ALC Taps DC Insider Gary Merson as President to Navigate EB-5 Future

IRVINE, CA – March 23, 2026 – American Lending Center Holdings Inc. (ALCH), a prominent non-bank lender and EB-5 regional center, has appointed government affairs veteran Gary N. Merson as its new President. The move signals a strategic pivot to leverage deep policy expertise as the firm navigates a dramatically reformed landscape for immigrant investment and alternative finance.

Merson, who previously served as the company’s Executive Vice President, steps into the top role at a critical juncture for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program. His appointment underscores a broader industry trend toward professionalization, prioritizing regulatory acumen and compliance in a sector seeking stability and long-term growth.

A Strategic Hand on the Tiller

Merson brings over two decades of high-level experience from the heart of Washington D.C.'s policy-making apparatus. His career includes senior roles within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Congress, and the White House, giving him a rare, firsthand understanding of the intricate machinery governing immigration and public-private partnerships.

Notably, Merson served as Chief of Staff at the Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman within DHS, where he was directly involved in EB-5 stakeholder engagement and policy. He also chaired an interagency working group with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to coordinate visa allocation. Before his executive branch tenure, he was Chief Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee's Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee, placing him at the center of legislative debates that shape the industry ALC operates within.

This distinguished track record in immigration policy is precisely what ALCH is banking on. As President, Merson is tasked with guiding the firm’s strategic direction, deepening stakeholder engagement, and solidifying its leadership position in both mission-based lending and the EB-5 industry.

“Gary’s leadership, vision, and deep expertise have already made a meaningful impact at ALC,” said John Shen, founder and CEO of ALC, in a statement. “His nomination as President reflects our confidence in his ability to lead the organization into its next phase of growth while maintaining the highest standards of integrity and performance.”

Navigating the Post-RIA Landscape

Merson’s appointment is particularly timely given the seismic shifts in the EB-5 program following the passage of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (RIA). The landmark legislation reauthorized the Regional Center Program through September 2027 but introduced a host of new rules designed to enhance transparency, security, and efficiency.

The RIA raised the minimum investment amounts to $800,000 for projects in Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs)—including rural and high-unemployment zones—and $1,050,000 for all other projects. More importantly, it created visa "set-asides" that reserve a portion of the annual EB-5 visa quota for investors in rural (20%), high-unemployment (10%), and infrastructure (2%) projects.

These set-asides have fundamentally altered the market, creating a fast track for investors in qualifying projects and spurring a boom in rural development. For regional centers like ALC, successfully navigating this new framework is paramount. It requires not only identifying viable projects in these designated areas but also ensuring ironclad compliance with the RIA's stringent new integrity measures, which include mandatory USCIS site visits and stricter oversight. Merson's background in government oversight and immigration law provides ALC with an invaluable internal resource to manage these complexities and reinforce confidence among its global investor base.

Doubling Down on a 'Mission-Driven' Model

Beyond navigating regulations, Merson's leadership is expected to amplify ALC’s identity as a "mission-driven" private lender. The company has long focused on channeling capital into projects that foster economic growth in underserved communities, a mission that aligns with the spirit of the EB-5 program's job-creation mandate.

Since its founding in 2009, ALCH reports it has deployed over $2.3 billion in loans and investments, supporting the creation or retention of an estimated 140,000 jobs across the U.S. The firm's portfolio showcases a commitment to impactful sectors, including providing critical financing for rural hospitals, supporting next-generation geothermal energy projects in Utah, and leveraging programs like Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) to promote sustainability. Just this year, the company partnered with the state of California on a $1 million loan to an ocean energy startup.

This focus on community impact and public-private collaboration is where Merson’s experience again proves relevant. His work in government often involved bridging the gap between public objectives and private sector execution.

“I believe in ALC’s vision to be an immigrant first regional center, and John Shen and the ALC team have built an industry leader in EB-5 and lending,” Merson stated. “I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity... I am committed to ALC’s bedrock principles of transparency and integrity. I look forward to working with you over many years to create jobs and foster economic growth across the country.”

A Maturing Industry Seeks Proven Leadership

Merson’s ascent at ALC is emblematic of a larger evolution within both the EB-5 and non-bank lending industries. The alternative lending market, projected to surpass $1 trillion by 2033, is expanding rapidly, attracting both innovative fintechs and increased regulatory scrutiny. As the sector grows, the demand for leaders who can ensure compliance and manage risk becomes more acute.

Similarly, the EB-5 program is moving past its historically volatile reputation. The RIA's integrity measures and five-year reauthorization have provided a foundation for a more stable and professionalized industry. In this new era, success is defined not just by the ability to raise capital, but by the capacity to maintain impeccable compliance, deliver on promises to investors, and generate verifiable economic impact.

By placing a seasoned policy expert like Gary Merson at the helm, American Lending Center is making a clear statement. The company is positioning itself not only to capitalize on the new opportunities presented by the RIA—particularly in rural and underserved markets—but to do so as a model of integrity and regulatory sophistication in an increasingly complex financial world. This strategic leadership choice reflects a forward-looking approach aimed at ensuring sustained growth and reinforcing its reputation as a trusted partner for investors and communities alike.