One Industry, One Voice

Capitol Connections brings members to Washington, D.C  

ON MAY 25, 125 ELFA members spent the day advocating on behalf of the equipment finance industry during our first in-person Capitol Connections event since 2019. Throughout the day, ELFA members met with more than 110 Congressional offices both in-person and virtually. 

In addition to advocating for the industry, attendees also heard from keynote speakers throughout the event. The day began with Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) addressing attendees and answering their questions. During the mid-day session, Alan Ellison of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau briefed attendees on their proposed rule implementing Section 1071. Political commentator Chris Stirewalt closed the event speaking about the current political climate.

Next Steps?

We cannot overemphasize how important it is to maintain an ongoing dialog with your elected representatives. The foundations built during Capitol Connections are only a hole in the ground if they are not built on top of. In the coming weeks, Members of Congress will be returning to their districts for the August recess and that it is a perfect time to schedule an in-district meeting. Members of Congress are usually very excited to spend time learning about employers in their districts and states. If you are interested in building a relationship with your Member of Congress, please contact the ELFA Federal Government Relations team at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Kathleen Canum, Kirk Phillips, Nate Gibbons and Mark Duncan meet with Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-OR), center, in his Capitol Hill office. 

Harrison Smith, Jill McKean-Bilby, Deborah Cole and Jesse Johnson meet with Cody Cazares, center, Advisor to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX).

Political commentator Chris Stirewalt addresses the closing dinner of Capitol Connections.

ELFA Board Chair-elect Robert Neagle (right) and former ELFA Board Chairs Adam Warner and David Schaefer pose in front of Freedom, the statue that sits atop the dome of the U.S. Capitol, measuring 19½ feet tall and weighing in at 15,000 pounds. 

Bruce Winter, Dave Drury, Debbie Devassy Babu and Mike Romanowski walk to the Hill for their meeting with the office of Rep. Michelle Fischbach (R-MN). 

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE), center, greets ELFA members Sean Svoboda, Randy Haug, Reid Raykovich and Kayla Perlinger.

ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta and ELFA Board Chair Mike DiCecco present Charles (Chuck) Cross, Senior Counsel at Wells Fargo Equipment Finance, with the David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award.

Cody Sanguinetti shows his Oregon pride while visiting the office of Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) addresses the Capitol Connections audience at breakfast.