Paul Torres joins the Leasing News Advisory Board

 

“I first met Paul when he was the credit manager for Warren Capital, Novato, California, “ Christopher “Kit” Menkin, editor and publisher of Leasing News, Inc., said. “When his name came up to fill a recent vacancy on our board, it was a unanimous first vote decision.”

 

Paul is a native of Fullerton, Southern California. He graduated in 1988 from Fullerton State University w/ a BA in Finance. After graduation, he worked for Ford and Toyota Credit in various servicing functions.

 

“One of the smartest things I've done was to move to the Bay Area in the

middle of the 1990 recession without any job prospects but a desire to get

out of consumer finance, “ he said with a chuckle in his voice. “ One of the dumbest things I've done is to move without a job offer in hand.

 

“I took a job at local electrical parts wholesaler and worked in their

business credit department, “he continued. “ When this company ceased operations, one of their funding sources, Warren Capital of Novato, CA gave me a job in portfolio management.

 

“ I learned leasing credit and collection concepts from Jeff Allard ( I also learned a lot from Doug Hatch, brokering deals to Bank of the West.) ..... I learned how to solve problems and finesse a business situation from Clay Stephens. Both men are a lot of fun to work with and were willing to help me learn as long as I kept up asking new questions.

 

“After 8 years with Warren Capital Company, I became the West Coast Director for First Bank of Oak Park, Ill. I was responsible for bringing in brokers and packaging their customer's equipment needs request.

 

“A little later, A great opportunity happened when Jeff Allard became Chief Operating Officer of Bay View Commercial Leasing , part of Bay View Bank. He brought me in as area vice-president to handle all business under $200k; from market development, underwriting, to administration.

 

“Our small group in a short period of time put up very good profitable volume and

generated a lot of good will in the broker /lessor communities.

 

“ It was a daily 95 mile round trip --- but I enjoyed the control and success we had, “ Paul said. “ Unfortunately, our parent bank company bought FMAC and subsequently

liquidated profitable operations in an attempt to stave off insolvency.

 

“ In the last few years, I worked for Trinity Capital of San Francisco, a

company founded by Jim and Donna Halow and recently merged with Bank of the

West. I recently was laid off.

 

“After hours at home, I play rhythm guitar, piano and bass. I have been

playing music for 25 years. Songs by Hoagy Carmichael, Rodgers Hart

Hammerstein, Ray Noble, McCartney and Declan McManus tunes are among my

favorites. I enjoy jamming with other musicians as long as they can read

music and can call out a few tunes of their own.

 

“I have been married for 7 years to the same woman (Laura.)

 

“Take care and we pray for your son and all of our troops.”