Next Level Success - 63rd Annual Convention

We look forward to seeing you in Austin! Check the schedule to find out what's happening each day.

Schedule

Issue Breakout Sessions on Monday and Tuesday are organized into three tracks:


Sunday, October 27

6:30 am
Departure to Golf at Falconhead Golf Club

Hotel Lobby

7:00 am
Golfers Breakfast at Falconhead Golf Club
8:00 am – 8:45 am
Grab and Go Breakfast-Community Service and Bike Riders

Hotel Lobby

8:45 am
Departure for Bike Ride, Pickleball and TreeFolks

Hotel Lobby

8:00 am – 1:30 pm
Golf Tournament at Falconhead Golf Club (Off Property)

Sponsored by: Sopra

9:00 am – Noon
Pickleball Tournament (Off Property, Walking Distance)

Urban Pickleball Club

Sponsored by: Sopra

9:00 am – Noon
Community Service (Off Property)
Tree Folks

(pre-registration required)

Local Park

9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Jim McGrane Charity Bike Ride (Off Property)
(pre-registration required)
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
Exhibitor Set Up

Griffin Hall

10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Convention Registration

Griffin Foyer

12:00 – 1:00 pm
Golfers Luncheon at Falconhead Golf Club

Sponsored by: Sopra

2:00 – 4:00 pm
Community Service Project
US Hunger

(pre-registration required)

Rooms 211 & 212

4:00 – 5:00 pm
New Members & Leadership Reception

Lone Star East Foyer

Sponsored by: LTi

5:00 – 7:30 pm
Welcoming Reception in Exhibit Hall & Hub

Griffin Hall

Sponsored by: Stonebriar

 

Monday, October 28

7:00 am – 5:00 pm
Registration

Griffin Foyer

7:00 am – 5:15 pm
Exhibits & Hub Open

Griffin Hall

7:00 – 8:15 am
Group Breakfast

Griffin Hall

Sponsored by: Fifth Third

7:30 – 8:00 am
Hub Experience
7:45 – 7:55 amTechTalk - Kaaj
7:55 - 8:00 amTechTalk - Alfa
8:30 - 10:00 am
Opening General Session

Lone Star Ballroom

Chair’s Address and Keynote Address

Sponsored by: Equifax

Robert BoyerSpeaker:
ROBERT BOYER,
ELFA Board Chair

Peter ZeihanKeynote:
PETER ZEIHAN,
Geopolitical Strategist

10:30 – Noon
Coffee Break in Exhibit & Hub

Griffin Hall

Coffee cups sponsored by: Channel

10:15 – 10: 45 am
Hub Experience
10:15 – 10:20 amTechTalk - Linedata Lending and Leasing
10:20 - 10:30 amHubTalk - Why the Equipment Finance Industry Needs Standardized Credit Training

Jim Giaimo, Chief Credit Officer-Commercial Finance
Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.

10:30 - 10:40 amHubTalk - Using Social Media to Connect

Nick Fong, Chief Marketing Officer & CTO
AP Equipment Financing

10:45 – 11:45 am
Issue Breakout Sessions

In this session, we will explore the critical importance of data integrity in business operations. As organizations increasingly rely on data to drive decision-making, the risks associated with poor data quality can lead to significant business disruptions.

This session will cover the symptoms and risks of having a "hot mess" in your organization, the importance of data quality, and best practices for data cleaning. We will also discuss strategies for preventing future data issues and the role of technology and AI in maintaining data integrity.

Join us to learn how to address the business risks of data integrity and ensure your organization is set up for success.

SPEAKERS:

TAWNYA STONE, Moderator
Chair, ELFA Operations & Technology Committee
VP Strategic Technology

CINDY BRADLEY
Chief Data Officer
GreatAmerica Financial Services

ANDREW COTTER
EVP and CIO
Somerset Capital

SCOTT NELSON
President and CTO
Tamarack Technology, Inc.

SETH SEELY
Director of Credit
Commercial Capital Company

KAYLA PERLINGER
Vice President, Syndications
Oakmont Capital Services

Supported by:
People Power

Join the ELFA’s Women’s Council for an insightful session focused on exploring effective strategies for market expansion. Drawing from real-world case studies and expert insights, the panel will highlight the benefits of collaboration and inclusivity as it pertains to leading teams in growth strategy identification and execution. We will discuss the importance of diverse perspectives in business strategy to foster innovation and lead to better business outcomes. Participants will gain valuable knowledge on overcoming barriers, leveraging emerging technologies, and the importance of inclusivity in business strategy. Whether you are aiming to enter new markets or expand your business reach, this session offers practical advice and inspiration to help you lead with confidence and innovation.

SPEAKERS:

CATHERINE RODDICK, Moderator
Lead Relationship Manager
CoBank

JEN MARTIN
Chief Product Officer
LTi Technology Solutions

KRISTI SCHON
Chief Marketing Officer
Channel

Reid Raykovich, CLFP, CAE (she/her)
Chief Executive Officer
CLFP Foundation

Our panel of industry lawyers will highlight certain recent or evolving legal developments that senior leasing executives should find useful.

This session will include:

  • A brief update regarding the 2022 Amendments to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), especially the EF-related Amendments. The UCC is the essential body of commercial law relied upon by EF originators and investors regarding the full spectrum of enforceability and capital markets considerations AND the Amendments are important because they are now the law in the majority of the states. Presenters will also share their views as to how the Amendments could drive changes to EF market documents, systems and transactional practices, especially with respect to bundled transactions.
  • A review of the most impactful EF-related court decisions since the 2023 Convention Legal Update session. Attendees will learn how these cases could provide important guidance as to what to do, or not do, when documenting or enforcing transactions.
  • A brief overview of the UCC steps to be taken by EF originators and capital markets investors and lenders to protect their priority when financing equipment or purchasing transactions. These priority steps are important because they protect the interests of an originator or investor in the financed equipment or purchased transactions. Presenters will share certain events that could occur and cause originators and investors to lose priority even though these UCC steps were followed. They will also share what they consider to be best practices for avoiding bad surprises.
SPEAKERS:

EDDIE GROSS, Moderator
Shareholder
Vedder Price P.C.

PAUL HODNEFIELD
Associate General Counsel
CSC

DOMINIC LIBERATORE
Deputy General Counsel
De Lage Landen Financial Services, Inc.

DEBRA DEVASSY BABU
Shareholder
Darcy & Devassy PC

Supported by:
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

Think the supply chain crisis is over? Think again. While the immediate chaos of pandemic-era delays may have subsided, underlying risks are far from resolved. The global order is increasingly unstable, with new challenges emerging that could disrupt even the most resilient supply chains. Join Rinaldi Advisory Services and Zeihan on Geopolitics for a hard-hitting session that cuts through the complacency and dives into the future of global supply chains.

We’ll lead with a critical examination of the ongoing geopolitical risks that threaten supply chains worldwide. From the reshoring and onshoring movements gaining momentum in the US to the evolving dynamics of North American manufacturing, we'll explore how these trends are reshaping the industry. Finally, we’ll address the broader implications of a shifting global order, with particular focus on Europe, China, and Mexico.

This session will provide attendees with key insights into the vulnerabilities still lurking in the global supply environment, the potential impacts on the equipment leasing industry, and a fresh perspective on the United States’ reshoring strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to arm yourself with the knowledge needed to navigate the uncertain waters ahead.

SPEAKERS:

BOB RINALDI, Moderator
President
Rinaldi Advisory Services

MICHAEL NAYEBI-OSKOUI
Director of Analysis
Zeihan on Geopolitics

11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Spouse/Companion Event:
JW Austin Spa & Afternoon Tea with Light Lunch
(pre-registration required)

JW Marriott Spa, Level 5

11:45 am – 1:30 pm
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation Luncheon

Lone Star Ballroom

Sponsored by: Equifax

Kelli NienaberSpeaker:
KELLI NIENABER,
Executive Director, Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

Zach MarshSpeaker:
ZACH MARSH,
Senior Vice President, AP Equipment

Oscar MunozKeynote:
OSCAR MUNOZ,
Former CEO and Chairman of United Airlines

1:30 – 4:00 pm
Wellness Break in Exhibit & Hub

Griffin Hall

Sponsored by: Equifax

1:45 – 2:20 pm
Hub Experience
1:45 - 1:50 pmTechTalk - LTi Technology Solutions
1:55 - 2:05 pmHubTalk - Investing in Impact: Community Involvement in Equipment Finance

Eric Bunnell, President
Arvest Equipment Finance

2:10 - 2:20 pmHubTalk - AI and You: What AI Can Teach Us About Relationships

Hilary Bilbrey, Co-Founder
PEQ Performance LLC

2:30 – 3:30 pm
Issue Breakout Sessions

This session will debut the findings of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s new Equipment Leasing & Finance Industry Horizon Report. Presenters will provide results and share analysis of an end-user/borrower survey conducted in May/June 2024. The session will include a mix of industry performance data, relevant economic information, and near-term industry and economic trends.

Supported by:
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

SPEAKERS:

JEFF JENSEN
Vice President
Keybridge

MARIAH COUGHLIN
Senior Economist
Keybridge

CINDY FLECK
Managing Director
Channel

DAVID NORMANDIN
President and CEO
Wintrust Specialty Finance

New technological capabilities and rapidly changing customer preferences are causing many companies to rethink their technology strategy. Some are investing more in optimizing current systems, while others are replacing systems altogether. This panel will discuss the implications of these and other important decisions around technology strategy. It will also offer best practices for building an equipment finance platform that meets modern customer and partner expectations. The panel will include perspectives from finance companies who have recently built new systems, those who have updated current software stacks, technology platform providers, and software providers who are updating their product roadmaps.

Discussion topics include:
  • Build vs. Buy
  • Starting with a business problem vs. Starting with a new technology experiment
  • The role of agility and adaptability in light of new technology offerings, new lending requirements, and new customer demands
  • New mindsets around risk
  • Future AI implications
SPEAKERS:

NATE GIBBONS, Moderator
Chief Experience Officer
QuickFi

MARK BLAIS
CIO
Channel

ERIK TYVOLL
AVP Information Technology
ZAXIS Financial Services Americas LLC

KRISTIE KOSOBUSKI
Vice President Product Management - Portfolio Management
Solifi

Climate finance is booming, with billions poised for investment in solutions that will shape the future of our planet. But as the equipment finance industry channels capital into key segments, critical questions remain—especially with upcoming elections that could reshape the landscape. Our panel of experts will explore the political winds and their potential impact on critical legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and key investment and production tax credits (ITC and PTC).

Beyond politics, we'll delve into today's most promising opportunities in climate finance. Through real-world transaction examples, panelists will discuss the challenges and successes of financing solar projects, renewable energy and battery storage solutions, and the rapidly evolving market for electric trucks and fleets. Expect lively debates about deal structures, risk factors, and pricing strategies that are driving the market forward.

Audience participation is key—get involved by voting on the viability of these transactions through electronic polling. This session will provide a deep dive into the opportunities and friction points shaping the future of climate finance, equipping you with actionable insights to navigate this rapidly changing industry.

SPEAKERS:

PATRICIA VOORHEES, Moderator
Director, Strategy and M&A Advisor, Chair, CFWG
The Alta Group

JAN BEUKELMAN
Chief of Staff
Timber Creek Group

GAURAV DUBEY
CFO
Highland Electric Fleets

HUGH SWANDEL
President
Meridian OneCap Credit Corp.

BRIAN DePONTE
SVP - Clean Energy and Renewables
Wintrust Commercial Finance

SPEAKERS:

BILL CHOI, Moderator
Vice President, Research & Industry Services
ELFA

DAVE ROSENTHAL
Senior Consultant
McLagan Partners, Inc.

3:45 – 5:15 pm
People Power Happy Hour

Griffin Hall

Sponsored by: DLL

 
Evening Free for Private Entertaining and Company-Sponsored Receptions

Tuesday, October 29

7:00 am – 3:00 pm
Registration

Griffin Foyer

7:00 am – 12:30 pm
Exhibits & Hub Open

Griffin Hall

7:00 - 8:15 am
Group Breakfast

Griffin Hall

7:35 – 8:05 am
Hub Experience
7:35 – 7:45 amTechTalk -Vero Technologies
7:45 - 7:50 amTechTalk - Solifi
7:55 - 8:05 amHubTalk - Grit & Career Transitions

Jacob Fahl, KLC Financial

8:30 - 10:15 am
General Session

Lone Star Ballroom

President’s Report and Keynote Address

Sponsored by: Odessa

Leigh LytleSpeaker:
LEIGH LYTLE,
President and CEO, ELFA

Amy WalterKeynote:
AMY WALTER,
Political Analyst

10:15 – 11:00 am
Coffee Break in Exhibit & Hub

Griffin Hall

Coffee cups sponsored by: Channel

10:20 - 11:00 am
Hub Experience
10:20 - 10:30 amHubTalk - The Importance of Giving Back

Nate Gibbons, QuickFi

10:30 - 10:50 amHubTalk - Exploring Key Industry Insights and Global Perspectivest

Diane Tate, Australian Finance Industry Association and
Michael Rothe, Canadian Finance & Leasing Association

10:50 - 11:00 amPrize Drawings
11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Issue Breakout Sessions

Join our tenured industry panelists to discuss their experiences, review the Foundation study’s results, and answer your questions for a lively session. The new Foundation report examines the future landscape of the equipment finance industry, given the various challenges facing both Banks and Independents after several prominent bank failures in the Spring of 2023 effectively altered the competitive landscape. The report's analysis and conclusions reflect the findings from interviews conducted with more than 25 executives from Banks, Independents, and advisory firms. These interviews explored the specific factors impacting their companies today and their expectations for the role of Banks and Independents in the future. The panelists will break down the new reality for Banks and Independents as they navigate this potential “changing of the guards”.

Supported by:
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

SPEAKERS:

CHARLES WENDEL, Moderator
President
FIC Advisors, Inc.

JEFFRY ELLIOTT
President
Huntington Equipment Finance

BOB NEAGLE
President and CEO
Finova Capital, LLC

VALERIE GERARD
Co-Chief Executive Officer and Strategy & Competitive Alignment Practice Leader
The Alta Group LLC

This session will discuss:

  • The overarching trend federal and state regulators to extend consumer protection regulations to the commercial financing space. This includes efforts by federal and state regulators such as the CFPB, NY Attorney General, and others. But it also will include a discussion about the role non-state actors are playing. For example, see the class action litigation against Navy Federal Credit Union for fair lending violations. Could commercial lenders face similar risks? Finally, any discussion of federal regulations will also include a short talk about the impact of the Loper decision.
  • Where things stand with the CFPB’s Section 1071 rule and the efforts trade groups are making to stop its implementation. Given the district court's ruling, what are the next steps? What should lenders start thinking about and preparing for. As a practical exercise for the audience, we can either go through a sample 1071 submission and provide feedback, or discuss common problems companies may face as they collect required data.
  • The latest developments on state commercial financing disclosure laws. Specifically, session participants will learn about the various commercial financing laws in effect, new legislation on the horizon, what these laws require, and how they differ. In addition, participants will learn of similar federal legislation being considered that would apply nationally if enacted. Finally, we will discuss various operational challenges that lenders are starting to face with thorny issues such as blind discounts and private label arrangements.
SPEAKERS:

MEHUL MADIA, Moderator
Special Counsel
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

DOMINIC LIBERATORE
Deputy General Counsel
DLL

ANDY FISHBURN
Senior Vice President of Public Policy
ELFA

CHRISTINE BROWN
Sr. Flex Financial Counsel
Flex Financial, Stryker

OWEN BABCOCK
Attorney
Padfield & Stout, LLP

Our session aims to break away from the norm by offering a fully immersive, practical demonstration of AI applications specifically tailored for the Equipment Finance industry. This session will be a comprehensive "show and tell," focusing on real-life use cases and live demonstrations that showcase how AI is already being effectively utilized within our field. We will steer clear of theoretical discussions and instead provide tangible examples that attendees can relate to and implement in their own operations.

SPEAKERS:

MOTO TOHDA, Moderator
Vice President
Tokyo Century

PATRICIO PAZMINO
Director of Analytics and AI
Kin Analytics

CAMERON KRUEGER
Global Specialty Finance Lead
Accenture

MARTIN KLOTZMAN
Director of Marketing and Operations
Ivory Consulting Corporation

SPEAKER:

JILL MCKEAN-BILBY, Moderator
Equipment Finance Sales Executive
Huntington Equipment Finance

HORACIO MENDEZ
President & CEO
Woodstock Institute

LUZ URRUTIA
CEO
Accion Opportunity Fund

12:30 – 1:45 pm
Community Buffet Luncheon

Lone Star Ballroom

Sponsored by: Bank of America

12:30 – 5:00 pm
Exhibit Hall & Hub Tear Down

Griffin Hall

2:00 – 3:00 pm
Issue Breakout Sessions

This session will provide an overview of the factors that have led to economic volatility in 2023 and the effects of that volatility on equipment verticals. The panel will cover construction, agricultural, industrial, material handling, and the transportation sector from both an auction and appraisal point of view. The verticals will be discussed and recapped by an equipment leasing professional who will share the real-world effect of the volatility on the retail side of equipment management and leasing. This session will use real world data produced and aggregated by the panelists.

SPEAKER:

ALLYSON GALE, Moderator
Director of Federal Government Relations
Equipment Leasing & Finance Association

JEFFREY TAFT
Partner, Co-leader of Financial Services
Mayer Brown

Supported by:
People Power

In today’s rapidly changing business landscape, attracting, retaining, and promoting the right talent is more critical than ever. This session will explore cutting-edge strategies for recruiting top performers, keeping them engaged, and fostering their growth within your organization. Our expert panelists will share insights on navigating the current talent landscape, innovative approaches to recruitment, and the importance of building a strong company culture that encourages retention. We’ll also delve into effective pathways for promoting from within, ensuring that your workforce is not only prepared for today’s challenges but also equipped to thrive in the future.

Join us to learn how to "Level Up" your talent management practices and walk away with actionable strategies that will help you build and sustain a high-performing workforce.

SPEAKERS:

JORDAN REEVE, MODERATOR
Credit Support Manager
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation

AMANDA BRUBAKEN, CLFP
Group Lead
Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.

ERIC BUNNELL, CLFP
President
Arvest Equipment Finance

CRAIG COLLING
Senior Vice President– Vendor Channel Leader
Ascentium Capital, A Division of Regions Bank

DONNA YANUZZI
Senior Vice President– Vendor Channel Leader
1st Equipment Finance, Inc. a subsidiary of Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co.

Access to information. Increased efficiency. Improved collaboration. All tell-tale signs of advancing technology, and never more applicable than what we are seeing today in AI advancements. Combined with all the possibilities that AI offers, Credit, Analytics, and Sales leaders in the Equipment Finance industry are racing to find ways to leverage AI quickly and effectively before the competition does. At the same time, it’s been recognized that there’s a time and place to leverage AI in order to recognize optimal results.

Join our panel of experts as we discuss:

  • How AI is being used today in credit risk models
  • Quantitative vs. qualitative analysis and finding the right data
  • Future impact of AI and how businesses are approaching credit risk decisioning
SPEAKERS:

KELBY SPRING
VP, Financial Services
Equifax

PATRICIO PAZMINO
Director of Analytics and AI
Kin Analytics

SCOTT NELSON
President & CTO
Tamarack Technology, Inc.

MICHAEL COHEN
Chief Risk Officer
Crossroads Equipment Lease & Finance LLC

DARYN LECY, CLFP
Chief Operating Officer
Oakmont Capital Services

Private equity is reshaping the landscape of the equipment finance industry, offering new avenues for growth and innovation. As private equity interest intensifies, traditional bank lenders are pulling back, creating unprecedented opportunities for independent and non-bank providers. This session dives into the reasons behind this surge, from the exit of major players, to the evolving role of private credit. Hear from industry leaders as they share insights on how private equity is building new platforms, investing in infrastructure, and fueling long-term growth in equipment finance.

Join this session to gain a competitive edge as a C-suite executive. Discover how to navigate the nuances of private equity partnerships, position your organization for future success, and leverage alternative funding channels to drive innovation and profitability in this dynamic and evolving market.

SPEAKERS:

BRAD PETERSON, MODERATOR
CEO
Channel

ERIC DUSCH
President and CEO
Capteris

ERIC FREEMAN
CEO
Wingspire Equipment Finance LLC

KYIN LOK
CEO
DEXT Capital

RICHARD MATTE
President and CEO
Post Road Equipment Finance

STEPHEN WHITE
Co-Founder & Head of Capital Markets
Stonebriar Commercial Finance

2:00 – 3:00 pm
Coffee Break

Griffin Foyer

5:00 – 8:45 pm
Transportation for Closing Reception and Dinner & After Glow Party

Continuous Service, Every 15 Minutes

5:30 – 7:30 pm
Closing Reception & Dinner (Off property)
“Keep Austin Weird”

Inn Cahoots

Sponsored by: RTR Services and Equifax

7:30 – 8:30 pm
After Glow Party (Off property)

Inn Cahoots

Sponsored by: Assurant

Hub Schedule

Monday, Oct. 28th
7:45 – 7:55 amTechTalk - Kaaj
7:55 - 8:00 amTechTalk - Alfa
10:15 – 10:20 amTechTalk - Linedata Lending and Leasing
10:20 - 10:30 amHubTalk - Why the Equipment Finance Industry Needs Standardized Credit Training

Jim Giaimo, Chief Credit Officer-Commercial Finance
Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.

10:30 - 10:40 amHubTalk - Using Social Media to Connect

Nick Fong, Chief Marketing Officer & CTO
AP Equipment Financing

1:45 - 1:50 pmTechTalk - LTi Technology Solutions
1:55 - 2:05 pmHubTalk - Investing in Impact: Community Involvement in Equipment Finance

Eric Bunnell, President
Arvest Equipment Finance

2:10 - 2:20 pmHubTalk - AI and You: What AI Can Teach Us About Relationships

Hilary Bilbrey, Co-Founder
PEQ Performance LLC

Tuesday, Oct. 28th
7:35 – 7:45 amTechTalk - Vero Technologies
7:45 - 7:50 amTechTalk - Solifi
7:55 - 8:05 amHubTalk - Grit & Career Transitions

Jacob Fahl, KLC Financial

10:20 - 10:30 amHubTalk - The Importance of Giving Back

Nate Gibbons, QuickFi

10:30 - 10:50 amHubTalk - Exploring Key Industry Insights and Global Perspectivest

Diane Tate, Australian Finance Industry Association and
Michael Rothe, Canadian Finance & Leasing Association

10:50 - 11:00 amPrize Drawings

Thank you to our sponsors