Homecare Division. Jeff is an alumnus of St. Bonaventure University with degrees in Accounting and Finance.

Dave Whitmer

Chief Technology Officer

Dave Whitmer personally developed the BorrowWorks payment processing, compliance and loan underwriting systems that handle over $6 billion annually and underwrite more than 150,000 monthly.  A retired Navy Commander and US Naval Academy graduate, Dave served in the Marine Corps before becoming a Navy pilot. He completed seven deployments, participated in combat operations, attended the Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN), led operational tests of F/A-18 software, networking, and sensor systems, and was awarded the Air Medal 9 times, including 3 for Valor.

Geoff Tran

Chief Strategy Officer

Geoff Tran, with extensive expertise in business optimization and strategy, focuses on scaling and aligning revenue-connected initiatives for both clients and partners. Prior to BorrowWorks, Geoff was a Creative Technologist, designing digital experiences to connect brands with consumers. His portfolio includes projects for The Bahamas, AMC Theatres, AMD, 7-Eleven, and Bank of America. Geoff received his B.A. in Business Information Systems, Entrepreneurial Management from Texas Christian University.

Michelle Harold

Chief Operating Officer

Michelle Harold held leadership roles at both national and state-chartered banks for over 25 years, gaining extensive one-on-one experience with FDIC, state departments of banking, and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency regulators. After her banking career, Michelle launched a corporate prepaid card program for a publicly-traded company.  She now works with several US law firms who specialize in payments law, and has close ties with MasterCard, Visa, the NBPCA, and a majority of payment processors.

Graham Streett

General Counsel

As General Counsel and co-founder, Graham Streett manages legal, regulatory and government affairs for BorrowWorks.  Previously, he served as CEO of Washington County Financial, a company providing advisory and management services through its seventy storefronts across six states. He also worked at the US Department of Commerce where he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of External Affairs. Graham received his J.D. from the University of Arkansas.

Ben Gatzke

Chief Executive Officer

Prior to BorrowWorks, Ben Gatzke was the founding CTO at ThinkFinance (now Elevate Credit).  At Think, he created a direct-to-consumer online lending platform providing lower-cost, small-dollar loan alternatives.  Ben then went onto lead RAPP as Creative Technologist, delivering client solutions that integrated brand, culture, and technology for Fortune 100/500 companies like HP, AMD, and AMC. Other notables include achieving a 55% CAGR through both VC and debt stages totaling over $80MM.