The U.S. Department of the Treasury just tapped Chris Miller to lead the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund, and if his track record is any indication, communities looking for better access to capital have reason to be optimistic.
“I am honored to serve as a presidential appointee and Director of the CDFI Fund, bringing my industry experience in community development finance to this important role,” Miller said in a statement. “I look forward to working with the CDFI Fund’s talented team, the industry, and our stakeholders to advance the Administration’s economic agenda, expand access to capital, and create opportunity in communities across America.”
So who is Chris Miller, and why does this appointment matter? Let’s break it down.
From Knoxville to the Treasury: Miller’s Background
Most recently, Miller served at Three Roots Capital, a Certified CDFI operating out of Knoxville, Tennessee. There, he juggled financial and administrative management while overseeing the organization’s capital access programs. But he didn’t just manage spreadsheets from behind a desk—he worked directly with client companies, helping them with everything from financial management to cash flow modeling to getting investor-ready.
The guy’s got serious experience too. We’re talking two decades of working with small businesses and helping them access the capital they need to grow.
A Career Built on Capital Access
Before his stint at Three Roots, Miller managed a $150 million commercial loan portfolio with exposure to small businesses and middle-market companies. And before that? He worked as an associate for roughly $50 million in equity funds targeting early-stage and growth-stage companies in southern and central Appalachia. His responsibilities included deal origination, due diligence, and portfolio administration—basically, the full spectrum of making smart investment decisions.
Alexandria Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community and Economic Development at Treasury, welcomed the appointment: “I’m happy to welcome Chris to the Treasury team. Chris comes to the CDFI Fund with a strong connection to the CDFI industry and understands what CDFIs need to help generate growth and opportunity in economically disadvantaged communities.”
The Education Behind the Expertise
Miller holds an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship and financial management from the University of Tennessee, plus a BS from the University of North Alabama. In other words, he’s got the academic credentials to match the real-world experience.
For communities that have historically struggled to access traditional financing, having someone at the helm of the CDFI Fund who’s actually been in the trenches could make all the difference.