New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Carol Baker, CPA, was hired as Vice-President/Controller, Coretech Leasing, an independent technology and equipment lessor, Newport Beach, California. She is located in Crown Point, joining the company as Associate Accounting Manager (May, 2022 -August, 2024); Associate Accounting Manager, VelocityEHS (August, 2021- May, 2022).
Full Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-baker-cpa/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carol-baker-cpa/

Michelle Davis was hired as Regional Sales Manager, Merchants Fleet, working remote from the Greater New Orleans region. Previously, she was Business Development Manager, OEM, Ranger Design (July, 2023 - March, 2025); Regional Vice President, Business Development, Wheels,
Inc. (February, 2023 - July, 2023); Regional Vice President, Business Development, LeasePlan, USA (January, 2017 - July, 2023). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/linkwithmichelledavis/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/linkwithmichelledavis/

Scott Frazen was hired as Regional Sales Manager, Commercial Funding, Inc.  He is located in Albertville, Minnesota. Previously, he was Vice President, Business Development Officer, TAB Bank (August, 2021 - March, 2025); SVP Business Development Officer, TCI Business Capital, a division of Fidelity Bank (August, 2020 - August, 2023); SVP, Business Development Officer, Capital Finance at UMB Bank (January, 2015 - March, 2020).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-franzen-61109714/

Ricardo Nunes was hired as Managing Director, Originations, Private Equity Investment expert, HC Capital America, Inc., Norwalk, Connecticut. He is located in Scarsdale, New York. Previously, he was a Bank of Ireland, starting March, 2008, Vice President, Portfolio, promoted Vice President, Underwriting, September, 2011, promoted Director, Originations & Underwriting, (September, 2017 - January, 2025). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardomnunes/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ricardomnunes/

 

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Cash Flow is King
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Several years ago, I presented the benefits offered by the commercial equipment leasing and finance industry to a group of business owners. I explained the flexibility of different structures, how the products complement traditional bank relationships and often provide additional cash resources for both small and large businesses 

A gentleman in the room commented, "The commercial equipment leasing and finance industry exists because it provides cash flow savings. The industry exists because most owners know that 'Cash is King.' Any tool which helps to conserve cash and bank lines of credit is a powerful tool for every business owner."

BINGO! Business owners know the power of our products and originators need to continuously remind their clients of the cash flow benefits of using their product to conserve cash.

Cash Flow is always King, especially in uncertain times. Businesses need a reserve of cash for unexpected challenges and opportunities. Cash allows companies to move forward with confidence.
My grandfather ran a small city grocery store. He measured success by how much cash was left over in the "cigar box" at the end of the day, week, and month. He measured success by how much cash was able to be withdrawn from the business and transferred to his personal savings, without disturbing the cash flow of his business.

Every business works under the same simple principles that my grandfather used over 70 years ago. The commercial equipment leasing and finance industry allows business owners to acquire needed equipment to grow their business. The industry allows the "cigar box" from being depleted too quickly and aligns the cost of needed equipment with future revenues. Every originator in the commercial equipment finance industry has this powerful tool to offer his clients.

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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Balboa Capital Available Position
Program Manager II- Equipment Broker Sales

If you're looking for your sign to earn your CLFP letters this year, let this be it! We have several upcoming classes (one a month!) available this spring to support you on your CLFP Journey. Be sure to start by ordering the CLFP Handbook and studying, https://buff.ly/FxzpH9q, then register for an Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals (ALFP) course to finalize your studies before your Exam. Registrations open now: https://buff.ly/0MbiMUH  (includes additional dates and information).

Thank you to North Mill Equipment Finance LLC, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, and Northland Capital Equipment Finance for hosting courses with us!

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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
March 17 to March 20

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_17.htm#hires

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_19.htm#hires

(3) New York May Soon Require Commercial  
  Finance  Licenses
By Ken Greene, Leasing News Emeritus
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_21.htm#ny

(4) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_21.htm#hires

(5) Funders Taking "New" Broker Business List
Five Do Not Require that Brokers Be Licensed
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_17.htm#taking

(6) Recap: NEFA Spring Conference
By Vicki Shimkus, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_19.htm#recap

(7) I believe I may be let go!
Career Crossroads by Emily Fitzpatrick/RII
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_17.htm#cr

(8) Small banks in mostly red districts could lose   
  funding under new Trump order
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/18/trump-targets-banks-republican-districts-crapo/

(9) The World's Largest Armies
Number of Active Personnel by Country
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_19.htm#army

(10) NMEF Closes $410 Million Securitization,
Marking Continued Growth and Market Confidence
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Mar2025/03_21.htm#nm

 

 

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Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance
Conferences and Forums  - Updated

April 9–11: NVLA Conference, Clearwater Beach, Florida
Conference Details  2025 NVLA Annual Conference - National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA)
 This year's conference will feature Keynote Speaker, Michelle "MACE" Curran, Women in Leasing Poolside Social, informative education sessions, and ample networking opportunities. Attend the next NVLA Women in Leasing meeting on March 19, 2025 at 9 a.m. PT / 11 am CT / 12 pm ET. Sloan Schickler, Esq., Schickler & Schickler, PLLC., Leasing  News advisor and writer,  will be covering the conference for Leasing News readers

April 9-11: AACFB Annual Conference, Las Vegas, Nevada       https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Don-t-Miss-Brokering-Essen
The deadline to get the AACFB group rates for the 2025 AACFB Annual Conference in Las Vegas is fast approaching. The block at the Paris Hotel is oversold, making some nights only available at a higher rate. However, the group rate is still available at the Horseshoe Hotel next door to the Paris. Book NOW! https://conta.cc/4kmi84u     Conference MDetails    List of Exhibitors    Melissa (Mel) Vinson, CLFP, VP of Marketing & Development, CLFP Foundation will be covering the conference for Leasing News Readers.

 

April 15-17: ELFA 36th Annual National Funding Conference, Chicago, Illinois
Conference Details
Don't miss your chance to connect with over 600 industry professionals at the ELFA Funding Conference. Funding is the lifeblood of the equipment leasing and finance industry – this event is your opportunity to secure the partnerships you need to drive success. Register and view hotel information  Randy Haug, EVP/Co-Founder LTi Technology, member of the Leasing News Advisory Board will cover the ELFA National Funding Conference for Leasing News readers.

May 19: Broker Fair, New York City  The Best is Yet to Come
https://brokerfair.org
https://brokerfair.org/register/ Now is the time to  book your room for discounted rate: https://brokerfair.org/hotel-2025/ Don Cosenza, 17 year Public Relations and spokesman  for North Mill Equipment Finance and past National Equipment Finance Association past board member, writer for Leasing News,  will cover the Broker Fair.

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

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

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

To be listed or update: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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The Ten Largest Companies in
the U.S., Europe, and China

The top nine American companies by market cap are all worth more than a trillion dollars.

And the 10th largest—Walmart—is a full $300 billion more valuable than Tencent, China’s most valuable company.

Further behind are Europe’s largest by market capitalization: Novo Nordisk and LVMH.

Of course market cap isn’t a measure of revenue or profitability. But it is a measure of investor belief coupled with capital market size.

And on this metric, American companies are dwarfing other, successful companies, from other large economies.

News Briefs

White House Narrows April 2 Tariffs
    industrial sectors like cars and microchips are no longer expected
https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy/trump-tariff-reciprocal-deadline-industrial-delay-97508838?st=964PCg&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Trump can’t cut teacher training grants
https://www.courthousenews.com/trump-cant-cut-teacher-training-grants-appeals-court-rules/appeals court rules

Musk to Make Billions in New Government Contracts
https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2025/03/23/elon-musk-profit-billions-new-government-contracts/

Trump wants to build more
    ships in the United States
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/03/23/trump-shipbuilding-fees-china/

Calif. AG issues stark warning to 15 million 23andMe users
    as bankruptcy looms: ‘Delete your data’
https://nypost.com/2025/03/23/us-news/calif-ag-issues-stark-warning-to-15-million-23andme-users/

Disney's 'Snow White' has a sleepy opening weekend
    after a string of controversies
https://www.businessinsider.com/disney-snow-white-opening-weekend-box-office-numbers-disapointment-2025-3

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Wine enthusiasts order hundreds of bottles
    to ‘beat the tariffs’
https://nypost.com/2025/03/21/business/wine-enthusiasts-stockpile-wine-to-beat-the-tariffs

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Sports Briefs

Boston Celtics to be sold for a record price
   to San Francisco Bay Area billionaire
https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/boston-celtics-sold-record-bay-area-billionaire-20232357.php

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California News Briefs

    
Yosemite isn't the only national park dealing
   with a reservations nightmare
https://www.sfgate.com/national-parks/article/national-park-reservations-nightmare-20232044.php

A visit to the last Chuck E. Cheese in California
    with an animatronic band
www.sfgate.com/food/article/chuck-e-cheese-northridge-animatronic-band-20222422.php

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Gimme that Wine

 

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

Local women recognized by Wine Enthusiast for 
revolutionizing  the wine industry
https://www.bing.com/search?q=Local+women+recognized

Farmers Collaborate with Songbirds and Owls to Remove
Pests from Winegrape Vineyards
https://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/article/298670

New Advancements in Autonomous and Robotic Vineyard  
Equipment  Promote Efficiency, Environmental and Cost Benefits
https://www.winebusiness.com/content/articles/wbm/202503/wbm_202