I’m still buzzing from ELFA’s 64th Annual Convention on Marco Island, FL. It was an incredible week filled with great conversations, valuable content, and a strong sense of community across our industry.
As you’ll read in this issue’s recap column, the Convention delivered an outstanding lineup of speakers and sessions. From bestselling authors Kyla Scanlon and Jon Gordon to an inspiring conversation with the most decorated swimmer of all time, Michael Phelps, the energy and insights carried through every moment.
A highlight for me was joining CLFP Foundation CEO Reid Raykovich and Board President Candace Reinhart on stage to announce CLFP’s intent to enter into an affiliation agreement with ELFA. This is a major milestone for our industry and a game changer for how we attract, train, and retain the generation of talent.
The announcement also aligns perfectly with the vision of our incoming Board Chair, Deb Baker, Vice President of Global Payment Solutions at HP Inc. Deb is deeply committed to research, education, and developing future leaders, and I look forward to partnering with Deb to build on all the momentum of the past year.
And there’s plenty to build on. Throughout 2025, we made key investments and leaned into new opportunities. We expanded our education, training, and research capabilities with initiatives like the Power of People Summit and the next evolution of our workforce programs. On the advocacy front, we achieved notable wins on tax policy and Section 1071. It’s no surprise that we’re now welcoming a surge of new members, as this issue’s cover story explores.
A big thank-you to our outgoing Board Chair, James Cress, for his partnership, leadership, and friendship. His focus on advocacy and people helped strengthen our association, and I’m grateful that he will continue to serve on the Board as Immediate Past Chair.
As we look ahead to 2026, Deb and I are ready to build on this momentum with another ambitious agenda focused on driving results for our members and advancing the future of equipment finance.
