Matt Drinen

Co-Founder & Principal

Bringing fifteen years of expertise in banking, finance, economic and community development, Matt Drinen stands as a Co-Founder and Principal of Impact Marketplace. His specialization in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and Opportunity Zone Investments has been pivotal in his professional journey. At CliftonLarsonAllen LLP (CLA), in his role as director of Tax Credit Services, Matt played a significant role in facilitating major Opportunity Zone and NMTC project financings. His tenure at US Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC) as an asset manager/officer saw him skillfully managing a substantial portfolio, focusing on ensuring strong investment returns, and leading strategic initiatives in restructuring and modifying investments. He was also instrumental in developing key processes for performance and compliance risk monitoring. In his leadership role at Impact Marketplace, Matt Drinen is pivotal in modernizing the New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) process. The platform, renowned for its first to the market technology and industry expertise, provides equitable access, transparency, and lower fees for projects and NMTC investors. Impact Marketplace is focused on removing outdated barriers, thereby making projects more accessible across the marketplace. Under Matt’s guidance, the platform emphasizes a frictionless process, leveraging extensive experience to guide projects through the NTMC journey and offering a comprehensive solution to streamline the complicated NMTC industry.

Luke Pope

Co-Founder & Principal

Luke spent more than fifteen years in public accounting at a top ten national firm with a heavy emphasis on assisting real estate developers, operators and investors. His experience includes structuring complex real estate transactions, tax credit consulting including New Markets (NMTC) and Historic Tax Credits (HTC), Opportunity Zone Consulting and supporting capital markets transactions into complicated real estate deals. Luke also led the St. Louis Real Estate practice and was a leader of the NMTC and HTC practices nationwide. He also co-founded the firm’s national Opportunity Zone practice and was involved in structuring many complicated real estate transactions worth over $3.5B. Prior to joining Impact Marketplace, Luke spent 3+ years at as Chief Financial Officer of a large St. Louis based developer. In that role, he helped structure and finance over $500MM in real estate transactions. Luke also was a Principal & Co-Founder of Emerald Capital an NMTC & development consulting firm that serves clients across the US.

Boston Ziegler

Analyst

Boston has over one year of experience in financial analysis and New Market Tax Credits (NMTC). He analyzes financial data and conducts research to identify potential risks and opportunities. While navigating competitive landscapes, he enhances operational efficiency and assists in sourcing projects seeking financial assistance. He provides support to Impact Marketplace’s clients using data analysis in finding available financing for their projects.

James Heffner

Co-Founder & Principal

James Heffner is a Principal and Co-Founder at Impact Marketplace. Prior to founding Impact, James was a Principal with Emerald Capital, providing consulting to developers, QALICBs, CDEs, and Investors. James specializes in structuring and compliance issues with his background in tax credit financing representing lenders and QALICBs in numerous NMTC transactions. James is also responsible in assisting nonprofit and for-profit clients secure debt financing with his deep relationships in the financial industry. Prior to Impact Marketplace, James served as General Counsel and Executive Vice President for a large real estate developer focused on multi-family and industrial ground-up construction. Earlier in his career, James worked as the Deputy General Counsel at Stifel Financial Corporation (SF) where he oversaw legal aspects within Stifel’s Banking and Investment Division. Prior to Stifel, James served as a Principal and a member of the Executive Committee at the law firm of Danna McKitrick in Clayton, Missouri where he led the firm’s finance department. At DMPC, James represented lenders, QALICB borrowers and investors in NMTC Transactions. James also represented developers and lenders in all aspects of real estate development and finance, utilizing incentives such as Historic Tax Credits, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Tax-Increment Financing among other incentives.

Jeffrey Frankel

SVP

Jeff has over 12 years of experience in Finance and Banking with a specialty in federal New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC). His experience spans sourcing, structuring, and closing NMTC transactions, as well as managing Community Development Entity (CDE) federal tax applications, operations, and compliance. Before joining Emerald Capital, Jeff was the Assistant Vice President of NMTCs at the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership (SLEDP) where he led Heartland Regional Investment Fund, LLC, a $180 million CDE, deploying patient capital to disadvantaged businesses and communities in the greater St. Louis bi-state region. In addition, Jeff managed operations and compliance for Nvsted, an equity crowdfunding platform that connected St. Louis-based startups to accredited and non-accredited investors in a centralized marketplace. Prior to SLEDP, Jeff performed financial, compliance, and risk analysis for U.S. Bancorp Community Development Corporation (USBCDC), one of the nation’s most active tax credit investors, and underwriting and portfolio management services for Advantage Capital Partners, a $4.1 billion national impact investor.