New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

William (Bill) Bence was promoted at Wingspire Capital,  Chicago, Illinois. He is located in the Greater Chicago Area.  He joined Wingspire January, 2021.  Previously, he was Director, Business Development at Fifth Third Business Capital, Fifth Third Bank (May, 2019 - December, 2019); Prior, he was at MB Financial Bank, starting as Vice President, Portfolio Management (June, 2012); promoted Senior Vice President, Business Development (January, 2018 - May, 2019). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williambence/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/williambence/

Alex Coveney was promoted to President, AP Fleet Management, He is located in Castle Rock, Colorado.  Previously, he was Executive Vice President, Head of Fleet & Mobility at AP (February, 2024 - December, 2025); Partner, Prospect Analytics, LLC (March, 2020 - Present); Owner, The Athlete's Edge (September, 2019 - Present). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-coveney/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-coveney/

Kenneth Dantinne has joined JD Thompson Law as Counsel, to work remote. He is located in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Previously he was Associate Counsel, Commercial Credit Group, Inc. (April, 2023 - November, 2025); Associate Attorney, Hamilton Stephens Steele, Martin PLLC. (December, 2017 - April, 2023).
Full Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-dantinne-60755155/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenneth-dantinne-60755155/

Brenda Ottosen was hired as Funding Coordinator and Documentation Specialist, Paramount Financial. She is located in Greeley, Colorado and will work remote. Previously, she was Account Coordinator, Golden Sun Funding (February, 2025 - July, 2025); Senior Title Specialist, Amur (September, 2023 - March, 2024); Title Funding Specialist, American Capital Group, Inc. (January, 2023 - July, 2023); Senior Funder, Partners Capital Group (October, 2021 - December, 2022). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaottosen/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaottosen/

Melanie Rudiger, CLFP, was promoted to Senior Vice President Operations, AP Equipment Finance Bend, Oregon, She joined AP March, 2023, as Docs and Funding Manager, promoted Vice President, Operations Fully, 2025 - December, 2025); Vice President, Operations, Huntington National Bank (October, 2012 = March, 2023).    
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-rudiger-clfp-1349a6121/

Amy Stovel was hired as Assistant Vice President, Wingspire Equipment Finance, LLC. Previously, she was Account Executive, CoreTech  (May, 2025 - December, 2025); She joined Regents Capital Corporation as Sales Development Representative,  May, 2022, promoted Account Manager (July, 2023 - May, 2025).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-stovel-3598b1235/

Judith Quintanilla was hired as Client Experience Advocate, CoreTech Leasing, Newport Beach, califoorna. She is located in Montclair, California. Previously, she was Director of Operations, SWPPPP Cal (September, 2022 - December, 2025); Credit Analyst, Crossroads Equipment Lease and Finance, LLC (November, 2018 - January, 2022); Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Credit Corporation (August, 2016 - August, 2018); Credit Manager, Crossroads Equipment Lease (February, 2009 - November, 2012).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-quintanilla-61697995/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-quintanilla-61697995/

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Donald Cosenza, CLFP Joins Maxim Commercial Capital
as SVP, Business Development
Proven specialty finance executive fills new position to support corporate growth

 

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. (Dec. 16, 2025) – Maxim Commercial Capital (“Maxim”) is pleased to announce Donald S. Cosenza, CLFP, has joined the company as Senior Vice President, Business Development. Cosenza brings more than 25 years of senior-level sales and marketing experience at national financial services firms to Maxim, where he will lead the company’s national referral partner marketing strategy.

“Bringing Don aboard is a key accomplishment for our firm,” said Michael Kianmahd, Maxim’s CEO. “His deep experience and proven success in the equipment finance industry are vital attributes to help propel Maxim to the next level and achieve our vision of becoming the nation’s preeminent alternative lender to small and mid-sized businesses.”

Cosenza previously served as chief marketing officer of North Mill Equipment Finance (“NMEF”) for eleven years, where he built a partner program resulting in relationships with hundreds of referral agents and banks nationwide, established NMEF’s brand, and developed and managed all marketing communications platforms. Previously, Cosenza was VP of Marketing for UnitedHealthcare’s national accounts and served as an E-commerce Leader for GE Capital’s factoring business.

“I am excited to join Maxim at such a pivotal moment in the organization’s growth trajectory,” said Cosenza. “The company’s strong leadership, experienced and committed team members, and well-defined strategic plan together provide an exceptional platform to serve the growing needs of small and mid-sized businesses. I am eager to cultivate initiatives to strengthen our market presence and establish a new standard of excellence in the industry, and to reconnect with industry colleagues in the broker and banking communities, many of whom I consider to be personal friends.”

About Maxim Commercial Capital

Maxim Commercial Capital helps small and mid-sized business owners nationwide by providing loans and leases (“financing”) from $10,000 to $3 million secured by heavy equipment, real estate, trucks, and trailers. It funds equipment purchase financings and leases, working capital, and debt consolidations. Maxim’s more creative financing structures leverage equity in real estate and owned heavy equipment to facilitate growth and preserve customers’ cash. As a leading provider of transportation equipment financing, Maxim supports startup and experienced owner-operators and non-CDL small fleet owners by funding loans and leases for class 8 and class 6 trucks, trailers, and reefers. Learn more at www.maximcc.com or by calling 877-776-2946.

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Funders Looking for Broker Business
to update or change: kitmenkin@leawsingnews.org

There is no advertising fee or charge for a listing. They are “free.” Leasing News makes no endorsement of any of the companies listed, except they have qualified to be on this specific list.

We encourage companies who are listed to contact us for any change or addition they would like to make. We encourage adding further information as an "attachment" or clarification of what they have to offer would be helpful to readers.

Please send company name, contact/email or telephone number as well as a URL to attach or description List.

Alphabetical list - click on company name to view more details

1st Enterprise Bank Leasing 360 Equipment Finance Balboa Capital Corp. Bankers Capital Baystone Government Finance/ KS StateBank Blue Bridge Financial Boston Financial & Equity Corp. BSB Leasing, Inc. Calfund, LLC Celtic Bank

C.H. Brown Company Clicklease Dakota Financial Dedicated Funding Dext Capital First Federal Leasing First Midwest Equipment Finance Co. Financial Pacific Leasing Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding Global Financial & Leasing Services, LLC

International Financial Services Corporation Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC Navitas Credit Corp. NewLane Finance NFS Leasing, Inc North Mill Equipment Finance Quality Equipment Finance SLIM Capital, LLC Targeted Funding Co., LLC TEAM Funding Solutions TimePayment

Help Wanted Ad
    Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

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Celebrating a Year of Resilience and Progress
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

As 2025 comes to a close, the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry has much to celebrate. Over the past twelve months, it has not only endured—but thrived. Once again, the industry’s resilience has proven indispensable to small, mid-sized, and large businesses across the U.S. economy.

In the hustle of prospecting, adjudicating, funding, and collecting, it’s easy to overlook the remarkable progress being made—by individuals, by companies, and by the broader equipment finance community. But the momentum is undeniable. Consider just a few of the defining successes:

• Technology adoption continues to accelerate, driving efficiency and delivering enhanced products to all stakeholders.
• New capital flows steadily into the market, expanding the diversity of offerings for vendors and end-users alike.
• Top talent is being rewarded, with well-positioned professionals enjoying above-average income potential.
• Competition fuels innovation, flexibility, and market-driven solutions across a wide spectrum of industries.
• Demand for equipment remains strong, creating abundant opportunities despite ongoing challenges.
• Professionals are embracing change, adapting with confidence, and advancing their careers in a dynamic environment.

The industry is not just surviving—it’s evolving. And it’s poised for even greater growth in 2026 and beyond.

The possibilities are endless. Let’s celebrate.

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com 

Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Scott Wheeler at: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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2026 Major Finance/Leasing Conference Dates
(Information to be added, when received)

February 12, DeBanked Biggest Show –
         You won’t want  to miss!
    Fontainebleau, Miami, Florida
https://www.debankedmiami.com/page/5137529/registration

March 4, National Vehicle Leasing Association
    Nashville, Tennessee
https://www.nvla.org/page/2026Conference
   
March 4-6, Funders Forum/Broker Expo
    Hollywood Florida. Tee Off Funders Forum 2026
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/---Networking-Starts-Here---Kick-Off-Funders-Forum-at-the-RBFC-Golf-Tournament-.html?soid=1133130637774&aid=jJMUS1-TyJY

March 30-April 1, NEFA Spring Conference
    Huntington
 https://www.nefassociation.org/event/2026-spring-conference/ Beach, California

April 14-16, ELFA National Funding Condense
    Chicago, Illinois
Online Scheduling Coming in late January,2026

May 5 – May 7,  American Association of Commercial  Finance Brokers, Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista,
Disney Springs, Orlando, Florida   

October 25–27, ELFA Annual Conference,
    Palm Desert, California  
Online Scheduling Coming in late January, 2026

November 11–13, SF Net,   81st Annual Convention  Marriott Hotel. Los Angeles, California https://www.sfnet.com/home/events/event-detail/2025/11/11/default-calendar/sfnets-81st-annual-convention

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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
December 8  - December 10

 (1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business  
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_08.htm#hires   

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business     
and Related Industries   https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_10.htm#hire

(3) Follow-Up to “Big Shift at the CFPB: MCAs  
May Be Out of Section 1071—for Now”
By Marshall Goldberg, Leasing News
Chief Legal Editor
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_10.htm#rerun2

(4) YES Leasing Expands Credit Facility With BMO      
    26  Successful Renewal and Increase
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_08.htm#yes

(5)  Channel Strategic Growth Delivers $1B Milestone 
   and ABS Upgrades 
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_10.htm#cp  

(6) Help Wanted Ad
    Ameris Bank Equipment Finance
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_08.htm#ads_help  

(7) Roadmap for Bold Plan and
Executable Strategy
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_10.htm#map

(8) U.S. Credit Card Delinquency Rates by State   (2025)  
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_08.htm#us

(9) Workplace Trends: How Careers are Involving 
      In the Age of Financial Technology
       By Ken Lubin, Managing Director, ZRG Partner
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_08.htm#wp

(10) The Real Purchasing Power 
    of $100 by U.S. States
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Dec2025/12_10.htm#real   

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Ranked: U.S. States With
the Most Low-Wage Workers

Key Takeaways

• Nationwide, 30% of workers, about 45.2 million people, earn less than $20 per hour.
• Texas has the largest number of low-wage workers at 5.1 million.
• Mississippi has the highest share of low-wage workers at 52%.
• The District of Columbia has the lowest share and number of low-wage workers, at just 11% and 41,000 workers, respectively.

Low-wage work remains widespread across the United States. Even as the labor market continues to expand, wage gains have been uneven, leaving millions of workers earning less than $20 per hour, which is roughly $41,600 annually before taxes for full-time work.

News Briefs

US tariffs are having an uneven effect
  on holiday prices and purchases
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/business/tariffs-holiday-prices-purchases/

Ford dropping F-150 EV in $20 billion pivot back
 to gasoline, hybrids
https://www.autonews.com/ford/an-ford-ev-pivot-lightning-death-1215/

UPS ripped off seasonal workers with unfair
   pay practices, lawsuit alleges
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/12/15/business/ups-seasonal-workers-lawsuit/

Why Wells Fargo’s San Francisco downsizing
    is bad news for California banking
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2024-12-12/wells-fargos-move-is-a-milestone-in-california-banking

Tesla Starts Testing Robotaxis in Austin
   with No Safety Driver
https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/15/tesla-starts-testing-robotaxis-in-austin-with-no-safety-driver/

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The Friday Checkout: Will grocery be
     in the pricing hot seat?
https://www.grocerydive.com/news/grocery-dynamic-pricing-instacart-investigation/807737/

[headlines]
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Sports Briefs---

Steve Kerr makes sad admission after Warriors
    wasted Steph Curry's 48-point game
https://www.sfgate.com/warriors/article/steve-kerr-warriors-waste-steph-curry-master-class-21243994.php

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California News Briefs---

New Palo Alto Networks buys site of big South Bay office  
   Development Thousands could work at site of
       city-approved office project
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/12/santa-clara-tech-build-property-palo-alto-networks-economy-jobs-office/

Apple sets the stage for fresh South Bay
     with Sunnyvale deals
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/15/apple-property-tech-economy-jobs-sunnyvale-iphone-develop-office-work/

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Gimme that Wine

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

WineCap charts 2025: ‘The speed of
     the rebound astonished us’
https://www.thedrinksbusiness.com/2025/12/winecap-charts-2025-the-speed-of-the-rebound-astonished-us/

Rhone Rangers 2026 event offering discount
    to Central Coast residents
https://pasoroblesdailynews.com/rhone-rangers-2026-event-offering-discount-to-central-coast-residents/216655/