New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Tim Cooke was hired as Senior Enterprise Account Executive, Prism Data, New York, New York.  He is located in Chicago, Illinois. Previously, he was at Equifax, starting March, 2020, Customer Success Manager, promoted, January, 2022, Business Development Commercial Services, promoted Commercial Solutions Director, (February, 2023 – April, 2026). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetimcooke/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetimcooke/

Floyd Mays was hired as Business Development Officer at Summit Funding Group, Inc. He is located in Crystal Lake, Illinois. Previously, he was Territory Associate, J.P. Morgan (June, 2022 – May, 2026); Small Business Sales Representative, Wells Fargo (January, (2015 – May, 2022).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/floyd-mays-2b355a156/

Mark Miller retires at Key Equipment Finance, Inc., Rochester, New York as Regional Equipment Finance Officer. 
“Well that is a wrap - I am officially retired!
Like many in this field, I didn’t set out to work in equipment finance - I simply found my way into it, and am grateful I did. What started out as an unexpected path turned into a rewarding 35 year career, including the last 22 years with Key Equipment Finance. It has been more enjoyable and fulfilling than I ever could have imagined.

“One of the best parts has been working with clients - hearing their inspirational stories and learning about the incredible businesses here in upstate New York. From financing construction equipment for a newly married couple that started off with one backhoe (and grew to employ over 100 people), to financing production lines and other equipment for multi-billion-dollar entities. It has been such a pleasure to work with and help support the businesses of our region.

“Of course, the best part of any job is the people. I’ve been fortunate to cross paths with so many wonderful colleagues, clients and partners over the years. I deeply appreciate each of you - your trust, support and partnership. I cherish the memories and the friendships.

“I’m looking forward to new adventures ahead, time with friends and family, and wish you all continued health, happiness and success!”
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-miller-b78a46b

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Story Credit Financing Leases, Business Loans, SBA, Working Capital Those listed are responsible for updating; many have not. This is open to funder and non-funders, as well as the footnotes that explain their capabilities The full listing then will be available on the main site listing and they are published once a month in Leasing News. In this edition, the link to the listing and full notes follow. Starting in February, the full listing will only be in the site index. The list will be available that goes to the footnote. The new updates will be listed only by the link to the information in the Leasing News Monthly Edition. To update your listing, address Kit Menkin (kitmenkin@leasingnews.org.) Here are funders who take "A" and "B" rated applicants. They are also more interested not in "application only."  They become more comfortable learning more, beyond reviewing financial statements and tax returns, additional collateral, learning more about the story behind the business as qualifiers. Leasing News reserves the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications. Funder List “A” http://www.leasingnews.org/Funders_Only/Funders.htm We encourage companies who are listed to contact us for any change or addition they would like to make. Adding further information as an "attachment" or clarification of what they have to offer would be helpful to readers is also very much encouraged." Alphabetical list - click on company name to view more details
Ameris Bank Equipment Finance Bankers Capital Black Rock Capital Investment, LLC BSB Leasing, Inc Calfund, LLC Dakota Financial	Financial Pacific Leasing Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC	North Mill Equipment Finance P&L Capital Corporation Quality Leasing Co. Inc. SLIM Capital, LLC TEAM Funding Solutions

https://leasingnews.org/Story_Credit/Story_Credit.htm

All Leasing News Lists

• Funder List "A"
  
  
• Funders Looking for Broker Business     
  
  
• Funders Taking New Broker Business List
  
  
• No Longer taking Broker/Discounting Business plus Leasing Companies Out of Business 
  
  
• Story Credit Financing Business Loans, SBA Loans, Working Capital

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ZRG Continues to Shape Leadership
Where it Matters Most
By Larry Hartmann, CEO, ZRG Partners

For more than 25 years, ZRG has been a trusted partner to the equipment leasing and finance sector, rooted in the entrepreneurial journey of our founder, Larry Hartmann, who built and sold a commercial finance business to American Express before launching the firm. Ken Lubin, Managing Director at the firm, has been a frequent contributor to our newsletter. 

What many in the industry may not fully appreciate, however, is how significantly ZRG has expanded its global impact. Today, the firm is one of the fastest-growing talent advisory businesses in the world, with approximately 700 employees across 20 countries, delivering a full suite of solutions spanning executive search, interim leadership, consulting, and RPO. With roughly $300 million in annual revenue and a data-driven approach powered by its proprietary platform, ZRG has evolved well beyond its roots into a diversified, global human capital partner.

That growth is reflected not only in scale, but in influence. A standout example is ZRG’s leading sports practice, now widely regarded as the top talent advisor across professional and collegiate athletics. This past year alone, the firm placed two national championship-winning head coaches—Curt Cignetti at Indiana Football and Dusty May at Michigan—demonstrating the firm’s ability to identify and place transformational leadership in the most competitive environments. From boardrooms in equipment finance to sidelines on the national stage, ZRG continues to shape leadership where it matters most. 

Help Wanted Ad
    Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

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Experience as a Competitive Advantage
Career Crossroads by Emily Fitzpatrick

There has been a noticeable shift in hiring over the past several years, one that is particularly relevant within the financial services industry.

Employers continue to emphasize innovation, adaptability, and speed, all of which are important qualities. However, in some cases, this shift has unintentionally led to something more concerning: the undervaluation of experience.

In an industry built on relationships, judgment, and long-term performance, experience has never been more relevant. Yet, I continue to see highly qualified professionals who have navigated multiple market cycles, structured complex transactions, and built lasting client relationships being overlooked.
Sometimes this is subtle; other times, it is more direct.

This industry is not transactional at its core. It is relationship-driven, detail-oriented, and often complex. Experience brings a level of insight that cannot be replicated quickly. It shows up in the ability to, for example:

Evaluate risk beyond what is presented in a credit package

Structure deals aligned with both client needs and portfolio objectives
Navigate vendor relationships over time—not just at origination
Anticipate challenges based on prior market conditions

These capabilities are developed over years of real-world exposure, and, in many cases, they are what separate a good hire from the right hire.

At the same time, the workforce is evolving. According to the World Economic Forum, a significant portion of roles in financial services are being reshaped by automation and AI. At the same time, Accenture estimates that up to 73% of tasks in financial services are exposed to some level of automation or augmentation. As technology accelerates change, one might assume that experience becomes less relevant. In reality, the opposite is often true. As complexity increases, so does the need for judgment, context, and informed decision-making, areas where experienced professionals consistently deliver.

It would be incomplete not to acknowledge a topic that continues to surface in conversations with candidates, ageism. While rarely stated outright, it can influence hiring decisions, whether through assumptions about adaptability, compensation expectations, or long-term fit.

What is often overlooked is that many experienced professionals in this industry have already demonstrated their ability to evolve. They have adapted through economic cycles, regulatory changes, capital market shifts, and the ongoing integration of technology. From a business perspective, overlooking experience is not simply a cultural issue; it can become a performance issue.

The strongest teams are built with a combination of perspectives—those who bring fresh ideas and those who bring seasoned judgment. Balance is key.

Experience should not be viewed as a limitation, but rather as an asset, one that can drive performance from day one. It is a competitive advantage.

Emily Fitzpatrick
Sr. Recruiter
Recruiters International, Inc.
Phone:  954-885-9241
Cell:  954-612-0567
emily@riirecruit.com

For more steps or in-depth career guidance, feel free to contact me at emily@riirecruit.com

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### Press Release ####################

Oaktree Closes Successful $355.8 MM Asset-Backed
Securitization In Partnership With NMEF

North Mill Equipment Finance LLC (“NMEF”)  announces the successful closing of OAKEF 2026-1, a $355.8 million asset-backed securitization sponsored by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (“Oaktree”) and serviced by NMEF.

The equipment finance assets collateralizing the securitization were acquired from Midland Equipment Finance in a transaction completed in November 2025 by NMEF and Oaktree. The AAA through single A rated offering was met with strong investor demand, achieving peak subscription levels of approximately 6.3x and enabling efficient execution across the capital stack, with a weighted average spread of 99 basis points and a weighted average yield of 4.7%.

Brendan Beer, Portfolio Manager for Oaktree’s Asset-Backed Finance and Structured Credit platform, said, “This securitization highlights the strength of the underlying assets and the effectiveness of our partnership with North Mill.

“We are pleased with the strong market reception, reflecting investor confidence in Oaktree’s approach to the equipment sector. We appreciate North Mill’s collaboration and look forward to continuing our partnership in pursuing differentiated asset-backed investment opportunities for our clients.”

 Truist Securities served as lead structuring agent, with Deutsche Bank acting as co-manager on the transaction.

David Lee, Chairman & CEO at NMEF, said, “NMEF was pleased to assist our partner Oaktree in achieving their financing objectives,” said. “This execution underscores the quality of the assets and the strength of our servicing platform.”

NMEF will continue to act as primary servicer for the assets included in the transaction, providing ongoing portfolio management and operational support.

About NMEF
NMEF is a premier lender working with third-party referral sources to finance small to mid-ticket equipment commercial leases and loans ranging from $15,000 to $3,000,000 and up to $5,000,000 for investment grade opportunities.  NMEF accepts A – C credit qualities and finances transactions for many asset categories, including medical, construction, franchise, technology, vocational, manufacturing, and material handling equipment.  NMEF is majority owned by an affiliate of InterVest Capital Partners and is headquartered in Norwalk, CT, with regional offices in Irvine, CA, Fort Collins, CO, Plymouth, MN, Voorhees NJ, and Murray, UT.  One of NMEF’s controlled affiliates, BriteCap Financial LLC, is a leading non-bank lender providing small businesses with fast, convenient financing alternatives such as working capital loans since 2003 from its main office in Las Vegas, NV.  For more information, visit
https://nmef.com and www.britecap.com. 

About Oaktree
Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $223 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented, and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, equity, and real estate. The firm has more than 1,500 employees and offices in 26 cities worldwide. For additional information, please visit Oaktree’s website at http://www.oaktreecapital.com

### Press Release ####################

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Online Equipment Auction List
Finance Arrangements Available

auctioneerexpress.com	Tractor, Mower, Dump Truck, Mower, Cutter, 13 Tire Roller
www.auctiontime.com	“Free listing of items, which also connects to other site. Powered by MachineryTrader.com, TractorHouse.com, and TruckPaper.com, AuctionTime.com brings together buyers and sellers to move equipment at auction values. Bidders pay no buyers fees whatsoever.,,“Unlike conventional auctions, bidders can discuss specifics about the auction pieces with the actual seller, or go see the actual machine themselves. Auctions come to an end each Wednesday with live bidding open every Monday at 5 pm CST and proxy bidding open 7 days prior to auction end time.”
HeavyEQ.govdeals.com	Heavy Equipment, Truck and Machinery Industry Online Gov't Surplus Auctions - Over 1,000 Government Clients
inplaceauction.com	Caters to lessors, lenders, and bankruptcy trustees, conducting both virtual and live auctions of all types of assets including:  Agricultural, Medical, Industrial, Transportation, Trucks, Construction, Real Estate, etc.  Appraisals - on site and desktop.
ironplanet.com	Cranes, Trailers, Equipment Trucks
motleys.com	Construction Equipment & Trucks
municibid.com	Municibid is an online government auctions website designed specifically for the sale of surplus and forfeited/seized goods directly by the government publicsurplus.com
salvex.com	Salvaged equipment for both re-seller and end user.
tractorhouse.com	Mostly farm equipment
usgovbid.com	Government Online Auctions - Servicing Government Agencies for over a Decade

List of many auction sites for consumer and vehicle:
http://www.100auctionsites.com/

Online auction Top Ten Most Popular Sites
(Primarily for consumers or consumer merchandise)
http://online-auction-sites.toptenreviews.com/

Auction Zip
--primarily consumer
(find auctions anywhere)
http://www.auctionzip.com/

News Briefs

Coming Home May Be the Most Dangerous Part of Artemis II
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/science/nasa-artemis-ii-earth-return-heat-shield.html

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New tolls could add $1 a barrel to Hormuz oil
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/new-tolls-could-add-1-a-barrel-to-hormuz-oil?oly_enc_id=7354E3969723H7B

Trump warns Iran about tolls through the Strait
https://www.wsj.com/livecoverage/iran-war-2026-trump-deadline-latest-news

America’s Furniture Stores Struggle  to Survive a Frozen Housing Market
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/09/business/furniture-stores-housing-market-crisis.html

One in three young adults in the U.S. now lives with their parents.
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ryankang94_realestate-housingmarket-affordability-activity-7446889492545708032-lz-i
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Sports Briefs

Dallas Mavericks CEO Rick Welts: 'We love the idea of the downtown site' for new arena
https://www.dallasnews.com/business/article/dallas-mavericks-rick-welts-downtown-arena-22197455.php

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California News Briefs

AI boom catapults San Francisco median home price above $2 million
https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2026-04-08/ai-boom-catapults-san-francisco-median-home-price-above-2-million

Heat Wipes Out Western Snowpack, Raising Fears of Drought, Wildfire
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/08/climate/heat-snow-drought-west.html

Teachers decry Newsom budget plan as districts issue thousands of layoff notices
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/04/09/millions-school-funding-at-risk-under-newsom-proposal/

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Gimme that Wine

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