New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Sara Anderson was promoted to AVP of Documentations, Onset Financial, Draper, Utah. She is located in Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area. She joined Onset December, 2016, Front Desk Receptionist, promoted Documentation Specialist II (December, 2016), promoted Documentation Assistant (February, 2018 - February, 2025).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-anderson-26519186/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-llorca/details/experience/

Alexandra Llorca was hired as Account Executive, Key Government Finance She is located in Broomfield, Colorado. She joined Key Bank as Equipment Finance Officer, Key Equipment Finance & Key Government Finance, July, 2022, promoted Equipment Finance Associated (August, 2023 - February, 2025). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandra-llorca/details/experience/

Chris Meeks was hired as Vice President, Equify Financial, LLC., Fort Worth, Texas. He is located in Alphraretta, Georgia. He was self-employed in Finance (November, 2024 - February, 2025); SVP Capital Markets, Concentric (October, 2023 - November, 2024). He joined OnPoint Capital, LLC., as Vice President, August, 2018, promoted SVP Lessor Relations (October, 2018 - October, 2019), SVP Capital Markets (October, 2019 - October, 2023); Director of Syndications, LeasePlan (January, 2014 - August, 2018). Full Bio: 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-meeks-4739ba25/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-meeks-4739ba25/

Tim McConnell, CLFP, was promoted Director of Business Development, Navitas Credit Corporation, Columbia, South Carolina office. He is located in Lexington County, South Carolina. He joined Navitas April, 2012, Collections & Recovery Manager, promoted Sales & Marketing (May, 2018 - February, 2025). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-mcconnell-clfp-1bb461b/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-mcconnell-clfp-1bb461b/

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Broker Battle 2025 Champions
by Sean Murray, deBanked President and Chief Editor
Founder of the Broker Fair Conference

Broker Battle 2025 took place at the Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida on February 20th during deBanked CONNECT MIAMI. Video highlights and more will be available soon. In the meantime, here are the results and the top brokers:

Revenue Based Financing

Top Broker: Ryan Showe, Lexington Capital Holdings
Runner-up: Joe Sasson, Advance Funds Network

Equipment Financing

Top Broker: Mike Brooks, Best Connect Capital
Runner-up: Yaro Yarema, Capital MBS

May 19: Broker Fair, New York City
https://brokerfair.org
https://brokerfair.org/register

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Balboa Capital Available Position
Program Manager II- Equipment Broker Sales
Full Job Details - Benefits

Work Your Plan
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Top originators have a plan and more importantly, they work every day to execute their plan to deliver superior results. It is not unusual for average producers to have a plan but they have difficulty carving out the necessary time to execute their plan; and time just continues to pass without the needed results. Organization and time management are critical for success. Working an originator's plan must be a priority in order to expedite change, expedite new relationships, and expedite results.

During a recent one-on-one coaching session with a veteran originator, he explained his 2025 plan. The plan was well thought out. His plan was focused on building new vendor relationships with a targeted group of prospects that are well-aligned with his funding capabilities. His plan included detailed steps which he needs to execute and benchmarks for measuring his progress. His plan was aggressive, yet achievable. I asked the originator how his 2025 plan differs from his 2024 plan and discovered that his 2025 plan was exactly the same as his 2024 plan - which had never been executed. The originator claimed that he was unable to facilitate the plan in 2024 because he was too busy processing transactions. However, his production in 2024 was his lowest production year since 2018.

The problem is not the plan. It is the originator's ability or willingness to execute the plan.

A strong plan only becomes an excellent plan when it is fully executed. Being busy is no substitute for being highly productive. Top originators prioritize their plan every day and focus on maximizing consistent results.

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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New SBA Administrator Canceled Remote Work
By Bob Coleman, Coleman Reports
Part 1

On her second day on the job, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler sends a message that she will be using social media to communicate her vision.

Writing on X last week, “This Friday afternoon you could hear a pin drop at SBA HQ. That ends Monday as @POTUS orders every federal employee back to the office full-time and in person."

She finishes, "It's time for the government to get back to work."

 

 

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Part II - Responses from
Coleman Report Readers

There is a good representation of both lenders and SBA employees in the comments. While the poll is unscientific, the comments clearly articulate strong beliefs of those on both sides of the issue. Here are some select comments.

Yes, SBA Employees Need to be in the Office 100%

The private sector has already moved away from the work-from-home model, as demonstrated by a recent Zoom call between Jamie Dimon and Chase employees. It has long been argued that the government should be representative of the public; now is the time for the SBA and other agencies to act on this principle. I fully support the transition back to in-office work.

Inefficiency is unacceptable and if it takes everyone in a central location to help achieve efficiency then that should be the case. Working in an office is not a penalty, it is a privilege. Think about how much you learn through “osmosis” just being around a team. It’s a good move.

Remote positions should be approved by department management for each position, not as a blanket on-site/remote policy. Wasting unoccupied leased spaces is absurd. Perhaps SBA turnaround time would improve if managed in-person. I talked to an SBA Loan Specialist about an approval, and she was working in her pool with loud music playing, unbothered with zero sense of urgency. A Litigation Plan request had a 56-day response time.

BA employees need to return to the office to ensure efficient operation of government programs. Current processing delays are negatively impacting business owners and banks, who should be the priority. Government employees must recognize that their role is to serve American business owners and meet their needs—not the other way around. I fully support President Trump's position of getting the workers back to the office. If they do not like it, let them resign. Go DOGE!

No, SBA Employees Do Not Need to be in the Office 100%

Remote work allows SBA to attract top-tier talent. This will be a loss for the SBA. Return-to-work efforts are myopic and quixotic. The SBA is better under a remote work structure, as it helped break up many of the cliques and power systems that leadership and charismatic coworkers could use to impose informal control beyond the normal structure. Workers have been more willing to speak up since going remote. I like what Trump and Elon are doing -- except for this. Sunshine is the best disinfectant.

I live in a rural area and have no desire to leave my hometown. Work from home allows me to have a great career in SBA lending without leaving my community. I believe SBA staff should have the same opportunity as SBA lenders to live where they want.

Employees who work from home are just as effective as those who work in an office. The insinuation that SBA employees have been slacking for the past 5 years is insulting and untrue. While certain positions might require some in-office work, not all do.

Work-life balance is important. If SBA management has production issues with their employees, those employees should be let go. Studies show that remote work can be more productive.

It's 2025, not 1985. I've been working from home for two years. I have never been more productive.

She should focus on whether the work is done, not where it is done. Studies clearly show workers are more productive when they can work from home. Not that a Trump appointee would care that the workers are happier too.

Unsure Whether SBA Employees Need to be in the Office 100%

If work can be done remotely and productivity is maintained, it should continue. However, not everyone prefers this arrangement. A hybrid schedule with employees alternating office days could be a compromise. This approach would allow for reducing office space and potentially lowering overhead costs. As long as work is completed satisfactorily, the location should not matter. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that working from home can be effective.

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News Briefs

Messy end to merger results in Albertsons debt issuance
    ...to pay off its $600 million debt due in 202
https://www.supermarketnews.com/finance/messy-end-to-merger-results-in-albertsons-debt-issuance

Trump Proposes $5 Million ‘Gold Card’
    That Would Grant U.S. Residency
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-proposes-5-million-gold-card-that-would-grant-u-s-residency-a639aa17?st=1SM1QW&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

US consumer confidence plunges in February
    in its biggest decline in four years
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/25/consumer-confidence-february

Tesla stock sinks as Europe sales tank
    on rival offerings, Musk blowback
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tesla-stock-sinks-as-europe-sales-tank-on-rival-offerings-musk-blowback-170350964.html

Pres. Trump to meet Friday with Ukrainian President Ukraine
    Agrees to Mineral-Rights Deal With U.S
https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/ukraine-agrees-to-mineral-rights-deal-with-u-s-3bbd871f?mod=hp_lead_pos1

Nippon Steel to Discuss U.S. Steel Deal
    With U.S. Officials
https://www.wsj.com/business/deals/nippon-steel-to-discuss-u-s-steel-deal-with-u-s-officials-e2fba356?mod=business_feat2_deals_pos2

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White House says it ‘will determine’ which news outlets   
    cover Trump, rotating traditional ones
https://apnews.com/article/trump-ap-news-outlets-ban-gulf-mexico-25c77f617418dd3ca2791af90b263a59

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Sports Briefs---

Buffalo Bills and team-leading receiver agree
to 4-year contract extension
https://www.syracuse.com/buffalo-bills/2025/02/buffalo-bills-team-leading-receiver-agree-to-4-year-contract-extension.html

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California News Briefs---

Big changes published for California homeowners
  fire maps for 125 cities from the Bay Area north
    to the Oregon border
https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2025/cal-fire-risk-map/

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

The most interesting grape you've never heard of
 could be an ideal match for climate change
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/picpoul-blanc-sonoma-county/

Chateau Ste. Michelle announces lineup for
2025 summer concert series
https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/music/chateau-ste-michelle-announces-lineup-for-2025-summer-concert-series/

Cabernet Franc – New York's New Hero
https://www.wine-searcher.com/m/2025/02/cabernet-franc-new-yorks-new-hero