New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Dan Bellinger was hired as Program Manager at PEAC Solutions. He is working remote from Westwood, New Jersey. Previously, he was Sales Manager, Xerox Financial Services (May, 2013 - January, 2024); Finance Administrator Manager, National Accounts, Sharp Electronics (September, 2008 - April, 2013) Office Products Sales Manager, CIT Group (October, 2007 - September, 2008).
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bellinger-9a15168/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-bellinger-9a15168/

Julianna Landolt was promoted to Digital Transformation Leader, DLL, Wayne, Pennsylvania. She is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianna-landolt/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/julianna-landolt/

Brenda Ottosen was hired as Account Coordinator at Golden Sun Funding, Anaheim, California. She is located in Greely, Colorado. Previously, she was Senior Title Specialist, Amur Finance (September, 2023 - March, 2024); Title Funding Specialist, American Capital Group, Inc. (January, 2023 - July, 2023); Senior Funder, Partners Capital Group (October, 2021 - December, 2022). She began her career at Pawnee Leasing Corporation, starting July, 2003 as Documentation Specialist, promoted Lead Title Specialist (October, 2011 - March, 2020).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendaottosen/

Chris Richardson was hired as Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning, Pinnacle Vendor Finance. He works remote from Charlotte Metro. Previously, he was Strategic Advisor & Consultant, JB&B Capital (August, 2023 - December, 2024); Senior Vice President, Commercial Credit Group (February, 2021 - July, 2023). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-richardson-3b403911/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-richardson-3b403911/

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

DeepSeek V3 and R1 Changes AI industry with
Fewer Chips, Faster Speed, Easier to Operate
William (Bill) Verhelle Comments in LinkedIn

“Exceptionally powerful AI models will soon be available at near-zero marginal costs, leading to AI being embedded everywhere, from consumer to enterprise.” - Ross Dawson.

The implication of Mr. Dawson’s analysis suggests the cost of AI-agent technologies may be like the cost of the Internet for companies like Amazon twenty-five years ago. Essentially free!

AI-Agent technologies (available to those inventing new business models) will drive disruption into legacy industries.

As funding moves from AI chip manufacturers and proprietary AI platforms, it may shift toward businesses using nearly free open-source AI technologies to create improved business models in all industries.

Might this look like the investor transition from “Internet pipes” to disruptive platform companies like Amazon twenty-five years ago?

William (Bill) Verhelle
Founder of QuickFi, Harvard Partners & First American Equipment Finance Founder of QuickFi, Harvard Partners & First American Equipment Finance
https://quickfi.com/bill-verhelle

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

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

"My Best to You"
From Frederick Van Etten

In Monday's New Hires was also a note that Fred Van Etten retired. It was mentioned by Kit Menkin, Editor, "I remember when you used to write articles for Leasing News and life then changed after you successfully sold First Sierra Financial to American Express Business Capital. I went to work for the private equity firm (Redstone Companies) which first had given us the seed capital to start First Sierra. I co-managed their bank interests and other entities."

He sent an email: "My best to you Kit. Thank you for all the kind words over the years."

First Sierra was actually the start of what now is Ascentium Capital.

* * * Sierra Cities Special Report * * *
by Charlie Lester and Kit Menkin
https://leasingnews.org/articles.doc/newsletter3.htm

Past Articles on Mr. Etten:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredvanetten/
https://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/van_etten.htm
https://leasingnews.org/Conscious-Top%20Stories/whateverFred.htm

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

Alphabetical list - click on company name to view more details

Here are funders who take "A" and "B" rated applicants. They are also more interested not in "application only."  They become more comfortable learning more, beyond reviewing financial statements and tax returns, additional collateral, learning more about the story behind the business as qualifiers.

To qualify for this list, the company must be a funder (as qualified by Leasing News) and are on the “Funder List” and not a "Broker” or “Super Broker.” 

Leasing News reserves the right to not list a company who does not meet these qualifications.

Funder List “A”
http://www.leasingnews.org/Funders_Only/Funders.htm

We encourage companies who are listed to contact us for any change or addition they would like to make. Adding further information as an "attachment" or clarification of what they have to offer would be helpful to readers is also very much encouraged."

Sean Murray, President and Chief Editor:

"This year, we're going to have 3 "broker battle" categories at deBanked MIAMI. One of them is for equipment financing. The judges are Adam Oster at Canyongate Financial, Will Murphy & Josh Feinberg at Everlasting Capital, and Cheryl Tibbs at Commercial Capital Connect. Anyone that's knowledgeable in equipment finance can go through a short 3 minute practice qualifier at the event with the judges, with the two best being chosen to compete on stage at the end of the event for the championship. They'll be judged on their knowledge and skills on equipment finance sales.

“The winner of that gets a $3,000 grand prize, a trophy, and the title of being top equipment finance broker. If you can think of anyone that might be interested in participating, the registration link is here: https://debanked.com/brokerbattle/

The objective is for it to be educational and entertaining while at the same time creating good exposure and recognition for a knowledgeable broker. Hope all is well!"

Feb. 20: DeBanked, Miami, DeBanked Connect, Fontainebleau, Miami Beach, Florida
There will also be 3 separate championships (Revenue Based Financing, SBA Lending, and Equipment Financing - https://debanked.com/2025/01/compete-to-be-the-top-broker-in-person-and-win-cash-trophy-and-the-title/

Sean Murray | President and Chief Editor
Main: (212) 220-9084

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

Beware Notice in Suddenly Not
Opening Google Website
By Kit Menkin

This has occurred several times at Leasing News when going through "news.google.com." It shuts
down. You then get the a notice asking you to type in the numbers to connect. It does not work. It then wants feedback or trying a network IP.

Could not get any information from Google regarding what was happening.

I then went and ran my SuperAntiSpy professional program. I turned it on and went to other work while the program ran. When finished, it required a restart. It cured the problem.

It has happened three times and required the same Solution.  The good news it seems to have been notified In advance by SupeAntiSpy Professional.

I will show you this "notice" and recommend you do Not run it. 

News Briefs

Apple's iPhone sales during the holiday season
    slipped despite a highly anticipated AI rollout
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/business/apples-iphone-sales-during-the-holiday-season-slipped-despite-a-highly-ant/

US economy grows solid 2.3% from October to December,
    2.8% for full year 2024
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/industrynews/u-s-economy-grows-solid-2-3-from-october-to-december-2-8-for-full-year/

Intel Reports Fourth-Quarter and Full-Year
    2024 Financial Result - Only Down 2% YoY
https://www.intc.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/1726/intel-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2024-financial

Fed's Powell won't touch Trump's demand
    for lower rates
https://www.axios.com/2025/01/29/fed-powell-trump-rates-lower

Allstate to Sell Group Health Business to
    Nationwide for $1.25 Billion Cash
https://www.wsj.com/business/c-suite/allstate-to-sell-group-health-business-to-nationwide-for-1-25-billion-cash-636318ba?mod=business_lead_pos2

Starbucks and Union Agree to Mediation
    in Quest for Contract
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/30/business/starbucks-workers-united-union-mediation.html

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

Trump’s quick win on Colombian migrant flights
may be a loss for the dollar
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/01/30/trump-sanctions-dollar-colombia/

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

Sports Briefs---

Warriors to retire four-time champion
Andre Iguodala’s jersey
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/01/28/warriors-to-retire-four-time-champion-andre-iguodalas-jersey/

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

California News Briefs---

While many were helped, some fire victims
   say Airbnb's free vouchers are useless
https://www.yahoo.com/news/pr-stunt-fire-victims-claim-110038184.html?ncid=facebook_yahoonewsf_akfm

Walters: L.A. fire just torched Newsom’s
    ‘balanced’ California budget plan
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/01/30/walters-l-a-fire-just-torched-newsoms-balanced-california-budget-plan/

New aerial footage shows extent of damage
   along Malibu's most famous beach
https://www.sfgate.com/la/article/malibu-la-fire-video-damage-20064518.php

San Francisco Muni to cut service on a number of bus
lines this summer, as it confronts $50 million shortfall
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/muni-service-cu

Silicon Valley parents face highest childcare
    costs in the country
https://www.junecare.co/blog/silicon-valley-families-face-highest-childcare-costs-in-country

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

Gimme that Wine

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

Why this celebrated California winery
    is closing after 12 years
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/vinca-minor-winery-closing-20053996.php

Allied Grape Growers President Once Again Makes Plea
  for Industry to Remove Thousands of Acres of Vines
to Help Right Size Imbalanced Market
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/297775

The Miller Family Honored as 2025 Grower of the Year
by California Association of Winegrape Growers
https://www.independent.com/2025/01/27/the-miller-family-honored-as-2025-grower-of-the-year-by-california-association-of-winegrape-growers/