New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

David Ellis was hired as Officer, Black Feather Funding, San Antonio, Texas, where he is also located. Previously, he was GemCap Solutions (May, 2021 - March, 2025); Board Member, Board of Directors at Tag-it Pacific, Inc. (2016 - March, 2025);  Co- President, GemCap (June, 2008 - 2010); Principal, President, Buxbaum Group (August, 1984 - October, 2006). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellisdavid/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellisdavid/ 

Jesse Nathanson was hired as Senior Account Executive, CapFront, New York, New York. He is located in St. Petersburg, Florida. Previously, he was Senior Funding Manager, Kapitus (March, 2022 - December, 2024).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-nathanson/

Stan Walker was hired as President,  Citizens Asset Finance, Columbus, Ohio. He is located in Westerville, Ohio. He joined Citizens as Managing Director (March, 2018 - March, 2025). Previously, he was Managing Director, National Sales Manager, Chase (August, 2003 - December, 2017); VP, Equipment Finance Originations, PNC Leasing, LLC (2000 - 2003) Direct Sales Executive, The Vaughn Group (1998 - 2000); VP, Sales, Bank of America Leasing and Capital
fka NationsBanc Leasing (1993 - 1998). https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-walker/

Joseph Weaver was hired as Finance Manager, HIL Financial, He is located in Seattle, Washington. He was a Derivatives Trader (July 2011 – Present). He joins Partners Capital Group February, 2019, as Senior National Account Executive, promoted Vice President of Sales (September, 2021 - August, 2022); Financial Advisor, Waddell & Reed (July, 2013 - December, 2017).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-weaver-86219017b

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Seek Out New Opportunities
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

The commercial equipment finance and leasing industry is delivering results for businesses throughout the U.S. economy. Organizations and professionals have embraced change and are well-positioned to provide superior services for well-deserving clients. Risk and reward matrices have normalized and transactions are being properly priced based upon prevailing market forces. Professionals at every level are focused on contributing to bottom-line results and building portfolios with the highest quality assets. Many veterans perceive normalization as a return to the basics of commercial equipment financing and leasing. However, in many ways, the industry is in the initial stages of preparing for the next influential industry advancement.

Silos are being eradicated as professionals are discovering the need to fully understand all aspects of the business. Credit professionals fully understand sales; sales professionals fully understand the credit process; and strong management teams are disseminating the facts about how bottom-line profitability is maximized within their organizations. Internal collaboration among the strongest professionals is creating world-class organizations which are leading the industry. Efficiencies are being gained through automation. However, automation must be matched with having the right professionals who are able to use automation effectively.

The industry will be significantly different in the next five years. Companies will need to have well-trained and empowered industry experts to satisfy the "real-time" needs of both vendors and end-users. AI and automation will not replace the human aspects of the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry  but it will require highly skilled professionals to complement the fast-track, multi-dimensional evolution of the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry. These are truly exciting times to participate in the commercial markets knowing that financing and leasing products will serve as the conduit for the entire U.S. economy to adopt AI and enhance overall productivity.

I am advising clients to be agents of change and to seek out new opportunities developing in the market. Strong industry participants are using the lessons learned over the past few years to position their companies and their careers for future success and controlled growth.

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161

Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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

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CLFP Foundation Adds 14 New CLFPs
With Photo's

The Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation is pleased to announce that 14 individuals who recently sat through the online proctored CLFP Exam, have passed.  They are:

Fahima Ahadi, CLFP – VP, Contract Manager,
Key Equipment Finance

Avery Cantrell, CLFP Associate – Business
Development Manager, Trans Lease Inc.

Cathy Clair, CLFP – Vendor Experience
Representative, Financial Pacific Leasing, Inc.

Tanner Deeds, CLFP – Equipment Finance Officer,
Key Equipment Finance

Kenneth Elliott, CLFP – Vice President,
Business Development Officer – Healthcare,
Wintrust Specialty Finance

Stephanie Griffin, CLFP – AVP: Accountant
Equipment Finance Controllership,
First Citizens Bank Equipment Finance

Shannon Harames, CLFP – VP, Power & Utilities,
First American Equipment Finance

Matthew Kleberger, CLFP – Credit Analyst II,
Trans Lease Inc.

Grant Kneisel, CLFP Associate – Sales
Associate, Crossroads Equipment Lease & Finance LLC

Jason Mitchell, CLFP – National Sales
Manager, Trans Lease Inc.

Emily Roberts, CLFP – Director of Deal
Financial
Strategy, Impact Networking, LLC

Lucas Trujillo, CLFP – Senior Associate –
Capital Markets & Large Corporate,
Key Equipment Finance

Jake Wenzel, CLFP Associate – Assistant
Vice President – Program Management,
First American Equipment Finance

Brett Williams, CLFP – Assistant
Vice President III,
First American Equipment Finance

Brett Williams shares, “I chose to pursue the CLFP designation to level up my career in the equipment finance industry. This CLFP Foundation and Exam gave me great insight into the history of how it all started, as well as how I can apply the processes and procedures to the activities in my daily role. I am now able to have educated conversations around the risks and benefits of leasing.”

Cathy Clair comments, “I have been in the Equipment Finance/Leasing industry for over 30 years and have worked in different areas during this time,” says. “Several years ago, I decided I wanted to pursue the CLFP designation because this was the gold standard of the industry. Encouragement came from my family and from coworkers who also hold this esteemed designation. I depended a great deal on past and present colleagues for their knowledge in specific areas of expertise.

“ It took a lot of demanding work and studying and it was not easy. I achieved success Monday, January 13, 2025! It was one of the best professional days I have ever had. I am confident that the CLFP designation will inspire me to continue to learn and expand my finance and leasing knowledge and to better serve my internal and external customers.”

The CLFP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers, and peers in the commercial equipment finance industry. There are Certified Lease & Finance Professionals and Associates located throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, India, Pakistan, Africa, and Australia.

 For more information, visit : https://clfpfoundation.org

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Balboa Capital Available Position
Program Manager II- Equipment Broker Sales

Work Hard
The Ultimate Hire by Ken Lubin, ZRG Partner

Where has the notion gone that hard work is no longer necessary?  Have we created a society that has minimized hard work? Have we created a society of entitlement?

Recently, I have witnessed multiple generations of people that think everything should be handed to them: from 14 year olds to 50 year olds, I don’t get it!  Mediocrity is a disease that stems from the lack of hard work. Where has the notion gone that we don't have to work hard?

Work when your competition is sleeping, work when others are partying, and work towards your goals! (Assuming you have some, if not get some)

If you want to be great, you have to work harder, learn more, and be willing to delay instant gratification; that is what makes the great ones great!  Work your ass off and be the best you can be, don’t stand for status quo! Be the 1% who does, versus the 99% who don’t!

Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin

"What is the Ultimate Hire? The Ultimate Hire is the professional that every business, team or leader needs in their organization. This is the high performance individual that always rises to the top, brings the team to the next level and can significantly add to the bottom line. The Ultimate Hire is the person that you can't afford to be without. Finding, Attracting, Hiring and Retaining these professionals is critical to the success of your business. We have identified these traits and can help you find these top professionals."

The Ultimate Hire Collection:
http://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/ultimate.html

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February Commercial Chapter 11s Decrease 42 Percent

NEW YORK/ALEXANDRIA – March 4, 2025 — Commercial chapter 11 bankruptcy filings decreased 42 percent in February 2025, with the 481 filings declining from the 826 filings in February 2024, according to data provided by Epiq AACER, the leading provider of U.S. bankruptcy filing data. Last February’s commercial chapter 11 total was elevated by the related filings of two sizeable commercial chapter 11 proceedings. Additionally, there was one less business day in February 2025 compared to last year due to the leap year taking place in 2024.

Total February commercial filings decreased 16 percent to 2,152 from the 2,576 commercial filings in February 2024. Small business filings, captured as subchapter V elections within chapter 11, declined 12 percent in February 2025 to 176, down from 201 the previous year. 

“The overall filing volume trend waned in February, primarily due to fewer filing days and a typical trend of filings after tax return season,” said Michael Hunter, Vice President of Epiq AACER. “The availability and increased utilization of home equity has enabled homeowners to leverage that value to temporarily offset higher living costs. I expect a continued trend of increased filings through the spring and summer months primarily due to continued increases in living costs, debt accumulation, relatively flat household income growth, and influences related to regulatory change.”

Total bankruptcy filings were 40,260 in February 2025, a 3 percent increase from the February 2024 total of 39,034. Individual bankruptcy filings increased 5 percent in February to 38,108, up from the February 2024 individual filing total of 36,458. There were 22,899 individual chapter 7 filings in February 2025, an 8 percent increase over the 21,151 filings recorded in February 2024. Conversely, there were 15,128 individual chapter 13 filings in February 2025, a 1 percent decrease from the 15,247 filings last February. 

“Inflation, elevated interest rates, tighter lending terms and geopolitical tensions are creating more challenges for distressed consumers and businesses looking to alleviate their growing debt loads,” said ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss. “Bankruptcy provides an established process for struggling households and businesses looking to access a financial fresh start.”

ABI has partnered with Epiq Bankruptcy to provide the most current bankruptcy filing data for analysts, researchers, and members of the news media. Epiq Bankruptcy is the leading provider of data, technology, and services for companies operating in the business of bankruptcy. Its Bankruptcy Analytics subscription service provides on-demand access to the industry’s most dynamic bankruptcy data, updated daily. Learn more at https://bankruptcy.epiqglobal.com/analytics.

About Epiq
Epiq is a leading legal and compliance services platform integrating people, process, and technology. Through this combination of innovative technology, legal and business expertise, and comprehensive solutions, Epiq drives efficiency in large-scale and increasingly complex tasks. High-performing clients around the world rely on Epiq to streamline the administration of business, settlement administration, legal, and compliance operations to solve immediate challenges and provide scalable ongoing support to transform the enterprise. Learn more at www.epiqglobal.com. 

About ABI 
ABI is the largest multi-disciplinary, nonpartisan organization dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. ABI was founded in 1982 to provide Congress and the public with unbiased analysis of bankruptcy issues. The ABI membership includes nearly 10,000 attorneys, accountants, bankers, judges, professors, lenders, turnaround specialists and other bankruptcy professionals, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information. For additional information on ABI, visit www.abi.org. For additional conference information, visit https://www.abi.org/calendar-of-events.

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New Trump Tariffs Expected to Push up Inflation

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Free AACFB Webinar - Thursday, March 6
How to Survive a Down Market
in Commercial Finance
John Boettigheimer, Bud Callahan, CLFP,
Spencer  Robert, CLFPP, Christine Vaughn, CLFP

News Briefs

Is It Time to Transfer Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine?
    Calls Grow Louder
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/business/russia-assets-ukraine-trump.html

Mexico Gave Trump Much of What He Wanted.
    It Didn’t Fend Off Tariffs
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/04/us/politics/mexico-trump-tariffs-security-drug-cartels-fentanyl.html

Minnesota’s stakes are high in tariff escalation
  State’s export economy, a key economic engine,
    faces peril from president’s policy
https://www.startribune.com/minnesotas-stakes-are-high-in-tariff-escalation/601230455

BlackRock strikes deal to bring ports on both
    sides of Panama Canal under American control
https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-panama-canal-beijing-hutchison-blackrock-rubio-d02a8439cc63d9e740e5154d4e0c56f6

The IRS is drafting plans to cut as much as half
    of its 90,000-person workforce, AP sources say
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/03/04/nation/trump-presidency-live-updates/?p1=BGLiveUpdates_Link#the_irs_is_drafting_plans_to_cut

Winter storm causes widespread power outages in Texas   
   and may bring blizzard conditions to central U.S.,
    elevate wildfire risk in southern states
https://www.yahoo.com/news/winter-storm-causes-widespread-power-outages-in-texas-and-may-bring-blizzard-conditions-to-central-us-elevate-wildfire-risk-in-southern-states-191545987.html

Cybercrime crew stole then resold hundreds of tickets
    to Swift concerts, prosecutors say
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/trending/cybercrime-crew-stole-then-resold-hundreds-of-tickets-to-taylor-swift-conce

Ukraine is deeply reliant on American military support in its fight against Russia. Yet Donald Trump seems ready to cut that off after his blow-up at Volodymyr Zelensky. We assess the damage that will do to Ukraine’s supply of weapons; the Starlink system that enables military communications; and, perhaps most critically, intelligence sharing.

We also consider what the Pentagon’s shifting priorities mean for how it allocates its $900bn budget. Pete Hegseth, Mr. Trump’s defense secretary, wants to move resources away from Europe and towards the Pacific.

Kennett Werner
US news editor

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Chesswood Group
Motion Record of the Monitor (Approval and Reverse Vesting Order and Stay Extension Order)
202  pages
http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/chesswood/docs/Motion%20Record%20-%20Monitor%20-%20FTI%20Consulting%20Canada%20Inc.%20-%2028-FEB-2025.pdf

Chesswood Group Limited - Motion Materials
-FTI Consulting
http://cfcanada.fticonsulting.com/chesswood/motions.htm

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Sports Briefs---

49ers legend's son reportedly could help team
replace Deebo Samuel
https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/49ers-legend-son-replace-deebo-samuel-20199966.php

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California News Briefs---

Gavin Newsom orders California state workers back
    to offices in person four days a week
https://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/the-state-worker/article301353839.html#campaignName=sacramento_breaking_newsletter

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

Domaine Carneros is Making Earth-Friendly Impacts
    through Upgrades to Its Solar Tech
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/298968

Monitoring and Building Soil Health in California Vineyards
https://grapeandwinemag.com/2025/02/28/monitoring-and-building-soil-health

Weather and Climate Summary and Forecast
March 2025 Report
https://www.abacela.com/Reports