Gerald M. Cutts, President and CEO, is responsible for program oversight and development, and fundraising. He holds a degree in law and a master’s degree in urban planning. He managed a child care program for low income children for five years and has taught at pre-school, elementary, junior high, secondary and college levels. He is the founding director of FCF and has more than 20 years in the community development field, having packaged more than $10 million in housing and child care financing and funding. He continues to contribute this experience to numerous professional associations and initiatives in Minnesota and nationally.

Barbara (Bob-e) Simpson Epps, Vice President & Director of Strategic Operations, has spent a lifetime working to enhance the operations and effectiveness of organizations in both the public and private sectors. Deeply committed to strong, healthy communities, Bob-e has used her expertise to build and sustain programs in diverse business environments.  Currently, she oversees the Capital Investment and Consulting and Training programs, internal operations and expansion initiatives.  She also leads change management and quality initiatives for the seven-state organization.

Prior to joining FCF, Bob-e held positions with the Maryland State AIDS Administration, Associated Black Charities (Baltimore, MD), Goodwill/Easter Seal (St. Paul, MN), the Children, Families and Community initiative (St. Paul, MN) and CHART/WEDCO (Minneapolis, MN).  Her human resources experience includes managerial positions for Imation and Silicon Graphics. During her career, she also founded her own consulting firm for seventeen years, specializing in change management, organizational development, and diversity.

Bob-e received bachelor of arts degrees from the University of Northern Iowa in broadcast journalism and speech pathology.  She is active in professional and community groups and has received numerous honors in recognition of her leadership.

Mara O’Neill, Director of Capital Investments, has over 25 years of experience in the field of community economic development. Prior to joining FCF in 2007, Mara was Chief Operating Officer at Neighborhood Development Center (NDC), a community–based non-profit organization providing training, business financing and ongoing technical assistance to start-up and young micro-businesses in targeted neighborhoods and ethnic communities in the inner cities of Saint Paul and Minneapolis. In 2006, Mara received a Top Women in Finance Award from Finance and Commerce Magazine. In 2001, Ventures Magazine selected Mara for a Minority Business Advocate Award for her work helping minority and new entrepreneurs.  Prior to joining NDC in 1995, Mara worked for the Saint Paul Department of Planning and Economic Development (PED) for twelve years providing financing and technical assistance to small business and developers. Her most recent position with PED was as Administrator of the Department’s Business Development Division. Mara has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

James (Jim) T. Dickinson, Loan Fund Director, joined First Children's Finance in July 2002.  Jim has helped lend more than $2.6 million to owners of family and center-based child care businesses, and over 2,700 child care spaces have been created or preserved since he joined FCF.  Jim administers the Loan Fund Program which includes lending, technical assistance, loan serving, and customer support. 

Previously, Jim was a lender at Wells Fargo and Norwest Mortgage for five years, and also held positions with Catholic Charities, the Benedictine Sisters, and the American Heart Association.  He has managed fund development, planned giving, marketing, special events, and lending.

Jim has served as President of the Board of Directors for a regional library and Camp Fire Girls Council.  Currently, he is a loan committee member for the Ways to Work Transportation Program, President of IPSII, Inc. (an advocacy agency for low income families with developmentally disabled children), and a long time blood donor.  He received Bachelor of Arts Degrees in Political Science and Social Services from Minnesota State University Moorhead.