New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Marcel Borg was hired as Director, Equipment Finance Syndications, GreatAmerica Financial Services, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He is located in Clarkston, Michigan. Previously, he was Director of Syndications, LEAF Commercial Capital, Inc. (January, 2024 - July, 2025); VP, National Sales Manager, Accord Financial Corp. (November, 2022 - January, 2024); SVP/Director of Capital Markets, Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. (March, 2018 - November, 2022); Program Manager, TCF Equipment Finance (February, 2011 - February, 2018). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-borg-9ab48619/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcel-borg-9ab48619/

Sean Evans, CLFP, was hired as Senior Business Development Manager, Major Accounts, NewLane Finance, a Division of WSFS Bank, Greater Boston, where he is also located. Previously, he was Senior Strategic Account Manager, First Citizens Bank (January, 2023 - February, 2025); Senior Strategic Account Manager, CIT (April, 2021 - January, 2023); Manager/Strategic Business Development, Specialty Graphics and HVAC Clean Tech (February.
2020 - April, 2021). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-evans-clfp-6089412/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-evans-clfp-6089412/

Kristy Phillips was promoted to Executive Vice President, Documentations., Commercial Funding Partners, Draper, Utah, where she is also located. She  joined Commercial Funding Partners (August, 2024 - July, 2025); Vice President, Global Banking & Markets, Goldman Sachs (April, 2023 - August, 2024). Previously, she was at Axos Bank, , promoted to Midvale, Utah, as Vice President (March, 2018 - April, 2023); Vice President, Varilease Finance, Inc. (July, 2007 - March, 2018). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-phillips-72332147/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristy-phillips-72332147/

Melanie Rudiger, CLFP, was promoted to Vice President of Operations, AP Equipment Financing, Bend, Oregon. She is located in Webster, Minnesota. She joined AP March, 2023, Docs and Funding Manager. Previously, she was Vice President, Operations, Huntington National Bank (October, 2012 - March, 2023).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-rudiger-clfp-1349a6121/

Pam Waldron was promoted to Senior Business Development Representative, Navitas Credit Corporation. She is located in Metro Jacksonville. Previously, she was Certified Financial Professional, Navitas Credit Corporation, Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Senior Business Development Manager, Marlin Business Services Corp. (May, 2016 - September, 2017); Inside Sales Account Manager, CIT,
February, 2015 - April, 2016); Senior Account Executive, Navitas Lease Finance (October, 2008 January, 2015).
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-waldron-1b142518/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pam-waldron-1b142518/

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Free Webinar by Sudhir Amembal, CLFP,
Impact of Recent Tax Legislation

Sudhir Amembal, CLFLP, CEO of Amembal & Halladay, and an affiliate of Rinaldi Advisory Services, will conduct a free webinar on the impact that the new tax legislation will have on our industry. Reportedly 125 have registered to date.

The webinar will be held at 12 pm (Mountain Time) on August 12. Duration will be approximately 30 minutes.

The webinar will review the impact on customers and lessors, and will demonstrate that the recent changes favor both EFAs and FMV leases. Topics to be covered will include: Section 179, bonus depreciation, interest expense deduction and other changes. Attendees will learn how to navigate the changes to their benefit.

Amembal noted: "There are opportunities and there are pitfalls but, overall, the changes will be a boon to our industry!"

For registration link, please contact Kelly Farnham at kelly@amembalandhalladay.com.

Sudhir Amembal, CLFP, is the foremost educator in the equipment finance industry.  He created the first-ever leasing seminar in the U.S., has been honored by our industry in a multiplicity of ways for having led his firm in training over 80,000 equipment finance professionals worldwide, publishing 18 industry books, and providing consultancy services to a host of equipment finance companies.  He is an inductee in ELFA's Hall of Fame, Monitor Converge 2023 and 2024 Nominee for MVP Behind the Scene and The Legend, Monitor 2024 Industry Pioneer Icon, and the first- ever honorary CLFP.

Think Differently
By Ken Lubin, ZRG Partners

Your next breakthrough won’t come from working harder.
It’ll come from thinking differently.

Most people hit a plateau because they keep doubling down on the same strategy — more hours, more hustle, more of the same.

But the top 1%?
They pause and reframe the problem.
They challenge the assumptions.
They ask: “What’s the real constraint here?”

And then they flip the game entirely.
The edge isn’t in effort alone. It’s in perspective.

If you’re stuck, don’t push harder.
Zoom out. Rethink. Break the pattern.

That’s how real momentum starts.

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

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Leasing and Finance  Help Wanted
Balboa Capital
We Are Growing Our Senior Sales Team Now

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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
July 8 to July 11

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_08.htm#hires

(2) CLFP Foundation Adds 21 New CLFPs
With Photos
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_08.htm#clfp

(3) Human Capital is the Most Valuable
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_08.htm#human

(4) CLFP Academy Postings and Information
August to November 2025
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_08.htm#academy

(5) Top Ten Most Read by Readers
June 30 to July 2
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_08.htm#630

(6) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_08.htm#hires

(7) Be Bold
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_11.htm#be

(9) View From the Top -  Steve Chriest
Meet Your Old Customers for the First Time
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_11.htm#meet

(10) Why I Hike (with photos)
    by Mel Vinson, CLFP
VP of Marketing & Development at the CLFP Foundation
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Jul2025/07_11.htm#why

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Conferences and Forums - Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, Texas
Hotel Details: AT&T Hotel and Conference Center1900 University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705

Record Attendance Expected
Hotel Cut-Off Date: August 18, 2025

https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/

Charity Cruise in Austin
Sept. 10:  6pm - 8pm - $85.00
Dinner, drinks, Riverboat Cruise
https://conta.cc/40Oqh9J 

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

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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 event of the year!  Register Now!

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

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

Registration and Informtion
https://members.nefassociation.org/Online/iCore/Events/Event_display.aspx?
EventKey=FLCONF25&hkey=4aadd378-30dd-4c01-ad48-05e0ecaace0c

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

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

Registration opening July 14

https://www.elfaonline.org/events-new/event-detail/elfa-64th-annual-convention

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

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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

Looking for coverage of DeBanked B2B Finance Expo.  Please contact kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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New Story Credit Financing Different Approach
Business Loans, SBA Loans, Working Capital
Footnotes First

To qualify for this list, the company may be a funder, who  also is a supper broker, sending deals who have reached a point to go elsewhere, or does equipment they don't do, such as spray booths, steel fences, or agriculture piping or cannabis equipment.

First, the footnotes they provided which reveal their position in the funder only list:

(P) Financial Pacific Leasing supports a nationwide network of Brokers and Lessors. We specialize in A, B, and C credits for established companies as well as under two years in business.

For more information becoming a partner, please visit Prospective 3rd Party Originators - Financial Pacific Leasing https://www.finpac.com/third-party-originators

(S) We at Summit Leasing consider ourselves to be primarily "B" credit lenders, working almost exclusively through brokers. Broker Qualify - Contact us

(W) Forum Financial Services, Inc., prefer venture capital backed start-ups and middle market to large corporate turnaround companies including companies in bankruptcy and post bankruptcy. Our absolute minimum sales for an established business with financial problems are $10.0 million. (this does not include venture capital backed start-ups). Broker Qualify - Please visit our website at www.forumleasing.com or call 972-690-9444 ext. 225

(Y) Gonor Funding specializes in hard to fund leases with D credit. Collateral based with good rates and commission program. Broker Qualify - Please Call

(Z) TEAM Funding Solutions is a C-credit funder that provides a unique alternative to credit scoring. We fund new business start-ups and older businesses with weaker credits when we roll up our sleeves to understand “their story.” Equipment leases are approved and funded based on common sense, the Lessee’s ability to pay and the Broker’s input.

(CC) Provides financing, leasing, and lending services to businesses and municipalities with “A” through “D” credit profiles throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, and South America.  Since inception, FMEF has provided nearly $1 billion in financing to over ten thousand customers. Also seeks third party originations.

Financing programs, leases, and loans for equipment costing from $10,000 to $10,000,000+.  “Application only” programs (No financials or tax returns required) for equipment up to $350,000 and we generally make a credit decision on these transactions within 24 hours. www.netlease.com

(DD) Maxim Commercial Credit provides creative and flexible asset-based financing for today's challenging credit market.

(EE) BSB Leasing, Inc. is a direct funding source. In addition we offer an experienced Syndication Desk that can place transactions that fall outside of credit, equipment, geographic or dollar amount appetite.

(FF) NFS Leasing is a Technology Leasing Specialist which provides funding for B, C, and D and story credits. We make our own credit decisions, service the full lifecycle of transactions on our own balance sheet. We are fast, flexible, and easy to work with. IT & Computer Equipment, Medical, Scientific Equipment, & Office Equipment. We service Canada and the UK as well.

(GG) Bankers Capital will do ANY Type of equipment, in ANY industry (including cannabis), in ANY state. Our specialty is applicants new in business and/or with challenged credit. We require a full financial package on every applicant. Bankers Capital structures “story” or C&D credits with additional collateral which might include mortgages on residential or commercial real estate, additional equipment, assignment of marketable securities or life insurance policies with cash surrender value, security deposits, or vendor agreements Bankers Capital looks for a way to approve the request instead of looking for a way to decline it.

Quality
Quality funds titled and non-titled commercial equipment for A- to C+ customer profiles.  *Our sales team has over 100 years of combined experience in leasing and finance.  Some sales reps have long-standing vendor relationships, but we do not pursue vendor relationships that come to us from brokers."

Balboa Capital Corp. Bankers Capital Black Rock Capital Investment, LLC BSB Leasing, Inc Calfund, LLC Dakota Financial

Financial Pacific Leasing Forum Financial Services, Inc. Gonor Funding Maxim Commercial Capital, LLC

North Mill Equipment Finance P&L Capital Corporation Quality Leasing Co. Inc. SLIM Capital, LLC TEAM Funding Solutions

News Briefs

Chuck E. Cheese opens arcades for adults,
  including one in Buford, Georgia
https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/07/chuck-e-cheese-opens-arcades-for-adults-including-one-in-buford/

With $217 Million in Ticket Sales,
‘Superman’ Helps Save Warner Bros., Too
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/business/media/superman-warner-bros-box-office.html

Drones Are Key to Winning Wars Now.
The U.S. Makes Hardly Any.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/business/drones-us-military-manufacturing-lags.html

Economists See Lower Recession Risk
    and Stronger Job Growth: WSJ Survey
https://www.wsj.com/economy/economists-see-lower-recession-risk-and-stronger-job-growth-wsj-survey-10d6e476?st=G7P4Yk&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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Trump Is Gutting Weather Science and
   Reducing Disaster Response
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/13/climate/floods-trump-cuts-disaster-preparedness-fema.html

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Sports Briefs---

Wimbledon final: Jannik Sinner beats Carlos Alcatraz
to win first Wimbledon title
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6490930/2025/07/13/sinner-alcaraz-wimbledon-final-result-analysis/

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California News Briefs---

Judge orders Trump administration to halt indiscriminate immigration stops,  arrests in California
https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-orders-trump-administration-to-halt-indiscriminate-immigration-stops-arrests-in-california/

Intel chops several hundred San Francisco Bay Area  tech jobs as chipmaker retrenches
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/11/economy-jobs-intel-tech-south-bay-layoff-chip-work-santa-clara-ai/

300 juveniles descend on Bay Area mall in Brentwood, prompting fights and arrests
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/chaos-bay-area-mall-crowd-juveniles-20768010.php

Calif. airport spends $57,000 per residence
on noise mitigation
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/california-airport-noise-mitigation-20765065.php

Reviled A's owner bought $29.25M Las Vegas mansion
in secret deal
https://www.sfgate.com/athletics/article/reviled-as-owner-quietly-bought-las-vegas-mansion-20763519.php

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

Healdsburg chef Dustin Valette and winemaker
 Michael Browne team up on Pinot Noir
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/lifestyle/valette-wines-winemaker-michael-browne/

2025 ASEV National Conference Bridges Science and Practice for  the Grape and Wine Industry Monterey,      
    California |=June 17- 19, 2025
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/305341

European wine may be left out of trade deal
with U.S., lobby group says
https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/wine-lobby-group-urges-eu-keep-wine-us-trade-talks-2025-07-11/

US farm secretary says 'no amnesty' for
farm workers from deportation
https://www.reuters.com/legal/government/us-farm-secretary-says-no-amnesty-farmworkers-deportation-2025-07-08/

He built one of America’s bestselling wine brands. Now
he’s demanding ‘hundreds of millions’ in court
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/josh-cellars-lawsuit-20759792.php