United Capital Business Lending—which has financed franchisees from Subway, Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts, Taco Bell, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries—announced that William Johnson has joined the Maryland-based national business lender as senior vice president of sales and business development.

He will be responsible for sales management, new market development, strategic planning, and “go-to-market” strategies for target industries.

Johnson brings extensive financial sales and marketing leadership experience to United Capital that includes building and managing sales teams that result in sustainable high sales, revenue, and profit growth across multiple regions during rapidly changing economic conditions.

Johnson’s previous employment included CIT Small Business Lending in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, where he served as senior vice president and managing director of the firm’s western region and directed the sales and marketing efforts of regional sales teams that resulted in originations in excess of $1.0 billion and funded loan volume in excess of $500 million.

Johnson was a leader in developing the firm’s strategic initiatives around national franchises, commercial real estate, and medical professionals, which contributed significantly to the firms overall growth.

In addition to CIT, Johnson has held sales leadership roles at Money Store Investment Corp, Minneapolis, US Bank in Minneapolis, and Wells Fargo Bank in San Francisco.