Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Investing Forward

Tony Golobic, Executive Chairman of GreatAmerica Financial Services Corporation, epitomizes the equipment finance industry’s entrepreneurial spirit. Over the past 32 years, Golobic built GreatAmerica, an independent, family-owned national commercial equipment finance company, from a team of two to over 780 employees, with annual volume exceeding $1.5 billion and a strong balance sheet with assets of over $3.25 billion. Notably, he achieved the company’s growth almost exclusively through organic expansion rather than acquisitions. Golobic’s passion for the small-ticket business stems from his affinity for the entrepreneurial approach and the relationships it fosters. Golobic’s leadership is exemplified by a phrase he trademarked, “Customers for Life,” which underscores GreatAmerica’s dedication to customer loyalty, a principle he deeply believes in and practices.

With over 50 years of experience in equipment financing, Golobic has held key leadership positions, including General Manager of GE Capital Office Technology Financial Services, President and CEO of LeaseAmerica Corporation, and Senior Vice President of Mellon Financial Services.

As an active member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), Golobic served on the Board of Directors and various committees. These committees included the Membership Committee, Fair Business Practices Committee, and Capital Markets Subcommittee. Additionally, he supported the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation by serving on the Board of Trustees and contributing to the Industry Future Council.

At 17, Golobic immigrated to the United States from Slovenia, served the United States Army in Vietnam, and pursued his education on a GI Bill. He earned a BSBA in Accounting from Roosevelt University, followed by an MBA in Finance from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business. Additionally, he earned a Certified Public Accountant certificate. He has been honored with numerous awards, including the Iowa/Nebraska Entrepreneur of the Year Award, the Howard Hall Excellence in Business Award, the National Czech & Slovak Museum Presidential Society Award, and the Monitor’s Industry Titan Award.

Golobic advocates for philanthropy and has been generous with both time and money. GreatAmerica, over its history, has contributed over $9 million to support programs for children, education, and the arts. Golobic currently serves on the Board of Trustees of Mercy Medical Center, National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, and Iowa College Foundation. He also serves on the Board of Directors of CRST International Holdings. In the past, Golobic actively participated on the boards of Coe College, Orchestra Iowa, the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival, and the Eastern Iowa Enterprise Council.