F.A. Johnson, II, Esq.

Chief Executive Officer

F.A. Johnson, II, Esq. leads CLIMB Fund as its Chief Executive Officer, guiding the organization’s mission to create access to capital, jobs, and opportunities where they otherwise would not exist. 

With more than 30 years of experience in finance, economic development, and community redevelopment, F.A. brings extensive expertise in public-private partnerships, commercial real estate development, affordable housing finance, and nonprofit leadership. Prior to joining CLIMB Fund, he served as Chief Executive Officer of the Charleston Redevelopment Corporation, where he led significant organizational growth, secured CDFI certification, and expanded loan programs supporting affordable housing and community investment initiatives. His career also includes leadership roles in redevelopment authorities, nonprofit development corporations, banking, and private legal practice, with a consistent focus on expanding opportunity and driving sustainable economic growth.

F.A. is a graduate of Morehouse College and Emory University School of Law. He is actively engaged in professional and civic leadership throughout South Carolina and has served on numerous boards and advisory commissions focused on economic development, housing, and community advancement.

• Email: FAJohnson@climbfund.org

Allyssa Hazel

Intake Coordinator

I was born and raised in Northern Virginia, but frequently travelled to Charleston with family and always dreamed of living here. After receiving my bachelor’s in marketing from the University of Lynchburg in 2021, I moved to Charleston to pursue a career in sales management with Frito Lay. Though working for Pepsico provided me with a lot of opportunities and a wealth of knowledge in business management, I decided to switch career paths in order to stay in Charleston and work in an industry that I am passionate about. With both sides of my family owning successful small businesses, I was very excited to be able to join the CLIMB Fund team and help support South Carolina entrepreneurs in making their dreams become a reality.

Outside of work, I love enjoying the beautiful Charleston scenery and supporting the local shops and restaurants in the area, as well as spending time with my fiancé, friends and two pets. I am an avid indie rock fan, so I also frequent local venues and travel to nearby cities for live music. I have been weightlifting for about four years, so after work you will often find me in the gym for strength training.

• Email: allyssa@climbfund.org

Anthony Weston

Chief Lending and Credit Officer

Anthony Weston serves as Chief Lending and Credit Officer at CLIMB Fund, where he gets to do what he loves most: helping small businesses and communities access the capital they need to grow.

With a career that bridges mission-driven lending and traditional banking, he has held roles as Senior Community Development Loan Officer at the South Carolina Community Loan Fund, Senior Business Banker at Ameris Bank, and Commercial Loan Officer at Grow Financial.

He believes lending is ultimately about people: listening closely, building trust, and finding a path forward together.

Briel Young

Marketing & Communications Coordinator

With over five years of experience in marketing and communications, Briel Young has worked across the nonprofit, hospitality, and small business sectors. From managing social media campaigns to enhancing brand presence and community engagement, her work focuses on elevating purpose-driven brands and expanding their impact.

She brings a thoughtful, creative approach to every project—pairing strategy with authenticity to help organizations grow. Outside of work, Briel enjoys exploring Charleston’s vibrant food and arts scene and unwinding at home with her beloved pets: two Great Danes, a cat, and two rabbits.

Charlie O’Brien

Chief of Staff

Charlie O’Brien has been involved in small business in multiple capacities for over 25 years before joining the CLIMB Fund. A native of Caracas, Venezuela, Charlie has a passion for outreach to underserved communities and makes it his mission to strive for maximum diversity in CLIMB Fund’s lending portfolio as the Director of Client Experience & Success. He is a member of the City of Charleston’s LatinX Advisory Council and a Board Member of the Hispanic Business Association. Charlie earned his Master of Business Administration from Rider University in New Jersey.

In his role at CLIMB Fund, Charlie supports our clients on their business journey by offering coaching and advisory services while also managing our contracted business advisors. He also ensures that we offer our clients the best experience possible for the duration of the client’s relationship with CLIMB Fund.

Charlie says, “I love working at CLIMB Fund because we get to see and be a part of making an impact in peoples’ lives. I find that in so many professions, impact is hard to measure or quantify, but at CLIMB Fund, we see it every day.”

• Email: charlie@climbfund.org

Denise Coleman-Smith

Compliance Manager

Denise Coleman-Smith brings over 12 years of banking experience to the Climb Fund team, including six years in compliance and recent experience in portfolio management. She is deeply committed to doing what’s right for both customers and the business, with a passion for helping individuals understand their financial options and confidently navigate emerging technologies.

Denise is completing a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Strayer University, with a minor in homeland security, and is expected to graduate in 2026. As a bilingual professional and first-generation Latin American, she offers a valuable and diverse perspective in her work, helping to better serve a wide range of communities.

Outside of work, Denise enjoys spending time with her husband, Joe, and their two sons, Gabriel and Nathaniel. She loves outdoor adventures, exploring local parks, and visiting Soda City in Columbia, SC.

Kelly Harvey

Western Community Development Loan Officer

Kelly Turner Harvey is a lifelong resident of Spartanburg, SC. She graduated from Dorman High School, received a BA in Finance from Wofford College and a Master of Business Administration from North Greenville University. 

Kelly has been active in the Spartanburg Community for many years. Her past board involvement includes the Chapman Cultural Center’s Board of Trustees (previous Education and Community Outreach Chair) and Hub City Farmer’s Market. She served for six years on United Way of the Piedmont’s Young Leaders Advisory board (chair in 2018-2019). She is also a past board member of Christmas in Action of Spartanburg and Hub City Farmer’s Market. Kelly is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Spartanburg and was chairwoman of Santa’s Shoppe in 2011 and 2012. She currently serves on the Outreach Committee for St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.

She has also served on the United Way of the Piedmont’s Education Allocation Committee and 1831 Gala Committee. She is a graduate of Leadership Spartanburg, United Way of the Piedmont’s Nonprofit Fellowes and Spartanburg County Foundation’s Grassroots Leadership Development Institute.

Professionally, Kelly has been involved with CREW Upstate, Breakfast Business and Professional Women of Spartanburg (prior state board-VP of Membership), and Spartanburg Young Professionals (having served on the Board from 2010-2012). Kelly was the 2017 recipient of the UWP Walter S. Montgomery Award for Young Leadership.

She enjoys traveling, stand-up paddleboarding, gardening, going to concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

• Email: kelly@climbfund.org

Keonta' Ramsey

Director of Development

For more than 8 years, Keonta’ Ramsey has harnessed her unique gift for connecting with people and mastery of communication to empower mission-centered organizations and businesses with the assets needed to build culture, community, and connection. A native of Charleston, she is a proud graduate of James Island Charter High School and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in molecular biology with a minor in health promotion from Coastal Carolina University. Dubbed the Jay Z and Iyanla Vanzant of content writing and communication strategy, Keonta’ Keonta’ blends data, storytelling, and vision to drive meaningful impact.

As Growth Manager at CLIMB Fund, Keonta’ leads the development and execution of strategies that strengthen customer acquisition, investor engagement, and organizational expansion across South Carolina. She evaluates key performance metrics, advances branding and communications efforts, and serves as the primary point of contact for current and prospective investors, stewarding relationships with transparency and trust. A small business owner herself, she understands the challenges entrepreneurs face and remains deeply committed to expanding access to capital, opportunity, and sustainable growth statewide. Servant leadership rests at the core of her life’s work, affording her the opportunity to serve as a board member with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Lowcountry, The O.K.R.A. Soup Foundation, and The POWER Tribe. In her down time, Keonta’ enjoys spending time with family and friends, mentoring, watching action movies, trying new restaurants, and listening to 90’s R&B.

• Email: keonta@climbfund.org

Micah Griggs

Controller

Micah Griggs has been working within the field of accounting and finance for the last nine years and has held numerous positions including Assistant Finance Director and Accounting Manager.  As our new controller, Micah is eager to continue the great work that has been done at CLIMB Fund and help push us to even greater heights. 

A culture creator and driver, Micah believes in the power of teamwork and collaboration and strives to import many of those ethos wherever he goes. A small businesses owner and entrepreneur with his wife, Micah understands how important the mindset and culture is to a small business.  He is passionate about what it takes to work and build a small business and wants to help as many as he can get a leg up in their journey.

Micah hails from the great city of Moncks Corner, SC.  He is married with 5 beautiful children.  In his spare time he enjoys sports, reading, and being a foodie. 

• Email: micah@climbfund.org

Casdell Singleton

President

• Occupation:
• Executive Director Palmetto Community Action Partnership

Kerri Chisolm

Vice President

• Occupation:
• Senior Vice President Commercial Banking Relationship Manager for Ameris Bank. Expert in evaluating and underwriting business banking, commercial banking, middle market, and corporate clients across a variety of industries.

• Affiliations:
• North Charleston Rotary Club
  Lowcountry Local First – Board Member
  Volunteers as a youth soccer coach and gives talks at The Military Magnet Academy

Clay Middleton

Treasurer

• Hometown:
• Charleston, SC

• Occupation:
• • Lieutenant Colonel serving as a Battalion Commander in the South Carolina Army National Guard
  • Managing Director at Mercury, a global public strategy firm
  • Appointed by President Barack Obama to serve as the associate and then acting director of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the Corporation for National and Community Service
  • Served at the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration
  • Served as a longtime aide to Congressman Jim Clyburn, worked for former Senator Fritz Hollings and former SC Superintendent of Education Inez Tenenbaum
  • Worked on the Biden-Harris Transition Team, for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Senator Cory Booker, and was the Director of Business Services for the City of Charleston

• Combat & Operational Experiences:
• Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Jump Start, and Operation Atlantic Resolve

• Awards:
• Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, four Army Commendation Medals, Army Achievement Medal, two Army Reserve Components Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, and Bronze Order of Mercury Award

William Thompson Jr.

Secretary

• Hometown:
• Marion, SC

• Occupation:
• Owner, Belser Thompson Real Estate since 1997

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  President, Thompson Family Properties since 2010

• Affiliations:
• Charleston County Human Services – Former Chairman & Board Member

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  Edisto Island Open Land Trust – Former Chairman & Board Member

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  St. Philips Church – Property Committee Chairman, Finance Committee Member, Vestry Member & Former Warden

Jabari Seabrook

• Occupation:
• Realtor, The Boulevard Company

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  COO, Black Food Truck Festival

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  Operations Manager, Southern Charm Hospitality Group

• Professional Organizations:
• Business Coach, SCORE

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  Charleston Soccer Community

Carol Jackson

• Hometown:
• Born in eastern Nebraska into 3rd generation sod buster pioneers

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  Grew up along Lake Michigan in north shore Chicago suburbs

• Occupation:
• Charleston, SC, City Council Member representing James Island (2018-2021)

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  Charleston Real Estate Group, Licensed Realtor (8 years)

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  Former Executive Director of Alexandria, VA, Housing Development Corporation

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  Former Executive Director and CEO of Falls Church Housing Corporation

• Affiliations:
• Charleston Area YWCA – Board of Directors

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  Charleston Redevelopment Corporation – Board of Directors

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  Charleston County Housing Steering Committee

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  City of Charleston Human Affairs and Racial Conciliation Commission

Chris Fisher

• Occupation:
• Municipal Marketing Director, Coastal Waste & Recycling

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  Owner, Fisher Recycling

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  Co-Founder, GLASSWRXSC

• Professional Organizations:
• Sustainability Institute of Charleston

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  Low Country Ecpmp,oc Devlopment Council, City of Charleston

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  SC First Citizens Bank Advisory Board

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  Low Country Local First Executive Committee

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David Harper

• Occupation:
• Vice President, North State Bank, providing SBA 7(a) and 504 loans throughout South Carolina.

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  US Navy, then Commercial Banking since late 1990s. Worked for community banks, regional banks and led commercial lending department at a credit union

• Affiliations:
• Commercial Investment Division of CTAR

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  Annual Charleston Market Forecast Conference

Jamilla Harper

• Hometown:
• Summerville, SC

• Occupation:
• COO, Metanoia Community Development Corporation (4 years)

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  Associate Director, Kounkuey Design Initiative, Kenya (4 years)

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  Rotary Ambassadorial Fellowship (2 years)

• Professional Organizations, Fellowships & Certifications:
• College of Charleston Foundation

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  College of Charleston Alumni

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  Rotary Foundation Alumni

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  Elijah Agevi Fellowship

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  Prosci Change Management Certification

• Publications:
• 4 published academic journal articles on topics related to economic/community development and urban resilience

Paul Jones

• Hometown:
• Detroit, Michigan

• Occupation:
• Incoming: Chief Executive Officer, PropserUs

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  Current: Business Support Network Director, Invest Detroit

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  Previous: Executive Director, Goldman Sachs 10k Small Business

• Affiliations:
• Global Ties Detroit- Board Member and Treasurer

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  Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago- Member, Advisory Council on Small Business, Community and Economic Development, Agriculture and Labor

Radia Baxter

• Occupation:
• Director of Education & Programs, Charleston County Sheriff's Department

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  Owner, Louie B & Co.

• Professional Organizations:
• YWCA Greater Charleston

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  Lowcountry Youth Services

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  Impact Charleston

Sonja Southerland

• Hometown:
• Charleston, SC

• Occupation:
• Chief People Officer and Visionary, Innovate Human Capital Solutions

•  Certifications:
• Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

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  Society of Human Resources-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP)

Stephanie Pritchett

• Occupation:
• Senior Manager in the Charleston office of Moore Beauston Woodham, LLP

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  CPA. Areas of specialty include non-profit organizations, medical practices, manufacturers, real estate and real estate professionals, homeowner and property owner associations

• Affiliations:
• American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) – Member
  South Carolina Association of Certified Public Accountants (SCACPA) – Member
  James Island Presbyterian Foundation – President
  James Island Presbyterian Church – Treasurer
  James Island Outreach – Former Treasurer