New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Morgan Davis, has been hired as Funding Coordinator, Oakmont Capital Services, JA Mitsui Leasing Group . “She  is a recent graduate from Penn State University and will be assisting the funding team."

Chris Shaheen, ASA, was hired as Senior Director, Equipment Management, Gordon Brothers, Boston, Massachusetts . He is located in the Detroit Metropolitan Area. Previously,  he was at Pathward  starting 2014: Remarketing Manager, promoted 2017, Assistant Vice President Asset Manager promoted 2018, Vice President Asset Manager (February, 2022). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-shaheen-asa-59734a116/details/experience
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-shaheen-asa-59734a116/

Carol A. McCann Tipton was hired as Asset Sales Manager/Relationship Manager, De Lage Laden, Greater Philadelphia. She joined DLL Collector February, 1996 - 1999); promoted Collection Manager (February, 1999); promoted Lessee Remarketer September, 2003), promoted Manager, Asset Management (October,2006 - January, 2025); Salvage Legal Collection Manager, Trans Union (July, 1993 - January, 1999). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-a-mccann-tipton-29830046/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-a-mccann-tipton-29830046/

Amy Vogt was hired as Vice President, Marketing & Communications, TRSA, Association for Linen, Uniform and Facility Services Industry, Alexandria, Virginia. She is located in Alexandria. Previously, she was long time Vice President Communications and Marketing for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, excellent for access weekend and other times and extremely helpful
to Leasing News readers (January, 2010 - January, 2025); Active with the American Association of School Administrators as Director of American Association of School Administrators as Director, Public and Media Relations (July 2008 - July,2010), Manager, Communications and Media Relations (June, 2006 - June, 2008); Communications Manager, American Psychological Association (June, 2004 - May, 2006).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amycvogt/

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Randy Haug "Humbled" by "Overwhelming" Response
to Being Named Leasing News Person of the Year

"Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. The positive comments from this award have honestly been overwhelming to me. I’m very humbled and grateful.

"I am a pretty simple person who feels that each of us in our industry should take some responsibility to use your gifts to help yourself and others in meaningful ways through mentoring and involvement. Not for personal gain but authentically. to give back for the benefit of this great industry.

"Best regards,
Randy"

Reactions to Randy Haug
    being named Leasing News Person of the Year
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_17.htm#react

[headlines]
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Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted
Excellent Compensation/Marketing Support

Self-Confidence
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

The primary barrier that diminishes your personal success in 2025 is self-doubt. The greatest tool to eliminate such a barrier is self-confidence. Self-confidence:

• Allows you to fund more business
• Allows you to call upon the "right" vendors and end-users
• Allows you to focus on your current capabilities
• Allows you to be open to change
• Allows you to learn from every transaction and to share your knowledge with future prospects with enthusiasm.

Top originators understand that they control their own destiny and that their self-confidence and enthusiasm are powerful tools in winning new relationships.

The commercial equipment finance and leasing industry is expanding and will continue to support small, medium, and large companies over the coming decades. Confident originators will capture their fair share of business and help commercial clients flourish

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

[headlines]
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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
    January 13 - January 17

(1) 2024 Leasing News Person of the Year
Randy Haug
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_15.htm#haug 

(2) Correction: We Apologize
Incorrect Photo in Previous Edition
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_13.htm#correction

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_13.htm#hires

(4) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_17.htm#hire

(5) Reactions to Randy Haug
being named Leasing News Person of the Year
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_17.htm#react

(6) NYC Taxi Disaster Driven by Decades of
Inaction, ‘Massive’ Fraud
by Bloomberg
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_15.htm#nyc

(7) Are You in Alignment?
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_15.htm#are

BSB Leasing Partners with Northteq to Automate
Loan Origination and Enhance Broker Experience
with Aurora LOS
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_17.htm#bsb

(9) Long-Time Attorney Barry Wayne Ferns
Passed Away Last Month
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jan2025/01_13.htm#ferns

(10) Capital One sued by US watchdog alleging
    bank cheated customers out of $2 billion
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/capital-sued-us-watchdog-alleging-bank-cheated-customers-117675771

 

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Academy for Certified Lease & Finance Professionals
2025 Schedule To Date

The Academy for Lease and Finance Professionals (ALFP) is a three-day event designed to fully prepare an individual to sit for the CLFP exam assuming the attendee has already self-studied. A trend has begun in having virtual online sessions.

During the first two days, all of the required sections of the CLFP exam are covered in-depth. On the third day, the exam is offered but is not mandatory and may be taken on another day.

Students are strongly advised to have read and studied The Certified Lease & Finance Professionals' Handbook prior to attending the class in order to ensure success.

There also is a “Mentor Program” for individuals.

Key EF Online, Public ALFP
February 10 – 12, 2025

Channel Public, In-Person ALFP (Minnetonka, MN)
March 18 – 19, 2025

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) - HBCU Class
Friday, March 21

DLL Private, Online ALFP
April 15 – 16, 2025

Online, Public ALFP Hosted by US Bank Equipment Finance
May 5 – 7, 2025

Private, In-Person ALFP Hosted by FCL
May 12 – 13, 2025

Huntington In-Person Private ALFP
May 14 – 15, 2025

Private, In-Person ALFP Hosted by GreatAmerica Financial Services
October 20 – 21, 2025

How to Become a CLFP
https://clfpfoundation.org/how-to-become-a-clfp/

https://leasingnews.org/photos/vinson_melissa2022.jpg
Mel Vinson, CLFP, Director of Academies, VP of Marketing and Development
Mel@clfpfoundation.orghttps://clfpfoundation.org/

Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance
Conferences and Forums

Michael Crome, SVP, Chief Financial
  Officer, Las Vegas Raiders

SFNet Keynote Speaker to kick off SFNet’s Asset-Based Capital Conference the afternoon of February 11. With over two decades of experience in financial strategy, business analytics, and leadership, Michael has transformed organizations and helped drive major initiatives, including serving on the Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee.

Across his career, Michael has shaped strategy, secured funding and optimized capital structure while unlocking growth and profit improvement opportunities, building enterprise capabilities and fortifying operations to ensure excellence in execution and results.

February 11-12: SFNet’s Asset-Based Capital Conference, Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
“Our Introduction to Asset Based Lending curriculum provides participants a broad overview of the ABL industry, touching all key fundamental aspects of all roles responsible for sourcing, underwriting and managing a profitable loan.”
https://www.sfnet.com/
More Information

---

Feb. 20: DeBanked, Miami, DeBanked Connect, Fontainbleau, Miami Beach, Florida
Broker Battle Returns:  There will also be 3 separate championships (Revenue Based Financing, SBA Lending, and Equipment Financing - Broker Battle

---

February 23-25: ELFA Equipment Management Conference and Exhibition, JW Marriott, Las Vegas
Conference details
Attending List

---

March 4-6: Funders Forum & Broker Expo, Hollywood, Florida
Mike Tyson will as the keynote speaker at the Funders Forum and Brokers Expo, taking place March 4-6, 2025, at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida
Conference Details

---

March 11-13: National Equipment Finance Association Spring Conference, Omni, La Costa Resort & Spa, Carlsbad, California.
Confernce Details

Vicki Shimkus CLFP, Balboa Capital, A Division of Ameris Bank | Broker Relationship Manager, will cover the conference for Leasing News.

---

April 9–11: NVLA Conference, Clearwater Beach, Florida
Early Bird Registration Open 

This year's conference will feature Keynote Speaker, Michelle "MACE" Curran, Women in Leasing Poolside Social, informative education sessions, and ample networking opportunities.

---

April 9-April 11 AACFB Annual Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada
Conference Details

Theresa Kabot, CLFP, K2 Funding, Kabot Commercial Leasing LLC, will be covering the conference for Leasing News readers.

---

April 15-17: ELFA 36th Annual National Funding Conference, Chicago, Illinois
Conference Details

---

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, TX
Conference Details Coming Soon

---

October 14-16 National Equipment Finance Association Fall Conference, Renaissance Minneapolis Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota
Confernce Details Coming Soon

---

October 26-28: ELFA 64th Annual Convention, Marco Island, Florida
Confernce Details

---

To be listed or update: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

News Briefs

C.E.O.s, and President Trump,
    Want Workers Back in the Office
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/21/business/return-to-office-remote-work.html

Tech Leaders Pledge Up to $500 Billion
    in AI Investment in U.S.
https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/tech-leaders-pledge-up-to-500-billion-in-ai-investment-in-u-s-da506cd4?st=G9nCx6&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Netflix Raises Prices Across Plans
    Reports Record Jump in New Subscribers
https://www.wsj.com/business/earnings/netflix-raises-u-s-prices-reports-jump-in-new-subscribers-39430d32?st=1WVwRE&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Winter Storm Enzo: Snow In Florida, New Orleans, Houston;
    Schools Closed Across The South
https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2025-01-21-winter-storm-enzo-live-blog-south

Ocean rates could fall as Houthis say
    they will end Red Sea attacks
https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ocean-rates-could-fall-as-houthis-say-they-will-end-red-sea-attacks?oly_enc_id=7354E3969723H7B

Trump says 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico
    coming on Feb. 1 as he signs several orders on economy
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/01/20/trump-inauguration-economy-tariffs/

A Trump Oligarchy Is Moving to Washington,
    and Buying Up Prime Addresses
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/19/us/politics/trump-billionaires-washington-homes.html

[headlines]
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[headlines]
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Sports Briefs---

Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills Are on a Quest
    to Be More Than Second Best
https://theringer.com/2025/01/21/nfl/buffalo-bills-afc-championship-game-kansas-city-chiefs-nfl-playoffs-josh-allen-patrick-mahomes

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

California News Briefs---

Bloomingdale’s to close flagship store
   in San Francisco’s biggest mall
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/sf-bloomingdales-westfield-mall-20047347.php

174-year-old Bay Area bookstore company
  files for bankruptcy, will close Berkeley store
https://www.sfgate.com/news/bayarea/article/books-inc-files-for-chapter-11-bankruptcy-will-20047638.php

[headlines]
--------------------------------------------------------------

Gimme that Wine

 

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

US rushes to hoard European wine,
    cheese as Trump takes office
https://www.euractiv.com/section/agriculture-food/news/us-rushes-to-hoard-european-wine-cheese-as-trump-takes-office/

Feast of St. Vin' on Saturday, January 25th
in Saint Helena, California
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/297426

Llano Estacado Mad Ira Wins Best of Class at 2025
   San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/297428

Wine sales drying up as Americans
turn elsewhere
https://www.nbcnews.com/data-graphics/data-shows-wine-decline-consumers-spending-less-drinking-less-rcna187628