Leasing News - information, news, education and entertainment for the commercial bank, finance and leasing industry

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Loren Hill is retiring as Vice President of Nutrien Financial, Loveland, Colorado. He is located in Louisville, Colorado. He joined Nutrien Financial, January, 2019. Previously, he was Senior Vice president, Commercial Manufacturer & Vendor Alliances, Key Equipment Finance (July, 2016 - December, 2018); Vice President, Capital Markets, IBM Global Finance (2000 - June, 2016). He joined Heller Financial, 1997, VP Syndication, promoted VP Capital Markets (1998 - 2000).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/loren-hill-63185b2/

Luis M. Meade was hired as Director, Texas Capital Bank, Texas Capital, Dallas, Texas. He is located in Plano, Texas. Previously, he was Senior Vice President, Bank of Hope (May, 2022 - June, 2025); Vice President, Wells Fargo Capital Finance (January, 2015 - May, 2022); Principal, Financial Assets Advisors, LLCC (2010 - January, 2015). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-m-meade-0767364/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/luis-m-meade-0767364/

Jason Shihata was hired as Credit Analyst, Dext Capital, Lake Oswego, Oregon. He is located in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area. Previously, he was Credit Manager, EFFI Finance (December, 2018 - June, 2025).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-shihata-86350a175/

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CLFP Foundation Adds 21 New CLFPs
With Photos

The Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation is pleased to announce that 21 individuals who recently sat through the online proctored CLFP exam have passed. They are:

Brodie Barton, CLFP – Strategic Partnerships,
Blue Street Capital, LLC

Jacob Benoit, CLFP – Account Representative,
Northland Capital Equipment Finance

Angel Bowe, CLFP Associate – Associate
Analyst, Dext Capital

Madison Brown, CLFP Associate
Contract Administrator, Dext Capital

Rhees Carlson, CLFP Associate
Contract Admin Associate, Dext Capital

Shelton Chapman, CLFP – Senior
Manager, Corporate Accounting,
McLane Company, Inc.

Paul Dvorak, CLFP – Account
Representative, Northland Capital
Equipment Finance

Laurestine Engelke, CLFP – Account
Executive, Northland Capital Equipment Finance

Jennifer Greiner, CLFP – Senior
Credit Analyst, Dext Capital

Monica Ieng, CLFP – Credit Analyst II,
Dext Capital

Jordan LeClair, CLFP – Account
Representative, Northland Capital
Equipment Finance

Victoria Lizzi, CLFP Associate –
Associate Financial Analyst, Dext Capital

K-Lynn Loukmas, CLFP – Senior Portfolio
Analyst, The Huntington National Bank

Marissa Mollner, CLFP – Account
Representative, Northland Capital
Equipment Finance

Daniel O’Connell, CLFP – Account
Representative, Northland Capital
Equipment Finance

Karen Rieland, CLFP – Transaction
Coordinator, Northland Capital Equipment Finance

Dillon Silk, CLFP – Senior Credit Analyst,
Mazo Capital Solutions

Renee Talbot, CLFP – Accounting &
Sales Tax Specialist, Northland
Capital Equipment Finance

Lauren Trible, CLFP – AVP
Project Manager, First American
Equipment Finance

Rachel Weis, CLFP Associate
Assistant Controller, Northland
Capital Equipment Finance

Merlyn Wilson, CLFP – Customer
ServiceSpecialist II,
The Huntington National Bank

Jennifer Greiner attended an ALFP at Dext Capital this spring and shares, “I pursued the CLFP designation to expand my expertise in equipment leasing and finance, strengthen my professional credibility, and position myself for continued growth within the industry.

“I saw it as a valuable opportunity to broaden my knowledge across all aspects of the business and align myself with a network of high-performing professionals. Earning the CLFP was also a personal goal, to challenge myself to grow beyond my day-to-day responsibilities and build a deeper, more well-rounded understanding of the equipment finance industry. Achieving the CLFP designation has strengthened my confidence in my abilities and reinforced the trust others place in me.”

The CLFP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers, and peers in the commercial equipment finance industry. There are Certified Lease & Finance Professionals and Associates located throughout the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, India, Pakistan, Africa, and Australia. For more information, visit http://www.CLFPFoundation.org

CLFP Academy Postings and Information
August to November 2025

Wintrust Commercial Finance, Public, In-Person
August 13 – 14, 2025

Virtual ALFP, Hosted by JD
September 3 - 4, 2025

Stearns Bank, Public, In-Person
September 23 - 24, 2025

DLL, Online , Private
October 6-7, 2025

NEMF, Online, Public ALFP
October 9 – 10, 2025

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

Public, In-Person, Hosted by TEL
November 4-5, 2025

Public, In-Person, Hosted Arvest
Equipment Finance
November 13 - 14, 2025

Virtual, Public, Hosted by
Commonwealth Bank
November 19 - 20

Beginning the CLFP Journey
Begin Your Path Toward Becoming CLFP Professional:
https://clfpfoundation.org

Courtesy by Mel Vinson, CLFP, Director of Academies, VP of Marketing and Development

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Leasing and Finance Help Wanted
Balboa Capital
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now
Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC
Looking for Chief Operating Officer

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Human Capital is the Most Valuable
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

As the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry navigates ongoing macroeconomic shifts and rapid technological evolution, companies are rethinking their strategies, retooling their platforms, and redesigning product offerings to stay competitive. Yet through all the change, one constant remains: human capital is the most valuable and enduring asset.

Success in the industry hinges on a company’s ability to attract, develop, and retain top-tier talent. The most effective professionals aren’t necessarily those who take bigger risks but those who embrace calculated ones. These individuals hold themselves to higher standards, stay laser-focused on results, and recover quickly from setbacks by adapting and growing. They understand that mistakes are part of the process and use them as steppingstones rather than stumbling blocks.

World-class teams are built by empowering individuals to take ownership of their work and to be accountable for both their triumphs and their challenges. The most successful organizations build from the top down and the bottom up, fostering leadership and excellence at every level. This layered strength ensures that innovation, service, and execution are not isolated capabilities but shared standards across the business.

Commercial equipment finance and leasing is a team-driven discipline. From originators to credit professionals, from operations to funding, every role is mission-critical in delivering a superior client experience. When people are trusted, supported, and given the tools to grow, that experience becomes more than just competitive—it becomes exceptional.

Great companies are built on great people. Wheeler Business Consulting partners with clients to “Build Strong Leaders” and strengthen entire teams through targeted development and ongoing training. Whether internally or externally delivered, professional development isn’t a luxury, it’s a strategic imperative. In 2025 and beyond, a company’s success story will be written by its investment in people.

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

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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
June 30 to July 2

(1) Remembering Steve Cissel
Former VP Syndication, Peapack Capital
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_02.htm#cissel

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_30.htm#hires

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_02.htm#hires

(4) NMEF Achieves Largest Quarter and
First Half in Company History
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_02.htm#nm

(5) A Trend Underway by Change of State Laws
By Ken Greene, Leasing News Chief Legal Editor
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_30.htm#trend

(6) Positive Attitude
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jun2025/06_30.htm#positive

(7) Wants to Get into Leasing
Career Crossroads---By Emily Fitzpatrick/RII
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_02.htm#wants

(8) Jaguar sales crater a shocking 98%
after ‘woke’ rebrand, EV pivot
https://nypost.com/2025/07/01/business/jaguar-sales-plummet-after-botched-rebrand-ev-pivot/

(9) Lean Marketing Machine
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_02.htm#lean

(10) Americans Didn't Let Inflation Spoil Their Appetite
Food and Hospitality
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_02.htm#americans

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Conferences and Forums
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

AT&T Hotel and Conference Center

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, Texas
Hotel Details: AT&T Hotel and Conference Center1900 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705
Group Rate: $199/night
Bonus Night: Discounted rate of $299 available for Friday, September 12
Cut-Off Date: August 18, 2025
https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/

Mel Vinson, CLFP, Vice President of Marketing and Development, CLFP Foundation, will be covering The conferences for Leasing News reads.

September 17: Brokers Expo NYC returns at Center415 on Fifth Avenue in Midtown
Register Now:
https://thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com/ny/

Take advantage of early bird pricing and lock in your spot at the most anticipated event for finance professionals — Register Today and Save $100! Join us in New York City and connect with top industry minds while staying ahead of the curve on the latest trends and regulations.

Why Attend?
Gain valuable insights from industry leaders
Expand your network with peers and potential partners
Stay current on key compliance and legislative updates: This special rate won’t last — register today and save your seat at the premier finance eventof the year! Register Now!

Don Cosenza, CLFP, will cover the Expo as he did last year for Leasing News readers.

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

Vicki Shimkus, CLFP, Balboa Capital Relationship Manager, will be covering the conference for Leasing News readers.

October 26- 28: ELFA 64th Annual Convention, Marco Island, Florida
Annual Convention: Call for Presentations Coming Soon!

The 2025 ELFA Annual Convention, Oct. 26-28 in Marco Island, Fla., will open our Call for Presentations SOON! Keep your eyes open for emails, promotion, banners, LinkedIn posts and more. We want YOUR ideas and innovative sessions. Additional details and session topics coming soon

Randy Haug, LTi Technology, will be covering the conference for Leasing News.

October 28 - 29: DeBanked B2B Finance Expo, Wynn, Las Vegas, Nevada
B2B Finance Expo is back for its highly anticipated second edition at the Wynn Las Vegas! We're thrilled to once again partner with the Small Business Finance Association (SBFA) to deliver an even bigger and better experience, uniting top professionals in the commercial finance industry.

This groundbreaking event will bring together leaders from Small Business Lending, Equipment Finance, Real Estate Lending, Merchant Cash Advance, and beyond. Over the course of this exclusive two-day event, brokers, lenders, funders, and service providers alike can expect networking opportunities, expert panels, and much more.

Join us for an exceptional networking and educational opportunity as we bring together the best in the industry! Questions? Email us at events@debanked.com

To Update: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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Celebrate Monica Harper 25 Years
Executive Director, FSA Managements Group
American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers

"Join us in celebrating an incredible milestone! We're thrilled to congratulate Executive Director Monica Harper on 25 amazing years with FSA Management Group! Your dedication, hard work, and countless contributions have been invaluable. Thank you for being such a vital part of our journey!"

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Countries with the Largest
Proven Oil Reserves

Key Takeaways

With 303 billion barrels in proven oil reserves, Venezuela leads globally.
Saudi Aramco pumps roughly 11 million barrels of oil per day, equal to about 10% of the global total, thanks to the country’s vast oil reserves.
In May, Iran’s exports of crude oil totaled 1.8 million per day. Overall, a third of the world’s oil is produced in the Gulf region.

Today, the world’s top 10 countries hold 1.5 trillion barrels in proven oil reserves.

While Venezuela tops the list, hyperinflation and U.S. sanctions on the Maduro regime are devastating its economy. Overall, nearly 14% of global oil production is sanctioned—primarily across OPEC+ nations.

Source: Visualcapitalist.com

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