Building a Roadmap for ELFA

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s to take nothing for granted. ELFA isn’t taking anything for granted, either—and that’s why we’re looking hard at our future as an association. We want to be sure we’re looking well down the road so we can offer you, our members, not only what you need today and tomorrow, but five to seven years from now.  

At the Board of Directors meeting in October, the Board approved a new long-range strategic plan that will serve as a roadmap for where our association is going over a five-to-seven-year period. The plan specifies strategic goals in five key areas: Advocacy, Business Intelligence, Industry Awareness and Impact, Member Engagement and Training & Education. 

To execute on the plan, our staff, the Board and the entire volunteer leadership are poised to make changes and investments going forward to help member companies adapt and thrive. Read more about the plan in the story “Future Focus.” 

Career Resources

We know from our strategic plan research that workforce issues are top-of-mind for many of you. In our cover story, “Your Evolving Equipment Finance Career,” HR experts and executive search specialists discuss how industry roles are shifting and reveal the latest trends in a challenging hiring landscape, including findings from our latest compensation survey. Don’t miss “ELFA Resources to Grow Your Career,” including our new Career Pathways program.

Welcoming New Members

Membership with ELFA is on the rise and in our feature story, “Meet the New ELFA Members,” we introduce you to some of our newest members. We also recognize long-time members celebrating milestone membership anniversaries, from 20 years to an impressive 50 years. See “Eight Ideas to Maximize Your ELFA Membership” for tips for getting the most out of your involvement with the association.

Annual Convention

It was wonderful to see so many members at our 61st Annual Convention in Orlando. The last-minute change in location caused by Hurricane Ian was unprecedented, and we thank all of our attendees, sponsors, exhibitors, partners and vendors for your support. I’m especially proud of my colleagues on the ELFA staff, particularly VP of Business and Professional Development Lisa Ramirez and her team, for making it happen. Read highlights in “Welcoming Change as Opportunity.”

Special congratulations to Valerie Hayes Jester, who was inducted into the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame at the Chair’s Dinner preceding the Annual Convention. Read about Valerie’s extraordinary accomplishments at www.elfaonline.org/hof.  

As we wrap up 2022, I would like to recognize outgoing Chair Mike DiCecco, the Board of Directors and all of our member volunteers for a successful year. The ELFA team and I look forward to working with 2023 Chair Bob Neagle and all of you in the year ahead.