WNC's Leadership
WNC’s Partners have had successful careers owning and managing businesses and they use their experiences to create and deliver service offerings that add value to their clients and business partners.
Earl H. Powers
Founder and CEOPowers has a long history as an entrepreneur starting and growing a number of diffeent businesses. From 1967 to 1978 he started and grew a successful real estate development business in the Evansville Indiana area. His real estate development firm successfully completed the following projects:
168 Single Family Development
300 acre residential devlopment with a mix of SF, condominiums and townhomes
152 multi-family unit project for low income individuals
200 unit multi-family project
In 1978, Powers started First National Mortgage , a residential mortgage banking operation which he grew the Company to 10 retail branches and sold the Company.
He then spent a number of years in the energy sector. He was named Chairman of Coal Industries International where he managed marketing and exporting of coal to Europe, Scandinavia and Asia developing extensive contacts in the energy sector in the US and around the world.
In 1999 he founded World Net Capital I, initially specializing in commercial lending and financial consulting which he continues to operate today.
In 2008 he established Powers Energy of America, Inc., to focus on the development of operations utilizing solid waste to produce electricity.
In 2018, Powers and Lashbrook and one additional partner formed Midwest Real Estate Development Partners which is in the process of developing multi-family properties in small municipalities and mixed use retail /condominium projects.
Don M.”Dusty” Lashbrook
Partner and Senior AssociateLashbrook spent the first 30 years of his career in financial services as an accomplished C-level executive with a reputation for a hands-on approach to operations management. In the mid-90’s, he became the COO of an early mortgage-related dot.com success story which peaked his interest in technology and its use within financial services.
He became the head of operations for one of the largest retail and consumer direct mortgage entities in the US where he had responsibility for a staff of 1,200.
During his time in financial services, Lashbrook managed every aspect of banking and mortgage banking operations including production, capital markets, operations, finance, information technology, and loan administration. While with a major multi-national bank, Lashbrook was responsible for rolling out Six Sigma to his unit. Lashbrook is a Six Sigma Black Belt and is trained in process reengineering.
In 2005, Lashbrook opened his own consulting practice focusing on working with start-ups and early-stage Companies. In most cases, these engagements required Lashbrook to assist in facilitating funding for the venture.
In 2015, Lashbrook connected with Earl Powers when they collaborated on the acquisition of a small community bank.
Since Lashbrook joined WNC, he has handled all commercial lending working closely with the WNC referral partners and with the network of lenders that provides funding for the WNC loan requests.
Lashbrook has developed the residential mortgage lead generation program and is the direct contact for those registering to participate in that program or the commercial loan referral program.