2023 ELFA Leadership
Bob Neagle
2023 ELFA Board Chair
Following the 2022 election, ELFA Officers and Directors for 2023 are as follows:
OFFICERS
Robert Neagle, Finova Capital, LLC (Chair)
Michael DiCecco, Huntington Asset Finance (Immediate Past Chair)
Robert Boyer, CLFP, First Commonwealth Equipment Finance (Chair-Elect)
Deborah Baker, HP Inc. (Vice Chair)
James Cress, Stryker Flex Financial (Vice Chair)
Daniel Krajewski, Equify Financial LLC (Treasurer)
Ralph Petta, ELFA (President/CEO)
Ed Rosen, ELFA (Secretary)
DIRECTORS
Jon Biorkman, U.S. Managing Director and Head, BMO Equipment Finance, BMO Harris Equipment Finance
Kathleen Canum, Senior Vice President, Administration, Canon Financial Services, Inc.
Debra Devassy Babu, Shareholder, Darcy & Devassy PC
David Drury, President, Senior Vice President, Group Head, Fifth Third Bank, National Association
Mark Duncan, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Mitsubishi HC Capital America
Brian Eschmann, CLFP, President, Northland Capital Equipment Finance
David Farrell, Managing Director - Head of Capital Markets, Bank of America Global Leasing
R.J. Grimshaw, President & CEO, UniFi Equipment Finance
Amy Gross, EVP, Key Government Finance
Eric Gross, COO, Dext Capital
Michael Jones, President, Business Capital, CIT
Brad Peterson, Chief Operating Officer, Channel
Kirk Phillips, President & CEO, Wintrust Commercial Finance
Ricardo A. Rios, President & CEO, Commercial Equipment Finance, Inc.
Barry Ripes, SVP, Financial Services Leader, Equifax
Michael Romanowski, President, Farm Credit Leasing
Jayma Sandquist, Chief Marketing Officer, SVP JDF US & CA, John Deere Financial
Nick Small, VP, Finance Shared Services, Cisco Systems Capital Corporation
David Verkinderen, CLFP, SVP, Office Equipment & Manufacturing Vendor Services, U.S. Bank
Robert Wax, Co-President, Kingsbury Wax Bova
Bruce Winter, CLFP, President, FSG Capital, Inc.
2023 Dues Renewal Season Is Here!
It’s that time of year again and the dues renewal campaign has begun. Renewal invoices for the 2023 membership year were emailed to the key contacts of all ELFA member companies the week of Nov. 7. Hard copy invoices will no longer be mailed. Timely payment of your 2023 membership dues will ensure uninterrupted access to indispensable benefits, such as federal and state advocacy updates, targeted industry research, discounted fees for ELFA events and much more. Please contact ELFA Membership at [email protected] if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued support!Key Dates to Remember…
Nov. 7, 2022 – 2023 dues invoices emailed to Key Contacts
Dec. 31, 2022 – Deadline to pay 2023 dues
THROUGHOUT 2023 – Take advantage of ELFA’s many benefits! Contact [email protected] to learn more about the resources available to all ELFA members.
Jester Enters Equipment Finance Hall of Fame
ELFA has named Valerie Hayes Jester to the 2022 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame. Jester accepted the award at the Chair’s Dinner preceding the 61st ELFA Annual Convention in Orlando. She was recognized as a groundbreaking leader, industry entrepreneur and champion of women in equipment finance. “As an industry pioneer, Valerie has helped change the face of equipment finance and her legacy will inspire generations to come,” said ELFA President and CEO Ralph Petta. Learn more at www.elfaonline.org/hof.
Member Engagement
Did you know that dozens of ELFA committee meetings engage hundreds of members on a regular basis? Before the pandemic, most meetings were conducted via audio conference call, but today meetings are held via zoom, like the Bank BCSC meeting from September pictured above. Many committees also get together periodically in person. To get involved, download the ELFA Volunteer Guide, complete the online committee volunteer form or contact Director of Governance Ed Rosen at [email protected].
Women’s Spotlight: Meet Carla Potter
THE ELFA Women’s Council is shining a light on women in equipment finance through a new Q&A series. In the latest interview, meet Carla Potter, attorney at Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP. Find out how Carla got started in equipment finance, what motivates her to get up each morning, and whether she prefers a Peloton ride or a glass of wine when faced with 30 minutes of free time. Plus: The rewarding pro bono initiative that Carla has undertaken. Read more.Ask a Leader
Check out the latest “Ask a Leader” interview with James Cress, VP & General Manager of Stryker Flex Financial. Cress shares what he wishes he knew earlier in his career and the importance of building not only technical skills but also leadership competencies as you advance in your career. Plus, his top three pieces of advice for those entering the industry. This insightful interview series is brought to you by the Emerging Talent Advisory Council. Read more.
Membership Minute
Upload the ELFA Member logo to your company website and show your support of the industry and the association. Learn more.What’s New in the Marine Industry?
In case you missed it, a recording of the Sept. 21 ELFA Wednesday Webinar “The Marine Industry: Sailing on Strong Asset Prices for Now, Both Domestically and Internationally” is now available. Learn more. Times are good for the marine industry, but inherent industry risks are lurking. Asset managers, credit risk managers, analysts and investment and finance professionals with lenders, equipment financiers and lessors will find this webinar of interest.Find New Opportunities in the ELFA Career Center
This hiring season, turn to the ELFA Career Center to meet your employment goals. If you’re a job seeker, search and apply for jobs in your field and enjoy free and confidential resume posting. If you’re an employer, post and track job announcements and search our resume database. Learn more at https://careers.elfaonline.org.
Join the Q4 Mobile App Challenge!
What are you thankful for? ELFA wants to know! Post a picture of what you’re thankful for on the Engage Wall of the ELFA mobile app for your chance to win! ELFA members who post between Nov. 1 and Dec. 15 will be entered to win a $25 Amazon Prime gift card and ELFA swag and join the #ELFAMugClub. See details at www.elfaonline.org/app.
Fostering Employee Success
Congrats to 32 engaged and enthusiastic participants who graduated from the September Principles of Equipment Leasing and Finance Workshop at ELFA headquarters in Washington, D.C. Learn about the class at www.elfaonline.org/POL.
Tech Innovators Recognized
Congrats to the team at Meridian OneCap Credit Corp., who picked up the Operations & Technology Excellence Award at the Operations & Technology Conference in New Orleans in September. (Pictured L-R: Michelle Gibson, Albina Vella, Hugh Swandel, Rish Ramjit, Michael LaPierre, Kevin Shannon and Amardeep Singh.)Save the Date: 2023 ELFA Events
Take advantage of a wealth of learning and networking opportunities available to you and your staff as part of your ELFA membership. Visit www.elfaonline.org/events to view the 2023 Event Calendar.
