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Pictures from the Past---1979
Sam Eichenfeld

Sam Eichenfeld, President of the
American Association of Equipment Lessors
(Now the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association)
He was Chairman and CEO of Finova, a NYSE company. *

(Article includes the announcement of the move to Washington, the forming of WAEL and EAEL, and the appointment of the new Executive Secretary, Michael J. Fleming.)

Record turn-out at Reno Convention

“THERE WAS A record turn-out of some 1,500 people at the annual convention of the American Association of Equipment Lessors, this year held in Reno, Nevada, from September 16-19. The AAEL President, Sam Eichenfield, described 1979 as being the most significant in the history of the Association, because it was the year in which it became active rather than reactive.

“This year the AAEL moved its headquarters from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Washington DC. For the long standing and respected secretary, Sidney R. Rose, this is retirement year and his last Convention. In 1966 he joined the young association of 23 members, and it has since then grown massively in membership.

“With the move to Washington comes the appointment of the new Executive Secretary, Michael J. Fleming. Now in temporary offices in Washington he will move to new offices at 1700 North Moores Street, Arlington, VA 22209, from November 1. A sign of the importance of the new location lies in the fact that a reception for US Congressmen is being planned for October 22 when the AAEL will be asserting itself as an effective voice the political lobby...

“The AAEL members at a private session at the start of the Convention announced the intention of dividing the association into five regional associations for the purpose of attracting a wider range of smaller leasing companies. These would feel more sympathy to a local regional association than a supranational AAEL in which they did not have a sense of place...

“Sam Eichenfeld said the membership should double in the course of the next 18 months because of this new move.

“The move springs out of the appreciation of the aggressive growth policies pursued by several similar leasing associations, in particular the Western Association of Equipment Lessors, out of which grew the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors (29 members). WAEL contacts had claimed to fill a void left by the AAEL which "was not sensitive to their needs on a local basis" according to the Leasing Committee Chairman, Harvey Granat of the Sussex Leasing Corporation, Great Neck, New York. Granat's report to the- Convention indicated that the new membership categories should stress ‘take home value of AAEL membership with its new regional organization.’

* Sam Eichenfield: Rest in Peace by Charles Wendel, Dec. 15, 2015
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/sam-eichenfield-rest-peace-charles-wendel

(Leasing News provides this ad as a trade for appraisals
and equipment valuations provided by Ed Castagna)

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ELFA 55th Annual Convention Report
Palm Desert, California

By Bruce Kropschot, The Alta Group

The 55th Annual Convention of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association was held October 23-25, 2016 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs in Palm Desert, CA. This popular annual event attracted about 1,000 attendees for a busy schedule of interesting programs, networking and social, sports and charitable events. Many members, myself included, used this gathering of many of the leasing industry’s senior executives to arrange private meetings. Because of my hectic schedule at the convention, I appreciated the support in covering this event for Leasing News from some of my Alta colleagues, including Andy Mesches, Patricia Voorhees and Valerie Gerard.

The mood of the convention attendees was quite upbeat. Yet some attendees voiced uncertainty due to the challenges facing the equipment financing industry, particularly the regulatory environment and the additional regulatory and compliance costs which are impacting many ELFA members. A number of members are concerned about how they can hit their growth targets in the current slow growth environment. However, one positive note was the large number of young attendees which seemed to produce an energized atmosphere and hopes that a younger generation is getting prepared to take over from what has been an aging group of regular ELFA Convention attendees.

As usual, the Sunday night welcome reception in the exhibit area gave attendees the opportunity to socialize with their leasing friends surrounded by ample supplies of food and drinks. The opening business session on Monday morning featured ELFA President Ralph Petta’s report to the membership and MSNBC’s Joe Scarborough. The popular TV news host gave his perspective on the presidential race but was non-committal on the election outcome.

Another featured speaker was business strategist Jay Baer, President of Convince & Convert. At the Monday luncheon he provided a stimulating talk on “Hug Your Haters,” stressing the importance of customer service and managing customer expectations to create a great customer experience. He said that the best way to exceed customer expectations and create a great customer experience is to provide exceptional customer service. To do that you need to not only address your “haters” or customer complaints but to capitalize on those to help create customer advocates.

Mr. Baer pointed out that, because of social media, customer complaints and corporate responses to complaints are public information. Companies need to answer every complaint; studies have shown that the majority of customers who have a complaint solved do more business with that company. Hugging your haters makes you a better organization because they are the “canaries in the coal mine” and can indicate a brewing problem. Unhappy customers are important because they will tell you what you can do better. Unfortunately, according to Mr. Baer, 80% of companies believe they have good customer service but only 8% of their customers agree.

The Tuesday general session featured Jeff DeGraff, Professor at the University of Michigan. He gave an energetic presentation on how business executives need to lead innovation in order to find new pathways to growth. He explained, “Innovation isn’t your best friend – it’s your only friend.” At this session, out-going ELFA Chairman William Stephenson of DLL addressed the members and passed the gavel to his successor, Anthony Cracchiolo of U.S. Bank Equipment Finance.

The ELFA makes good use of its talented members in leading the numerous breakout sessions covering a wide variety of topics. One of the most popular sessions was entitled “Managed Solutions: Not Your Grandfather’s Leasing Industry Anymore.” Managed solutions, in a wide variety of forms and structures, is rapidly becoming an important component of many equipment leasing companies’ product offerings in today’s marketplace. Customers are demanding bundled, flexible solutions that obviate the traditional tenet of long-term equipment ownership.

This standing room only breakout session discussed the pervasive movement towards managed solutions transactions in the industry. The panel was moderated by John Deane of The Alta Group and the panelists were Diane Croessman from Lenovo, John Infante from Cisco Capital, John Rees from Societe Generale, Ken Turner of Microsoft and Vikas Malhotra from Genpact. Mr. Deane overviewed the recently published Managed Solutions white paper, commissioned by the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation and written by The Alta Group, outlining the spectrum of managed solutions transactions and the challenges and opportunities resulting from their increasing prevalence. Panelists discussed increasing customer demand for bundled equipment, service and software transactions affording customers optimal flexibility in upgrades and cancellation. Panelists noted that managed solutions transactions were comprising a significant portion of current originations.

On Tuesday, the 5 ELFA business councils had separate luncheon programs. Managed Solutions was a much discussed topic at the Captive and Vendor Finance luncheon. Both the Service Providers and Small Ticket luncheons focused on the importance of millennials. The Small Ticket lessors discussed ways to attract and retain millennials in their companies’ work force.

One breakout session addressed the challenges of “Balancing Growth, Regulatory and Competitive Pressures: As the Economic Cycle Starts to Turn.” Moderated by Tom Ware of PayNet, panelists included Jeff Berg of DLL, Zoe Mitchell from CIT, Craig Weinewuth of Engs Commercial Finance and Brett Davis of CNG Industrial Capital. Each addressed their comments and concerns from the varying perspectives of the industries they finance and the amount of impact from the regulatory environment they are in.

Another well-attended breakout session focused on FinTech, featuring a lively panel discussion probing the challenges and opportunities the rise of FinTech is creating in the equipment leasing market. The panel was moderated by Charles Anderson of Currency, and panelists included Patricia Voorhees from The Alta Group, Wayne Super from Cisco Capital, Rob Snow from Blue Bridge Financial and Hamlet Khodaverdian and Nick Roberto, both from Quickbridge Funding. Ms. Voorhees summarized findings from a research paper on FinTech in leasing, emphasizing the importance of getting both sides of “Fin” and “Tech” right and the growing trend towards integration of financing at the point of sale in online equipment sales. The panelists emphasized the efficiencies in customer acquisition, origination and servicing as well as funding that can be gained in a FinTech model and emphasized the promise of technology such as blockchain.

The recent ELFA Convention was the 42nd one that I have attended. I get great value out of the convention, both from a business and a personal standpoint. It is always good to renew acquaintances with my many leasing friends. I hope to see many Leasing News readers at next October’s ELFA Convention in Orlando.

http://www.leasingnews.org/Advisory%20Board/Bruce_Kropschot.htm

Bruce Kropschot, Senior Managing Director and
Merger & Acquisition Advisory Practice Leader
The Alta Group, LLC
7448 Treeline Drive
Naples, FL 34119
(239) 260-4405
www.thealtagroup.com

The Alta Group is the leading provider of consulting services to equipment leasing and financing companies worldwide. Kropschot Financial Services, the leading M&A advisory firm for equipment leasing and financing companies, became part of The Alta Group in 2008. Our combined organization has arranged over 200 mergers and acquisitions of specialty finance businesses representing both buyers and sellers, and we also sell equipment lease portfolios, perform business valuations, do acquisition due diligence and arrange debt and equity financing for our clients. We utilize The Alta Group's worldwide resources of more than 80 equipment leasing and financing experts to better serve our Merger & Acquisition Advisory Practice clients.

New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Heidi Ames was promoted to Senior Vice President at North Mill Capital. She is based in Princeton, New Jersey. She joined the firm in 2010 as an Auditor, promoted October, 2011, as Assistant Vice President. Prior she was at Business Alliance Capital Corporation and Santander.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-ames-3a54bb34

Brian Daley was hired as Managing Director of Originations for Stonebriar Commercial Finance, Plano, Texas. He is based in Irvine, California. He began his career as Assistant Vice President, GE Capital, Corporation Finance, June, 1988; promoted June, 1991, Sales Rep - Corporate Aircraft Financing; promoted April, 1994, Region Sales Manager; promoted, April, 2004, Managing Director; promoted, September, 2012, Senior Managing Director; promoted, February, 2015, Commercial Leasing Leader. Education: Northwestern University, Kellogg School of Management, MBA, Finance (1997 – 2000). University of Pennsylvania, The Wharton School, Bachelor of Science.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daleybrian

John Donovan was hired as President and CEO, Bizfi, Manhattan, New York. Previously, he was Advisor/Board Member, Financial Technology Start-ups (March, 2012-Present); Partner, FinSight Ventures (July, 2014 – January, 2016); Chief Dishwasher, Donovision, LLC (September, 2013 – October, 2016); EVP, Chief Operating Officer, Board Member, Lending Club (January, 2007 – August, 2012); Chief Product Officer/Chief Operating Officer, Borderfree (February, 2005 – December, 2006); Vice President, Global Product Development, MasterCard (January, 1988 – February, 2005). Volunteer Experience & Causes: Chairman, Board of Trustees, Southport Conservancy (June, 2014 – Present). Arts and Culture, The Southport Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) non-profit tax-advantaged organization dedicated to preserving and restoring unique and historical buildings and property of the Southport community that might be otherwise lost forever. Check us out at southportconservancy.com, Board Member (2014), President (2015), Chairman (2016), World Economic Forum FinTech Advisory Board. World Economic Forum (March, 2015 – October, 2015). Economic Empowerment, Survey the FinTech space to highlight the opportunities it creates to increase access to finance, particularly at the SME level; and, propose and launch concrete initiatives, which could be implemented with the support of the World Economic Forum community. Final product was WEF white paper: “The Future of FinTech - A Paradigm Shift in Small Business Finance.” Representative Town Meeting (Town Council), Town of Fairfield, Connecticut (November, 2013 – November, 2015). Elected to RTM representing Southport Village within Fairfield Connecticut, Vice Chairman of Education & Recreation Committee, Budget Director for Republican Caucus. Education: Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, BSc, Management, Economics (concentration), 1987.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jgdonovan

Dawn Eagle was hired as Senior Business Development Specialist at CSI Leasing, St. Louis, Missouri. She is based out of the Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida area. Previously, she was Vice President, SPD Parent Zone (August, 2010 – May, 2016); Corporate Account Manager, CDW (August, 2003 – April, 2005). Education: The University of Iowa Bachelor’s Degree, Health and Human Physiology- Health Promotions (1998 – 2001). Activities and Societies: American Cancer Society Volunteer, Implemented Smoking Quit Line at the University of Iowa East High School.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-eagle-8589b512b

Katie Emmel was promoted to Chief Operating Officer, International Decision Systems, Inc, Minneapolis, Minnesota. She joined the firm as Director of Product Management in 1987; promoted August, 2009, Director of Product Management and Support; promoted, February, 2011, Senior Director of Product Management; promoted, June, 2012, VP of Product Management; promoted, March, 2016, Senior VP Product Management and Product Marketing.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-emmel-9b40687

Brandon Hodge was hired as Vice President, Sales at Ascentium Capital LLC, Kingwood, Texas. He is based out of Dover, New Hampshire. Previously, he was Senior Finance Manager- Vendor & Hard Asset Division, Direct Capital, a Division of CIT Bank, N.A. August 2012 – October 2016). He continues as Product Sales Technician, TaylorMade-Adidas Golf Company (April, 2012 – Present). Prior, Inventory Manager, Golf & Ski Warehouse (October, 2008 – August, 2012). Education: Plymouth State University, Bachelor of Science, Business Administration, Economics, Professional Communications (2004 – 2008). Plymouth State Baseball '04-'08, Team Captain '08.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandon-hodge-08998517

Casey Maley was promoted to Assistant Vice President, PNC Equipment Finance, Cincinnati Area, Kentucky. He joined the firm January, 2011 as an Underwriter. Previously, he was Commercial Credit Analyst II, Fifth Third Bank (June, 2007 – April, 2010). Honors & Awards: 2015 Extraordinary Performance Award, PNC Equipment Finance, February 2016, Greater Cincinnati / Northern Kentucky - 2015 Market All-Star PNC Bank, April, 2015. The Market All-Stars program celebrates the 2014 achievements of employees based on metrics set by their individual line of business. Education: Northern Kentucky University, Bachelor's degree, Finance, General (2003 – 2007).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-maley-a3038b40

Daniel E. Marquette was hired as Equipment Finance & Leasing Director at Everlasting Capital Corporation, Rochester, New Hampshire. “My goal as Commercial Equipment Director with Everlasting is to levy the outstanding talent within the organization’s equipment vertical, to increase our strategic partnerships throughout the Vendor, Franchise and Broker space. Ultimately, working in conjunction with our CEO to improve process, product diversification and day-to-day production efficiencies. I couldn’t be more excited about being a part of such a dynamic commercial finance organization.” Josh Feinberg, President/CEO said “Dan’s wealth of experience and industry knowledge has already made him a key addition to the Everlasting Capital family. We view his appointment as a sign of our commitment to being the leading company is our industry. Our new innovations and the increasing demand from our customer led us to look for an addition to our team who will fit in with our ethos of innovation and exceptional service, and it is very fortunate that we could find someone of Dan’s caliber to fulfill this role. I’m confident that Dan will play a key role in providing and implementing high quality solutions for our clients.” Previously, Marquette was CEO, Fusion Capital Corp. (April, 2016 – June, 2016). He began his career in January, 2011 as Finance Manager, Vendor, Direct Capital; promoted December, 2011, to Sr. Business Development Manager, Vendor; promoted December, 2013, Sr. Strategic Account Manager, Franchise. He continues as Entrepreneur, General Contractor, Commercial and Residential Construction Company (1999 – 2016). Education: Southern New Hampshire University, Course Study in Business Psychology (2003 – 2003) Business psychology, more commonly called industrial and organizational (I/O or I-O) psychology, is known as one of the top-paying psychology fields. Currently recognized by the American Psychological Association (APA) as a specialty in professional psychology, the field is quickly growing and has become mainstream. Activities and Societies: Member, Delta Epsilon Chi. McIntosh College, Associate’s Degree in Business Science with a Concentration in Marketing (2000 – 2002). My Degree incorporates the fundamentals of business with instruction in advertising and the analytical analysis of consumer buying trends to better understand how to produce successful promotions. Activities and Societies: Treasurer, Delta Epsilon Chi & Member, McIntosh College Dean's List.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-e-marquette-5692b668

Michael O'Malley was hired as Vice President of Business Development for Madison Capital, Owings Mills, Maryland. He is based out of the Greater Chicago area, "...focused on originations throughout the Midwest and he will be based in the Chicago area." Allan Levine, President & COO, Madison Capital, commented, "We have experienced significant growth in the construction market and Michael’s expertise will assist our customers in the Chicago region in acquiring the financing needed to grow their businesses.” Previously, O’Malley was Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Credit Group Inc. (October, 2014 – September, 2016); General Manager, Equipment Restoration LLC (2013 – October, 2014); President. MEC Equipment Rental (January. 1999 – January, 2013); General Manager, Access Equipment (1996 – 1999); President, Access Booms and Scissors (1990 – 1996). "His dealerships served the needs of hundreds of small and medium-sized businesses across the Chicago area and surrounding states."
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-o-malley-09047547

Michael Ryan was hired as New Business Support Analyst at Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado. He is based out of Rochester, New York. Previously, he was Residual & Pricing Manager, First Niagara Leasing, Inc. (January, 2011 – October, 2016); Major Accounts Collections Rep., Xerox Corporation (April, 2010 – January, 2011); Project Manager, Citibank, The Student Loan Corporation (2006 – 2008); Consultant, Szych Consulting (2006 – 2006); Senior Principal Consultant, Oracle Corporation (2005 – 2006) -
AVP J.P. Morgan Leasing, Inc., JP Morgan Chase (1984 – 2005); E-commerce Manager (2003-2005); Equipment/Residual Manager (1989-2003). Education: Rochester Institute of Technology,B.S., Finance. Activities and Societies: Inducted, Beta Gamma Sigma National Honor Society Inducted Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeltryan

Gabriel Weare was hired as Finance Manager at Everlasting Capital Corporation, Rochester, New Hampshire. Previously, he was Senior Account Executive, Kingswood Leasing Inc. (April, 2007 – 2015).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriel-weare-0a93312b

Kevin Wright was hired as Vice President, Equipment Finance, Key Equipment Finance, Superior, Colorado. He is based in Louisville, Kentucky. "(He)...will identify, develop and deliver end-user equipment finance solutions for the company’s middle market. He will be serving clients in Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky." Previously, he was Regional Vice President, Connext Financial (March, 2005 –October, 2016); Vice President, Business Financing Solutions, GE (April, 2002 – March, 2005); District Account Supervisor, Hershey's Chocolate (November, 1998 – April, 2002); Contemporary Marketing Team, Anheuser-Busch (May, 1997 – November, 1998). Education:
Indiana Wesleyan University, MBA, 3.86 GPA (2011 – 2013). Graduated November, 2013. University of Louisville, Bachelors, Business and Marketing (1993 – 1997).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-wright-3610501a

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Leasing Industry Ads---Help Wanted Opportunity

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How Technology is Fixing the Audit Problem for Restaurants
by Danny Klein, www.fsrmagazine.com

Thanks to digitalized audits, Last Call discovered some of its restaurants weren’t giving guests a beer list when they were seated
—a company policy. LAST CALL

It’s a concern that keeps multi-unit operators awake at night. When an established restaurant makes the leap from one location to many, trying to maintain a certain standard across state lines can be a dicey challenge. Traditionally, restaurant owners have relied on audits to stay informed. However, the pen and paper model can be subjective, outdated, and oftentimes better suited for a shredder than a staff meeting.

Ryan Vann, the executive vice president of operations and services at Last Call, a three-concept restaurant group that has more than 80 units, explains the problem from the ground. Even if an auditor completes his assessment of a specific store, scans it, uploads it, and sends it in, he notes, how would an employee at the corporate office really absorb the information? In an industry where time is fleeting, trying to sort through hundreds of hand-written audits is essentially unrealistic. And spotting real issues and trends from a mountain of paperwork is equally foolhardy.

“When I joined the company, all of our auditing, from facilities to operations to cleanliness and organization, to food and beverage specs to how we handle our finances, was only done with pencil and paper and then either just left at the store or scanned and emailed to somebody out there who never got it,.” Vann said.

For the past year, Last Call has turned to the HappyCo platform for its 48 Fox & Hound Sports Taverns, 10 Bailey’s Sports Grilles, and 22 Champps Kitchen + Bar locations.

HappyCo’s Happy Inspector mobile app and Happy BI (Business Intelligence) platform automates a restaurant’s audit and inspection process. The information is collected on mobile devices and uploaded to the Cloud, where Vann or anyone from the Last Call team can quickly pull up a location and access the digitalized notes. The BI program arranges it so Vann can see, from a global perspective, what the company averages are on every single question posed in its customizable audits. “Based on that, we can rally around the opportunity as a brand and make an impact very fast,” he said.

Since deploying, the group’s internal shopper score is up from 85 to 91 percent, the cleanliness rating has jumped from 91 to 94 percent, according to a third-party certifier, and guest complaints have dropped from 1.7 to 0.8 per location.

One of the main reasons for this progress might seem simple, but it was a mythical concept pre-HappyCo. With the mobile technology, auditors can take and upload photos to go along with their report, giving Vann some tangible proof of the claims. “It’s like you were there yourself,” he notes. “You can’t argue a picture.”

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

Axis Capital Announces $201 Million Term Securitization
Plans to Expand its Market Share

GRAND ISLAND, – Axis Capital, Inc. (Axis), one of the leading independent commercial equipment finance companies in North America, today announced the closing of its fourth term securitization, issuing six classes of equipment lease and loan backed notes totaling $201,232,000. This term securitization will enable Axis to continue to expand its market share while growing its presence in the North American equipment finance industry.

Mostafiz ShahMohammed
Chairman/CEO
Axis Capital/Amur Finance

“Axis is firmly focused on our strategy of expanding originations through vendor and customer based relationships,” said Axis Chairman and CEO Mostafiz ShahMohammed.

Kalyan Makam
Axis Managing Director
Chief Risk Officer and
Head of Capital Markets,
Amur Finance Company
and its subsidiaries

“A stable and dependable securitization platform is critical to an independent leasing business and we look forward to using our latest securitization to further expand our market share,” added Kalyan Makam, Axis Managing Director, Chief Risk Officer and Head of Capital Markets for Amur Finance Company and its subsidiaries.

The $166 million senior class of notes received an AAA (sf) rating from both DBRS and Kroll Bond Rating Agency. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as sole structuring agent and bookrunner.

Shauna Heckathorn
CFO, Axis Capital
Director of Finance
Amur Capital Group

“We are excited to announce the successful closing of our $201 million securitization,” Shauna Heckathorn, Axis CFO stated. “This is Axis’ fourth successful term issuance, which is a clear indication to the capital markets that we are a committed and reliable issuer, and we thank our investors for their continued support.”

About Axis Capital
Axis Capital, Inc. (Axis) is a nationally ranked Top Ten independent equipment finance provider and a Top Twenty vendor channel origination company that customizes capital financing programs for a wide variety of suppliers and businesses nationwide. Founded in 1996 in Grand Island, NE, Axis delivers solutions that help businesses across the country grow, succeed, and create value. Axis serves as a reliable capital partner to many active vendor programs and has funded transactions with over 15,000 vendors across diversified markets in the United States. Axis Capital is a subsidiary of New York based, Amur Finance Company, a global diversified holding company with over $800M in assets.

For more information, go to www.axiscapitalfinance.com.

About Amur Finance Company
Amur Finance Company, Inc. (Amur) is a privately held, diversified commercial finance company focusing on four main sectors: General Equipment; Aviation; Energy, Shipping & Logistics; and Other Industrial and Commercial Assets. Amur’s management team and senior leaders have extensive industry expertise and have been involved in over $100 billion of transportation, industrial and related commercial finance, trading and investment transactions around the world. Amur takes a partnership approach to its investments, providing long-term value through direct investments and strategic arrangements with world-class entrepreneurs and businesses.

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Working Capital from $10,0000 to $250,000 ChannelPartnersCapital.com

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ELFA Launches Initiative to Expand Use of
Electronic Chattel Paper in Equipment Finance

Washington, DC, – The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association announces an initiative to educate its membership about the business benefits of adopting electronic documents known as “e-chattel paper.” The initiative will encourage members to use e-chattel paper and adopt digital best practices in lieu of relying solely on the paper-based lending processes that are prevalent in the equipment finance industry today.

David Schaefer, CLFP
CEO
Mintake Financial, LLC

“I'm pleased that our association sees the adoption of electronic documents and electronic chattel paper as an important advancement in transacting business,” said Dave Schaefer, CLFP, CEO of Mintaka Financial, LLC, and Chair of the ELFA Board’s Working Group on Electronic Documents. “It’s time for our industry to utilize these tools to increase lessee satisfaction, document transactions faster and improve the movement of chattel paper.”

Ralph Petta
ELFA President & CEO

“In our increasingly digital world, the time is ripe for equipment finance companies to consider converting to electronic chattel paper,” said Ralph Petta, ELFA President & CEO. “While some member companies have already done so, others have questions about the adoption process. We are pleased to launch this important effort to educate our membership and their business partners about why and how to go digital with e-chattel paper.”

Over the next 18 months, the association will collaborate with eOriginal, a provider of electronic document management services, and others, to promote widespread adoption of e-chattel paper in equipment leasing and finance transactions. This educational initiative will aim to raise awareness of a variety of benefits of e-chattel paper, including that it:

Simplifies the loan origination process and pools contracts faster and more efficiently.

Significantly reduces sales cycles and provides a first-class customer experience.

Allows equipment finance companies to digitally sign and manage loans and leases from the state of financing through to securitizations.

Accelerates funding cycles and increases real-time transparency in the funding process.

To drive adoption of e-chattel paper and digital practices by ELFA members, the initiative will also identify and offer solutions to the challenges of adoption that are common among ELFA member companies, vendors and funding sources today. Such barriers include the lack of knowledge of laws and legal precedents for e-chattel paper; resources to select or build a confidential e-chattel paper platform; the need for education regarding short-term and long-term cost impacts of using digital platforms and e-chattel paper; and the enablement of direct access to the technology required to create and manage electronic leases and contracts.

Additionally, many ELFA member companies are in need of legal expertise, methodologies and time or money to invest in an e-chattel paper program. This educational initiative is aimed at providing the membership with easy-to-access, trusted resources to make the shift to digital transaction management.

ELFA will share key messages from this education campaign through a variety of communication channels, including the association’s Equipment Leasing & Finance magazine, QuickBrief e-newsletter, ELFAonline.org website and social media properties, as well as at ELFA webinars and events. The first educational webinar will be held on Dec. 14.

About ELFA
The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association that represents companies in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector, which includes financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its 580 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as manufacturers and service providers. For more information, please visit www.elfaonline.org. Follow ELFA on Twitter @ELFAonline.

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Leasing News: Special Halloween Edition, Part Two
By Fernando Croce

In the second half of our seasonal frightfest, we offer another batch of choice Halloween pictures, which range from the horrific to the delightful. So check in with Netflix and enjoy your own cinematic night of tricks and treats!

Nosferatu (F.W. Murnau, 1922): Though made nearly a century ago, this thriller from the brilliant German director F.W. Murnau has lost none of its hypnotic power. Adapted from the classic Bram Stoker novel “Dracula,” the film tells the story of the aristocratic vampire known as Count Orlok (Max Schreck), who welcomes his newest victim (Gustav von Wangenheim) into his crumbling castle. When he learns of the young man’s loving wife (Greta Schroder), however, Orlok sets off from Transylvania to Germany, bringing with him fearsome pestilence. Can the lady stop the fiend before he takes control of the land? Practically the birth of horror cinema, this early classic weaves an unforgettable portrait of haunted decay, anchored by Murnau’s use of light and shadow and Schreck’s indelible embodiment of rapacious evil.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (Don Siegel, 1956): Evocative science-fiction meets primordial horror in this remarkably tense and suggestive tale from director Don Siegel (“Dirty Harry”). The plot centers on Miles (Kevin McCarthy), a small-town California doctor who’s baffled by a wave of patients who declare that there’s something wrong with their loved ones. With the help of ex-girlfriend Becky (Dana Wynter), looks closer at the matter and discover that their paranoia is very much justified—there is an alien species that is planning an invasion with emotionless human duplicates. Miles and Becky try bravely to expose the extraterrestrial plot, but can they hang on to their humanity in the process? Often read as a rich allegory for the ‘50s fears of outsiders and blacklists, Siegel’s unsettling classic strikes timeless notes of anxiety.

The Fog (John Carpenter, 1980): Though “Halloween” remains John Carpenter’s best-known horror movie, this underrated ghost story is every bit as atmospheric as that fright classic. Taking place in a small California coastal town preparing for its centennial celebration, the story follows a group of interconnected characters caught in the middle of supernatural events. There’s local radio DJ Stevie (Adrienne Barbeau), young hitchhiker Elizabeth (Jamie Lee Curtis), trucker Nick (Tom Atkins), and town priest Father Malone (Hal Holbrook). The holiday mood darkens as a series of strange happenings rattle the town, leading to a disturbing revelation harking back to the 1880s. Framed as a campfire yarn, the film beautifully illustrates Carpenter’s masterful use of cinematic style to create a sense of enveloping doom that seems to go beyond the screen.

Shaun of the Dead (Edgar Wright, 2004): Fright and fun blend perfectly in this cheeky and energetic horror-comedy favorite, from talented cult director Edgar Wright. The titular Shaun (Simon Pegg) is a London slacker who has a dead-end job and a girlfriend (Kate Ashfield) who wishes he’d grow up and take control of his life. A chance comes for him to prove his maturity when a plague of zombies suddenly takes over the city, turning Shaun and his slobbish roommate Ed (Nick Frost) into unlikely heroes. Using George Romero’s ghoulish classics as a template for a simultaneously bloody and hilarious snapshot of British youngsters in the new millennium, Wright’s cult favorite is a parody done with palpable affection for its gruesome forefathers.

It Follows (David Robert Mitchell, 2015): Along with "The Babadook" and “The Witch,” this terrifically made shocker exemplifies a recent trend of intense horror films focused on young women's fears. The heroine this time around is Jay (Maika Monroe), a teenager whose seemingly innocuous encounter with a man named Hugh (Jake Weary) takes on horrific consequences when he tells her she's cursed. After their date, Jay finds herself haunted by a mysterious entity that can change forms and will kill her if it ever catches up to her. With this malevolent force only a few steps behind her, she must find a way to exorcise the curse one way or another. A talent to watch in a genre routinely filled with hacks, writer-director David Robert Mitchell makes superb use of moody visuals to create an atmosphere of visceral dread that lingers long after the film is over.

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   1492 - Christopher Columbus discovers Cuba. He and his men take many slaves back to Spain, their main bounty in the mission.
    1610 - Thomas West, baron De La Mar, was appointed as the first Governor of Virginia colony
    1636 – A vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony establishes the first college in what would become the United States, and Harvard College was founded.
    1646 - At Nonantum, Mass., colonial missionary John Eliot ("Apostle to the New England Indians"), 42, conducted the first Protestant worship service for the Indians of North America. He also delivered the first sermon preached to the Indians in their native tongue.
    1768 - Germans and Acadians joined French Creoles in their armed revolt against Antonio de Ulloa, the Spanish governor of New Orleans. This combined militia will force his resignation the next day.
    1775 - A British proclamation forbids residents from leaving Boston.
    1776 - Battle of White Plains; Washington retreats to NJ. The American forces were dislodged from their position, but once again, British Gen. Howe failed to pursue his opponents and waited for reinforcements. By November 1, the British were ready to resume their offensive, but a heavy wind and rain storm slowed their progress. Washington took advantage of the British lethargy and retreated northward to another hilltop location, this time about five miles away near the town of North Castle. Washington and his dispirited army believed that a major, perhaps decisive, battle would occur within the next few days. To their utter amazement, dawn on November 4 brought the sight of the British turning their backs on the lightly entrenched Americans and beginning a march back to Manhattan. Washington made a crucial decision to divide his army and led about 2,500 men into New Jersey. The British captured Chatterton Hill.
http://www.myrevolutionarywar.com/battles/761026.htm
    1790 - New York gives up claims to Vermont for $30,000
    1793 - Eli Whitney applies for a patent on the cotton gin. According to history, one of his black slaves had come up with the idea from using a comb to a cylinder, in which he had made a prototype of wood. Upon seeing it, Whitney made some experiments, put it to paper, and sent a letter to register the idea. He then spent a year making a metal prototype. He called it a cotton gin (short for “engine”). It turned quickly, easily separating cottonseed from the short-staple cotton fiber. Whitney's cotton gin was capable of maintaining a daily output of 23 kg (50 lbs.) of cleaned cotton, and its effect was far-reaching, making southern cotton a profitable crop for the first time. Whitney, however, failed to profit from his invention. Numerous imitations appeared, and his 1794 patent was not validated until 1807. In 1798, Whitney obtained a government contract to make 10,000 muskets. He demonstrated that machine tools--manned by workers who did not need the highly specialized skills of gunsmiths--could produce standardized parts to exact specifications and that any part could be used as a component of any musket. The firearms factory he built in New Haven, Conn., was thus one of the first to use mass production methods.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part3/3h1522.html
http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/african_american_history/61415
    1793 – Birthday of Eliphalet Remington (d. 1861) in Suffield, CT. He founded the Remington Arms Company.
    1798 - Birthday of Levi Coffin (d. 1877), founder of The Underground Railroad, born New Garden, North Carolina.
http://www.indianahistory.org/heritage/levic.html
http://www.visitrichmond.org/history/levicoffin/
http://www.waynet.org/nonprofit/coffin.htm
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAScoffin.htm
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.gsp;
jservsessionid=6183044723fd99786b3ce31
3e3fe6bd11f1f51f80_10-15-20-208.86.1035589086776.:0f?product_id=1047862&sourceid
=0100000030390613102498
    1818 – Abigail Adams, second First Lady of the US, died of typhoid fever in Quincy, MA. She and John Adams were married in 1764 and she was the First Lady to live in The White House after the nation’s capital was moved there in 1800.
    1842 - Birthday of Anna Elizabeth Dickinson (d. 1932) at Philadelphia, PA. Influential American orator and author of the Civil War era, as an advocate of abstinence, abolition and woman suffrage, she earned the nickname, “American Joan of Arc.”
    1846 - The pioneering Donner Party, a group of 90 people consisting of immigrants, families and businessmen led by George and Jacob Donner and James F. Reed, head toward California from Springfield, IL, in hopes of beginning a new life. They experienced the normal travails of caravan travel until their trip took several sensational twists, Indian attacks and winter weather which forced them to interrupt their journey. Famine and outright cannibalism took their toll on members of the party whose numbers dwindled to 48 by journey's end.
    1858 - Rowland Hussey Macy opened his first New York store at Sixth Avenue and 14th Street in Manhattan. First day’s receipts: $11.06!
    1864 - Second Battle of Fair Oaks located on the defensive perimeter around the Confederate capital of Richmond. General Robert E. Lee's army constructed five lines of trenches that stretched 25 miles south to Petersburg. For five months, Lee's troops had been under siege by the forces of Union General Ulysses S. Grant. The monotony of the siege was broken only periodically by a Union attempt to break Lee's lines. One such attack came at Hatcher's Run, southwest of Petersburg, on October 27. At the same time, Grant ordered an attack at Fair Oaks, about 24 miles from the assault at Hatcher's Run. The Richmond defenses were formidable, so any direct assault was unlikely to succeed. By attacking at Fair Oaks, Grant hoped to prevent Lee from shifting any troops along the Richmond-Petersburg line to reinforce the lines at Hatcher's Run. Some 1100 Union men were killed, wounded, or captured during the attack, while the Confederates lost just 450. The planned diversion did not work--at the far end of the defenses, the Yankees failed to move around the end of the Confederate line at Hatcher's Run.
    1864 - Battle of Wauhatchie, TN, one of the few night engagements of the Civil War, won by the Union troops to open up a badly needed supply route, establishing what was then called “The Cracker Line.”
http://www2.cr.nps.gov/abpp/battles/tn021.htm
    1864 - In the midst of the Battle of Burgess' Mill in VA, cavalry commander CS Gen Wade Hampton came upon his sons, mortally wounded Frank Preston Hampton and Wade Hampton, Jr. who had been shot while coming to his brother's aid.
    1867 - Maimonides College in Pennsylvania is first Jewish college in the US. The need of such an institution was strongly felt as there were numerous synagogues in the country, but few persons capable of filling the rabbinical office. The seminary was established under the joint auspices of the Hebrew Education Society and the Board of Delegates of American Israelites, and was named "Maimonides College" with Isaac Leeser as its provost.
    1875 - Birthday of Gilbert H. Grosvenor (d. 1996), at Istanbul, Turkey. The editor credited with transforming National Geographic Magazine from a small scholarly journal into a dynamic world-renowned monthly.
(Lower half of: http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct28.html)
    1886 - Frederic Auguste Barthold's famous sculpture, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World, on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. A sonnet by Emma Lazarus, inside the pedestal of the statue, contains the words: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door." Here is a little known fact, when the Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor, women were barred from the ceremony because it would be too crowded and rough for the ladies, the city declared, but a group of women chartered a boat and circled the island singing and shouting women's rights messages. The event was also celebrated with New York City’s first ticker tape parade.
    1896 - Birthday of Howard Hanson (d. 1981), Wahoo, NE. Composer/conductor/educator, in 1921 he became the first American to win the Prix de Rome. In 1924, he became head of the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, NY, where he served for 40 years. Best known for the music he composed, Hanson was awarded the Pulitzer Prize as outstanding contemporary composer in 1944 for his composition Symphony No. 4, the George Forster Peabody Award in 1946, the Laurel Leaf of the American Composers Alliance in 1957 and the Huntington Foundation Award in 1959.
    1897 – Birthday of motion picture costume designer Edith Head (d.1981), Searchlight, NV. She won a record eight Academy Awards for Best Costume Design, starting with “The Heiress” (1949) and ending with “The Sting” (1973).
    1904 - St Louis police try a new investigation method-fingerprints.
http://www.onin.com/fp/fphistory.html
    1907 - Birthday of alto sax player Rudy Power, New York City, NY
    1914 - Birthday of Jonas Salk (d. 1995) at New York, New York. Developer of the Salk polio vaccine, he announced his development of a successful vaccine in 1953, the year after a polio epidemic claimed some 3,300 lives in the US. Polio deaths were reduced by 95 percent after the introduction of the vaccine. Salk spent the last 10 years of his life doing AIDS research.
    1919 - Congress passed the Volstead Act, prohibiting the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors" in the United States. The Roaring Twenties were about to begin. A little known fact: the Volstead Act did cut down the alcoholic rate in the United States, with less fatalities and family problems. Many of the nightclubs legally sold alcohol beverages as anything in their inventory was “legal.” Crime in the Midwest was rampant before the 1920's. The advent of the machine gun and automatic weapons increased the crime rate, not the commerce of alcohol from Canada and Mexico.
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/oct28.html
    1916 - Birthday of Trombone player/composer Bill Harris (d. 1973).
http://shopping.yahoo.com/shop?d=product&id=
1927005706&clink=dmmu.artist&a=b
    1926 – The former Commissioner of Major League Baseball, Bowie Kuhn (d. 2007), was born in Takoma Park, MD. Kuhn was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2008, after having been elected nine months after his death. His tenure was marked by labor strikes, owner disenchantment, and the end of baseball's reserve clause, yet baseball enjoyed unprecedented attendance gains (from 23 million in 1968 to 45.5 million in 1983) and TV contracts during the same time frame. Kuhn suspended numerous players for involvement with drugs and gambling, and took a strong stance against any activity that he perceived to be "not in the best interests of baseball." In 1970, he suspended star Detroit Tigers’ star pitcher Denny McClain indefinitely (the suspension was later set at 3 months) due to McLain's involvement in a bookmaking operation, and later suspended McLain for the rest of the season for carrying a gun. He barred both Willie Mays (in 1979) and Mickey Mantle (in 1983), arguably two of the game’s greatest stars ever, from the sport due to their involvement in casino promotion; neither was directly involved in gambling. Also in 1970, Kuhn described former player Jim Bouton’s seminal “Ball Four” as "detrimental to baseball" and demanded that Bouton retract it. The book has been republished several times and is now considered a classic. On October 13, 1971, the World Series held a night game for the first time.
    1928 - Birthday of accordion player Iry LeJeune (d. 1955), Point Noir, LA
http://www.cajunculture.com/People/LeJeuneIry.htm
http://www.cajunfrenchmusic.org/biographies/lejeune-i.htm
http://www.carencrohighschool.org/la_studies
/ParishSeries/FrenchMusic/IryLejeune.htm
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000001O54/avsearch-musicasin-20/
103-0570268-6906239
    1928 - The first men's field hockey game: The Westchester Field Hockey Club of Rye, NY, defeated the Germantown Cricket Club of Germantown, PA, 2-1, in the first organized men's field hockey game played in the US.
    1934 – The Brooklyn Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers play a penalty-free NFL game.
    1936 - The temperature at Layton, NJ, dipped to 9 above zero to establish a state record for the month of October.
    1936 – Charlie Daniels, Country musician, was born in Leland, NC.
    1937 – Birthday of NBA coach, Lenny Wilkens, in Brooklyn. At the time of his retirement in 2010, Wilkens was the NBA’s winningest coach with 1,332 victories, a record since surpassed by Don Nelson.
    1938 - John Kirby records his trumpet man Charlie Shavers' “Undecided,” Decca.
    1939 - Birthday of singer Andy Bey, Newark, NJ
    1941 - Birthday of Curtis Lee in Yuma, AZ. Lee hit the charts in the early 1960s with “Pretty Little Angel Eyes” (#7) and “Under the Moon of Love” (#46).
    1942 – The Alaska Highway, also known as the Alcan Highway is completed across Canada to Fairbanks, Alaska.
    1944 - ADAMS, LUCIAN, Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, 30th Infantry, 3d Infantry Division. Place and date: Near St. Die, France, 28 October 1944. Entered service at: Port Arthur, Tex. Birth: Port Arthur, Tex. G.O. No.: 20, 29 March 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty on 28 October 1944, near St. Die, France. When his company was stopped in its effort to drive through the Montagne Forest to reopen the supply line to the isolated third battalion, S/Sgt. Adams braved the concentrated fire of machineguns in a lone assault on a force of German troops. Although his company had progressed less than 10 yards and had lost 3 killed and 6 wounded, S/Sgt. Adams charged forward dodging from tree to tree firing a borrowed BAR from the hip. Despite intense machinegun fire which the enemy directed at him and rifle grenades which struck the trees over his head showering him with broken twigs and branches, S/Sgt. Adams made his way to within 10 yards of the closest machinegun and killed the gunner with a hand grenade. An enemy soldier threw hand grenades at him from a position only 10 yards distant; however, S/Sgt. Adams dispatched him with a single burst of BAR fire. Charging into the vortex of the enemy fire, he killed another machine gunner at 15 yards range with a hand grenade and forced the surrender of 2 supporting infantrymen. Although the remainder of the German group concentrated the full force of its automatic weapons fire in a desperate effort to knock him out, he proceeded through the woods to find and exterminate 5 more of the enemy. Finally, when the third German machinegun opened up on him at a range of 20 yards, S/Sgt. Adams killed the gunner with BAR fire. In the course of the action, he personally killed 9 Germans, eliminated 3 enemy machineguns, and vanquished a specialized force which was armed with automatic weapons and grenade launchers, cleared the woods of hostile elements, and reopened the severed supply lines to the assault companies of his battalion.
    1944 - BROSTROM, LEONARD C., Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company F, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 28 October 1944. Entered service at: Preston, Idaho. Birth: Preston, Idaho. G.O. No.: 104, 15 November 1945. Citation: He was a rifleman with an assault platoon which ran into powerful resistance near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. From pillboxes, trenches, and spider holes, so well camouflaged that they could be detected at no more than 20 yards, the enemy poured machinegun and rifle fire, causing severe casualties in the platoon. Realizing that a key pillbox in the center of the strong point would have to be knocked out if the company was to advance, Pfc. Bostrom, without orders and completely ignoring his own safety, ran forward to attack the pillbox with grenades. He immediately became the prime target for all the riflemen in the area, as he rushed to the rear of the pillbox and tossed grenades through the entrance. Six enemy soldiers left a trench in a bayonet charge against the heroic American, but he killed 1 and drove the others off with rifle fire. As he threw more grenades from his completely exposed position he was wounded several times in the abdomen and knocked to the ground. Although suffering intense pain and rapidly weakening from loss of blood, he slowly rose to his feet and once more hurled his deadly missiles at the pillbox. As he collapsed, the enemy began fleeing from the fortification and were killed by riflemen of his platoon. Pfc. Brostrom died while being carried from the battlefield, but his intrepidity and unhesitating willingness to sacrifice himself in a l-man attack against overwhelming odds enabled his company to reorganize against attack, and annihilate the entire enemy position.
    1944 - OKUBO, JAMES K., Medal of Honor.
Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 28 and 29 October and 4 November 1944, in the Foret Domaniale de Champ, near Biffontaine, eastern France. On 28 October, under strong enemy fire coming from behind mine fields and roadblocks, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo, a medic, crawled 150 yards to within 40 yards of the enemy lines. Two grenades were thrown at him while he left his last covered position to carry back wounded comrades. Under constant barrages of enemy small arms and machine gun fire, he treated 17 men on 28 October and 8 more men on 29 October. On 4 November, Technician Fifth Grade Okubo ran 75 yards under grazing machine gun fire and, while exposed to hostile fire directed at him, evacuated and treated a seriously wounded crewman from a burning tank, who otherwise would have died. Technician Fifth Grade James K. Okubo’s extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.
    1944 - THORSON, JOHN F., Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: Private First Class, U.S. Army, Company G, 17th Infantry, 7th Infantry Division. Place and date: Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, 28 October 1944. Entered service at: Armstrong, lowa Birth: Armstrong, lowa. G.O. No.: 58, 19 July 1945. Citation: He was an automatic rifleman on 28 October 1944, in the attack on Dagami Leyte, Philippine Islands. A heavily fortified enemy position consisting of pillboxes and supporting trenches held up the advance of his company. His platoon was ordered to out-flank and neutralize the strongpoint. Voluntarily moving well out in front of his group, Pvt. Thorson came upon an enemy fire trench defended by several hostile riflemen and, disregarding the intense fire directed at him, attacked single-handed He was seriously wounded and fell about 6 yards from the trench. Just as the remaining 20 members of the platoon reached him, 1 of the enemy threw a grenade into their midst. Shouting a warning and making a final effort, Pvt. Thorson rolled onto the grenade and smothered the explosion with his body. He was instantly killed, but his magnificent courage and supreme self-sacrifice prevented the injury and possible death of his comrades, and remain with them as a lasting inspiration.
    1944 – “Sipowicz”, actor Dennis Franz was born in Maywood, IL. Franz was one of the leads in the popular TV series, “NYPD Blue” from 1993-2005.
    1945 – Birthday of Wayne Fontana (of The Mindbenders), born Glyn Geoffrey Ellis in Manchester, England.
    1946 - Our favorite flying cowboy was heard on ABC radio for the first time. "Sky King" starred Jack Lester, then Earl Nightingale, and finally, Roy Engel, as Sky. Beryl Vaughn played Sky's niece Penny; Jack Bivens was Chipper and Cliff Soubier was the foreman. "Sky King" was sponsored by Mars candy.
    1948 - In St. Louis, MO, Chuck Berry marries his first and only wife, Themetta "Toddy" Suggs.
    1949 - Birthday of Caitlyn, formerly William Bruce, Jenner, sportscaster, Olympic gold medal decathlete, Kardashian ex-husband, Mount Kisco, NY.
   1949 - Helen Eugene Moore Anderson became the first woman to hold the post of US ambassador when she was sworn in by President Harry S. Truman. She served as Ambassador to Denmark.
    1950 - “The Jack Benny Program” premiered on television. One of radio's favorite comedians, Jack Benny made the transition to favorite TV personality with this situation comedy-variety show in 1950. In March 1932, then-newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan, dabbling in radio, asked Benny, a star in vaudeville, to do an on-air interview. Benny reluctantly agreed. His comedy, though, was so successful that Benny was offered his own show. In many of these skits, Benny portrayed himself as a vain egomaniac and notorious penny-pincher who refused to replace his (very noisy) antique car and who kept his money in a closely guarded vault. His regulars included his wife, whose character, Mary Livingstone, deflated Benny's ego at every opportunity; Mel Blanc, who used his famous voice to play Benny's noisy car, his exasperated French violin teacher, and other characters; and Eddie Andersen, one of radio's first African American stars, who played Benny's long-suffering valet, Rochester Van Jones. The program ran until 1955. One of my favorite lines came from a skit where a robber sticks a gun in his ribs and says, “Your money or life? “ The silence went on for many minutes, until Benny turns deadpan to the camera and answers, “I'm THINKING! “
    1950 - "All My Love" by Patti Page topped the charts and stayed there for 5 weeks.
    1951 - BURKE, LLOYD L., Medal of Honor.
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company G, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Near Chong-dong, Korea, 28 October 1951. Entered service at: Stuttgart, Ark. Born: 29 September 1924, Tichnor, Ark. G.O. No.: 43. Citation: 1st Lt. Burke, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and outstanding courage above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. Intense enemy fire had pinned down leading elements of his company committed to secure commanding ground when 1st Lt. Burke left the command post to rally and urge the men to follow him toward 3 bunkers impeding the advance. Dashing to an exposed vantage point he threw several grenades at the bunkers, then, returning for an Ml rifle and adapter, he made a lone assault, wiping out the position and killing the crew. Closing on the center bunker he lobbed grenades through the opening and, with his pistol, killed 3 of its occupants attempting to surround him. Ordering his men forward he charged the third emplacement, catching several grenades in midair and hurling them back at the enemy. Inspired by his display of valor his men stormed forward, overran the hostile position, but were again pinned down by increased fire. Securing a light machine gun and 3 boxes of ammunition, 1st Lt. Burke dashed through the impact area to an open knoll, set up his gun and poured a crippling fire into the ranks of the enemy, killing approximately 75. Although wounded, he ordered more ammunition, reloading and destroying 2 mortar emplacements and a machine gun position with his accurate fire. Cradling the weapon in his arms he then led his men forward, killing some 25 more of the retreating enemy and securing the objective. 1st Lt. Burke's heroic action and daring exploits inspired his small force of 35 troops. His unflinching courage and outstanding leadership reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.
    1952 - Top Hits
“You Belong to Me” - Jo Stafford
“Wish You Were Here” - Eddie Fisher
“I Went to Your Wedding” - Patti Page
“Jambalaya (On the Bayou)” - Hank Williams
    1953 – “The Ol’ Red Head”, Red Barber, the Brooklyn Dodgers’ lead announcer, was selected by Gillette, which sponsored the World Series broadcasts, to call the games on NBC along with the Yankees’ Mel Allen. Barber wanted a larger fee than was offered by Gillette, however, and when Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley refused to back him, Barber declined to work the Series and Vin Scully partnered with Allen on the telecasts instead. Barber resigned after the Series and signed to join Allen with the Yankees. This also marked the first time Vin Scully took the lead role as Dodgers’ announcer, a role he maintains today in LA.
    1954 - Marilyn Monroe finalized her divorce from DiMaggio.
    1955 - Birthday of Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist, William H. Gates, Seattle, Washington. Gates and his childhood friend, Paul Allen, began programming in high school, when they created and sold a program to control traffic patterns in Seattle. Gates dropped out of Harvard in 1975 after he and Allen created a compiler for the BASIC computing language and sold it to fledgling PC company MITS. In 1977, Gates and Allen founded Microsoft and built the company by creating versions of BASIC for various personal computers. The company's biggest break came in 1981, when IBM introduced the IBM PC, running Microsoft DOS as its operating system. Microsoft's lock on the operating system market grew stronger, and Gates became one of the wealthiest men in America by the time he turned thirty-five. Today he is the wealthiest individual in the United States.
    1955 - A local kid from Lubbock, TX opened a concert for Marty Robbins and Elvis Presley. In the audience was a youngster by the name of Scott Davis. He would later become a superstar. We know him as Mac Davis. The kid who opened the concert was Buddy Holly.
    1956 - Elvis Presley makes his second appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show, where the host presents him with a Gold record for "Love Me Tender".   Also, “Love Me Tender” bumps “Don’t Be Cruel” b/w “Hound Dog” out of the Billboard #1 spot, making Elvis the first artist to knock himself off the top of the charts
    1957 - The Four Lads record "Put a Light in the Window."
    1958 - In San Francisco, construction begins on the Giants' new ballpark in an area where the rocks look like candlesticks jutting into the San Francisco Bay, known as Candlestick Point. The developer, James Harney, gifts the land with the stipulation the park be named after him. Didn’t happen. Demolition began in 2014 and was completed in 2015 as the Giants had moved to AT&T Park near China Basin, and the 49ers moved to Santa Clara.
    1958 – In what would be his last major appearance on television, Buddy Holly appears on American Bandstand, lip-synching “It’s So Easy” and “Heartbeat.”
    1958 – The Roman Catholic Patriarch of Venice, Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, was elected Pope, taking the name John XXIII.
    1960 - Top Hits
“I Want to Be Wanted” - Brenda Lee
“The Twist” - Chubby Checker
“Devil or Angel” - Bobby Vee
“Alabam” - Cowboy Copas
    1960 - The American Football League granted a seventh franchise to Buffalo with Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. of Detroit as principal owner. The new team is named the Bills. With Wilson’s passing in 2014, on October 8, 2014, Terry and Kim Pegula owner of the NHL Buffalo Sabres, received unanimous approval to acquire the Bills, assuring the team will remain in its birthplace.
http://www.buffalobills.com/history/index.cfm?include=/
includes/chronology_60.htm
    1961 - Ground is broken for the Flushing Meadow Stadium. The future home of the New York Mets will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, a lawyer who helped to bring back the NL to the Big Apple, after all but chasing the Brooklyn Dodgers away by failing to negotiate with Dodgers’ owner Walter O’Malley on a new site for the Dodgers’ ballpark at the end of the Atlantic Avenue subway line. Shea Stadium was demolished in 2009 to furnish additional parking for the adjacent Citi Field, the current home of the Mets.
    1961 - According to the Beatles' manager, Brian Epstein, this is the day on which a customer named Raymond Jones entered Epstein's Liverpool record store, NEMS, and requested a copy of the Beatles singing "My Bonnie", a 45 the group had cut in Hamburg, Germany with singer Tony Sheridan. Epstein, impressed that someone would ask for a record cut by a local group but only available as an import, tracks the band down at the Cavern Club and offers to manage them. Several Liverpool scenesters have since cast doubt on this story, claiming the group was already well-known in town.
    1961 - Chuck Berry was one of the biggest pop stars of the late 1950s when he began to have legal problems. While charges in yet another Mann Act violation were pending (which were dismissed in 1960), Berry met Janice Escalante, a Native American with roots in the Apache tribe, in a bar in El Paso, Texas. According to Berry, who took the young woman on the road with his traveling rock show, Escalante claimed to be 21 years old. After there was a falling out between the two, Escalante complained about Berry to the authorities. During his second trial, the prosecution produced a birth certificate proving that Escalante was a mere 14 years old. Berry was convicted and sentenced to three years in prison. After a short stretch in Leavenworth Federal Prison, he was transferred to a Missouri jail, where he spent his time studying accounting and writing songs. Among the songs he wrote before his release from prison in October 1963 were "No Particular Place to Go" and "You Never Can Tell," later memorialized in the film “Pulp Fiction”.
    1962 - New York Giants’ quarterback Y.A. Tittle completes 27 of 39 passes for 505 yards and a record-tying seven touchdown passes in the Giants' 49-34 victory over Washington at Yankee Stadium.
    1962 - Withdrawal of Soviet missiles, under UN inspection, and a halt to construction of bases in Cuba, was agreed to by Premier Krushchev. Pres. Kennedy agreed to lift the trade and weapons ban when the UN had acted, and pledged that the U.S. would not invade Cuba.
    1964 - Marietta Peabody Tree was sworn in to the Trusteeship Council of the United Nations, becoming the first female United Nations permanent ambassador. She had served since 1961 as a United Nations delegate.
    1965 - The Gateway Arch (630ft/192m high), St. Louis, Missouri, was completed. Construction had begun Feb 29, 1964.
    1965 - The Supremes record "My World Is Empty Without You"
    1965 - Pope Paul VI decrees that Jews are absolved of blame for the crucifixion of Christ.
    1967 - Actress/producer Julia Roberts birthday, born Smyrna, GA.
    1967 - Diana Ross and The Supremes' "Greatest Hits" started a five week run at #1 on the US album chart. Although original member Florence Ballard is pictured on the cover and sings on all the tracks, by the time the L.P. was released, she had been fired from the group and replaced by Cindy Birdsong.
    1968 - Top Hits
“Hey Jude” - The Beatles
“Little Green Apples” - O.C. Smith
“Those Were the Days” - Mary Hopkin
“Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” - Eddy Arnold
    1969 - Charges that an illegal war in Laos was being conducted without congressional knowledge or consent were leveled against President Richard Nixon, the administration and the Pentagon by Senator J. William Fulbright, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
    1970 - Sky marshals were appointed in accordance with President Richard M. Nixon's presidential directive to deal with the proliferation of hijackings of commercial airplanes. The Treasury Law Enforcement Officers Training School graduated 46 marshals on December 23, 1970, and 81 marshals, including four women, on April 9, 1971.
    1971 - A severe early season blizzard raged through the plateau and Rocky Mountain region. Heavy snows blocked railroads and interstate highways. Record cold accompanied the storm. Lander, WY was buried under 27 inches of snow and the temperature at Big Piney, WY plunged to 15 degrees below zero
    1972 - Birthday of football player Terrell Davis, San Diego, CA.
    1972 - The United States Council for World Affairs announces that it is adopting "Join Together" by The Who as its official theme.
    1973 – Secretariat, the colt many considered the greatest thoroughbred race of all time, concluded his career with a victory in the Canadian International Championships at Woodbine Race Course. His jockey on this occasion was Eddie Maple, substituting for the suspended Ron Turcotte.
    1974 - Rhoda Morgenstern made TV history as she married Joe Girard on "Rhoda" on CBS. The show was a spin-off from the hugely successful "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".
    1976 - Top Hits
“If You Leave Me Now” - Chicago
“Still the One” - Orleans
“Rock'n Me” - Steve Miller
“You and Me” - Tammy Wynette
    1977 - Steve Perry makes his first concert appearance with Journey at the Old Waldorf in San Francisco. He would lead them to 17 Billboard Top 40 entries over the next ten years.
    1978 - Nick Gilder's "Hot Child in the City" was the number one single on the "Billboard Hot 100". The hit was a track from Gilder's "City Nights" album.
    1978 – The great Boston Bruins defenseman, Bobby Orr, scored his last goal, against the Detroit Red Wings.
    1980 - Annette Funicello, Cubby O'Brien, Tommy Cole, Sherry Alberoni and Jimmie Dodd joined other Mouseketeers wearing black ears and white shirts on a sound stage in Burbank, CA. They were celebrating the 25th anniversary of the "Mickey Mouse Club". While we're celebrating the "Mickey Mouse Club", do you remember the five special events each week? There was Fun with Music Day on Monday, Guest Star Day on Tuesday, Anything Can Happen Day on Wednesday, Circus Day on Thursday and Talent Roundup Day on Friday. “Y? Because we LIKE you!….M-O-U-S-E-E-E-E”
    1980 – During one of the presidential debates with President Jimmy Carter, Candidate Ronald Reagan asked America, “are you better off now than you were four years ago?"
    1981 - Game 6 of the World Series saw the Los Angeles Dodgers storm back, winning their fourth straight game (9-2), and the championship, after having been down two games to none to the New York Yankees. Rookie pitcher Fernando Valenzuela started the Dodger comeback, and batters Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, Steve Garvey, and Steve Yeager took them the rest of the way. There had been genuine concern that snow might interfere with the Fall Classic since it was being played so late in the season in New York City. And we worry about that every year that there's a World Series game in a northern city. Yankees reliever George Frazier is the loser in three games.
    1981 - Edward M McIntrye elected first black mayor of Augusta, Georgia.
    1984 - Top Hits
“I Just Called to Say I Love You” - Stevie Wonder
“Caribbean Queen (No More Love on the Run)” - Billy Ocean
“Hard Habit to Break” - Chicago
“If You're Gonna Play in Texas (You Gotta Have a Fiddle in the Band)”
  - Alabama
    1986 - In the Neiman-Marcus catalogue, the store offered, as a unique holiday gift, a 100-year subscription to "The Wall Street Journal" -- for just $6,000. That was a $5,400 saving over the regular 100-year rate!
    1988 - Arctic cold invaded the north central U.S. Valentine, NE, dipped to 8 degrees, and Cutbank, MT, reported a morning low of one degree above zero. The temperature at Estes Park, CO dipped to 15 degrees, but then soared thirty degrees in less than thirty minutes.
    1989 - The Oakland Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 9-6 to complete a four-game sweep of the World Series, the first World Series sweep since 1976. The A's scored first in every game and never lost the lead once. Oakland pitcher Dave Stewart pitched two games, won two games, struck out fourteen hitters in sixteen innings, had an earned run average of 1.69 and was named MVP. The Series will be remembered not only for the A's dominance, but also for the earthquake before game three that killed sixty-seven people in the San Francisco Bay area.
    1989 - A storm crossing the western U.S. produced 10 to 20 inches of snow across northern and central Wyoming, with 22 inches reported at Burgess Junction. Seven cities in the Lower Ohio Valley and the Upper Great Lakes Region reported record high temperatures for the date as readings again warmed into the 70s. Alpena, MI reported a record high of 75 degrees.
    1991 - Yakima, WA recorded 2.4 inches of snow, equaling the record for October.
    1995 - Atlanta Braves right fielder David Justice broke a scoreless tie with the Cleveland Indians. It was a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth in Game 6 of the World Series, and it was all the Braves would need. Pitcher/Series MVP Tom Glavine allowed just one hit in eight innings, and Mark Wohlers pitched a perfect ninth to seal the championship, the first in Atlanta's history as they beat the Cleveland Indians 4 games to 2.
    1996 - Newspapers reported that Egghead, Inc. had started delivering software via the Internet directly to customers' computers, a major innovation at the time. The move made Egghead the first major software retailer to deliver programs over the Internet. Egghead closed about half its retail stores in 1996, and in 1998, the company closed all its bricks-and-mortar stores and moved its entire sales operation to the Web.
    1997 - The NBA hired five new referees for the 1997-98 season, including the first two women ever, Dee Kanter and Violet Palmer. Both had extensive experience working women's college games and both worked exhibition games as a trial. Palmer got her first regular season assignment on October 31 in Vancouver. Kantner worked her first game on November 5, Philadelphia.
    1999 - During a performance in Dallas, Kenny Rogers throws a Frisbee that hits a chandelier; a man in the audience later sues, claiming that broken glass from the chandelier left his face scarred, which ruined his sex life.
    2002 - The Mets, after being unable to get permission to talk to Lou Piniella from Seattle and deciding not to wait ten days after World Series for the availability of Giants’ skipper Dusty Baker, give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. New York's new skipper managed the A's to two AL West titles (2000, 2002) championships with his teams, winning 383 games during the last four seasons that matched Joe Torre's Yankee total.
    2003 – “Tonight's The Night”, a musical play written around the hits of Rod Stewart, opens in London's West End.
    2005 - Vice President Dick Cheney's top adviser, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, resigned after he was indicted on charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements in the CIA leak investigation involving Valerie Plame. Libby was convicted and sentenced to 30 months in prison. President George W. Bush commuted his sentence.
     2007 - During the middle of Game 4 of the World Series between the Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies, S.I. com reports Alex Rodriguez has decided to opt out of his contract with the Yankees. The timing of the announcement and being a no-show at the game to receive the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the most outstanding offensive performer in each league, is severely criticized by fans and the media. Oh, by the way, the Red Sox swept the Rocks.
    2011 - The St. Louis Cardinals won the 11th World Series title of their history, second-most in Major League history, by defeating the Texas Rangers, 6-2, in Game 7.
    2012 – The San Francisco Giant swept the Detroit Tigers in the World Series as Pablo Sandoval takes MVP honors. It is the second Giants’ World Series win in three years. It is also the seventh for the franchise as the New York Giants won five.
    2012 - The U.S. East Coast prepared for Hurricane Sandy, which caused damage throughout the Caribbean and resulted in 67 deaths. The second worst in history, Sandy is responsible, so far, for $75 billion in damage and there are still millions outstanding in unresolved claims. After weakening somewhat on Oct 27, she turned northwesterly and viciously slammed the coasts of New Jersey and New York City. Sandy affected 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine and west to Michigan and Wisconsin.
    2013 - Michael Jackson's personal physician, Dr. Conrad Murray, is released from prison, two years after being convicted of involuntary manslaughter
    2014 - Pahoa, a town of about 1,000 people on Hawaii's Big Island, evacuated due to a stream of lava flowing at 20 yards per hour from the Kilauea volcano.

World Series Champions
    1981 - Los Angeles Dodgers
    1989 - Oakland Athletics
    1995 - Atlanta Braves
    2011 – St. Louis Cardinals
    2012 – San Francisco Giants

The object is to insert the numbers in the boxes to satisfy only one condition: each row, column and 3x3 box must contain the digits 1 through 9 exactly once. What could be simpler?

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