ELFA Names James Cress Acting President & CEO
ELFA’s Board of Directors has selected James Cress, ELFA’s Immediate Past Chair, to serve as Acting President & CEO while the Association searches for its next permanent President & CEO. This decision follows ELFA’s earlier announcement that President & CEO Leigh Lytle would conclude her tenure with the Association later this year.
Cress will work closely with ELFA’s senior leadership team and staff to ensure continuity across the Association’s work and continued execution of its strategic priorities. Read more
In Memoriam: William G. "Woody" Sutton (1948-2026)
ELFA mourns the passing of our former President & CEO, Rear Admiral William G. "Woody" Sutton, USN (Ret.), following a brave battle with ALS. Woody served ELFA from 2010 to 2015 with steadfast dedication and integrity, leaving a lasting mark on both our industry and the many members and colleagues who had the privilege of working alongside him. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with his wife, Claudia, and the entire Sutton family during this time. Read more
La Salle University Launches New Commercial Equipment Finance Course With Industry Partners
La Salle University is partnering with the Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation and the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation to launch a new course on commercial equipment leasing and financing within its School of Business. The course is one of only two of its kind in the country and is starting in the spring 2027 semester. The new partnership aligns with ELFA’s workforce strategy of Attract, Train, Retain to build and support the talent pipeline for the equipment finance industry. Read more
CLFP Day Celebrates Decades of Dedication, October 8
CLFPs around the world will come together on October 8 to celebrate CLFP Day 2026 and four decades of the Certified Lease & Finance Professional designation. For 41 years, the CLFP designation has represented a commitment to the future of the equipment leasing and finance industry. CLFP Day is an annual opportunity to recognize and celebrate where the designation has been, honor the people who have helped build it, and look ahead to the future of the CLFP community. This year’s theme, “Decades of Dedication,” celebrates the people, relationships, and shared commitment that have shaped the CLFP community across the years. From those who earned the designation in its earliest years to today’s growing community of professionals, each generation has made valuable contributions that continue to strengthen the equipment leasing and finance industry.
A virtual toast to all CLFPs will take place at 2 pm Pacific, and in-person events are also taking place around the U.S. For more information, please contact Mel at [email protected].
Catch Up on Episodes of Equipment Finance Matters Podcast
ELFA’s Equipment Finance Matters is your go-to podcast for expert insights, industry trends, and strategies in equipment leasing and finance. Recent episodes include:
- Intentional Living and Leadership: ELFA Women's Subcommittee Discuss Work-Life Balance – A panel of industry leaders explores how the definition of balance has evolved and what it looks like in practice.
- The Evolving Forklift Market: Electrification, Tariffs, and Remarketing Insights – Industry experts examine the evolving forklift market and what equipment finance professionals need to know about this $10 billion North American sector.
Next Principles of Equipment Leasing & Finance Workshop in DC, Nov. 18-20
The next Principles of Equipment Leasing & Finance Workshop being held at ELFA headquarters in Washington, DC will be November 18-20, 2026. This immersive program delivers a clear, practical understanding of how transactions are structured and executed, and participants gain greater confidence, stronger decision-making skills, and the ability to contribute more quickly. Register for the November Workshop here.
COMING SOON…
This fall ELFA is launching Professional Communities, 12 groups organized around members’ functional roles and areas of professional focus designed to increase engagement, streamline participation, and modernize how members interact with the Association. These Professional Communities are intentionally designed as engagement channels that exist outside of ELFA’s formal volunteer governance and committee structure, and will complement existing committees.
