Schedule

Whether or not you attended ELFA’s AI Web Seminar Series, this session is your chance to join the conversation. We’ll take some of the top questions from the webinars, dig deeper into the areas that generated the most curiosity and debate, and then open the floor to fresh questions from the audience. Recorded sessions are available on the ELFA website for anyone who’d like to dive in further.

MOTO TOHDA, Chair, Innovation Subcommittee
Vice President, Information Systems
Tokyo Century (USA) Inc.

RITCHIE COTTON
Chief Technology Officer
Valiant

What does learning look like when it happens inside your own company? Instructor Scott Kiley shares insights from ELFA’s in-house Principles of Equipment Leasing & Finance workshops held at member companies this year. Hear how teams used the on-site format to build shared understanding across functions, strengthen collaboration, and connect training directly to business goals. Walk away with practical ideas for bringing learning to life within your organization.

Do you ever struggle to develop a framework for underwriting an investment decision when a company has too much complexity? Too many customers, too many products, and too many transactions can make it feel impossible to get a grasp on where value is being created. Learn how to cut through the noise using the 80/20 framework, a time-tested and data-driven process for quickly identifying where value is being created…and where it is being destroyed.

This session will provide an understanding of the 80/20 theory and a blueprint for its execution. Join us to learn how 80/20 can lead to smarter investment decisions, as well as profitable market share growth for the companies that implement it.

SPEAKER:

Independent providers are emerging as some of the fastest-growing players in equipment finance—and private capital is fueling their ascent. Private credit brings the scale, speed, and flexibility that independents need to compete more aggressively, attract institutional investors, and expand their market presence. This session brings together industry leaders to examine how these forces are reshaping deal structures, funding strategies, and long-term growth trajectories. Attendees will gain insights into what this shift means for their organizations and how to navigate an increasingly dynamic landscape where private capital is redefining the rules of engagement.

SPEAKERS:

BILL PHELAN, Moderator
Founder and Business Leader
PrivateCap

JEFF ELLIOTT
Founder & CEO
Elevex Capital, LLC

ERIC MILLER
President & CEO
Ansley Park Capital

KEVIN RONAN
Managing Director and Group Head
First Citizens Bank – Capital Equipment Finance

BILL STEPHENSON
CEO
PEAC Solutions

Supported by: Emerging Talent Committee

Sponsored by:

The equipment finance industry is undergoing a pivotal shift in how information is consumed and communicated-internally and externally. Driven by generational change and accelerated by digital innovation, today’s stakeholders expect real-time, intuitive, and mobile-first engagement. This session explores how executive leaders can modernize communication strategies to enhance customer experience, improve operational efficiency, and future-proof their organizations.

Drawing lessons from consumer tech and digital banking, we’ll examine how tools like Microsoft Teams, CPQ platforms, and self-service portals are reshaping expectations. Attendees will gain actionable insights into applying B2C inspired frameworks such as Smart Brevity and user-centric design to B2B finance environments. The session includes a digital tool checklist, communication templates, and real-world examples to help leaders drive adoption, bridge generational gaps, and unlock growth.

SPEAKERS:

BILLY BAGNELL, Moderator
Business Development Officer
LEAF

VICTORIA BLAIR
Senior Director, Services Lead
Axios HQ

SYLVIANNE EVAN
Operations Manager
US Bank

TURNER PARLIN
Head of Business Development
Alfa

VANESSA ROBERTS
Director of Customer Success
LeasePath

Discover how one of America's leading auto finance companies is expanding beyond its core business. Join Andrew Denton, CEO at Alfa Financial Software, and Daniel Kipper, Executive Director of Product Development at Hyundai Capital America, as they explore Hyundai Capital's strategic expansion into equipment and mobility finance. Learn about the challenges, opportunities, and technology decisions driving their transformation journey—and what it means for the future of the industry.

ANDREW DENTON
CEO
Alfa Financial Software

DANIEL KIPPER
Executive Director of Product Development & Mobility
Hyundai Capital America

Supported by: Women's Council

You’ve earned your seat at the table — now it’s time to make your voice impossible to ignore. Join Anna Conrad, an award-winning executive coach with over 20 years of experience inspiring leadership in the C-suite. In this session, you’ll learn to how to project gravitas before you say a word, deliver your ideas with clarity and confidence, and inspire action that sticks. You’ll also learn the subtle shifts that turn good communicators into unforgettable leaders, including recognizing verbal and non-verbal cues allowing you to tailor your communication to the audience for maximum impact.

SPEAKERS:

LAUREN BAINGO, Moderator
Program Manager - Global Major Accounts
DLL

ANNA CONRAD
CEO
Speak by Design

Bringing a public equipment ABS to market involves more than just tapping into capital—it requires coordination across a complex supply chain of issuers, investment banks, investors, rating agencies, warehouse providers, and portfolio servicing companies. This session brings together experts from each stage of the process to explain why companies pursue equipment ABS, the benefits and challenges involved, and the key considerations for all parties. Attendees will gain a behind-the-scenes understanding of how these deals are structured, serviced, and evaluated—and what it means for lessors and lenders of all sizes seeking access to securitization markets.

SPEAKERS:

HUGO MORRISSEY, Moderator
Director-ABS Banking
Bank of America Global Leasing

EDWARD FITZGERALD
Managing Partner
Whitehall Partners Structured Finance LLC

DAVID LEE
CEO
North Mill Equipment Finance

KENNETH MARTENS
Managing Director
KBRA

KIM MOUNGER
VP Business Development
Orion First Financial, LLC

Supported by: Legal Committee

2025 feels like a regulatory “reset” moment. Between the rise of digital assets, evolving UCC rules, and increasing state scrutiny, equipment finance companies face both heightened risk and exciting opportunities.

Join a panel of experts as they cut through the noise, spotlight the biggest legal and regulatory changes on the horizon, and share strategies to stay compliant, competitive, and ready for what’s next.

SPEAKERS:

MOORARI SHAH, Moderator
Partner
Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLC

DEBBIE DEVASSY BABU
Shareholder
Darcy & Devassy PC

BARBARA GOODSTEIN
Partner
Mayer Brown LLP

EDDIE GROSS
Shareholder
Vedder Price P.C.

DOMINIC LIBERATORE
Deputy General Counsel
DLL

BRITTANY OGDEN
Partner
Quarles & Brady LLP

In today's dynamic landscape, leveraging data and data insights is paramount for fostering long-term organizational resilience. Utilizing the right kind of data, and incorporating analytics is imperative to improve your credit risk management process, throughout the borrower lifecycle. In this session, we will delve into the diverse types of data available, as well as practical approaches to developing credit risk strategies that will allow your organization to quickly pivot in changing economic conditions, and demonstrate how lenders are leveraging these data insights to reduce vulnerabilities. Through real-world use cases, we will also illustrate how businesses are using this data to create actionable intelligence and capture more of the market without increasing their risk.

SPEAKER:

KELBY SPRING, Moderator
VP, Financial Services
Equifax

What does it mean to be a Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP), and why does it matter? CLFP Foundation CEO Reid Raykovich will provide a brief overview of this designation that’s raising the bar for professionalism in our industry. She’ll be joined by Bruce Winter, CLFP since 1998, and Addison Flumerfelt, CLFP, who earned the designation this year. Together, they’ll share how the credential has shaped their careers – from a veteran’s perspective to the insights of a new designee.

Whether you’re exploring the designation for yourself or your team, or simply curious about what it takes, you’ll walk away with real insight into the value of the CLFP community.

REID RAYKOVICH, CLFP
Chief Executive Officer
CLFP Foundation

ADDISON FLUMERFELT, CLFP
Capital Markets Associate
Wintrust Commercial Finance

BRUCE WINTER, CLFP
Chief Operating Officer
Peapack Capital

Back by popular demand! Catch this encore demo of Smart Brevity and see how fewer words can drive clearer communication. The premium on clear, succinct communication has never been higher. Smart Brevity is the method thousands of organizations are using to transform their emails, updates, and other critical comms. Axios HQ is the simple, but powerful writing tool that helps them bring it to life. Join us for an unforgettable demo exploring the muscle and method behind Smart Brevity — and the technology that makes it happen.

BILLY BAGNELL
Business Development Officer, SVP
LEAF

VICTORIA BLAIR
Vice President - Strategic Accounts
AxiosHQ

Supported by:

The equipment finance industry is evolving rapidly, with AI, APIs, and integrated platforms reshaping how lenders and partners operate. Building on the ELFF’s latest technology research study, Apps 2.0 - A Data-Driven Evaluation of Innovative Technologies, this session will cut through the noise to highlight what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s next.

Join leading experts as they explore the key trends transforming finance - API-first ecosystems, AI-driven decisioning, enhanced credit workflows, fraud prevention, and the growing demand for platform-based solutions. Panelists will share real-world case studies, from streamlining lending processes to applying AI for fraud detection and smarter credit evaluation. Attendees will also gain actionable guidance on pathways to implementation - whether that means wrapping legacy systems with APIs, tapping into cloud-based integrations, or using sandboxes to experiment safely. Designed for executives, technology leaders, and practitioners alike, this session offers a practical roadmap for evaluating solutions, managing risks, and taking confident steps toward the future of equipment finance technology.

SPEAKERS:

KRISTIAN DOLAN, Moderator
CEO
Northteq Inc. on behalf of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

CHRIS ENBOM
Founder & CEO
AP Equipment Financing

MILES HERMAN
President & CEO
LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc.

LEIGHTON SMITH
Chief Strategy Officer
GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation

In today’s fast-changing economic landscape, the difference between stagnation and progress often comes down to alliance—between small business, industry leaders, and policy architects. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with ELFA members who helped shape Rethinking Economic Growth by Dan Varroney, a new roadmap for how we can reconnect the levers of business, trade associations, and government to restore sustainable 3%+ growth.

Through real-world case studies from small business CEOs, along with policy-ready frameworks and industry roadmaps, you’ll hear directly from the ELFA members who saw challenges, proposed solutions, and are now implementing change. Together, they’ll explore how their experiences can help you sharpen strategy, build powerful partnerships, and lead with influence in policy circles.

SPEAKER:

DAN VARRONEY, Moderator
President & CEO
Potomac Core Consulting

Uncertainty continues to influence merger and acquisition activity in the equipment finance industry, but signs point to cautious optimism heading into 2026. From rising interest rates and shifting credit standards to the growing scale of independent lessors and evolving investor strategies, the dealmaking landscape is complex and evolving. Join a panel of leading M&A advisors as they share their perspectives on the current state of the market, the challenges that could slow activity, and the factors that may drive renewed momentum in 2026.

SPEAKERS:

KYIN LOK, Moderator
President and CEO
Dext Capital

JIM CHESTER
Managing Director, FinTech & Financial Services Investment Banking
Keefe, Bruyette & Woods

BRENT FERRIN
Managing Director
Houlihan Lokey

CHRIS HEMLER
Managing Director
Hovde Group, LLC

JIM JACKSON
Co-CEO and Merger & Acquisition Advisory Practice Leader
The Alta Group LLC

Supported by: Climate Financing Committee

AI has had a dramatic impact on energy demand. Energy costs have increased by 30-40% for most ratepayers over the last several years. Adding to these market dynamics are the challenges which utilities and grid operators face to increase capacity at the pace and scale necessary to satisfy demand, as well as federal focus on both energy security and decreased tax incentives for some renewable energy and equipment (EV, solar, and wind). What does it all mean for equipment finance? Panelists will explore the implications for OEMs, bank and independent finance companies, and funders - banks, private credit and tax equity. This session will also discuss how recent policy changes are shaping the future of energy finance.

SPEAKERS:

PATRICIA VOORHEES, Moderator
Advisor
The Alta Group

STEVE WHELAN
Partner
Blank Rome

BEN SPEED
President
Johnson Controls Capital

Supported by: Equipment Management Committee

The agricultural sector presents a unique and rapidly evolving opportunity for equipment finance - driven by technological innovation, sustainability initiatives, and the demand for modern, productive farm machinery. This session brings together leaders from across the ag finance ecosystem to explore how capital - both traditional and alternative - is being deployed to meet the growing needs of producers, dealers, and manufacturers. From the perspective of private equity, cooperative banking, manufacturer financing, and policy strategy, panelists will share how they’re structuring deals, mitigating risk, and building scalable finance solutions tailored to the ag market. Whether you're an independent lessor, private funder, or bank affiliate, this session will provide actionable insights into funding approaches, partnership opportunities, and the future of ag equipment finance.

SPEAKERS:

JEFF ELLIOTT, Moderator
Founder & CEO
Elevex Capital, LLC

BRENT BOYDSTON
Founder & CEO
Ag Center Solutions

MARK LOKEN
Vice President
CoBank Farm Credit Leasing

JOHN GROSSO
Senior Vice President, US/CA and Chief Marketing Officer
John Deere Financial

There’s never been a time when data and analytics have been more available than they are today. But that doesn’t mean better decisions are being made. Building the next generation of analysis in today’s volatile world requires first building a strategy that leverages new data and analytical tools to understand the changing structural dynamics of our industry and world. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association is investing in the next generation of data delivery to make our industry-leading data available quickly and efficiently to improve financial forecasting, analysis, and strategic planning. Hear from our panel of experts on how to leverage ELFA data to help your organization make informed decisions and capitalize on new opportunities.

SPEAKER:

TIM MAHEDY
CEO & Chief Economist
Access/Macro

Join Kyle Alexandre, VP of State Government Relations, for an update session from ELFA's Policy team on current wins this year, new issues, and other important advocacy items that are front of mind in the coming months.

SPEAKER:

KYLE ALEXANDRE
Vice President, State Government Relations
ELFA

With global trade tensions and recent U.S. tariff increases, the likely impact is reshaping equipment acquisition costs and altering the financial calculus for lessors and lessees alike. These policy shifts, aimed at revitalizing domestic industry in the U.S., are instead creating ripple effects across the equipment leasing value chain—particularly in sectors like construction, manufacturing, transportation, and agriculture, where leased equipment often depends on cross-border supply chains.

In this forward-looking session, panelists will explore how international lessors are responding to this new tariff era. The discussion will draw on current data and recent industry analysis, including rising price pressures on capital equipment and an uptick in client requests for extended lease terms, refinancing options, or sourcing alternatives due to uncertainty around trade policy.

Panelists will examine practical strategies to manage portfolio risk, restructure leases, and support clients navigating higher equipment costs and potential delivery delays. The session will also address how trade policy volatility is influencing long-term capital deployment, manufacturer partnerships, and equipment residual values.

With a blend of policy insight, economic data, and real-world lender experience, this interactive session offers finance professionals actionable guidance on how to stay agile, mitigate risk, and uncover opportunity in a shifting global trade environment.

SPEAKERS:

NAHID ZAMIR, Moderator
Head of Operations
Meridian OneCap

JOE LEONARD
President
Oakmont Capital Services

GUY POIRIER
VP of Sales
CHG Meridian

As the commercial equipment finance industry rapidly modernizes, a notable shift in expectations is taking shape- aiming to deliver a consumer-like digital experience while preserving the complexity and nuance of commercial finance transactions.

Fueled by rapid technology advancements, and the inevitable adoption of AI, equipment sellers and their end-user customers are increasingly looking for an enhanced digital experience that mirrors the ease, speed, and intuitiveness of consumer finance. This panel will explore the trends and discuss customer expectations offering insights from leaders in fintech, capital, and software development. The conversation will also explore the role of embedded lending as it relates to the consumerization discussion.

The panel will conclude with a 5-minute lightning round where each panelist will share one bold prediction about the future of commercial equipment finance related to user experience.

SPEAKERS:

KIM MONTGOMERY, Moderator
SVP, Healthcare Originations Leader
EverBank

DAN CASTELLINI
CEO
Trio Capital

ROBERT PREVILLE
CEO
APPROVE Payments

RYAN RAGLAND
Vice President of Enterprise Solutions - Americas
Valiant Finance

STEVE TAPLIN
Chief Product Officer
Lendscape

MARK TOMASELLI
President and CTO
QuickFi