SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has named seven industry leaders to the 2015 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame. ELFA Chairman Robert Rinaldi, Chief Executive Officer of Commercial Industrial Finance, Inc., announced the honorees this morning at the General Session of the 54th ELFA Annual Convention in San Antonio, Texas.

The official induction ceremony took place on Oct. 24 at the Chairman’s Dinner preceding the ELFA Annual Convention. The 2015 inductees are:

• Ian J. Berg (1941–2009) – Founder of Copelco Financial Services Group and innovator of healthcare, copier and high-tech leasing
• Joseph C. Lane – Technology financing pioneer and devoted champion of equipment finance
• P.A. (Paul) Larkins – Industry trailblazer, mentor and dedicated volunteer
• James D. McGrane (1954–2014) – Inspirational leader, relationship builder and multitalented entrepreneur
• Bernard J. McKenna (1933–2010) – Tireless industry supporter and active philanthropist
• William J. Montgomery – Captive and vendor finance visionary and founder of numerous leasing entities, including Xerox Credit Corporation
• Henry B. Schoenfeld (1916–1976) – Founder and first President of US Leasing, the first equipment leasing company

“We are thrilled to recognize the distinguished group of individuals who make up the 2015 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame,” said ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE. “These industry pioneers have contributed so much to our industry and our association. Their accomplishments—from blazing new trails in equipment finance, to mentoring the next generation, to serving our association—leave a lasting legacy that will inspire generations to come.”

The ELFA Board of Directors established the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame in 2014 to annually recognize individuals who have made unique, significant or lasting contributions to the equipment finance industry throughout their careers. Information about each inductee is available on the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame website at www.elfaonline.org/hof/.

Eligibility Requirements and Nomination Process
To be considered for induction into the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame, a candidate must have made a significant impact on the equipment finance industry. This may be demonstrated through personal acts, the manifestation of an entrepreneurial spirit, support of ELFA and/or the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, a substantial total body of work, positive contributions in industry advocacy, and/or a significant impact on the development of other industry participants.

Nominees will be accepted annually. The deadline to nominate an individual for the 2016 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame is April 1, 2016. The ELFA Board of Directors will make the final selection from the open nomination process. The program criteria, requirements, nomination form and deadlines are posted at www.elfaonline.org/hof/.

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $903 billion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org.