New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Toni (McCurry) Egan was hired as Vice President, Financial Solutions, Four, Inc., Herndon, Virginia. She is located in Haddonfield, New Jersey. Previously, she was Vice President, Leasing Manager, Key Government Finance (July, 2015 - November, 2023); Vice President, Federal Finance Office, TD Bank (April, 2013 - June, 2015); Vice President, Relationship Manager, Sun National Bank (February, 2011 - February, 2013). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-egan-1794141/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/toni-egan-1794141/

Kimberly Howard was announced as Vice President of Star Hill Financial, LLC, Fairfield, Connecticut. She is located in Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area. Her bio shows she started November, 2023.
Her previous financial job was Vice President, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (August, 1992 - January, 2022).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-howard-538674121/

Vince Mancuso was hired as Managing Director, Haversine funding, Dallas, Texas. He is located in Greater Houston, Texas. Previously, he was Managing Director, Garrington Group of Companies (June, 2015 - December, 2023); Consultant and Advisor, Commercial Credit Policy and Protocol, The World Bank (April, 2015 - May, 2019). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemancuso/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vincemancuso/

Jennifer "Jen" Martin, CLFP, was hired by LTi Technology Solutions (LTi) as Chief Product Officer, Omaha, Nebraska."Jen will be responsible for managing our investment in new product and technologies so that LTi continues to provide value added solutions to critical customer and market problems." She is located in Albany, New York. Previously, she was at Key Equipment Finance for 29 years, one month. She began as Originations Manager, Key Equipment Finance, August, 1995, promoted Senior Project Manager, August, 2013, promoted Commutations Chair for the KeyWomen Capital Region Steering Committee, February, 2007, promoted November, 2013,
Senior Product Owner, promoted May, 2014, Certified Six Sigma Green
Belt, promoted 2014, VP Program Development and Originations.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenmartinkef/

Camille Vieux was hired as Sales Specialist, Ascentium Capital, Kingwood, Texas. She is located in Overland Park, Kansas. Previously, she was in Sales, Commercial Capital Company (June, 2010 - October, 2023); Sales/Marketing, Clune & Company (September, 2000 - March, 2010); Customer Service/Credit/Collections, American Industrial Leasing (1996 - May, 2000).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/camille-vieux-33111514/details/experience

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Jim Merrilees Joins the Leasing News
Advisory Board

It is our pleasure to proudly, and very happily announce, Jim Merrilees has joined the Leasing News Advisory Board.

Recently, we announced he was retired but were corrected to learn he was Vice Chairman, The Alta Group. He was quite active in the industry from his days as head of Colonial Pacific Leasing, the first with developing a Super Broker group exclusive to Colonial Pacific and using early FinTech programming. He was also a major promoter of women in the industry who worked at the companies he led, which was quite new twenty-five years ago.

Jim was also one of the first to promote Super Brokers, other specific leasing companies and brokers who would submit deals to Colonial Pacific. They either had reached their limit with the leasing
company or the broker had no source for the transaction at the rate, terms, or equipment type for their regular sources.

His Alta Group bio gives a more detail and shows why we welcome him as a member of the Leasing News Advisory Board.

- Christopher ‘Kit” Menkin, Publisher

https://leasingnews.org/Advisory%20Board/merrilees_jim.htm

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Leasing’s Brian Huey, Active in NAELB, Now AACFB,
Wins Short Film Festival Awards

Brian Huey, Leasesource.net, who has written for Leasing News on conferences and others news, celebrating a 30-year company anniversary, has won nine International Film Festival Awards.

“In honor of my respect and admiration for your father, and mine I wanted to share where the PERPETUAL trail has taken me. 

Brian says, “The Hollywood journey started when Gilbert Adler bought the rights to the first book in 2010. The books can be found at https://brianhuey.com/

“Thirteen years of preproduction has culminated into the award- winning independent short film in 2023.

“My father often said, “Don’t give up your day job,“ Brian told Leasing News, “and I never did. LeaseSource Financial Services continues to thrive and we still focus on municipalities, schools and churches, and the construction industry.

“What’s next? We are working on developing a relationship with one of the top streamers to expand with the feature film(s) and television series. Hope continues to spring eternal.

“Best wishes to you and Leasing News.”

Brian
https://hueymedia.com/
https://brianhuey.com/
https://leasesource.net/  (30 year anniversary)
https://leasesource.net/about/testimonials

Full Story - Newswires:
https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/679522476/charlotte-based-perpetual-productions-wins-nine-international-film-festival-awards

Amazon:
https://a.co/d/iAW1scb

Brian Huey LinkedIn Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianhuey

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Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted

 

Redefining Success in Today's World
By Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners, Managing Director 

In recent years, the concept of success has undergone a significant transformation. Gone are the days when success was solely measured by financial gain, prestigious titles, or social status. Today, a more holistic approach is gaining traction, one that emphasizes personal fulfillment, work-life balance, and positive social impact.

The Shift Towards Personal Fulfillment
​
One of the most notable changes in how we define success is the increased focus on personal fulfillment and happiness. People are now seeking careers and lifestyles that align with their passions, values, and interests, rather than chasing traditional markers of success. This shift recognizes that true satisfaction comes from doing what you love and what feels meaningful to you.

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

 

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Top Investments
Used by Advisors

(click image to view larger)

Following a decade of historically low interest rates, the U.S. economy is now characterized by higher interest rates, driven by inflationary pressures. This has been met with stronger bond returns and a more cautious view on stocks as companies face steeper borrowing costs.

This graphic shows the top investments used by advisors, based on a 2023 Journal of Financial Planning survey.

Top Investments in 2023
Below, we show the most common types of investments advisors used or recommended to their clients this year:

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An Idea of Pandemic Economic Impact to Taxis
in Service in New York City

Before the pandemic, in February 2020, there were 11,427 active medallions out of a total of 13,587 medallions issued. Those 11,427 medallions were servicing 6.3 million trips per month in February 2020. As of October 2023, 8,826 active medallions are servicing 3.5 million monthly trips.

According to the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) report : $330+ million of debt relief for more than 1,500 medallion owners who own six or fewer taxi medallions were delivered by the end of December 2022. Based on recent TLC testimony to the City Council, the debt relief figure is now over $440 million, representing 1,800+ owners and 2,200+ medallions.

Full Report:
https://a860-gpp.nyc.gov/concern/parent/w95054053/file_sets/000003157

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Office-to-Residential Conversions:
Where Do They Park Their Vehicles?
And What About the Curbside Problem?

Image: Getty Images

Empty offices and other commercial buildings across the U.S. are increasingly being converted into much-needed housing. Such adaptive reuse projects are expected to create around 122,000 apartments in coming years, according to a July RentCafe analysis. Office conversions are expected to result in 37% of those units, followed by 23% from hotel conversions and 14% from factory conversions.

Conversions are complicated by several factors, including zoning, plumbing and lighting layout, and even the location of staircases. What might often be overlooked, however, is curbside management and parking. Cities need to consider how vehicle storage, bike and bus lanes, and drop-off zones in front of buildings need to change with building conversions, Transportation America Policy Director Benito Perez said.

Curbside space is in high demand. Commercial or residential building inhabitants want to ensure they can get picked up or dropped off near their building entrance or have short-term parking available for delivery drivers. Retail businesses and restaurants also need delivery driver access as well as parking and drop-off/pick-up space for customers. Public transit stops and parking for cars, bikes, and micro mobility vehicles also compete for curbside space, as do strategies — a pandemic adaptation that has persisted in many communities. With conversions rising, city managers have their work cut out for them to determine the right configurations and numbers of spaces.

Matthew W. Daus, Esq.
Partner and Chairman, Windels Marx Transportation Practice Group
President, International Association of Transportation Regulators,
Transportation Technology Chair, University Transportation Research Center
Contact: mdaus@windelsmarx.com
156 West 56th Street | New York, NY 10019
T. 212.237.1106 | F. 212.262.1215

Source: Smart Cities Dive
https://www.smartcitiesdive.com/news/office-to-residential-conversions-raise-questions-curbside-management/703579/

Bluetick Coonhound Mix
Charlotte, North Carolina  Adopt-a-Dog

Garth

Male
2 Years Old
70 lbs
crate trained
house trained
Friend with dogs and kids

Garth is a 2-year-old Bluetick Coonhound who weighs 70 pounds. According to his foster family, it is a mystery why anyone would ever disown him? Garth is the complete package. He is young, handsome, sweet, crate trained, house trained, rides great in the car, walks reasonably well on a leash, and lives harmoniously with several dogs and kids. He is a hound and occasionally barks like one but not excessively. Who can give Garth the only wish he needs - an adopter who can promise him a home?

If you are interested in adopting Garth, please submit an inquiry directly with Greater Charlotte SPCA by visiting charlottespca.org/adopt.

***Because our rescue is composed entirely of volunteers, local applications will take precedence. We will accept out of town applications, but any family is responsible for coming to Charlotte to complete a socially distanced meet and greet. All out of town applicants will also have to be willing to drive to Charlotte to meet/pick up the pet as soon as they are approved to adopt.***

Greater Charlotte SPCA
P.O. Box 77491
Charlotte, North Carolina
adopt@charlottespca.org
https://www.charlottespca.org

Greater Charlotte SPCA does not operate a shelter at this time. All animals are housed in foster homes until adopted.

News Briefs---

FedEx braces for 50% cut in Postal Service Air Contract
     Pivot Hurts Largest Air Hauler
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fedex-braces-for-50-cut-in-postal-service-air-contract

Walmart is bringing drone deliveries to
    1.8 million more Texas households
https://www.theverge.com/2024/1/9/24031714/walmart-drone-delivery-wing-zipline-dallas-fort-worth-texas

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Strikes $14 Billion
    Deal to Buy Juniper Networks
https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/hpe-to-buy-juniper-networks-for-14-billion-in-expansion-bet-1.2019925

Millions of gig workers could qualify
    as employees under new Biden-era rule
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/09/business/millions-gig-workers-could-qualify-employees-under-new-biden-era-rule/

GE business to fill order for turbines to
    power Western Hemisphere’s largest wind project
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2024/01/09/business/ge-business-fill-order-turbines-power-western-hemispheres-largest-wind-project/

Editor of The Los Angeles Times Steps Down
    Largest news organization in the West in a state of flux
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/business/media/la-times-editor-resigns.html

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World Bank Warns of Energy Price Surge
if Mideast War Spreads
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/business/world-bank-global-economic-prospects.html

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Sports Briefs---

Ranking the NFL's Open Coaching Jobs
https://www.theringer.com/nfl/2024/1/9/24031037/ranking-2024-nfl-coach-openings-panthers-raiders-falcons-commanders-chargers-patriots-bill-belichick

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California News Briefs---

Pasadena, Calif., somehow considered
    a must-visit travel destination by NY Times
https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/pasadena-ny-times-travel-visit-list-2024-18598477.php

Owner of Bay Area radio stations 102.1 Jams
   and 95.7 The Game files for bankruptcy
https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/owner-bay-area-radio-stations-bankruptcy-18597029.php

San Francisco's Unity Software lays off 1,800 workers,
a fourth of staff
https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/unity-software-1800-layoff-gaming-18597022.php

Another huge conference is back in S.F.
Can city keep up its ‘safe, clean’ campaign?
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/s-f-jpmorgan-conference-18592220.php

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

How to Define a Good Wine? It’s Complicated
  By Eric Asimov
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/dining/drinks/good-wine.html