Deploying Capital to Create a Better World
Welcome to Sustainable Equity, a financial services startup focused on supporting community-oriented companies, missions, and commercial PACE financing. We are a mission-driven organization that believes in the power of finance to create positive social, economic, and environmental impacts.
One of the key differentiators of Sustainable Equity is our focus on innovation and service. We are constantly seeking out new and innovative ways to support our clients and help them achieve their goals. Whether it’s through our expertise in PACE financing or our extensive network of professionals in the finance sector, we are committed to going above and beyond to deliver the best possible service to our clients.
In addition to our focus on innovation and service, Sustainable Equity is proud to have a broad multi-disciplinary network working closely with a range of financial partners including family offices, private investors, equity funds, alternative funds, insurance companies, banks specializing in specialty industries, credit unions, and venture capital firms.
At Sustainable Equity, we have a team of experts in finance, law, accounting, and sustainability who are committed to helping our clients reach their goals. Our team can assist small business owners seeking financing options and larger organizations looking for support for sustainability and development projects. We have the skills and resources to help you succeed.
Byron DeLear is Chief Executive Officer and Head of Impact and Sustainability for Sustainable Equity LLC. Byron is an expert on sustainability policy and founder and former CEO of Energy Equity Funding (EEF), one of the nation’s first PACE program administrators.
Since 2010, EEF has designed, implemented, and administered PACE programs in two states and was acquired by Ygrene Energy Fund in 2017. As founder of the Missouri Association of Accredited Energy Professionals (MAAEP), he helped organize contractors in Missouri’s clean-energy industry, and in 2010 helped build the coalition to pass Missouri PACE clean-energy legislation. He has been instrumental in the design and launch of PACE programs in Missouri, Ohio, Illinois, and Arkansas. In Florida, Byron spearheaded two academic studies with the University of South Florida Patel College of Global Sustainability on the impacts of Florida’s PACE programs.
Noteworthy achievements include the Set the PACE St. Louis minority and women contractor equity and inclusion program. In 2022, Byron received the PACESetter award from PACENation for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the PACE marketplace and a Medal of Recognition from the St. Louis City NAACP. In 2017, he was awarded the Community Partner Award from MOKAN, the St. Louis region’s leading minority contractors association. On its five-year anniversary, Set the PACE St. Louis was recognized by the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, citing the program’s “vital role [that] this public-private partnership has played to help our City be a national leader in energy efficiency and sustainability.”
Byron’s recent committee and board work include serving on the Covid-19 Economic Rescue Team Working Group for St. Louis County, Missouri Energy Initiative, and Hawthorn Foundation. Byron has been a presenter at the Atlantic Council in Washington DC, Midwest and Climate Policy Conferences (2010 and 2011), PACENation Summits (2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021), University of South Florida Patel Global School of Sustainability (2019 and 2021), Governor’s Conference on Economic Development (2019), and is the recipient of the Energy Efficiency Champion Award from Renew Missouri.
Abraham Rezex is Chief Operating Officer and Head of Strategic Partnerships for Sustainable Equity LLC, and a highly respected financial professional with over 26 years of experience in the industry.
Throughout his career, Abraham has held senior leadership positions at some of the most reputable banks in the United States, including Bank of America, PNC Bank, Midland States Bank, Fifth Third Bank, and Illinois National Bank.
In banking, Abraham has gained a diverse range of experience, having worked in almost every line of business and been exposed to all aspects of bank management. He is a highly skilled and motivated manager, as evidenced by his achievement of certification from the CAI/BAI banking school, a program designed to groom future CEOs. At Midland States Bank, Abraham served as the president of the mortgage division, overseeing a high annual volume in the hundreds of millions of capital deployed. He has a proven track record of success in this role, demonstrating his ability to lead and manage a team effectively.
In addition to his experience in banking, Abraham also has a background in international business development and global trade. He has a unique set of skills that make him well-suited for this type of work, including his ability to think strategically and build strong relationships with clients and partners.
Throughout his career, Abraham has been praised for his leadership skills and his ability to inspire and motivate his team. Colleagues have noted that he is deeply committed to the work he does and is always willing to go above and beyond to deliver excellent results. His dynamic personality and strong work ethic make him an invaluable asset and he is highly respected by his peers and colleagues in the industry.
At Sustainable Equity, Abraham leads strategic partnerships with a wide range of groups including family offices, private investors, equity funds, alternative funds, insurance companies, banks specializing in specialty industries, credit unions, and venture capital firms.
Merritt Mamroth is Chief Risk Officer and Head of Underwriting for Sustainable Equity LLC, where he leads a team responsible for executing innovative real estate transactions utilizing commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) to meet the financing needs of property owners and developers.
Merritt has been involved in the financial industry for the majority of his career and has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field of real estate financing. He holds an MBA from the John Cook School of Business at Saint Louis University and has a proven track record of success in building and growing businesses. He has a wide network of investors and influencers.
He started his career in the banking industry as a financial analyst, being promoted multiple times reaching upper management. Merritt was able to hone his craft, managing people and large loan portfolios consisting of several real estate developers and businesses giving him diverse experience across several business sectors. To further strengthen his business background, Merritt identified business opportunities, which allowed him to develop, own and operate a number of successful businesses. These businesses included a mortgage company, an advertising and marketing company, and a consulting business to name a few.
Merritt is known for his analytical, systematic approach to problem solving and his entrepreneurial nature. He is a goal-focused, competitive professional with a drive to succeed and a strong ability to adapt to new challenges. He has a proven ability to raise debt and equity capital for real estate and C&I purposes through relationships with investment banking groups and investors nationwide.
In his current role at Sustainable Equity, Merritt is committed to helping property owners and developers achieve their sustainability and development goals through the use of commercial PACE financing. He has a deep understanding of the needs of property owners and developers and can execute complex real estate transactions to meet these needs. Merritt’s team at Sustainable Equity provides top-quality service to their clients and works closely with them to develop customized financing solutions that meet their unique needs and goals.
Merritt is highly respected in the St. Louis community and has built a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy professional. He is known for his strong work ethic and his commitment to excellence and is widely admired by his colleagues and peers. In addition to his professional pursuits, Merritt is also actively involved in various charitable and civic organizations in the St. Louis area and is dedicated to giving back to the community that has supported him throughout his career.
Marcus McCullough Jr. is Vice President of Business Development for Sustainable Equity LLC with a strong background in community engagement and customer relations work. He is a highly skilled and experienced financial and economic development professional working with a diverse field of clients to meet their financing development needs.
Throughout his career, Marcus has held a variety of positions that have allowed him to hone his skills and develop a strong professional network. In 2020, he served as President of Nexus Strategies in Atlanta, where he was responsible for negotiating with small business owners and networking at important events. He also played a key role in cultivating new business relationships and making important decisions for the company.
In 2022, Marcus took on the role of Chief Advisor to the CEO at Reliant Supply Group in St. Louis, where he acted as a sounding board and provided advice and guidance on a variety of topics related to financial and economic development. He was also partially responsible for managing the CEO’s schedule and coordinating key meetings and calls.
In addition to his professional experience, Marcus has also been heavily involved in various outreach and community development initiatives. From 2016 to 2018, he served as President and Founder of Amplifylife Outreach in St. Louis, where he worked in partnership with Equation Church and Bishop Antwain Jackson to provide outreach support and organize events in the North City area. He was also responsible for building key city partnerships and garnering North City awareness with corporate interests. These experiences have given Marcus a unique perspective on the needs and challenges facing communities and have equipped him with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in the social equity and economic development sector.
Marcus is a talented and dedicated professional with a wealth of experience in community engagement and financial and economic development. He is skilled in team building, PR, and strategic alliances, and has a strong background in network development and outreach. With his diverse skill set and passion for community development, Marcus is well-equipped to take on new challenges and help organizations achieve their goals in the financial and economic development sector.
Connect with us here.