New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Roz Ostler, ASA was promoted to SVP, Head of Asset Management, Peapack Capital, a subsidiary of Peapack Bank & Trust, working remote. She is located in Little Falls, New York. She joined Peapack in June 2023 as VP, Head of Asset Management. Previously: Asset Management Officer, Signature Financial (March 2022 – June 2023); Assistant Vice President, Asset Management, Crestmark, a division of MetaBank (October 2017 – March 2022).
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/roz-ostler-asa-43997411b/

James (Jamie) Ranieri was hired as Head of Asset Management at Northstar Leasing, a Division of Peoples Bank (April 2026 – Present). Previously he was at Citi (Sept 2022 – Dec 2025), CIT Equipment Finance (Oct 2008 – Sep 2010).

Becca Sandstrom started a new role as Business Development Manager at AP Equipment Financing. Previously worked at TEC Equipment: June 2012 – April 2026

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Attracting Talent in Equipment Finance
By Ken Lubin, Managing Director, ZRG Partners

Why executive recruiting in leasing and specialty lending has never been harder — or more consequential.

The equipment finance and specialty lending industries are entering one of the most difficult leadership hiring environments in a generation. A shrinking executive talent pool, rapid technology change, and rising expectations from boards and PE sponsors are converging at once.

The fundamentals of the industry are strong — the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation projects continued expansion through 2026, with AI-driven capital investment delivering a real tailwind. But strong deal flow only sharpens the demand for proven leadership.

The bench of executives who genuinely understand both traditional asset finance and modern technology transformation is thinner than most organizations want to admit. Manpower Group's 2026 Global Talent Shortage Survey found 72% of employers globally reporting difficulty filling roles — and in a market as specialized as ours, that number lands harder.

What Companies Are Getting Wrong
The most common mistake is searching too narrowly. Insisting on direct equipment finance experience limits the field considerably. Strong executives from adjacent markets — transportation finance, healthcare lending, SBA — bring transferable skills. The vocabulary can be learned.

The second mistake is confusing activity with search. Posting a role and reviewing resumes is screening, not search. The best candidates in this market are not on job boards. They are performing well somewhere else and need to be found, cultivated, and convinced.

The third is moving too slowly. Top executives are cautious, not desperate. A four-month process with six interview rounds and a below-market offer loses searches that should be won.

What the Market Now Demands
Today's boards want leaders who can operate across functions, drive technology adoption, and make decisive calls under uncertainty — not just manage within a lane. Technology fluency has moved to required from preferred. Embedded finance, AI-driven underwriting, and API-based dealer integrations are table stakes. Executives who cannot credibly lead those capabilities are a liability.

Compensation has moved accordingly. Base salaries are up across credit, originations, and technology leadership. Equity structures once confined to PE-backed environments are appearing more broadly. And candidates are asking about flexibility early — not as a demand, but as a signal of organizational sophistication.

The roles seeing the most sustained demand: Chief Credit Officer, Chief Revenue Officer, CFO with capital markets depth, and Chief Technology/Digital Officer — the last being among the hardest searches in the industry today.

Companies that treat executive recruiting as a strategic capability — building relationships before seats open, moving with discipline, and supporting leaders through transitions — will have a durable edge. Those that treat it as an administrative exercise will keep learning the same expensive lesson.

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Major Finance/Leasing Associations Conferences

Edward Castagna, CEO, InPlace Auction will be covering the September 15–16 Brokers Expo, New York City.

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

Whether you’re coming for the education, networking, or to strengthen existing relationships, staying at the conference hotel enhances the full AACFB experience.

Plus - the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista is just steps away from the Disney Springs entertainment district and offers free shuttles to all four Disney Theme Parks! 
Room Rate: $219 per night plus a $25 resort fee 
Cut-off Date: April 20, 2026 
Resort Fee Includes:

• Guestroom high speed wireless internet access
• Shuttle transportation to/from Disney World Theme Parks
• DVDNow movie rentals
• Two (2) bottled waters daily
• $5.00 discount on one attraction ticket from concierge desk
• 50% off golf rentals at Disney Golf Courses

 Reserve your room today and check one more thing off your conference to-do list. 

Leasing News coverage by Vicki Shimkus, CLFP, Leasing News Advisory Board, Finance, Brokers Relationship Manager, Ameris Bank Equipment

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June 1
DeBanked Broker Fair
Returns to NYC June 1, 2026, after 1,100 Turn-Out in Miami
https://debanked.com/2026/03/broker-fair-returns-to-new-york-city-june-1-2026/

Don Cosenza, CLFP,  Senior Vice President, Maxim  Commercial Capital, will cover the conference for Leasing News readers

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September 15th - 16th
Brokers Expo, New York City
https://thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com/ny/

Edward Castagna, CEO, InPlace Auction will be covering the Brokers Expo

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September 28—30, NEFA Fall Conference
Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park
https://www.nefassociation.org/event/2026-fall-conference/

Don Cosenza, CLFP, Senior Vice President, Maxim Commercial Capital, will cover the conference for Leasing News readers

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October 21-23, AACFB Commercial Financing Expo
Hilton Irvine, Irvine, California
https://community.aacfb.org/events/event-description?CalendarEventKey=068b9817-3c58-4aaf-b21d-01999b13a2e4&Home=%2fevents%2fcalendar

Don Cosenza, CLFP, Senior Vice President, Maxim Commercial Capital, will cover the conference for Leasing News readers

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October 25—27, ELFA Annual Conference
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, Palm Desert, CA
Online Scheduling Coming

Randy Haug, LTi Technology Solutions, Leasing News Person of the Year 2024, will cover for Leasing News Readers

Help Wanted Ad
    Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

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Equipment Finance Industry Confidence Dips Again
Amid Iran War Concerns

The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA) today released its April 2026 Monthly Confidence Index for the Equipment Finance Industry (MCI), revealing confidence in the equipment finance market is 54.6, a decrease from 61.0 in March, and the lowest level since May 2025 in the wake of the Trump administration’s announcement of universal tariffs. Comments from some MCI survey respondents indicate the impact of the war in Iran on their outlook. The index provides a qualitative assessment from key executives in the $1.3 trillion equipment finance industry. 

April 2026 Survey Results:

• Business Conditions –When assessing the next four months, 11.8%% of responding executives believe business conditions will improve, down from 29.2% in March. Those who believe business conditions will remain the same increased to 58.8% from 54.2% the previous month. The percentage of executives who believe business conditions will worsen increased to 29.4% from 16.7% in March.
• Capex Demand – For the next four months, 10.5% of the survey respondents believe demand for leases and loans to fund capital expenditures (capex) will increase (down from 37.5% in March). Additionally, 68.4% expect demand to remain the same (up from 50% last month), and 21.1% believe demand will decline (up from 12.5% in March).  
• Access to Capital – Over the next four months, 31.6% of respondents expect greater access to capital to fund equipment acquisitions, an increase from 25% in March. The majority (63.2%) anticipate the “same” access to capital to fund business, a decrease from 70.8% the previous month. Those expecting “less” access to capital increased to 5.3%, up from 4.2% in March.
• Employment –Regarding employment over the next four months, 42.1% of executives expect to hire more employees, an increase from 37.5% in March. Also, 52.6% foresee no change in headcount (down from 58.3% last month), and 5.3% expect to hire fewer employees, up from 4.2% in March.
• U.S. Economy – Of the respondents, none evaluate the current U.S. economy as “excellent,” unchanged from March; 94.4% assess it as “fair,” down from 100% last month; and 5.6% evaluate it as “poor,” up from none in March.
• Economic Outlook –Over the next six months, 15.8% of respondents believe that U.S. economic conditions will “get better,” a decrease from 20.8% in March. Another 47.4% expect the U.S. economy to “stay the same,” down from 54.2% last month; and 36.8% believe economic conditions will worsen, an increase from 25% in March.
• Business Development Spending – Over the next six months, 47.4% of respondents believe their company will increase spending on business development activities, a decrease from 50% in March. Those who believe there will be “no change” in business development spending increased to 52.6% (from 50% in March), and none believe there will be a decrease in spending, unchanged from last month. 

April 2026 MCI-EFI Survey Comments from Industry Executive Leadership:

Bank, Small Ticket

“The year has started off with a strong first quarter of originations and growth of the portfolio. We are optimistic of the opportunities that we will find strategy to execute on, but we are paying strong attention to portfolio performance and increasing bankruptcies to date in 2026.”
- David Normandin, CLFP, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wintrust Specialty Finance

Captive, Small Ticket

“I remain optimistic about the near-term outlook for the equipment finance industry and the broader economy. Continued investment in productivity and modernization is creating favorable conditions for growth.”
- Jim DeFrank, EVP and Chief Operating Officer, Isuzu Finance of America, Inc.

Independent, Middle Ticket

“War in Iran has begun a global economic recessionary movement as many eastern nations lack access to oil and natural gas, which are major components to many sectors in their economies and cannot be readily replaced. Expect international markets to slide first, then contagion to U.S. markets.”
- Jeffry Elliott, CLFP, CEO, Elevex Capital

Independent, Small Ticket

“The war in Iran is causing economic challenges for some people and businesses. The sooner it is over, the better.”
- James D. Jenks, CEO, Global Finance and Leasing Services, LLC

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ECS Financial’s Principal Shari L. Lipski, CLFP,
Receives NEFA Significant Contribution Award

Northbrook, IL, April 6, 2026 — The National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) has named Shari L. Lipski, CLFP, Principal at ECS Financial Services, Inc., as the recipient of its NEFA Significant Contribution Award—recognizing a career defined by leadership, service, and a lasting impact on the equipment finance and leasing industry. The award was presented during the 2026 NEFA Spring Conference, held March 30–April 1 in Huntington Beach.

In presenting the honor, NEFA President Kim King, CLFP, Senior Account Manager at Odessa, highlighted Lipski’s unwavering commitment to the association and her role in shaping one of its most impactful initiatives—Women in Leasing. “That kind of growth doesn’t just happen—it happens because of people like her, who consistently bring others together and create space for leadership to flourish,” said King during the conference. “She’s been a driving force in bringing women together, creating space for support, and empowering others to step forward and lead.”

Shari Lipski Recognized for Her Many NEFA Contributions

Over more than a decade, Lipski has been instrumental in transforming the Women in Leasing Luncheon from a small gathering into one of NEFA’s most anticipated and well-attended events, now drawing more than 100 participants. More than just an event, the luncheon has become a meaningful forum for connection, mentorship, and professional growth—helping elevate and support women across the equipment finance industry. 

“Having the opportunity to help women in leasing feel comfortable, seen, and empowered to grow their careers has brought me profound joy, and it’s now time for the next generation to bring fresh ideas and energy so this community continues to thrive,” said Lipski.

Lipski’s influence within NEFA extends far beyond a single initiative. A long-time member and dedicated volunteer leader, she has consistently stepped into roles that strengthen the organization and its community. Her leadership includes serving as Chairperson of the Women in Leasing Committee (2024), Co-Chairperson of the 2019 NEFA Funding Symposium, Chairperson of the 2011 NEFA Finance Summit, and contributing to numerous conference committees over the years. Through each role, she has helped foster collaboration, education, and leadership development across the association.

With more than 36 years of experience in equipment leasing and finance, Lipski is widely respected for her expertise in lease portfolio management, originations, business development, and corporate leadership. Since joining ECS Financial Services in 1999 and becoming a Principal in 2004, she has played a key role in the firm’s growth and client success. Today, she leads business development efforts for the Equipment Lease Portfolio Management Division while supporting strategic initiatives across the firm’s Tax Compliance and Accounting divisions.

ECS Financial Services proudly congratulates Lipski on this well-earned recognition and celebrates her continued contributions to NEFA and the broader equipment finance community.

ABOUT ECS FINANCIAL SERVICES
Founded in 1962, ECS Financial Services has made its mission to provide unparalleled services to clients in the realms of lease portfolio management, back-up servicing, tax compliance and preparation, lease accounting, audit, tax, and many others.

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The Women in Leasing Luncheon at NEFA this past week was a great reminder of how many talented women are in this industry, and how lucky we are to have many of them at AFG. Ashley Bradburn, Atalie Daniel & Kayley Leibert.

Proud to be a sponsor of this event, and thank you to the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) for hosting.

News Briefs

Beige book of stats financial reports
https://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/publications/beige-book-default.htm

Netflix chairman and co-founder to
  step down from board in June
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/16/media/netflix-cofounder-reed-hastings-steps-down

Has the Era of the Mega-Layoff Arrived?
https://www.wsj.com/business/has-the-era-of-the-mega-layoff-arrived-928f061d?st=68vayA&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Scammers Are Stealing Recruiters’ Identities to Target Job Seekershttps://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/scammers-are-stealing-recruiters-identities-to-target-job-seekers-7d5b2c96?st=semqan&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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Woodhill Capital, Williamsville, NY
    Charged with $13 Million Ponzi Scheme

Court filing (PDF)

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Sports Briefs

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California News Briefs

San Jose deal underscores Bay Area office market tumble
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/04/16/tech-san-jose-economy-office-property-build-real-estate-develop-jobs/

California’s ongoing drop in public school enrollment
  is steepest in LAUSD and L.A. County
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-04-16/california-school-student-enrollment-drops-hit-lausd-la-county

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Gimme that Wine

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