New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Austin Eames, CLFP, was hired as Senior Solutions Consultant, FIS, Jacksonville, Florida. He is located in Irvine, California. Previously, he was Management Consultant, Specialty Finance, Accenture (January, 2022 - April, 2024). He joined Key Equipment Finance June, 2016, Sales Associate, promoted Healthcare Sales Representative, April, 2017, Account Executive (July, 2017 - January, 2022).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-eames-clfp-377573ba/

Jon Kicklighter was hired as Senior Vice President, Risk Management, SLR Equipment Finance, Wilton, Connecticut.  He is located in Greensboro - Winston-Salem., N.C. Previously, he was at Volvo Financial Services, starting September, 2016, Credit Officer II, promoted May, 2019, Credit Manager, Western & Central United States, promoted Manager at Credit * Risk, VFB North America (August, 2021 - April, 2024). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-kicklighter-9ab5749/details/experience/

Brandi Forsthe Ragland was promoted Inside Sales Account Manager, BMO Transportation Finance Group, Irving, Texas. She is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.  She joined BMO Transportation Finance December, 2015.  Previously, she joined GE Capital as Inside Sales Representative (September, 2010 - December, 2015). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-forsythe-ragland-33b8715/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandi-forsythe-ragland-33b8715/

Harry Sidhu was promoted to Senior Relationship Manager, TD, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. He is located in the Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area. He joined TD as Account Executive, Equipment Finance (May, 2021); Previously, he was Territory Manager, Wells Fargo (December, 2018 - May, 2021). He joined Coast Capital Savings, June, 2016, promoted Account Executive (Vendor & Direct), Equipment Finance (April, 2017 - December, 2018).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-sidhu-3a3307127/

Alex Stalkfleet was promoted to AVP of Local Leasing and Business Development, Pacific Retail Capital Partners, El Segundo, California. He is located in Gilbert, Arizona. He joined Pacific Rental Capital Partners May, 2022, as Regional Local Leasing Director-West. Previously, he was at Macerich, starting September, 2020, Specialty Leasing Manager, promoted Senior Manager, Specialty Leasing (December, 2021 - May, 2022). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstalkfleet/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexstalkfleet

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

License and Registration
A State-by-State Analysis of License Requirements for Lenders and Brokers

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia

Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland

Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey

New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota

Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Washington, DC Puerto Rico

• Virginia sales-based financing disclosure law – Went into effect July 1, 2022
• California commercial financing disclosures – Went into effect December 9, 2022
• Utah commercial financing disclosures – Went into effect January 1, 2023
• Florida disclosure law and broker law  -  Went into effect July 1, 2023
• New York commercial financing disclosure law – Went into effect August 1, 2023
• Connecticut commercial financing disclosure laws – Went into effect January 1, 2024
• Georgia commercial financing disclosure laws – Went into effect January 1, 2024

Seven States Reintroduce Commercial Disclosure Financing Bills

• North Carolina – Small Business Truth in Financing Act
• Kansas – The commercial financing Disclosure Act
• Missouri – Commercial Financing Disclosure Law
• New Jersey – An Act concerning commercial financing
• Illinois – Small Business Truth in Lending Act
• California – Commercial Financing Bill
• New York – An Act to amend the banking law and the administrative code of the City of New York, in relation to regulating commercial finance licensing

Source: deBanked.com

ELFA Launches Interactive State Map to Track Financial Disclosure Regulation Activity
Free to Non-Members
https://www.elfaonline.org/advocacy/state-issues/lenders-license

Full Report:
https://leasingnews.org/Pages/states_license.html

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

ELFA Legal Forum
Hybrid Event:  In-Person & Virtual
May 5 - May 7, 2024
The Scottsdale Resort & Spa, Scottsdale, AZ

In-Person: Attend the Legal Forum in-person to connect with colleagues in Scottsdale. Onsite attendees will enjoy unparalleled opportunities to network, do business and uncover ideas to help your business grow. All in-person attendees will also have access to attend virtually to education sessions as well.

Virtual: Attend the Legal Forum remotely to hear from industry experts from the comfort of your home or office. Watch livestreams of high-quality educational sessions and top-notch keynote speakers when and where it’s most convenient for you—for a discounted price.

Full Information
https://cvdata.elfaonline.org/cvweb/cgi-bin/eventsdll.dll/EventInfo?SESSIONALTCD=LF24

Leasing News Legal Editor Marshall Goldberg, Esq. has a special report on the California Disclosure law at the Legal Conference, plus will cover highlights for Leasing News readers.

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

Leasing and Finance Industry Help Wanted

Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance Conferences
2024

May 20: deBanked Broker Fair, New York City
https://brokerfair.org/register
Pooja Nene, Balboa Capital, Broker Relations Manager, will be covering for Leasing News

June 4-7: National Automotive Finance Association Annual Conference, Fort Worth, TX
Conference Info: https://www.nafassociation.com/naf2024#Hotel

Sept. 4-5: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, New Orleans, LA
https://expo.aacfb.org/home

Sept. 10-12: CFLA Conference, St. John's, NL, Canada
https://cfla-acfl.ca/programs-services/event-calendar.html/event-info/details/id/48

Oct. 16-18: NVLA Conference, Clearwater Beach, Florida
https://www.nvla.org/page/2024conference
Sloan Schickler, Esq., Schickler & Schickler, will be covering the conference for Leasing News. She is also presenting

Oct. 27-29: 63rd ELFA Annual Convention, Austin, TX
Convention details

Nov. 11-14: NEFA Funding Symposium, Indianapolis, Indiana

To be listed, email: kitmenkin@leasingnews

 

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

Major Change in the Works Regarding
Changing Federal Law re: Cannabis

The Cannabis Industry in the United States is about to get a major change opening many doors, including banking ability, and giving more advantage over illegal sales. It will increase sales tax, federal tax, hire more people, as well as give commercial finance and leasing more business.

Several newspapers have confirmed the Department of Drug Enforcement will reclassify marijuana as a lower-risk drug, drastically changing federal rules. It appears it moves the drug to Schedule III, alongside ketamine and some anabolic steroids, as recommended by the Federal Health and Human Services Department. It also appears President Biden and Congress will sign the change following public comment and a review by an administrative judge.

It comes after President Biden called for a review of federal marijuana law in October 2022 and moved to pardon thousands of Americans convicted federally of simple possession of the drug. He has also called on governors and local leaders to take similar steps to erase marijuana convictions.

It opens up retail stories have deductions on expenses and able to use banking facilities, which they presently do not have. It may also open the door for pharmacies to be able to sell cannabis products with medical doctor prescriptions.

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

Financing Cannabis Funding Sources
  Many Work with Third Party Originators

Alliance Commercial Capital
Alternative Finance Network
Cannabis Equipment Leasing
International Financial Services (IFS)
NEC Financial Services
Number One Enterprise
Slim Capital
Vertical Companies

 

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

### Press Release #########################

Alta Latin America CEO to Share Climate Finance Perspective
at ELFA Legal Forum

Rafael Castillo-Triana to discuss study conducted for Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

Rafael Castillo-Triana, CEO of The Alta Group’s Latin American Region, will shed light on the market-entry opportunity presented by climate finance at the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s (ELFA) 2024 Legal Forum taking place May 5-7 in Scottsdale, Ariz.

In addition to the ELFF report, the session will also cover electric vehicles (EVs) and charging stations and energy as a service.

Virtual: Attend the Legal Forum remotely to hear from industry experts from the comfort of your home or office. Watch livestreams of high-quality educational sessions and top-notch keynote speakers when and where it’s most convenient for you—for a discounted price.

Full Information
https://cvdata.elfaonline.org/cvweb/cgi-bin/eventsdll.dll/EventInfo?SESSIONALTCD=LF24

### Press Release #########################

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

Watch at Home
by Fernando Croce, Leasing News Movie Reviewer

Among the series featured on this month’s Criterion Channel is a collection of titles set in Venice, which range from the frothy and romantic to the sinister and haunting. So take an early vacation trip with these cinematic gems, available through May.

Summertime (1955): Best known for his screen-filling epics, David Lean (“Lawrence of Arabia”) works on a more intimate canvas in this poignant romance, which was reportedly the director’s favorite of his own films. Katharine Hepburn is superbly vulnerable as Jane Hudson, a middle-aged American secretary who takes a long-awaited vacation trip in Venice. Having accepted what she sees as a lonely future, she finds herself overwhelmed by the lushness of the Italian city, particularly when embodied in the dapper charm of an antiques shop owner named Renato (Rosanno Brazzi). When she discovers the secret he’s harboring, however, her romantic hope is in danger of vanishing as quickly as it appeared. Anchored by Hepburn’s vibrant turn, Lean’s gorgeous Technicolor travelogue continues to cast a seductive spell on audiences.

Death in Venice (1971): The rot of beauty and the beauty of rot were constant themes for the great Italian director Luchino Visconti (“The Leopard”), and few of his pictures better illustrate them than this visually opulent adaptation of Thomas Mann’s classic novel. Dirk Bogarde plays Gustav, an ailing German composer who hopes to get away from creative and emotional stasis by traveling to Venice. While visiting the city’s monuments, he sees and becomes obsessed with a boy (Bjorn Andressen) who in his eyes embodies the pure artistic muse. As Gustav’s health worsens, however, the youth looks more and more like an angel of death. Though not for every taste, Visconti’s languid, sumptuous approach casts a heavy spell on the viewer, a journey of moments suspended between the grotesque and the sublime.

Don't Look Now (1973): An uncompromisingly fierce stylist, Nicolas Roeg (“Walkabout”) reached an unsettling peak with this unforgettably eerie thriller, based on a Daphne Du Maurier story. Laura (Julie Christie) and John Baxter (Donald Sutherland) are a married couple whose life takes a tragic turn after the death of their child. To deal with their grief, they travel to Venice, where they turn their attention to the ancient art surrounding the canals. Soon, they begin to experience strange, even psychic signs as they wander through the city. Could it be that the dead daughter is trying to contact them, or could it be a path to something more horrific? Creating a matchless atmosphere of decay and danger, Roeg's classic gets under the audience's skin and builds to a jaw-dropping revelation.

The Comfort of Strangers (1990): Director Paul Schrader (“First Reformed”) teamed up with distinguished writer Harold Pinter and a splendid cast for this psychological thriller, which expertly mixes elegance and creepiness. Colin (Rupert Everett) and Mary (Natasha Richardson) are a British couple whose vacation in Venice takes an unpredictable turn after they befriend the enigmatic Robert (Christopher Walken). The son of an Italian diplomat married to the equally unusual Caroline (Helen Mirren), Robert regales Colin and Mary with anecdotes and takes them on luxurious sightseeing trips. It’s not long, however, before disturbing elements creep into their friendship, and their games grow increasingly deadly. A master of sinister subtlety, Pinter is a perfect match for Schrader, whose own taste for analytical perversity is in full, fascinating display here.

Italian for Beginners (2000): The series closes on a light note with this charming romantic comedy from Danish director Lone Scherfig, who’d later reach mainstream recognition with the Oscar-nominated “An Education.” The plot follows a group of people whose lives intersect in the harsh Copenhagen winter, centering on widowed pastor Andreas (Anders W. Berthelsen). When he signs up for a language class to learn Italian, he meets several middle-aged students with troubles and problems of their own. There’s a flirtatious hairdresser (Ann Eleonora Jorgensen), a clumsy baker (Annette Stovelback), a moody bar manager (Lars Kaalund), and a shy supervisor (Peter Gantzler). The drabness of the early passages is contrasted with the sunniness of Venice, where the characters bloom during an eventful trip. The results brim with humor and charm. With subtitles.

Fernando Croce is a nationally recognized film reviewer and has been contributing to Leasing News since 2008. His reviews appear each Friday.

German Shepherd
Roseville, California Adopt-a-Dog

Bella
Female
Adult
Large

Meet Bella, a dog with a personality that radiates pure joy. She's a goofy girl, with a playful spirit that's contagious. Her energy is boundless, often leading her into the most amusing antics that can brighten even the gloomiest of days. Bella loves nothing more than a good game of fetch or a romp around the yard, her enthusiasm and zest for life never waning. She's an expert at turning ordinary moments into extraordinary memories.

With Bella, every day is an adventure. Adopt Bella and let her bring her unique brand of happiness and love into your life. She's not just a pet, she's a friend, a companion, and a source of endless entertainment. Let Bella show you the true meaning of unconditional love. Bella does not like the company of other dogs and is required to be the only dog in her new home.

She is still learning how to share her favorite toys and is working on her manners, so we are requiring that any children in her new home are age 10 or older. A consult with our Behavior Team will be provided to discuss her individual needs.

Adoption Price: $150

Placer SPCA
200 Tahoe Avenue
Roseville, California 95678
customercare@placerspca.org
(916) 782-7722

News Briefs

Are Interest Rate Cuts Not Actually Around the Corner?
    As Predicted April 18, 2024 by deBanked Staff
https://debanked.com/2024/04/are-interest-rate-cuts-not-actually-around-the-corner/

BofA Survey: Majority of Small and Mid-Sized
    Business Owners Anticipate Revenue Growth This Year
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bofa-survey-majority-of-small-and-mid-sized-business-owners-anticipate-revenue-growth-this-year-302133106.html

ADP Employment Report: Private Sector  
   Employment Increased by 192,000 Jobs in April;
    Annual Pay was Up 5.0%
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/adp-national-employment-report-private-sector-employment-increased-by-192-000-jobs-in-april-annual-pay-was-up-5-0-302133022.html

Mortgage rates jump again to 7.22%
    still stifling the housing market
https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/mortgage-rates-may-2-2024

Elon Musk’s shock firing of Supercharger team sparks   
    broader fears about the future of the EV industry
https://fortune.com/2024/05/02/elon-musk-tesla-supercharger-headcount-sales-growth/

5 companies own 8,000 Kansas City area homes,
creating intense competition for residents
https://kcbeacon.org/stories/2024/02/28/kansas-city-single-family-housing-market/

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

AACFB YouTube of Memorial to Barry Reitman
    Family and friends gathered Zoom May 1

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

Sports Briefs---

What the Kansas City stadium tax defeat says
     About their teams, subsidies and Jackson County voters
https://kcbeacon.org/stories/2024/04/03/jackson-county-royals-chiefs-stadium-tax-vote/

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

California News Briefs---

California’s great exodus finally slows as
    population increases after 3-year decline
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/05/01/californias-great-exodus-finally-slows-as-population-increases-after-3-year-decline/

Texas just took a big hit in its
    against California
https://www.sfgate.com/tech/article/austin-texas-big-hit-tech-race-california-19429213.php

Billion-dollar AI company abandons San Francisco
    for more ‘livable’ Bay Area city
https://www.sfchronicle.com/tech/article/ai-company-abandons-sf-19434378.php

Where the locals eat in one of California's
    wealthiest coastal towns
https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/carmel-day-trip-northern-california-coast-19399807.php

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

Gimme that Wine

 

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

The Best Cabernet Sauvignon Under $30
    Results of San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition      
https://www.sfgate.com/best/map/best-cabernet-sauvignon-under-30

Finger Lakes Riesling draws wine professionals
    from all over the country
https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/news/2024/04/30/finger-lakes-riesling-draws-wine-professionals-from-all-over-the-country

Napa Valley Vintners Go to Washington
    to Protect their Reputation
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/286875ion