The Faces Behind the Shift: Meet the Team That Drove ZINC’s Biggest Transformation in 20 Years
Every major company has moments that define its history. For ZINC, that moment arrived when we stopped asking “How big can we get?” and started asking “How deep can we go?”
After years of operating as a nationwide lender, ZINC made a bold strategic pivot: to concentrate exclusively on 11 core California counties. This wasn’t just a change in geography—it was a human-centered transformation. We looked at the maps, the data, and most importantly: our clients. In the race to be everywhere, we realized we were losing the ability to be everything to the communities that matter most.
By trading the impersonal reach of a national corporation for the precision, speed, and soul of a local powerhouse, ZINC set out to redefine what it means to serve its investors. Here are the humans behind the vision.
The Architects of the Strategy
Todd Pigott | CEO
At the helm, Todd recognized that scaling nationwide had diluted the company’s greatest strength: relationships. “To truly serve investors, we needed to double down on the communities we know best,” Todd explains. “It’s about quality and connection over sheer volume.”
Sean Sanford | COO
If Todd sets the vision, Sean Sanford executes it. Pulling back from a nationwide approach required a total operational overhaul. Sean restructured our teams and processes to ensure that narrowing our focus actually expanded our capability. He hand-picked a team curated to drive the mission of the ZINC Community: Claire, Greg, Matt, Piper, and Kyle.
The Strategic Connectors
Claire | Community Director
Claire is the linchpin of our 11-county focus. With a powerhouse background in business development and marketing, she doesn’t just “network”—she builds ecosystems. Her mission is to bridge the gap between realtors, wholesalers, contractors, and investors across Central California.
“We aren’t just funding deals; we are fueling a local movement,” Claire says. “By focusing exclusively on our 11 counties, I can move beyond a transaction and focus on the person behind the project. My goal is to ensure every investor in our community has the network and resources they need to thrive.”
Greg Boam | Assistant Community Director
Working alongside Claire, Greg Boam is the driving force behind the day-to-day engagement of the ZINC Community. Greg focuses on the tangible details of community growth, ensuring that every investor and wholesaler in our 11 counties has the support and resources they need to thrive. He is the bridge-builder who turns local networking into lasting professional partnerships.
The Engines of Execution
Tania Melgar – Internal Underwriting
In the California market, speed is the only currency that matters. Tania Melgar and her underwriting team provide ZINC’s ultimate competitive advantage: unrivaled velocity. Because ZINC’s operations are entirely local, the typical corporate “red tape” is non-existent.
“Having the CFO onsite allows us to make smart, fast decisions that national lenders simply can’t match,” Tania explains. “We make decisions in-house and in real-time, meaning our clients never miss an opportunity due to a delay.”
Tania’s work ensures that every investor can act decisively, turning opportunities into results—an essential piece of ZINC’s investor-focused approach.
Matt Wolff | Customer Success Manager
Matt Wolff ensures the loan process is seamless. Because he focuses exclusively on our 11 counties, he understands local regulations and neighborhood trends better than any out-of-state lender. “Our clients benefit when we know the market inside and out,” Matt says. “It makes the process clearer and more confident.”
The Storytellers
Kyle Chezum | Chief of Marketing
Kyle Chezum ensures that every marketing campaign at ZINC reflects the company’s mission and deep local roots. He focuses on amplifying the human story behind the brand—showing not just what ZINC does, but who it serves and why it matters. By connecting investors to real projects and communities, Kyle’s strategies build trust and strengthen relationships, keeping the company grounded in the people and places it impacts most.
Piper Taylor | Social Media Manager
Piper is the digital voice of the ZINC community, dedicated to stripping away the “corporate mask” of the lending industry. By documenting the energy of local ZINC events and the tangible wins of our investors, she transforms financial transactions into human stories. Her focus isn’t on polished marketing—it’s on the raw authenticity that builds real trust.
“The shift in real estate social media has been fascinating,” Piper says. “The era of prim-and-proper suits is taking a back seat to the authenticity people actually crave. At its core, ZINC is about real stories from real people, and I’m here to make sure those voices are heard.”
Through Piper’s lens, ZINC is no longer just a source of capital—it is a living, breathing community where every investor’s milestone is celebrated as a collective win.
Why This Matters for the Investor
The move from nationwide to a California focus wasn’t about doing less—it was about doing more for you. By focusing on our own backyard, we’ve created an “Inner Circle” where:
Decisions are measured in hours, not weeks.
Guidance is based on local street-level data, not national averages.
The team you speak with lives and works where you invest.
The biggest shift in ZINC’s history isn’t on a map; it’s in the dedicated team of professionals who are now 100% committed to your success in the 11 counties we call home.