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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Shane Butler was announced Managing Director,  Originations, Utica Equipment Finance, Wilton, Connecticut. He is located in the New York City Metropolitan Area. Previously, he was Founder and President,  Greenwich Capital Advisory Services, LLC (January, 2024 - Present); Senior Vice President, Atalaya Capital Management, (April, 2023 - December, 2023); Business Development, Northeast Region, Wintrust Commercial Finance (August, 2020 - April, 2023); Director, Originations, Northeast & Mid-Atlantic  (July, 2018 - April, 020).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-butler-3730a69/

Scott Kerner was promoted to VP, Business Development, Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Norwalk, Conneticut. He is located in Brookfield, Connecticut.  Previously, he was Middle Market Team Manager, Vendor, Siemens Financial Services (September, 2021 - July, 2025), starting as Senior Account Executive (July, 2020 - September, 2021); Sakes Keaderm Machine Tool Financing, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (May, 2015 - July, 2020); Business Development Manager, GE Capital, Equipment Finance (January, 2009 - December, 2014); Sales Manager, GE Capital Solutions (January, 2004 - December, 2008). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kerner-481b2244/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-kerner-481b2244/

Cherie Milazzo was hired as Business Development Officer, National Business Capital, She is located in Atlanta, Georgia. Previously, she was Vice President of Sales  Southeast Region, TBS Capital Funding (May, 2021 - April, 2022); Business Development Officer, Amerifactors Finance Group, LLC. (2017- February, 2020). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-milazzo-51985a9/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherie-milazzo-51985a9/

Sara Pease was hired as Vice President of Marketing, Taulia, San Francisco, California. She is located in San Diego, California. Previously, she was Director, Global Partner Marketing, DocuSign (March, 2023 - August, 2025); Chief Marketing Officer, FinLyric (April, 2021 - March, 2023); Director, Growth Marketing Americas and Director, Global Partner Marketing, Kyriba (January, 2018 -
April, 2021). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmpease/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahmpease/

Shari Williams was hired as Chief Risk Officer, Elevex Capital, Westlake, Ohio. Previously, she was Chief Risk Officer (CRO) SLR Equipment Finance, SLR Equipment Finance (October, 2022 - August, 2025); She joined Nexseer Capital January, 2018, as Executive Vice President of Credit and Risk Management, promoted Chief Risk Officer and Head of Capital Markets (March, 2021 - October, 2022); Senior Vice President, Director of Credit and Portfolio Risk, Sumitomo Corporation (October, 2014 - January, 2018); Vice President/ Senior Credit Officer, Emigrant Bank/Emigrand Business Credit (March, 2013 - October, 2014). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharilynnwilliams0327-/details/experiencehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sharilynnwilliams0327-

 

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Winning with Purpose
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

 

Top producers in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry are laying the groundwork for long-term success—2025 and beyond. They’re not just expanding their networks; they’re strategically positioning themselves within the market and building intelligent, interconnected databases that drive meaningful growth.

In every industry, there will be long-term winners and losers. The difference? Winners adapt quickly, connect the dots, and move with purpose.

Strategic Relationships Drive Exponential Growth
For top originators, every new prospect opens the door to multiple opportunities. A single vendor relationship can lead to dozens of new end-user connections—and every end-user knows other vendors who may be ripe for partnership.

This industry offers vast, often untapped paths for business development. But with opportunity comes complexity. Many originators fall into the trap of chasing everything. They become generalists—spread thin, distracted, and ultimately ineffective. Their databases grow cluttered and disconnected, making it difficult to execute with precision.

Top producers take a different approach. They build focused, well-connected databases where vendors and end-users share common attributes—industry verticals, equipment types, geographic regions, credit profiles. They prospect deliberately, aligning every new opportunity with a broader strategic vision.

Contrary to what the naysayers claim, niche focus doesn’t limit growth—it accelerates it. When originators concentrate on a few well-defined segments, they gain traction faster and expand more effectively. They do not wander into new channels—they’re pulled in by the strength of their existing relationships.

They enter new markets with confidence because:

• Their expertise is relevant.
• Their relationships are transferable.
• Their strategy is intentional.

Top producers connect the dots. They don’t chase business—they attract it. And they do so with clarity, discipline, and a plan.

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

Leasing and Finance  Help Wanted
Balboa Capital
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now

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Leasing/Finance/Business Training
to Learn the Industry and Help Place Their Deals

These companies train and instruct on the method, rules,
and sales abilities to both find and close transactions. Several also serve in placing the transaction for the student, who will earn a commission.

All means of learning financing include from business loans, equity loans and equipment and vehicle leasing, as well as finding your niche.

Many will continue with the training approach, learning and placing
transactions, almost like a franchisee. Others will choose to become independent originators, often starting their own super broker company.

Commercial Finance Academy

Global Leasing

Wheeler Leasing School

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Answering the Question "Tell Me About Yourself"
By Ken Lubin, Managing Partner, ZRG Partners

In almost every job interview, you can expect to be asked, "Tell me about yourself." While this question may seem straightforward, it's a golden opportunity to make a strong first impression and set the tone for the rest of the interview: creating a compelling and memorable response that showcases your qualifications, personality, and fit for the position is vital

Start with a Brief Personal Introduction: Begin your response with a concise personal introduction. Mention your name and a brief statement about your background. For example, "I'm [Your Name], and I have a background in [your field or relevant experience]."

Highlight Relevant Professional Experience: Next, focus on your professional journey. Highlight key experiences, achievements, and skills that are relevant to the job you're applying for. Emphasize how your past roles have prepared you for this specific opportunity.

Showcase Your Passion: Express your enthusiasm and passion for the industry or field. Explain why you're drawn to this line of work and what motivates you. Employers appreciate candidates who are genuinely excited about the role.

Connect with the Company: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and its values. Explain why you're interested in working for this organization specifically. Mention any research you've done about the company and how it aligns with your career goals.

Highlight Soft Skills: In addition to technical skills, emphasize your soft skills. Mention qualities like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. Provide brief examples of situations where you've demonstrated these skills.

Keep it Concise: While it's essential to provide enough information to give the interviewer a sense of who you are, avoid making your response too lengthy. Aim to keep your answer under two minutes. You can always expand on specific points later in the interview.

Practice and Rehearse: To ensure you deliver a confident response, practice your answer before the interview. Rehearse with a friend or record yourself to review your delivery. This will help you feel more comfortable and articulate during the actual interview.

Tailor Your Response: Customize your answer for each job interview. Highlight experiences and skills that are most relevant to the specific position you're applying for. This demonstrates that you've done your homework and are genuinely interested in the role.

Be Positive and Professional: Maintain a positive and professional tone throughout your response. Avoid discussing personal matters, negative experiences, or irrelevant details. Focus on what makes you a strong candidate.

End with an Open Invitation: Conclude your response by inviting the interviewer to ask any follow-up questions or for additional information. This keeps the conversation open and engaging.

"Tell me about yourself" may be one of the first questions you encounter in an interview, but it's also one of the most critical. Crafting a thoughtful and compelling response can set you apart from other candidates and leave a lasting impression. By following these tips and tailoring your response to each interview, you'll be well-prepared to navigate this common interview question with confidence and poise.

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

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Urgent Deadlines Approaching
September 10-12,  Austin, Texas
2025 AACFB Commercial Financing Expo

 

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News Briefs

Homeowners Are Doing Small Projects but
     Deferring Big Ones, Home Depot Says
https://www.wsj.com/business/earnings/home-depot-hd-q2-earnings-report-2025-a4f71152?mod=business_lead_pos2

Demand for Rental Housing Drives Unexpected Jump
    in Building
https://www.wsj.com/economy/housing/housing-starts-climbed-unexpectedly-in-july-733fe08e?mod=economy_lead_story

US drinking drops to new low, poll finds
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/drinking-less-us/

The Fed Chair Doesn’t Set Rates by Himself.
Here Are the Other Voting Members.
https://www.wsj.com/economy/central-banking/federal-reserve-voting-members-d3fbda07?mod=economy_lead_pos5

Trump just put an extra tariff on hundreds of common    
items, from deodorant to butter knives
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/19/trump-just-put-an-extra-tariff-on-hundreds-of-common-items-from-deodorant-to-butter-knives/

Boston will not back down’: Wu blasts Trump   
  administration after Bondi’s latest demands on
     immigration enforcement
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/19/metro/boston-mayor-wu-responds-to-bondi/

America’s 10 Most Expensive ZIP Codes
Revealed—From Miami to Malibu
https://www.realtor.com/news/trends/americas-most-expensive-zip-codes-2025/

Senior Loan Officer Opinion Survey
   on Bank Lending Practices
https://www.federalreserve.gov/data/sloos/sloos-202507.htm?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Time is running out: Small businesses and households
are burning through what’s left of their cash
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2020/05/14/federal-reserve-census-data-coronavirus-survey/

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"Clear the Shelters"'
https://www.cleartheshelters.com/

Restaurant attendance takes a dive in DC after
Trump’s police actions
https://thehill.com/business/5457001-trump-dc-crime-crackdown

Restaurant reservations rally as DC Summer Restaurant Week kicks off

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Sports Briefs---

The Boston Celtics have a new owner. The drive to add
more NBA championships won't change
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/sports/boston-celtics-sale-is-done-bill-chisholm-takes-over-as-owner-of-nbas-mos/

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California News Briefs---

 

[headlines]
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Gimme that Wine

 

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

Midnight harvest yields 20 tons of Sauvignon Blanc
    in Napa County
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/article/sauvignon-blanc-napa-harvest/

Central Valley groundwater pumping, land-sinking stressing
    Aqueduct. Is there a fix?
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/article311088690.html

A Michigan Town Clamped Down on Its Wineries.
   Now It Owes Them $49 Million
https://www.wsj.com/business/old-mission-peninsula-michigan-winery-604fc216?st=ucwevL&reflink=article_email_share