Franchesca Lorio is a Vice President and Controller of Advantage Capital Partners, a leading venture capital and small business finance firm focused on providing growth capital and other investments supporting state and local economic development efforts. The firm’s mission is to generate superior investment returns through a broad array of equity and debt investment vehicles, while bringing businesses, technologies and jobs to communities that have historically lacked access to investment capital. With offices and partners in New Orleans, St. Louis, New York and other cities across the U.S., Advantage Capital has raised more than $1.6 billion in institutional capital since 1992 and invested in over 250 companies located in areas underserved by traditional sources of financing.
As the firm’s Controller, Fran provides leadership in all aspects of Advantage Capital’s accounting and financial management, including responsibility for the preparation of financial statements and numerous other periodic reports to investors, lenders and various regulatory authorities as well as cash management and the implementation and supervision of the firm's reporting and compliance systems. In addition, Fran works closely with the firm's independent public accountants in connection with the completion of more than 75 annual audits of Advantage Capital entities.
Fran received a B.S in Accounting from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and subsequently practiced public accounting for five years with several leading CPA firms, where she focused on tax and financial accounting matters. She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, the American Society of Women Accountants and the Young Leadership Council.
Following Hurricane Katrina, Fran and her husband, Jeff, moved from Luling, Louisiana to Uptown New Orleans to join in the renaissance of their beloved Crescent City. Fran is also an avid participant in Mardi Gras festivities as a riding member of both Muses and Tucks carnival krewes.