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Record 1st Q for Leasing Despite Terrible Weather
Plus William G. Sutton Video

(Chart: Leasing News)

March came in like a lion, bringing $7.0 billion in new leasing business, up from February, 2014, of $5.4 billion; better yet, topping all previous 1st quarters, according to the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association MFLI-25 report:

(Chart: Leasing News)

ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE, said, “The Federal Reserve recently hinted at continuing a monetary policy that will promote a sustained low interest rate environment at least for the foreseeable future, which is giving the business community a reason to feel confident about the overall trajectory of the U.S. economy and make capital investments in their businesses. Credit quality metrics are mixed, with delinquencies edging upward, counterbalanced by monthly losses reaching historic lows. Another positive sign for the industry is the trend toward increased hiring during the past 10 months."

Brian J. Griffin, Senior Vice President, Leasing, MB Financial Bank, N.A., said, "The continued strong metrics measured by the MLFI-25 reflect the ongoing strength of the economy and, more specifically, the leasing industry. Of particular significance is the dramatic increase in new business volume from February, the record low charge-off percentage and the continued increase in headcount in the industry. If medium- and long-term rates can remain relatively stable, these results bode well for continued growth for the balance of the year."

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation also reported a monthly confidence level of 65.1, which they stated was "...the highest index level in two years for the second consecutive month.

Thomas Jaschik, President, BB&T Equipment Finance, said, “The first quarter of 2014 had positive results with respect to new business activity, and the economy is on a positive trajectory. The conclusion of the winter of 2013-2014 may be the catalyst for pent-up demand to begin to be released. This will have a positive impact on the equipment finance market throughout 2014.”

Here YouTube video on the First Quarter from ELFA President,
and CEO, William G. Sutton, CAE:

ELFA March Charts:

MLFI-25 New Business Volume (Year Over Year Comparison)
click to make larger

Aging of Receivables:

click to make larger

Average Losses (Charge-offs) as a % of net receivables
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger

Credit Approval Ratios As % of all Decisions Submitted
(Year Over Year Comparison)

click image to make larger

Total Number of Employees
(Year Over Year Comparison)

Participants in the ELFA MLFI-25:

ADP Credit
BancorpSouth Equipment Finance
Bank of America
Bank of the West
BB&T Bank
BMO Harris Equipment Finance
Canon Financial Services
Caterpillar Financial Services
CIT
De Lage Landen Financial Services
Dell Financial Services
Direct Capital Corporation
EverBank Commercial Finance
Fifth Third Equipment Finance
First American Equipment Finance, a City National Bank Company
GreatAmerica Financial Services
Hitachi Credit America
HP Financial Services
Huntington Equipment Finance
John Deere Financial
Key Equipment Finance
LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.
M&T Bank
Marlin Leasing
Merchants Capital
PNC Equipment Finance
RBS Asset Finance
SG Equipment Finance
Siemens Financial Services
Stearns Bank
Suntrust
Susquehanna Commercial Finance
TCF Equipment Finance
US Bancorp Equipment Finance
Verizon Capital
Volvo Financial Services
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

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Leasing Industry Help Wanted

We are looking to grow our sales team!
Sales Managers and Sr. Account Executives

CalFirst is seeking seasoned sales professionals to join our sales team in Irvine, CA. Our sales professionals are responsible for originating equipment leasing and
secured loan opportunities with middle to
large size companies located nationwide.
Transactions range from $1,000,000 to $30,000,000.
For more information, please contact
recruiting at: (949) 255-0500 ext. 392
Email: bcrogan@calfirst.com

www.calfirst.com

National Sales Representatives
Experienced, with existing business to bring, all industries. Salary plus commission, good benefit package. AXIS - A, B, C lender for small and mid-ticket markets. Call Jean Harlow– 800.994.0016
email or forward resumes to: HR@Axiscapitalinc.com

axiscapitalinc.com
Growing with fast approvals and quick fundings

For information on placing a help wanted ad, please click here:
http://www.leasingnews.org/Classified/Hwanted/Hwanted-post.htm

Please see our Job Wanted section for possible new employees.

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New Hires---Promotions

Marc Chavarria named District Sales Manager, Commercial Credit Group Inc., greater Chicago area. Previously, he was Collections Manager, Engs Commercial Finance (August, 2012–April, 2014); Director - National Sales, CIRG, LLC (February, 2012–August, 2012); Senior Retail Collector, Navistar Financial Corporation (May, 2009–January, 2012); Customer Process Adoption and Training Manager, Navistar Financial Corporation (April, 2004–April, 2009); AVP, Collection Manager, Transportation Finance, CitiCapital Commercial Corporation (July, 2001–March, 2004); AVP, Transportation Finance CitiCapital Commercial Corp. (2002–2004); District Manager, Insurance Division, Toyota Financial Services (November, 2000–July, 2001); District Manager Insurance Division, Toyota Financial Services (November, 2000–July, 2001); Asset Manager, Transportation Finance, CitiCapital Commercial Corporation (April, 1999–November, 2000); Customer Service/Collections Representative, Mercedes-Benz Credit Corporation (January, 1998 – March, 1999). Education: North Park College, Bachelor of Arts, Communications (1994 – 1997); North Park University, B.A., Communications (1993 – 1997) De La Salle Institute General, General (1989 – 1993).
www.linkedin.com/pub/marc-chavarria/5/5a5/b58

Jeff Conly appointed Assistant Vice President, Commercial Specialty Underwriter II, Capital One Equipment Finance, Baltimore, Maryland. He joined SunTrust Equipment Finance & Leasing in April, 2008, as small ticket credit officer/collection. Appointed credit portfolio specialist, November, 2011, and December, 2012 named credit portfolio manager. Prior, he was Collections Team Leader, Bank of America/MBNA (2004 – 2007); Credit Team Leader, MBNA (2002 – 2004); Sr. Credit Analyst, MBNA (1997 – 2002). Education: James Madison University, BS, Public Relations / English
1990 – 1994. Pi Kappa Phi
www.linkedin.com/pub/jeff-conly/9/1aa/456

Charles Diehl named Credit Administrator - Vice President at Argent Bank, Anaheim, California as well as vice-president, credit officer, Financial Pacific Leasing. He joined Commerce National Bank as vice president, credit officer, November, 2009. Commerce National Bank was acquired by Sterling Savings Bank, dba Argent Bank, October 2013: in turn acquired by Umpqua Bank, where Financial Pacific Leasing was also acquired by Umpqua Bank. He states, “I am in credit risk and portfolio management including financial statement analysis and work at locations in Los Angeles or Orange counties. cdiehl9027@msn.com.” Previously he was an independent as Diehl Consulting (March, 2009-November, 2009); Vice President, Credit Manager, Comerica (September, 2000 – March, 2009); Vice President, Credit Manager, JLA Credit Corporation (July, 1988 – December, 1999). Education: State University of New York at Stony Brook BA, Sociology, Physics, Math
www.linkedin.com/in/charlesdiehl

Joe Friedling named regional account manager at Xerox Financial Services, Western Region, based out of Paso Robles, California. Previously, he was vice president, account executive, Commerce Bank (December, 3013-March, 2014); equipment finance broker (September, 2013-December, 2013); business banking officer, U.S. Bank (July, 2012-Auguste, 2013), equipment finance professional, PEC USA Inc. (February, 2002-July, 2012); graphic business development, CitiCapital, formerly Copelco Capital (1999-2002).Education: The College of New Jersey fka Trenton State College, BS MET, Mechanical Engineering (1979 – 1983): Activities and Societies: ZBT Fraternity.
www.linkedin.com/in/pecusainc

Todd Friant appointed Managing Director of CIT Corporate Finance, Energy; Dallas/Fort Worth area. Previously, he was Managing Director American Capital (2005–2013); Director, Hunt Resources (2003–2005); Senior Analyst, Simmons & Company International (2001 – 2003); Analyst, Salomon Smith Barney (2000–2001). Education: Texas A&M University, Master of Science, Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance, Accounting (1995 – 2000). Activities and Societies: Summa Cum Laude, Professional Program in Financial Management - Group VII
www.linkedin.com/pub/todd-friant/32/28a/393

Brandon Garofalo hired as account manager at DDI Leasing, Bedminister, New Jersey.
www.linkedin.com/pub/brandon-garofalo/18/a98/0

Bonita (Bares) Gorghuber hired as Financial Analyst, Geneva Capital, LLC. Alexandria, Minnesota. Previously, she was Senior Equipment Finance & Leasing Specialist, Synergy Resources (November, 1998 – August, 2010); Senior Equipment Finance Specialist, U.S. Bank, Business Equipment Finance Group (1995 – August, 2010); Credit Manager, Norwest Financial (June, 1998 – November, 1998); Credit Underwriter, The Manifest Group (May, 1995 – May, 1998); Service Desk Attendant, Memorial Union - North Dakota State University (September, 1992 – May, 1995); Assistant Marketing/Personal Banker, Farmers & Merchants Bank (June, 1994 – September, 1994);Information Specialist, North Dakota Tourism (May, 1993 – September, 1994). Education: North Dakota State University, B.S, Business Administration (1992 – 1995).
www.linkedin.com/pub/bonita-gorghuber/7/aa/6b6

Mike Hansen named SVP & Manager Corporate Finance Division, Heritage Bank of Commerce. Previously, he was Founder and EVP of Avidbank Corporate Finance, Avidbank (September, 2007 – March, 2014); Senior Vice President, Greater Bay Bank (DBA Greater Bay Business Funding/Pacific Business Funding) (January, 1994 – August, 2007); Assistant Vice President, Silicon Valley Bank (October, 1988 – January, 1994). Education: Loyola Marymount University (1984 – 1988). Bellarmine College Preparatory, High School, General (1980 – 1984). Activities and Societies: Golf Team, Basketball, Intramurals, Social Services.
www.linkedin.com/in/hansenmike

Ella Krishtal hired as account manager at DDI Leasing, Bedminister, New Jersey. Previously, she was Field Representative (External B2B Sales) BrandIt Sales and Marketing Firm (November, 2013 – March, 2014); Urology Pharmaceutical Sales Professional, Watson Pharmaceuticals (March, 2012 – September, 2013);Global / Regional NP4 Project Manager, Novartis Oncology (June, 2007 – March, 2012); Project Administrator, NYK Logistics (October, 2005 – March, 2007). Languages: English, French, Russian, Spanish. International Society of Poets Winner. Team Leader for American Heart Association Team Lead for Community Partnership. Education: Rutgers University-New Brunswick, BAS, Communication / Informatics (2001 – 2005);Activities and Societies: Dean’s List / Honor Society Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority – President of Academic Affairs International Society of Poets – Winner (2003); Kean University, BS, Computer Science (1999 – 2001). Activities and Societies: Dean’s List / Honor Society Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority – President of Academic Affairs 2000- 2001
www.linkedin.com/pub/ella-krishtal/9/2a4/841

Michael Larson hired as vice president of National Accounts for the Specialty Markets Group for Michigan-based TIP Capital. He will be based in the greater Seattle area. Previously, he was Regional Sales Executive, Key Bank (December, 2011 – March, 2014); Vice President, Sales, Puget Sound Leasing (2004 – 2010); Regional Sales Manager, American Express Business Finance (2001 – 2004); Regional Vice President, First Sierra Financial (1997 – 2001). Education: Portland State University, BS, Business Administration and management, General (1978 – 1982).
www.linkedin.com/pub/mike-larson/21/6b5/807

Judd Lemmon has joined Zions Equipment Leasing department as an account executive, based out of Zions Bank’s Idaho headquarters at Eighth and Main in downtown Boise, Idaho. In this role, Lemmon is responsible for developing equipment leasing relationships with businesses in northern Idaho as well as portions of Oregon, Washington and Montana.” He previously was Credit Officer Reliable Credit Association Inc., (October, 2011 – March, 2014); Store Supervisor, Rite Aid (December, 2009 – January, 2012); Education: Eastern Oregon University, Masters' of Business Administration, Business Administration and Management, General (2004 – 2010). Activities and Societies: Student government, intramural sports, community action activities
www.linkedin.com/pub/judd-lemmon/94/477/bb8

Eric Mandella appointed sales manager, Balboa Capital, Irvine, California; based in Jacksonville, Florida. Previously, he was Sales Manager, Navitas Lease Finance Corp. (August, 2008 – March, 2014); Program Manager, CIT (April, 2000 – August, 2008); Program Manager, CIT (April, 2000 – August, 2008);Program Manager, CIT Vendor Finance (2007 – 2008); Program Manager, CIT Group, Inc. (1999 – 2008). Education: Florida Community College at Jacksonville. Business Administration and Management, General (2001 – 2002). Quinsigamond Community College None, Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities (1995 – 1996).
www.linkedin.com/pub/eric-mandella/4/852/818

Lori Plesich named Territory Manager, WHEATON Industries, Orange County, California. Previously, she was Senior Account Executive, GO Capital USA (March, 2013 – February, 2014); Sr. Account Executive, Capital Alliance (2011 – March, 2013); Sr. Account Executive, Nationwide Funding, LLC (2006 – 2008); Call Center Supervisor, Praeclarent Communications (July, 2003 – July, 2006); Call Center Supervisor/Sales, Trend West Resorts (June, 1999 – June, 2003). Education: Central Washington University, Bachelor of Science (BS), Psych. (2000 – 2005).
www.linkedin.com/pub/lori-plesich/53/128/458

Dale Schwartz named Director of Specialized Markets at Balboa Capital, Irvine, California. Previously he was Vice President Transportation Finance First National Capital Corporation –“top producer at First National in the Aviation and General Equipment Market. “(January, 2008 – March 2014); VP of Mortgage Production, Merrill Lynch (March, 2003 – September, 2007). Education: Cal State Long Beach, Business Administration, Business.
www.linkedin.com/pub/dale-schwartz/43/634/44a

Charles Stackhouse appointed director, capital markets, Hudson Valley Bank, New York, New York. Previously he was director, Mazuma Capital Corporation (February, 2013-March, 2014), vp-director, capital markets, ICON Capital Corp (April, 2008-December, 2011); associate, Bank of America (2007-2008). Education: Saint John's University School of Law, Doctor of Law (J.D.) (2003). Connecticut College, BA. New Canaan High School.
www.linkedin.com/pub/charles-stackhouse/8/641/b80

Dean Tanaka hired as account manager at DDI Leasing, Bedminister, New Jersey. He is located in San Francisco, California and will serve the Bay Area. He previously was Financial Services Professional at MassMutual Financial Group (April, 2013 – 2014); Director, Crystal & Company (2011 – December, 2012); Producer, Maroevich, O'Shea & Coghlan Insurance (November, 2001 – September, 2009); Client Service Sales & Account Manager, Plaza Insurance (February, 1999 – November, 2001); Field Sales Representative, ABET Laminati (April, 1996 – January ,1999); Product Manager - Field Sales, Rugby Group Plc Acousta-Lite (September, 1990 – March, 1996); CIC - Certified Insurance Counselor, The National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research, Manager, Certified. President, USC Alumni Club of San Francisco (January, 2012 – April, 2014). United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. Education: University of Southern California, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Political Science. Activities and Societies: President - Trojan Knights, Blue Key Honor Society, Student Alumni Campaign Team, Dean's List
www.linkedin.com/in/deantanaka

Randy Wells named president at the Fundnet.com, Orange, County. He joined the firm as CEO January, 2014. Previously, he was Chief Operations Officer, Luminart Corp (2012 – 2013); CEO, Marketing for Attorneys (January, 2009 – January, 2012); Chief Marketing Officer, iBank.com (2011 – 2012); VP, Providence Capital Funding, Inc. (2010); Vice President, Global Creditors (2009 – 2010); coo, on point media (2009); Marketing Manager, Alliance Funding Group (2007 – 2009); CEO, LegalMatch (2004 – 2005). Education: Hartnell College (1972 – 1974). Advanced Coursework at USC
www.linkedin.com/pub/randy-wells/26/9b3/2a3

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New CLP Designation---“Associate”

The Certified Lease Professional (CLP) Foundation announces a new designation: CLP Associate. Spearheading the project is Bob Fisher, CLP, Sr. Vice President at Ascentium Capital, prior president of the National Equipment Finance Association.

Five years ago to take the exam to become a CLP, the requirement was lowered to having three years’ experience in equipment finance and leasing. To become a CLP Associate, requires only two years experience. When they reach three years, they become a full CLP.

“This designation was created in an effort to attract motivated young leasing professionals in our industry to strive for CLP Certification," Fisher says. “If you are motivated and want to raise your competency level and earn an industry leading Certification the CLP Associate Designation is the program for you! Stand out as a Professional!”

Reid Raykovich, CLP, Executive Director of the foundation told Leasing News, “I have a special place in my heart for these people because I did the same thing. I passed the exam when I had only a little more than a year in the industry and had to wait several years to use the designation because at that time it was five years."

She says, “The CLP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers, and peers in the equipment leasing and financing industry.”

To learn more about the Annual Partnership Program, please visit http://www.clpfoundation.org/AssociateDesignation or contact our Executive Director, Reid Raykovich, CLP (206) 535-6281; reid@clpfoundation.org

Why I Became a CLP---
http://www.leasingnews.org/CLP/Index.htm

((Please click on ad to learn more))
(Leasing News provides this ad “gratis” as a means
to help support the growth of Lease Police)

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Tom and Michele Williams’ St. Pete Brew
to be Served at NAELB Conference

Tom Williams, founder of eLease Funding, originally an online aggregate funder operating in San Francisco, changed his operation and, in 2003, moved to St. Petersburg, Florida. He fell into a niche, financing over 100 microbreweries, getting interested in making beer himself, and then, in 2013, opened with his wife, Michele, their own microbrew establishment

President & CEO
http://stpetebrewingcompany.com/brew-team/

Where St. Pete's is Available in Florida:
http://stpetebrewingcompany.com/wheres-brew/

St. Pete Brewing Company
544 1st Avenue North
Saint Petersburg, Florida
http://stpetebrewingcompany.com/contact-us/

Available May 1-3, NAELB Conference
Caribe Royale Hotel, Orlando, Florida

Updated

Capital Conferences---2014

NAELB Orlando, Florida Conference---Update

May 1 - 3
National Association of Equipment
Leasing Brokers
2014 Annual Meeting
Caribe Royale Hotel
Orlando, Florida

Dwight Galloway, RLC Funding, will be covering the
conference for Leasing News readers.

Latest List of Exhibitors

360 Equipment Finance
Amerimerchant
Amerisource Funding
Axis Capital
Banc of California, N.A.
Bankers Capital
Blue Bridge Financial LLC
Bryn Mawr Funding
BSB Leasing
Business Credit Reports
Channel Partners LLC
CLP Foundation
Dakota Financial, LLC
Facteon, Inc.
The Finance Marketing Group
Financial Pacific Leasing, LLC
First Federal Leasing
Fora Financial
Funding Circle USA
Gateway Commercial Finance
instaCOVER
IOU Central Business Lending
KS State Bank, Baystone Government Finance
Leasepath
Marlin Equipment Finance
Maxim Commercial Capital LLC
Merchant Cash and Capital, LLC
Microbilt Corporation
NCMIC Finance Corporation
NFS Leasing
North Mill Equipment Financing LLC
OnDeck
Orange Commercial Credit
Pacific Western Equipment Finance
Paradigm Equipment Finance
Pawnee Leasing Corporation
Pinnacle Specialty Capital
Preferred Business Solutions
Quiktrak, Inc.
RLC Funding
TEAM Funding Solutions
Tetra Financial Group
Varilease Finance, Inc.

Joan Modes, BPB
President, NAELB

“A searchable directory of Funder members is also available to registered NAELB members through our website. If you are not already a member, you can find info about joining the NAELB and about our annual conference at www.naelb.org."

Information:
http://www.naelb.org/NAELB/Events/2014_Annual_Conference.aspx

May 7 - 9
Association of Government Leasing and Finance
AGL&F/ELFA Public Sector Finance Forum
Washington, DC

Information:
http://www.aglf.org/events/aglfelfa-public-sector-finance-forum

Hotel Reservation:
http://www.doubletreemagmile.com/

June 18-20, 2014
China Leasing Summit 2014
Sixth Annual Conference
Crowne Plaza Beijing Chaoyang U-Town
Beijing, China

"The Chinese leasing industry is gearing up for an eventful year in 2014 as profound changes and broad reforms take full effect in China’s market. In this year leasing companies will see the full effects of programs such as the national value-added tax reform and the opening of the Shanghai (Pilot) Free Trade Zone, along with the rapid evolution of China’s transportation system."

"This summit will gather regional government officials, vendor representatives, national organizations and industry leaders to unveil statistical data on the 2013 China leasing market, foster a thorough understanding of the current status and developmental potential of the market. They will share the experience on product models and avoid the homogenization of products. There is no doubt that this summit will provide a premier platform for its delegates to establish strategic cooperative partnerships, expand business. We firmly believe that your outstanding industrial background and broad knowledge would contribute significantly to the quality and scope of this summit."

http://www.duxes-events.com/lease14/

September 4-6
2014 Eastern Regional Meeting
Lord Baltimore Hotel
Baltimore, MD

September 10-12
Canadian Finance and Leasing Association
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler
Whistler, British Columbia

September 18-20
San Antonio Texas
To Be Announced

October 19-21
2014 53rd Annual Convention
Manchester Grand Hyatt
San Diego, CA

November 5-7
34th Annual AGLF Fall Conference
Loews Ventana Canyon
Tucson, Arizona

November 6 - 8
2014 Western Regional Meeting
Hyatt Regency Irvine
Irvine, CA

November 12 - 14
Commercial Finance Association
70th Annual Convention
Washington Marriott Wardman Park
Washington, D.C.

November 16 -17
NJ Expo Regional
Teaneck, New Jersey
(Sunday evening- All Day Monday)

CFA Related Conferences
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/CFAConferences_2014.pdf

CFA Network Calendar
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/CFAEventsCalendar_2014.pdf

ELFA ---2014 Schedule of Conferences, Workshops
and e-Learning Opportunities
http://www.leasingnews.org/PDF/ELFA2014ScheduleInfo_1212014.pdf

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

US Finance to Provide HALO CENTER $24 Million in Funding

The First Step for Laser Light's Global Hybrid
Satellite-Terrestrial Optical Network

CHICAGO, Ill. - US Finance, Inc., a global financial solutions company, announces that it has issued a commitment to lend $24 million to Laser Light™ Global Limited, UK ("Laser Light™") to build The HALO Center™, a laser communications test and evaluation facility. The center will be located in Reston, VA, with the funding commitment allocated for facilities, equipment and other corporate purposes that will render The HALO Center operational in late 2014.

"US Finance, Inc. is pleased to provide funding for what we believe is a revolutionary new form of worldwide communications," said Phil Bianca, CEO and President of US, Finance Inc. "We are confident that The HALO Center™ and Laser Light™ have the ability to change the face of data communications globally from this day forward."

Robert H. Brumley, CEO of Laser Light™, said the partnership with US Finance, Inc. for the initial funding commitment will enable Laser Light™ to open what they anticipate to be the first global, open-architected commercial test facility and Network Operating Center focused primarily on emerging next-generation Free Space Optics communications technology and operating solutions. "The HALO Center™ is intended to serve as our pre-launch test, demonstration and certification facility for vendor-supplied equipment and operating system for Laser Light™'s planned Global Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Optical Network™, currently scheduled for deployment in 2017," Brumley commented. A competitive Solicitation for these network elements is anticipated this year.

Additionally, ABS Technology Architects was instrumental in the design of the facilities and the state-of-the-art architecture based on Cisco Systems, Inc. equipment for The HALO Center™. "The HALO Center™ design is intended to serve as an active, licensed 'Point of Presence' connected to the Global Grid through dual, fully redundant 100 G service rings, supported by on-site data storage, co-location and hosting capabilities," according to Walker Dorroh, CEO of ABS Technology Architects. "The operational plan for HALO is to route global IP traffic through the Center's 100G PoP, which will consist of a hybrid fiber-laser-fiber loop, thus validating free space optics performance and interoperability with current global optical network systems."

"Working with our partners, ABS and CISCO, Integrity Applications, Incorporated (IAI) is proud to have played a key role in defining and developing Laser Light™'s HALO test & evaluation facility," said Mike Rigo, Vice President for National Programs for IAI. IAI, an engineering and software services company contributed substantially to the architectural concepts, system constraints, network requirements as well as the technical and facility reference designs for The HALO Center™.

For further information on the funding commitment or to speak with Phil Bianca, President and CEO of US Finance, Inc., or Robert H. Brumley, CEO of Laser Light™, please contact Jess Loren.

About US Finance, Inc®
US Finance, Inc. is a full-service financial organization dedicated to providing progressive financing options for today's advanced business environment. We provide debt financing for commercial real estate and equipment for middle to large market organizations. The staff of US Finance, Inc. has been providing quality financing for over 25 years. We work nationally with an ability to deliver global financing wherever the US can legally provide business assistance.

US Finance, Inc. is not a United States Securities Dealer/Broker or a US Investment Advisor. We are a Business-to-Business Consultant, General Corporate Advisor and in most instance a Private Investor. The information contained in this press release should never be considered a solicitation for securities for any purpose in any form or content.

About The HALO Center™, LLC
The HALO Center™'s mission is to be the first global, open-architected commercial test, evaluation & demonstration center for Next-Generation Free Space Optics communications technology. The HALO Center™ is intended to be a test, demonstration, and certification facility of the underlying critical elements for Laser Light™'s planned Global Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial Optical Network. The HALO Center™ will also operate a Network Operating Center connected to the Global Grid, capable of simulating the anticipated performance of an all-optical satellite-terrestrial system, years prior to its deployment. The HALO Center™ design is based on a licensed, dual-ring, fully redundant, 100 G Carrier Class Fiber-Laser-Fiber PoP providing global IP routing, on-site data storage and colocation capabilities. HALO Center™ is a solely held subsidiary of Laser Light™ Global Limited, UK. For more information about The Halo Center™ contact Laser Light™ at info@laserlightcomms.com.

About Laser Light™ Global Limited, UK
Laser Light™ Global Limited, UK intends to be the Owner, Operator of the World's 1st Global Hybrid Satellite-Terrestrial All Optical Network System™. Laser Light™ is a registered company in the United Kingdom, and the parent company of The HALO Center™, LLC and Laser Light™ Communications, LLC, both US-registered Delaware companies.

About ABS
ABS Technology Architects is a Value Added Reseller (VAR) that provides advanced technology solutions for service providers, corporate, healthcare, educational and governmental organizations. ABS architects, implements and supports the most advanced technology solutions while providing unmatched service, and award-winning talent. ABS has long been considered one of the top solution partners in the United States with an emphasis on Cisco technologies. ABS is a Cisco Gold Direct VAR with practices on advanced technologies that include: data center / cloud, IP unified communications, (voice+video), contact center, WLAN / wireless mesh and advanced security solutions, etc. For more information, visit absnt.com .

About IAI
Integrity Applications Incorporated (IAI) is an engineering and software services company with a nationwide presence. Headquartered in Chantilly, Virginia, IAI also has offices in California, Colorado, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, New Mexico, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Founded in 1999, IAI is a veteran-owned business that offers breakthrough products, services, and end-to-end solutions designed to provide commercial customers with a competitive advantage. To learn more about Integrity Applications Incorporated, visit http://www.integrity-apps.com

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

Yorktel Adds State-of-the-Art Prysm Video Wall Solutions

Eatontown, NJ – Yorktel (@Yorktelcorp), the worldwide leader in unified communications and collaboration (UCC), cloud, and video managed services, today announced a partnership with Prysm to resell, integrate and manage its market-leading video walls.

Powered by Laser Phosphor Display (LPD) technology and enabled for a variety of video codecs, Prysm Cascade-series collaboration video walls deliver the highest quality images with unmatched uniformity, resulting in a truly immersive and engaging communications experience.

“Prysm video walls represent the next generation of large-format displays, and are a natural fit for Yorktel’s media services and immersive collaboration offerings,” said Yorktel President and CEO, Ron Gaboury. “Video wall solutions are now utilized in an increasing number of vertical markets. Their innovation, uniqueness and customization allows for various application-centric deployments, which we believe to be the future of unified communications and collaboration.

“We are very excited to work with the Prysm team and to offer our customers their state-of-the-art video walls.”

Typical conference rooms use front projectors that suffer from poor viewing angles, center image hot spots, and poor brightness, which requires dimming of the room lights. Other options include using multiple LCD displays which introduces bezels that break up the content, as well as problems with viewing angles, content sizing, and maintenance of brightness and color uniformity across displays. Both of these options present roadblocks to effective communication and collaboration.

LPD is the groundbreaking display technology invented by Prysm and the foundation of Prysm video wall solutions. Fundamentally different than LED- and LCD-based technologies, LPD-based video wall solutions offer brilliant image quality with canvas-wide uniformity, unmatched viewing angles, and the industry’s smallest environmental footprint. Compared to other digital technologies, Prysm’s solutions have the lowest total cost of ownership, using up to 75% less energy, and offer an array of advanced features, benefits and usage possibilities.

Prysm video walls offer a host of interactivity options from touch and gesture to interfacing with a smartphone or tablet. Multiple people can interact with the video wall simultaneously opening up a world of possibilities beyond the confines of small displays.

“Yorktel is recognized worldwide as an authority and thought leader on video and unified communications,” said Dana Corey, Vice President of Sales and Technical Operations at Prysm. “We are extremely proud to have Yorktel as an Elite Partner and look forward to leveraging the full extent of their team’s telepresence, services and visual communications expertise to bring our groundbreaking video wall solutions to market.”

Prysm Cascade-series Collaboration Video Walls Benefits

▸ Collaborate at a whole new level - Prysm video walls make team collaboration more engaging and productive whether your team meets in person or across the world

▸ Right size, right resolution, right brightness – with unrivalled image quality, the large, high-resolution digital canvas makes content viewable both near and far, even in brightly lit rooms

▸ Collaboration made easy - Prysm’s all-in-one Cascade solution supports telepresence, content sharing, video and apps. No complex AV engineering is required

▸ Sit anywhere, see from everywhere - ultra-wide 178° viewing angles mean there are no bad seats and room utilization can be maximized

▸ Interactivity at your fingertips - with touch, annotation or “bring your own mobile device,” a wide range of interactivity options are at your command

▸ Cool running and ready to roll - Prysm video walls run cool to the touch and require no HVAC upgrades. Super energy efficient, they plug into standard wall outlets

Yorktel works with Fortune 500 enterprises and government agencies worldwide, and empowers its customers to realize the full potential of next-generation unified communications, video conferencing, media services, visual communications and collaboration. Professional services, management and support expertise, combined with proven best practices and cutting-edge technology, are the cornerstones of Yorktel’s award-winning services, and how Yorktel makes complicated simple.

ABOUT YORKTEL
Yorktel is a leading global provider of UCC, cloud, and video managed services for large enterprise and federal government customers. Founded in 1985 and headquartered in New Jersey, with offices across the US, UK, and France, Yorktel enables customers to successfully integrate video into their operations – from video conferencing to video event production; on premise or in the cloud. Yorktel designs, integrates, and manages enterprise-wide unified communications solutions.

For more information, visit Yorktel online at www.yorktel.com or email knowmore@yorktel.com. Follow Yorktel on Twitter: @yorktelcorp

ABOUT PRYSM
Prysm Inc. is a privately held video wall designer and manufacturer headquartered in Silicon Valley, California. Prysm invented Laser Phosphor Display (LPD) technology that enables breathtakingly beautiful, scalable, and versatile video walls that deliver immersive and engaging user experiences. LPD systems are used by major brands worldwide including leaders in technology, retail, financial services, and media as well as by governments and universities. Prysm has a global sales and support network with offices in Boston, New York, San Jose, London, Bangalore, Dubai and Beijing.

For more information, visit Prysm at www.prysm.com.

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

News Briefs----

National Vehicle Leasing Association Celebrates 46th Anniversary
at 2014 Annual Conference
http://www.heraldonline.com/2014/04/24/5899634/national-vehicle-leasing-association.html?sp=/100/773/385/

BBVA Compass creates transportation banking division
http://www.bizjournals.com/birmingham/news/2014/04/23/bbva-compass-creates-transportation-banking.html

Leasing and equipment finance is about 20% of TCF's loan book
and a significant source of fee income.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/2157473-growth-and-self-improvement-versus-value-at-tcf-financial

GATX $42.1MM 1st Quarter
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/GATX_FirstQuarter_42014.pdf

Banc of California gets 20 Banco Popular Community branches, Latino presence
http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-popular-bank-sale-20140422,0,5407354.story#axzz2zq4Lxx4g

First Midwest to Acquire 12 branches of Popular Community Bank
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140423/NEWS01/140429915

Facebook profits triple as mobile ad sales surge
http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2014/04/24/Facebook-profits-triple-as-mobile-ad-sales-surge/7981398330414/?spt=sec&or=bn

Analysis: Gecas reaches 20, then world's largest lessor
http://www.airfinancejournal.com/Article/3333847/Analysis-Gecas-reaches-20.html

Wrigley Field birthday cake ends up in dumpster after celebration
http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story/_/id/10834799/wrigley-field-birthday-cake-ends-dumpster-celebration

We are looking to grow our sales team!
Sales Managers and Sr. Account Executives

www.calfirst.com

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

--You May Have Missed It

Paul McCartney to play at Candlestick Park concert
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140424/wire/140429767

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

SparkPeople--Live Healthier and Longer

5 Mind Games You Need to Stop Playing
These Common Tricks Never Motivate--Find Out Why
http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=1676

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Spring Poem

Spring Time

by Erica German

all into spring
and do your yearly clean
clean every spot from tip to toe
and every spot high or low

fall into spring
for a little while
enjoy the weather while its mild

fall into spring
and start the summer
get rid of all that winter lumber

fall into spring
bring out all of your clothes
and be ready to sniff wonderful smells out of your nose

fall into spring
don't spring into fall
let’s wait a moment
and enjoy the bird’s calls

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Sports Briefs----

Cleveland Browns sack Bernie Kosar as preseason television analyst;
former QB responds
http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140424/FREE/140429864#

Prices already painful for 49ers tickets at new stadium
http://blog.sfgate.com/stew/2014/04/24/prices-already-painful-for-49ers-tickets-at-new-stadium/?cmpid=hp-hc-sports

49ers' Aldon Smith's LAX case sent to city attorney for misdemeanor consideration (w/video)
http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/20140424/wire/140429763

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

California Nuts Briefs---

Water picture improves for some California towns
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/04/24/6351192/water-picture-improves-for-some.html

Super Micro may employ 2,800 at new San Jose complex
http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_25624095/super-micro-may-employ-2-800-at-new

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

“Gimme that Wine”

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

The New California is an Old Story
http://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2014/04/
the-new-california-is-an-old-story

Geneva's Ferrante Winery reports losing 100 percent of 2014 crop due to brutal, cold temperatures
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/local-news/oh-ashtabula/genevas-ferrante-winery-reports-losing-100-of-2014-crop-due-to-brutal-cold-temperatures

Where to Put California's 2014 Vintage?
http://www.winesandvines.com/
template.cfm?section=news&content=131488

Famous wine myths busted
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/wine/10772443/Famous-wine-myths-busted.html

Free Mobile Wine Program
http://leasingnews.org/archives/Feb2010/2_26.htm#mobile

Wine Prices by vintage
http://www.winezap.com
http://www.wine-searcher.com/

US/International Wine Events
http://www.localwineevents.com/

Winery Atlas
http://www.carterhouse.com/atlas/\

Leasing News Wine & Spirits Page
http://two.leasingnews.org/Recommendations/wnensprts.htm

[headlines]
----------------------------------------------------------------

1507-Little is known about the obscure scholar now called the "godfather of America," the German geographer and mapmaker, Martin Waldseemuller, who gave America its name. In a book titled “Cosmographiae Introductio,” published this day, 1507, Waldseemuller wrote: "Inasmuch as both Europe and Asia received their names from women, I see no reason why anyone should justly object to calling this part Amerige, i.e., the land of Amerigo, or America, after Amerigo, its discoverer, a man of great ability." Believing it was the Italian navigator and merchant Amerigo Vespucci who had discovered the new continent, Waldseemuller sought to honor Vespucci by placing his name on his map of the world, published in 1507. First applied only to the South American continent, it soon was used for both the American continents. Waldseemuller did not learn about the voyage of Christopher Columbus until several years later. Of the thousand copies of his map that were printed, only one is known to have survived. Waldseemuller probably was born at Radolfzell, Germany, about 1470. He died at St. Die, France, about 1517-20.
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/15531a.htm

1719 -

Daniel Defoe's novel Robinson Crusoe is published in London.

1781 - Gen. Nathanael Greene engaged British forces at Hobkirk’s Hill, South Carolina, and was forced to retreat.
    1831-The first streetcar company was incorporated this day in 1831, to be known as the New York and Harlem Railway. http://www.westchestergov.com/wcarchives/sneakapeek/Mar2000/
march2000sneakapeek.htm
http://www.aggreen.net/ny_railroads/ny_rails.html
http://www.harlem.org/
    1861-- Emma Edmonds, alias Frank Thompson, became a male nurse in the Second Volunteers of the United States Army. She later wrote “Nurse and Spy”, published in 1865, a rather lurid and perhaps not too accurate an autobiographical account of her exploits as a Union field nurse in northern Virginia and Kentucky and as a spy for the Union forces. It has been estimated that approximately 400 women succeeded in enlisting in the army (either Union or Confederate) during the Civil War. She is buried in Washington Cemetery, Houston, Texas, in lot G-26. This is a GAR lot that belonged to George B. McClellan Post of the Grand Army of the Republic. She is the only female member of the organization formed after the Civil War by Union veterans, known as The Grand Army of the Republic (GAR). There is also a biography of EE, “She Rode with Generals”, by Sylvia Gannett. Also, Richard Hall, in “Patriots in Disguise”, has some biographical information on Edmonds, including her postwar career, but the source of Hall’s comments appears to be from Gannett's book.
    1862 - Admiral Farragut occupies New Orleans, Louisiana.

1864 - After facing defeat in the Red River Campaign, Union General Nathaniel Bank returns to Alexandria, Louisiana.

1865 - Four of the five Lincoln assassination suspects arrested on the 17th were imprisoned on the monitors, U.S.S. Montauk and U.S.S Saugus, which had been prepared for this purpose on the 15th and were anchored off the Washington Navy Yard in the Anacostia River. Mrs. Mary E. Surratt was taken into custody at the boarding house she operated after it was learned that her son was a close friend of John Wilkes Booth and that the actor was a frequent visitor at the boarding house. Mrs. Surratt was jailed in the Carroll Annex of Old Capitol Prison. Lewis Paine was also taken into custody when he came to Mrs. Surratt's house during her arrest. Edward Spangler, stagehand at the Ford Theater and Booth's aide, along with Michael O'Laughlin and Samuel B. Arnold, close associates of Booth during the months leading up to the assassination, were also caught up in the dragnet. They were joined by Arnold, on the 19th, and Spangler on the 24th. George A. Atzerodt, the would-be assassin of Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Ernest Hartman Richter, at whose home Atzerodt was captured, were brought on board the ships on the 20th. Joao Celestino, Portuguese sea captain who had been heard to say on the 14th that Seward ought to be assassinated, was transferred from Old Capitol Prison to Montauk on the 25th. The last of the eight conspiracy suspects to be incarcerated on board the monitors was David E. Herold. The prisoners were kept below decks under heavy guard and were manacled with both wrist and leg irons. In addition, their heads were covered with canvas hoods, the interiors of which were fitted with cotton pads that tightly covered the prisoners' eyes and ears. The hoods contained two small openings to permit breathing and the consumption of food. An added security measure was taken with Paine by attaching a ball and chain to each ankle.
    1875 - New York City received three inches of snow, the latest measurable snow of record for that location.
    1898—The U.S. declares war on Spain.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr25.html
    1898 - The temperature at Volcano Springs, CA hit 118 degrees to establish a U.S. record for the month of April.
    1901- New York began requiring license plates on automobiles, the first state to do so.
    1907- Revolutionizing shipping, covered in a “History” Television documentary very well, was the first turbine-propelled naval ship “Chester,” was commissioned this day and built at the Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME. The contract price for the hull and machinery was $1,688,000, quite a bit of money for its day. The” Chester” was equipped with four Parsons turbines. It trail speed was 26.52 knots, freeing ships from relying on wind to cross the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
    1908-Birthday of pianist Joe “from Bowling Green” Dean, St. Louis, MO.
    1908-Birthday of Edward R. Murrow (born Egbert Roscoe Murrow) in Greensboro, North Carolina
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/murrow_e.html
http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/h
tmlM/murrowedwar/murrowedwar.htm
    1910 - Chicago, IL, was blanketed with 2.5 inches of snow, and a total of 6.5 inches between the 22nd and the 26th. It was the latest significant snow of record for the city.
    1912 – Elvis Presely’s mother, Gladys, born.
    1913 - Birthday of the great alto sax player Earl Bostic, Tulsa, OK. Died 1965, New York City.
http://www.spaceagepop.com/bostic.htm
http://www.jazzradio.net/jazzcity/m_earl_bostic.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~jaymar41/bostic.html
(When I was learning how to play the alto sax, he was my favorite in the early 1950’s. I played along with “Harlem Nocturne” for hours until I memorized every lick and turn. It was not until I went to California and saw Charlie Parker in person that I decided I would never become an alto saxophone player and took up playing the Dixieland clarinet and fronting a 21 piece dance band sans musical instrument. I realized I had no talent to be an alto sax player after hearing “the Bird” in person. Charlie Parker with strings is perhaps my favorite album, next to Gil Evans and Miles Davis “Sketches of Spain” or “Old Bottle, New Wine.” or Basie’s “Atom Bomb” album. I also like both Turk Murphy Plays WC Handy and Louis Armstrong plays WC Handy. I like my late friend Warren Luening's Big Band recordings. On yes, forgot, Bill May plays Jimmy Lunceford. Love all the Billy May albums. What a great arranger!!!!
My dance band could play “Lean Baby, Lean.” Kit Menkin).
    1913-Birthday of accordion player Santiago “Don” Jimenez, San Antonio, TX. Died December 18, 1984, San Antonio, Texas.
http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/handbook/online/articles/view/JJ/fji3.html
http://www.arhoolie.com/titles/7023.shtml
    1915-Birthday of guitarist Johnny Shines, Frayser, TN. Died April 20, 1992, Tuscaloosa, AL
http://www.island.net/~blues/johnnys.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000003OQZ/inktomi-musicasin-20/
103-6620160-9563023
    1917-Birthday of Ella Fitzgerald. Ella Fitzgerald was admired for her superlative musicianship and her skill in scat singing (singing improvised syllables while using the voice as an instrument). Born in Newport News, Virginia, and reared in a New York City orphanage, Fitzgerald was discovered at the age of 16, singing in a Harlem talent show. From 1934 until 1939, she sang with the Chick Webb Band, directing it for a time after the leader's death in 1939. One of her first hit tunes was is now an Easter favorite,” A Tisket, A Tasket.” In the mid-1940s, working with the American impresario Norman Granz, she toured Europe and Asia and performed in his Jazz at the Philharmonic concerts. Fitzgerald appeared in the 1955 film "Pete Kelly's Blues." In 1958, Fitzgerald appeared with the American jazz composer Duke Ellington at Carnegie Hall in New York City. She has also toured Europe frequently with the Oscar Peterson Trio. She died at her home in Beverly Hills, California, on June 15th, 1996. http://museum.media.org/ella/
http://www.redsugar.com/ella.html
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000047FO/inktomi-musicasin-20/
103-6620160-9563023
    1923- Birthday of guitarist/singer Albert King (Albert Nelson), Indianola, MS. He was a star at the Fillmore’s East and West during the 1960's, appearing on the bill with top rock stars. King's most popular records were made for the Stax label in Memphis in the late '60s and early '70s. "Cold Feet" made the pop charts in 1968. King died of a heart attack on December 21st, 1992, in Memphis, Tennessee.
http://home.t-online.de/home/MSilberberg/king.htm
http://www.blueflamecafe.com/index.htm
    1925-- The first 50,000-watt radio station, WDY from Schenectady, NY, begins transmission.
    1928 - Birthday of tenor sax player Willis “Gator Tail” Jackson, Miami, FL. Died, October, 1987 http://www.musicweb.uk.net/encyclopaedia/j/J14.HTM
http://www.fantasyjazz.com/catalog/jackson_w_cat.html
    1928 - Buddy, the first Seeing Eye dog, was presented to Morris S. Frank on this day. Many Seeing Eye organizations and schools continue to offer specially trained dogs “...to enhance the independence, dignity, and self-confidence of blind people...” (visithttp://www.seeingeye.org/).
    1932 - Birthday of Meadow George “Meadowlark” Lemon II, Harlem Globetrotter and basketball Hall of Famer, born Lexington, SC.
http://www.wcgroups.com/globe.htm
    1940---Birthday of actor Al Pacino, New York, New York.
    1942 -- Ella Mae Morse and Freddy Slacks' "Cow Cow Boogie" hits #1
    1945-East meets West: US Army Lieutenant Albert Kotzebue encountered a single Soviet soldier near the German village of Lechwitz, 75 miles south of Berlin. Patrols of General Leonard Gerow's V Corps saluted the advance guard of Marshall Ivan Konev's Soviet 58th Guards Division. Soldiers of both nations embraced and exchanged toasts. The Allied armies of East and West had finally met.
    1945-GONZALES, DAVID M. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 127th Infantry, 32d Infantry Division. Place and date: Villa Verde Trail, Luzon, Philippine Islands, 25 April 1945. Entered service at: Pacoima, Calif. Birth: Pacoima, Calif. G.O. No.: 115, 8 December 1945. Citation: He was pinned down with his company. As enemy fire swept the area, making any movement extremely hazardous, a 500-pound bomb smashed into the company's perimeter, burying 5 men with its explosion. Pfc. Gonzales, without hesitation, seized an entrenching tool and under a hail of fire crawled 15 yards to his entombed comrades, where his commanding officer, who had also rushed forward, was beginning to dig the men out. Nearing his goal, he saw the officer struck and instantly killed by machinegun fire. Undismayed, he set to work swiftly and surely with his hands and the entrenching tool while enemy sniper and machinegun bullets struck all about him. He succeeded in digging one of the men out of the pile of rock and sand. To dig faster he stood up regardless of the greater danger from so exposing himself. He extricated a second man, and then another. As he completed the liberation of the third, he was hit and mortally wounded, but the comrades for whom he so gallantly gave his life were safely evacuated. Pfc. Gonzales' valiant and intrepid conduct exemplifies the highest tradition of the military service.
    1945-KNIGHT, RAYMOND L. (Air Mission) Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps. Place and date: In Northern Po Valley, Italy, 24 25 April 1945. Entered service at: Houston, Tex. Birth: Texas. G.O. No.: 81, 24 September 1945. Citation: He piloted a fighter-bomber aircraft in a series of low-level strafing missions, destroying 14 grounded enemy aircraft and leading attacks which wrecked 10 others during a critical period of the Allied drive in northern Italy. On the morning of 24 April, he volunteered to lead 2 other aircraft against the strongly defended enemy airdrome at Ghedi. Ordering his fellow pilots to remain aloft, he skimmed the ground through a deadly curtain of antiaircraft fire to reconnoiter the field, locating 8 German aircraft hidden beneath heavy camouflage. He rejoined his flight, briefed them by radio, and then led them with consummate skill through the hail of enemy fire in a low-level attack, destroying 5 aircraft, while his flight accounted for 2 others. Returning to his base, he volunteered to lead 3 other aircraft in reconnaissance of Bergamo airfield, an enemy base near Ghedi and 1 known to be equally well defended. Again ordering his flight to remain out of range of antiaircraft fire, 1st Lt. Knight flew through an exceptionally intense barrage, which heavily damaged his Thunderbolt, to observe the field at minimum altitude. He discovered a squadron of enemy aircraft under heavy camouflage and led his flight to the assault. Returning alone after this strafing, he made 10 deliberate passes against the field despite being hit by antiaircraft fire twice more, destroying 6 fully loaded enemy twin-engine aircraft and 2 fighters. His skillfully led attack enabled his flight to destroy 4 other twin-engine aircraft and a fighter plane. He then returned to his base in his seriously damaged plane. Early the next morning, when he again attacked Bergamo, he sighted an enemy plane on the runway. Again he led 3 other American pilots in a blistering low-level sweep through vicious antiaircraft fire that damaged his plane so severely that it was virtually nonflyable. Three of the few remaining enemy twin-engine aircraft at that base were destroyed. Realizing the critical need for aircraft in his unit, he declined to parachute to safety over friendly territory and unhesitatingly attempted to return his shattered plane to his home field. With great skill and strength, he flew homeward until caught by treacherous air conditions in the Appennines Mountains, where he crashed and was killed. The gallant action of 1st Lt. Knight eliminated the German aircraft which were poised to wreak havoc on Allied forces pressing to establish the first firm bridgehead across the Po River; his fearless daring and voluntary self-sacrifice averted possible heavy casualties among ground forces and the resultant slowing on the German drive culminated in the collapse of enemy resistance in Italy
    1946 - Jimmie Lunceford Orchestra recorded "Cement Mixer", (Majestic . )http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_lunceford_jimmie.htm
http://home.swipnet.se/bearrecords/luncef.htm
http://www.cleveland.oh.us/wmv_news/jazz54.htm
    1946 – Birthday of actress Talia Shire. Among her many roles was as the sister of Michael Corleone, played by Al Pacino (born this day, 1940), in The Godfather, I and II.
    1947-Theodore Roosevelt National Park established. Located in North Dakota, the Theodore Roosevelt National Park includes two sections of the Badlands on the Missouri River as well as Theodore Roosevelt's Elkhorn Ranch. http://www.theodore.roosevelt.national-park.com/
    1949-An article by Deac Aylesworth in Look Magazine predicted that radio was doomed and that within three years, TV would overshadow radio completely.
    1950-The Boston Celtics made Chuck Cooper, an All-American from Dugquesne University playing with the Harlem Globetrotters, the first black player drafted by any NBA team when they selected him in the second round.
    1952-ESSEBAGGER, JOHN, JR. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company A, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Popsudong, Korea, 25 April 1951. Entered service at: Holland, Mich. Born: 29 October 1928, Holland, Mich. G.O. No.: 61, 24 April 1952. Citation: Cpl. Essebagger, a member of Company A, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Committed to effect a delaying action to cover the 3d Battalion's withdrawal through Company A, Cpl. Essebagger, a member of 1 of 2 squads maintaining defensive positions in key terrain and defending the company's right flank, had participated in repulsing numerous attacks. In a frenzied banzai charge the numerically superior enemy seriously threatened the security of the planned route of withdrawal and isolation of the small force. Badly shaken, the grossly outnumbered detachment started to fall back and Cpl. Essebagger, realizing the impending danger, voluntarily remained to provide security for the withdrawal. Gallantly maintaining a l-man stand, Cpl. Essebagger raked the menacing hordes with crippling fire and, with the foe closing on the position, left the comparative safety of his shelter and advanced in the face of overwhelming odds, firing his weapon and hurling grenades to disconcert the enemy and afford time for displacement of friendly elements to more tenable positions. Scorning the withering fire and bursting shells, Cpl. Essebagger continued to move forward, inflicting destruction upon the fanatical foe until he was mortally wounded. Cpl. Essebagger's intrepid action and supreme sacrifice exacted a heavy toll in enemy dead and wounded, stemmed the onslaught, and enabled the retiring squads to reach safety. His valorous conduct and devotion to duty reflected lasting glory upon himself and was in keeping with the noblest traditions of the infantry and the U.S. Army.
    1953-MIYAMURA, HIROSHI H. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Company H, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Taejon-ni, Korea, 24 and 25 April 1951. Entered service at: Gallup, N. Mex. Birth: Gallup, N. Mex. G.O. No.: 85, 4 November 1953. Citation: Cpl. Miyamura, a member of Company H, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On the night of 24 April, Company H was occupying a defensive position when the enemy fanatically attacked threatening to overrun the position. Cpl. Miyamura, a machine gun squad leader, aware of the imminent danger to his men unhesitatingly jumped from his shelter wielding his bayonet in close hand-to-hand combat killing approximately 10 of the enemy. Returning to his position, he administered first aid to the wounded and directed their evacuation. As another savage assault hit the line, he manned his machine gun and delivered withering fire until his ammunition was expended. He ordered the squad to withdraw while he stayed behind to render the gun inoperative. He then bayoneted his way through infiltrated enemy soldiers to a second gun emplacement and assisted in its operation. When the intensity of the attack necessitated the withdrawal of the company Cpl. Miyamura ordered his men to fall back while he remained to cover their movement. He killed more than 50 of the enemy before his ammunition was depleted and he was severely wounded. He maintained his magnificent stand despite his painful wounds, continuing to repel the attack until his position was overrun. When last seen he was fighting ferociously against an overwhelming number of enemy soldiers. Cpl. Miyamura's indomitable heroism and consummate devotion to duty reflect the utmost glory on himself and uphold the illustrious traditions on the military service.
    1953 - NBC-TV presented "Ethel and Albert", the video version of the popular radio show. Peg Lynch and Alan Bunce starred in the program
http://www.classicthemes.com/50
sTVThemes/themePages/ethelAndAlbert.html.
    1954-Bell Telephone Laboratories, New York City, announced the invention by Gearld Pearson, Calvin Fuller, and Daryl Chapin of a solar energy battery to convert the sun’s energy into useful amounts of electricity. Made of specially treated strips of silicon, the battery needed no fuel other than the light of the sun. It had no moving parts, nothing in it was consumed or destroyed, and theoretically it was possible for it to last indefinitely.
    1956-Malcolm McLean of Maxton, NC invented containerized shipping. The first containership, the Ideal X, left the Port of Newark, NJ. He developed a large shipping container that could be packed with goods at the factory, hauled by truck to a port facility, carried on specially fitted ships to a port terminal, offloaded from the ship, and hitched directly to trucks or loaded on freight cars for cross-continental transport, all without unpacking the containers' contents. The first containership facility was the Elizabeth (NJ)-Port Authority Marine Terminal, operated by the Port of New York Authority. It opened for business on August 15, 1962, when Sea-Land Service’s SS Elizabethport docked in New Bay, Elizabeth, NY, on the south side of Elizabeth Channel, south of Port Newark. During its first year, the facility handled 1.5 million tons of cargo on 242 vessels and employed 730 people, who earned a total of more than $4 million. This revolutionized the entire shipping industry, plus gave birth to container and railroad carrier leasing.
http://lonestar.texas.net/~mdmclean/MDM_BIO.html
    1956- Elvis Presley reached number one on the charts for the first time, with "Heartbreak Hotel." It was Presley's first hit for RCA Victor after the company purchased his contract from Sam Phillips of Sun Records for $35,000.
    1956-- The Italian luxury liner Andrea Doria collides with the Swedish liner Stockholm, the latter tearing a hole in the starboard hull of the former, killing 52 instantly and causing the Andrea Doria to sink by morning. On board is one Mike Stoller, who would go on to become one of the famous Lieber-Stoller songwriting team.
    1958-Arnold Palmer struggled to a final round 73, one over par, but still won the first of his four Masters championships. Palmer finished at 284, one shot better than Doug Ford and Fred Hawkins. He would win the tournament again in 1960, 1962 (in a playoff) and 1964.
http://www.palmergolf.com/
    1959 - The St. Lawrence Seaway opened, a 400-mile waterway connecting the St. Lawrence River with the Great Lakes. It allowed oceangoing ships to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to Duluth, MN.
    1960-Elvis Presley's first release since leaving the US Army, "Stuck on You" tops the Billboard chart. The record had been so highly anticipated, it sold over one million copies before it was even recorded.
    1960-With the Folk music craze in full swing, The Brothers Four enjoyed their biggest hit as "Greenfields" reached #2 on the Billboard chart.
    1961 - Robert Noyce patented the integrated circuit.
    1964- US President Lyndon B. Johnson announces that General. William Westmoreland will replace Gen. Paul Harkins as head of US Military Assistance Command Vietnam (MACV) as of 20 June. The assignment would put Westmoreland in charge of all American military forces in Vietnam. One of the war's most controversial figures, General Westmoreland was given many honors when the fighting was going well, but when the war turned sour, many Americans saw him as a cause of US problems in Vietnam. Negative feeling about Westmoreland grew particularly strong following the Tet Offensive of 1968, when he had requested a large number of additional troops for deployment to Vietnam. On 22 March 1968, President Johnson announced that Westmoreland would leave South Vietnam to take on the post of Army Chief of Staff; Gen. Creighton Abrams replaced him as the senior US commander in South Vietnam.
    1964-Dionne Warwick's "Walk on By" enters the Hot 100. Her fifth and thus far, biggest hit will eventually get to #6 on the chart for 13 weeks.
    1964-Peter and Gordon reach Number One on the U.K. pop chart with "World without Love," a song composed by Paul McCartney of the Beatles
    1965-- Backed by the Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Bob Dylan takes the stage at the Newport Folk Festival and plays his first-ever set of electric songs, horrifying many (but, contrary to legend, not all) in the crowd. After three songs, an upset Dylan says "Let's go, man, that's all," and the band leave the stage, only to be coaxed back out by Peter, Paul and Mary to play two more originals in the more "appropriate" acoustic manner. (Mainly because the band, a last-minute idea of Dylan, only knew the three songs.)
    1967-Abortion first legalized: the first law legalizing abortion in the US was signed by Colorado Governor John Arthur Love. The law allowed therapeutic abortions in cases in which a three-doctor panel unanimously agreed.
    1967-STUMPF, KENNETH E. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant (then Sp4c.), U.S. Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 35th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Duc Pho, Republic of Vietnam, 25 April 1967. Entered service at: Milwaukee, Wis. Born: 28 September 1944, Neenah, Wis. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. S/Sgt. Stumpf distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader of the 3d Platoon, Company C, on a search and destroy mission. As S/Sgt. Stumpf's company approached a village, it encountered a North Vietnamese rifle company occupying a well-fortified bunker complex. During the initial contact, 3 men from his squad fell wounded in front of a hostile machinegun emplacement. The enemy's heavy volume of fire prevented the unit from moving to the aid of the injured men, but S/Sgt. Stumpf left his secure position in a deep trench and ran through the barrage of incoming rounds to reach his wounded comrades. He picked up 1 of the men and carried him back to the safety of the trench. Twice more S/Sgt. Stumpf dashed forward while the enemy turned automatic weapons and machineguns upon him, yet he managed to rescue the remaining 2 wounded squad members. He then organized his squad and led an assault against several enemy bunkers from which continuously heavy fire was being received He and his squad successfully eliminated 2 of the bunker positions, but one to the front of the advancing platoon remained a serious threat. Arming himself with extra hand grenades, S/Sgt. Stumpf ran over open ground, through a volley of fire directed at him by a determined enemy, toward the machinegun position. As he reached the bunker, he threw a hand grenade through the aperture. It was immediately returned by the occupants, forcing S/Sgt. Stumpf to take cover. Undaunted, he pulled the pins on 2 more grenades, held them for a few seconds after activation, then hurled them into the position, this time successfully destroying the emplacement. With the elimination of this key position, his unit was able to assault and overrun the enemy. S/Sgt. Stumpf's relentless spirit of aggressiveness, intrepidity, and ultimate concern for the lives of his men, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the U.S. Army.
    1967-Just days after completing "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band", The Beatles laid down tracks for "Magical Mystery Tour" at Abbey Road studios in London.
    1968---SPRAYBERRY, JAMES M. Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: Captain (then 1st Lt.), U.S. Army, Company D, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). Place and date: Republic of Vietnam, 25 April 1968. Entered service at: Montgomery, Ala. Born: 24 April 1947, LaGrange, Ga. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Capt. Sprayberry, Armor, U.S. Army, distinguished himself by exceptional bravery while serving as executive officer of Company D. His company commander and a great number of the men were wounded and separated from the main body of the company. A daylight attempt to rescue them was driven back by the well-entrenched enemy's heavy fire. Capt. Sprayberry then organized and led a volunteer night patrol to eliminate the intervening enemy bunkers and to relieve the surrounded element. The patrol soon began receiving enemy machinegun fire. Capt. Sprayberry quickly moved the men to protective cover and without regard for his own safety, crawled within close range of the bunker from which the fire was coming. He silenced the machinegun with a hand grenade. Identifying several l-man enemy positions nearby, Capt. Sprayberry immediately attacked them with the rest of his grenades. He crawled back for more grenades and when 2 grenades were thrown at his men from a position to the front, Capt. Sprayberry, without hesitation, again exposed himself and charged the enemy-held bunker killing its occupants with a grenade. Placing 2 men to cover his advance, he crawled forward and neutralized 3 more bunkers with grenades. Immediately thereafter, Capt. Sprayberry was surprised by an enemy soldier who charged from a concealed position. He killed the soldier with his pistol and with continuing disregard for the danger neutralized another enemy emplacement. Capt. Sprayberry then established radio contact with the isolated men, directing them toward his position. When the 2 elements made contact he organized his men into litter parties to evacuate the wounded. As the evacuation was nearing completion, he observed an enemy machinegun position which he silenced with a grenade. Capt. Sprayberry returned to the rescue party, established security, and moved to friendly lines with the wounded. This rescue operation, which lasted approximately 71/2 hours, saved the lives of many of his fellow soldiers. Capt. Sprayberry personally killed 12 enemy soldiers, eliminated 2 machineguns, and destroyed numerous enemy bunkers. Capt. Spray berry’s indomitable spirit and gallant action at great personal risk to his life are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.
    1969-- At the end of their gig at the Fillmore in San Francisco, Crosby, Stills and Nash invite Neil Young on stage to back them on a couple of songs, and they like the result so much he almost immediately becomes part of the band.
    1969-Birthday of actress Renee Zeilweger, Katy, Texas.
    1970 - DJs around the U.S. played the new number one song, "ABC", quite often, as the Jackson 5 reached the number one spot in pop music for two weeks. "ABC" was the second of four number one songs in a row for the group from Gary, IN. "I Want You Back" was their first. "ABC" was one of 23 hits for Michael, Tito, Jackie, Jermaine and Marlon. "ABC" was knocked out of first place by The Guess Who and their hit, "American Woman".
    1970--- The Carpenters' "(They Long To Be) Close To You" hits #1
    1972 - Bill Sharman, ending his first year as head coach of the Los Angeles Lakers, was named Coach of the Year in the National Basketball Association (NBA), with a record of 69-13.

1973 - The group, The Sweet, received a gold record for the hit "Little Willy". The English rocker band recorded four hits in addition to their first million-seller, "Ballroom Blitz", "Fox on the Run", "Action" and "Love is like Oxygen". "Little Willy" was a top-three hit, while the group’s other gold record winner, "Fox on the Run" made it to the top five.
http://www.hoophall.com/halloffamers/Sharman.htm
1974 - Anniversary of the Portuguese revolution; a public holiday in Portugal.
1974- The National Football League adopted a 15-minute, sudden death quarter, overtime, in an effort to reduce the number of tie games. The league also moved the goal posts from the goal line to the back line of the end zone to make it more difficult to kick field goals, and eliminate the many injuries suffered by players running them, often at full speed.
1975-- The musical A Chorus Line debuts on Broadway, the first of what would be 6,137 performances over fifteen years.

1976 - During the fourth inning of the game being played at Dodger Stadium, Center Fielder Rick Monday becomes a national hero when he takes away an American Flag about to be set on fire by the two trespassers (a father and son) in the outfield. The Cubs' 30-year old fly chaser, who served six years in the Marine Reserves, will be presented the flag a month later in a pre-game ceremony at Wrigley Field by L.A. executive Al Campanis as a gesture of patriotic thanks.
    1976 - No. 1 Billboard Pop Hit: “Let Your Love Flow”, Bellamy Brothers.
    1977 - At a concert at the Saginaw, Michigan Civic Center, Elvis Presley makes what will be the last recordings of his life. Three songs from the show will appear, in heavily overdubbed mixes, on the posthumously released Presley album, "Moody Blue."
    1978- Queen's single "We Are the Champions" was certified Platinum.
    1979-The film "Rock & Roll High School" starring the Ramones premiers.
    1980 -- President Jimmy Carter tells the American people about the hostage rescue disaster in Iran.
    1982- National holiday in Egypt celebrating the return of Sinai to Egypt after the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel.
    1985 - "Big River (The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)" opened at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre on Broadway in New York City. The Tony Award-winning score for the show was written by Roger Miller (his first Broadway production). The show, about life on the Mississippi, with Daniel Jenkins in the starring role of Huck Finn, ran for 1,005 performances and won the Tony for Best Musical of the Year. "Big River" picked up several more Tony Awards: Featured Actor in a Musical to Ron Richardson; Best Director (Musical) to Des McAnuff; Best Book (Musical) to William Hauptman; and Best Scenic Designer and Lighting Designer to Heidi Landesman and Richard Riddell respectively.
    1988---Top Hits
Wishing Well—Terence Trent D Arby
Anything for You—Gloria Estefan
Angel---Aerosmith
Where Do Broken Hearts Go—Whitney Houston
Pink Cadillac---Natalie Cole
    1988 - Thunderstorms racing at 65 mph produced large hail in Alabama and Georgia. Hail damage in Alabama was estimated at fifty million dollars, making it their worst weather disaster since Hurricane Frederick in 1979. Hail three inches in diameter accompanied a tornado near Valdosta GA. Hail four and a half inches in diameter was reported south of Atlanta GA.
    1989 - Thunderstorms developing along a stationary front produced severe weather from North Carolina to Indiana and Ohio, with more than 70 reports of large hail and damaging winds. A strong (F-2) tornado hit Xenia, OH injuring 16 persons and causing more than a million dollars damage.
    1989 -With former players on hand, including Billy Herman, Andy Pafko and Billy Williams, the Cubs celebrate the 75th anniversary of Wrigley Field with a 4-0 victory over L.A. at the Friendly Confines. The 'ceremonial' first pitch of the game, a spitball, is thrown by 97-year old Bob Wright, who appeared in two games for Chicago in 1915 when the team played their home games at West Side Park.

1990 - Thunderstorms produced severe weather from Texas to Nebraska. Thunderstorms spawned fifteen tornadoes, including a powerful (F-4) tornado near Weatherford, TX. Between 3 PM and 8 PM, a storm complex tracking northeastward across central Kansas spawned four tornadoes along a 119-mile path from Ness to Smith Center, with the last tornado on the ground for 55 miles. Del Rio, TX was raked with hail two inches in diameter, and wind gusts to 112 mph. Brown County and Comanche County in Texas were deluged with up to 18 inches of rain, and flooding caused more than 65 million dollars damage. Two dozen cities in the north central U.S. reported record high temperatures for the date. Highs of 87 degrees at Flint, MI and 90 degrees at Alpena, MI were records for April.
    1990-Hubble Space Telescope: deployed by space shuttle Discovery. The telescope is the largest in-orbit observatory to date and is capable of imaging objects up to 14 billion light-years away. The resolution of images was expected to be seven to ten times greater than images from Earth-based telescopes, since the Hubble Space Telescope is not hampered by Earth's atmospheric distortion. Launched Apr 12, 1990, from Kennedy Space Center, FL. Unfortunately, the telescope's lenses were defective, so the anticipated high quality of imaging was not possible. In 1993, however, the world watched as a shuttle crew successfully retrieved the Hubble from orbit, executed the needed repair and replacement work and released it into orbit once more. In December 1999 the space shuttle Discovery was launched to do extensive repairs on the telescope.
    1990-The Fender Stratocaster that Jimi Hendrix used to perform the "Star Spangled Banner" at Woodstock is auctioned off in London for $295,000.
    1993—Top Hits
Freak Me---Silk
Informer—Snow
Nothin’ But a “G” Thang---Dr.De
I Have Nothing (from the “Bodyguard”)—Whitney Houston
    1994-- Yankee Stadium in New York holds their first "Joe DiMaggio Day," featuring Paul Simon singing "Mrs. Robinson" (and cheers when he gets to the "Where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?" part).
    1995-- The 257-day strike in Major League Baseball ends as the Dodgers beat the Marlins 8-7. The work stoppage caused the 1994 season to end early, force the cancellation of World Series, and delayed the opening of this season.
    1996- U2 began their first tour in more than four years before a sellout crowd of 38,000 in Las Vegas. The band featured 11 songs from its "Pop Mart" album but the audience reacted more enthusiastically to such U2 standards as "Pride (in the Name of Love)" and "Where the Streets Have No Name." The glitzy and extravagant show featured what was billed as the world's biggest TV screen and the band emerging from an enormous lemon-shaped mirror ball suspended above the stage.
    1998-- The 'Iron Man's' streak continues as Cal Ripken plays in his 2,500th consecutive game as the Orioles host the A's at Camden Yards.
    2001-- Padres' outfielder Rickey Henderson, 42, breaks the career walks record established by Babe Ruth when he receives his 2,063rd base on balls.
    2002—Top Hits
Foolish---Ashanti
What’s Luv---Fat Joe featuring Ashanti
U Don’t Have to Call—Usher
I Need a Girl (part 1)---P.Diddy featuring Usher and Loon
Ain’t It Funny—Jennifer Lopez featuring Ja Rule
   2008 - Anchorage, AK, receives a record 17.2 inches at the airport and 22 inches in northeast Anchorage from the 25th to 26th. The 15.5 inches on the 25th makes it the third most received on any one day in Anchorage.
    2012 -David Wright becomes the Mets' all-time RBI leader with 735 runs batted in when he hits a two-run home run in the team's 5-1 victory over the Marlins at Citi Field. The 29 year-old third baseman passes Darryl Strawberry's franchise mark with his sixth inning blast off Mark Buehrle.

NBA Finals Champions This Date

1952 Minneapolis Lakers
1965 Boston Celtics.

Stanley Cup Champions This Date

1964 Toronto Maple Leafs

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