SL_Meridian Bank Profile_0325FINAL.qxp_Layout 1 4 / 2 / 25 12 : 32 PM Page 2 his brother , his sister - in - law , and his two sons . Likewise , he believes his enterprise likely would not have achieved such a high level of success without partners like Christo - pher Godshall , Senior Vice President of Com - mercial Lending for Meridian Bank , which is headquartered in Malvern . Cheatle’s relationship with Meridian start - ed with Dennis Matarangas , whom Cheatle had met while Matarangas was working for another bank . In 2018 , after Matarangas moved over to Meridian , Cheatle felt com - pelled to follow him , despite having to incur a significant financial penalty . Chris Godshall then became Cheatle’s primary point of con - tact in the runup to Matarangas’s retirement . “ Meridian has been with me through everything , ” Cheatle says . “ They financed the addition for our building . They financed all our credit lines and term loans for slitting machinery . They helped us finance our in - ventory . … Chris goes over our financials every year ; he has carte blanche to talk to my accountant . He’s also been a big help with taxes . By changing to an S corp , I’ve probably saved a couple hundred thousand in taxes . ” Besides regular phone conversations , Rob Cheatle and Chris Godshall have face - to - face meetings at Roberts Cheatle and Godshall speak regularly , Technology Group’s headquarters . These visits give Godshall a chance to meet with other members of the and they also have face - to - face meetings at leadership teams — including RTG Films President Thomas P . Cheatle , shown shaking hands with Godshall — and get a bird’s - eye view of the company’s operations . Roberts Technology Group’s headquarters . Such visits give Godshall a chance to meet Meridian Bank | ( 866 ) 327 - 9199 | meridianbanker.com with other members of the leadership team — including Cheatle’s sons , Brian and Michael , Roberts Technology Group , Inc . | RTG Films , Inc . who have since entered the leadership circle ( 215 ) 822 - 0600 | rtgpkg.com | rtgfilms.com as Vice Presidents of the two divisions — and get a bird’s - eye view of the company’s weather any storms that arise . The COVID - though the transfers are often complicated , operations . 19 pandemic is one of the most notable ex - Cheatle has the confidence of knowing the “ During those sit - down meetings , ” God - amples . Meridian played a key role in helping transfers will go through seamlessly , thereby shall says , “ we’ll review the financials , but Cheatle secure vital funds through the Pay - avoiding cash - flow disruptions . Rob will also give us his commentary about check Protection Program , a federal loan Cheatle , who is “ coming up on 70 years where he sees the business going — ‘ this program established by the CARES Act in old , ” is slowly passing the torch to the next may come up , this may not . ’ He’s very trans - response to the pandemic . generation — meaning his two sons . That parent in terms of his business outlook , and “ I had to fill out paperwork for eight said , he has no intention of going anywhere that makes it easier to go to bat for him days straight because [ the government ] kept anytime soon . Godshall says the same applies when something comes up . ” changing the application process , but Meridian to Meridian . The relationship is both reactive , in that helped us get approved really fast , ” Cheatle “ Relationships evolve as businesses Meridian responds directly to Cheatle’s needs , recalls . “ We were an essential business , so evolve , ” Godshall says . “ When Rob first and predictive , in that Godshall and his team we still had the lights on , and I had the came to us , he had a relationship with proactively look for opportunities to help his money within 10 days so we could cover Dennis , and now he has a direct relationship client improve its financial position . For ex - payroll and bonuses . Meridian made it easy , with me . I’m now in the process of building ample , approximately three years ago God - even though I didn’t sleep for eight days . the relationship with Tom , Brian , and Mike . shall helped Cheatle split the financing for Without them I never could have done it When the boys eventually do take over the the two unique enterprises — Roberts Tech - that fast . I had some friends [ who own busi - businesses , I think they will lean on us ankjust nology Group , helmed by Cheatle , and RTG nesses ] and it took them several months to like Rob does Bnow . ” ian Films , led by his brother , Thomas P . Cheatle . get that money . ” Cheatle adds , “ I’m always thinking about erid Doing so has created advantages such as The partnership extends far beyond the our future , and so is [ Godshall ] . Meridian is M of easier access to financing , enhanced risk bond between Cheatle and Godshall . Other expanding , and we’re expanding , too . I can esy management , and more flexibility in business members of the Meridian team are essential see a time in the near future when we ourthave operations . in managing wire transfers from international to expand to another facility or even bring c os While Meridian is there to help Cheatle clients in countries such as China , Colombia , another company on board . If that hothappens , ! plan for the future , the bank also helps him Israel , Italy , the Netherlands , and Peru . Al - I know Meridian will be there . ” P SUBURBANLIFEMAGAZINE.COM VOLUME 16 ISSUE 5 | 17