Bruce Reschke discovered his passion for hands-on work at 16, when he got a summer job at an electric motor repair shop in Jacksonville, FL. Over nearly three decades, Bruce climbed the corporate ladder, eventually making his way to a sales position at Westside Electric, a veteran-owned company that offers electric motor repairs, new motor sales, and industrial electrician services to the U.S. military and other industries. He continued to earn promotions and, slowly but surely, made his way to the company’s top ranks.
But Bruce’s lifelong dream of owning the business didn’t come true until last year, when he and his wife, Nicole Foote Reschke — a Gulf War-era veteran and seasoned financial professional — purchased the company. Their goal: to preserve the family-oriented culture and protect longtime employees from corporate consolidation.
Securing a commercial loan amid rising interest rates was challenging, but Navy Federal’s Damir Delic guided the couple through the complexities of small business financing, ultimately helping them secure a multimillion-dollar loan with favorable terms.
“It was like a breath of fresh air,” Nicole says. “Damir understood exactly what we needed.”
The Reschkes have since invested in new equipment and expanded hiring and training.
“We couldn’t have done it without Damir’s help,” Nicole says.
Delic adds, “Helping members achieve their business dreams is what Navy Federal’s Business Solutions team is all about.”
This story was submitted by Allison Stevens, Senior Corporate Communications Strategist IV, Navy Federal Credit Union.
