CLFP Foundation Adds 17 New CLFPs
With Photos

The Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation is pleased to announce that 17 individuals who recently sat through the online proctored CLFP exam have passed. They are:

Joshua Allerson, CLFP – Assistant Vice President,
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

James Bieda, CLFP – Vice President of Syndication
and Operations, Blue Street Capital, LLC

Rita Botello, CLFP – Vice President, Operations
Manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Andy Chon, CLFP – Manager – Sales and
Partnerships, Taycor Financial

Ian Fine, CLFP – Vice President, Healthcare
Vendor Services – Relationship Manager,
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Barry Gertschen, CLFP – Senior Vice President,
Head of Equipment Finance Portfolio
Performance and Analytics, U.S.
Bank Equipment Finance

Carolyn Gniffke, CLFP – Contract Administration
Manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Jeffrey Green II, CLFP – CT&I Account Manager,
Commercial Finance, DLL8.

Amber Karlheim, CLFP – Staff Accountant,
ECS Financial Services, Inc.

Sara Lipetzky, CLFP – Inside Sales
Representative, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Rebecca Nelson, CLFP – Assistant Vice President,
Operations Manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Daniel Thornton, CLFP – Operations Manager,
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Eric Von Esmarch, CLFP – Assistant Vice
President, Credit Analyst, U.S. Bank
Equipment Finance

Kiley Waters, CLFP – Vice President, Relationship
Manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Rebecca Weisenbach, CLFP – Operations
Manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

Bradley Winkelman, CLFP, Vice President Technology Vendor Services, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance attended the U.S. Bank Equipment Finance ALFP earlier this month along with mentors and co-workers that went through the program.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to round out my knowledge and fill in the blanks, as it helped to put some puzzle pieces in place."

Rebecca Nelson said, "I chose to pursue this designation to enhance my professional credibility, enhance my expertise in leasing and finance and to set me apart in a competitive field. This will also open career advancement opportunities and increases my value to employers."

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

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New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Samantha (Supple) Pennacchietti was promoted to Manager, Operations and Strategic Projects, Bennington Financial Corp., Oakville, Ontario, Canada. She is located in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. She joined in March, 2013, as Lease Transaction Analyst. Previously, she was Financial Advisor, Sun Life Financial (July, 2012 - March, 2013); Educator, Lulemon Athletica (November, 2010 - July, 2013).
Full Bio: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-pennacchietti-26171857/details/experience
https://www.linkedin.com/in/samantha-pennacchietti-26171857/

Amy Stovel was hired as Account Executive, CoreTech, Newport Beach, California. Previously, she was at Regents Capital Corporation, starting May, 2022, Sales Development Representative, promoted Account Manager (July, 2023 - May, 2025).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-stovel-3598b1235/

James Villar was promoted to Manager of Corporate Technology & Security, Alliance Funding Group, Tustin, California, where he is also located. He joined Alliance as IT Manager (July. 2019 - May, 2025). Previously, he was Trauma Medical Assistant/OSHA Officer, Newport Orthopedic Institute (November, 2015 - June, 2018); Printer/Copier Technician, Graphic Enterprises (2014 - 2015); Regional Site Representative, Canon, USA (2008 - 2013).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-villar-55b913b1/

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Kris Roglieri Trial Set in Stone January 5, 2026
By Ken Greene, Chief Leasing News Legal Editor, Emeritus

The seemingly never-ending saga of Mr. Kris Roglieri, he of Prime Capital fame, continues. The criminal proceedings to date have been saddled by several delays but the presiding judge, U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino has had enough of that and, at the latest status conference, set trial for January 5, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Albany. Judge D’Agostino made it perfectly clear that there would be no further delays.

For those of you who have not been following this story, Mr. Roglieri has been charged with misappropriating a $5 million deposit from investors seeking a $100 million loan for a Minnesota egg farm. Prosecutors allege that Mr. Roglieri diverted the deposit for personal expenses, including a gold watch, private jet travel and Ponzi style repayments to other clients. He has also been cited for other money received but kept for personal
reasons as well as domestic threats against his wife and threats of murder against FBI agents.

His repeated requests for bail have been denied, presumably as a result of threats he allegedly made investors, not to mention the discovery of an AR-25 rifle with a high-capacity magazine at his residence.

Mr. Roglieri and/or his companies have been sued numerous times. The following companies have taken legal action against Prime Capital or Prime Commercial Lending, as well as conference money not utilized and one major Las Vegas hotel not paid for a conference his company had run:

• B&R Acquisition Partners – Alleged $4.3 million missing
• 526 Murfreesboro, LLC – Alleged $4.3 million missing
• HCW Biologics Inc. – Alleged $5.25 million missing
• Compass-Charlotte 1031, LLC – Alleged $15.9 million missing
• Camshaft CRE 1, LLC – Alleged $12.4 million missing
• Newlight Technologies, Inc. – Alleged $2.5 million missing
• ER Tennessee LLC – Alleged $15 million missing
• Motos America Inc. – Alleged $3 million missing
• 1800 Park Avenue LLC – Alleged $5 million missing

Mr. Roglieri has pleaded not guilty to all charges. He obviously seems to believe he is innocent of the charges and no fate awaits him except  to declare he is innocent.

Ken Greene
Law Office of Kenneth Charles Greene
5743 Corsa Avenue, Suite 208
Westlake Village, California 91362
Tel: 818.575.9095
Fax: 805.435.7464
ken@kengreenelaw.com
www.kengreenelaw.com

Balboa Capital Available Position
Program Manager II- Equipment Broker Sales

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Ritzon Fernandez Now at Equity Financial,
Fort Worth, Texas - The Full Story

Ritzon Fernandez was hired as Senior Vice President of Sales, Equify Financial, LLC, Fort Worth, Texas.  He is located in Nashvile, Tennessee. Previously, he was Executive Director, North America, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation. He began his career in the Finance Leadership Development Program in June, 2008.  Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritzonfernandez/details/experience/

In the New Hires Friday News Edition, the announcement of new position was made as Senior Vice President of Sales.  A press release  explained better than the list of previous companies and positions by Ritzon Fernandez.

Equify Financial appointed Ritzon Fernandez as Senior Vice President of Sales. Fernandez offers a demonstrated history of success in commercial equipment finance and asset-based lending, complemented by extensive leadership experience overseeing regional sales operations. Before Equify, he served in leadership positions within Caterpillar Financial Services, where he was instrumental in developing high-performing sales teams and consultative sales cultures.

In his new role, Fernandez will oversee the refinement and execution of the national sales strategy. He will work closely with each regional sales manager to elevate team performance, enhance client relationships, and expand the company’s presence across multiple verticals. Ritzon Fernandez now at Equity Financial, Fort Worth, Texas.

Paul Holby, CEO, Equify Financial said, “We’re excited to have Ritzon on board. He really understands the equipment finance industry and how to build strategic sales teams. His approach will help us support our customers and keep us moving in the right direction.”

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Conferences and Forums – Coverage  Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

 

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

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
The Wait is Over:
Conference details and sign-up

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
Conference Details

Randy Haug, LTi Technology, will be covering the conference for Leasing News. He remembers, "This is going to be back to the same venue and property that the ELFA had previously scheduled but the hurricane came through and the ELFA had to cancel at the last minute, then reschedule up in Orlando a few weeks later." He will also be in Washington DC at the annual ELFA Capitol Connections meeting in early June this year.

To be listed or update: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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Top Ten Most Read by Readers
May 12 to May 16

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_16.htm#hires

(2) WILL TEXAS BE NEXT ON THE DISCLOSURE  
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By Ken Greene, Leasing News Legal Editor, Emeritus
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_12.htm#will

(3) Bite-Sized Marketing for Busy Brokers:
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AACFB Webinar Open to all Busy Brokers
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(4) AEF Advances Large Ticket Platform
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(5) Linda Kester
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(6) How One Originator Pivoted to a New Industry
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(7) Coda: New Hires/Promotions
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https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_12.htm#coda

(8) Conferences and Forums – Coverage  Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance
https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_12.htm#conf

(9) BriteCap Launches BriteLine™
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https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_14.htm#bc

(10) The 4 Career Mistakes That Keep
Smart People Stuck
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https://leasingnews.org/archives/May2025/05_16.htm#4

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

AP Equipment Financing  Marks Continued Growth
First Quarter 2025  for AP Equipment Financing

BEND, OR. – AP Equipment Financing has increased Q1 2025 funding volume by 12.7%, compared to Q1 in 2024. This increase signals a strong start to what is shaping up to be a record-breaking year. March 2025 stood out as a particularly strong month, with funding volumes increasing 32.4% year-over-year.  

Chris Lerma, CLFP, said, “This strong start to 2025 is the result of our continued focus on people, principles, and processes”.

“By investing in talent and streamlining how we work, AP is well-positioned to deliver fast, flexible financing while strengthening relationships across our portfolio.” 

AP attributes this upward trajectory to an ongoing diversification of asset classes and continued departmental expansion, following a series of key hires and internal growth initiatives throughout 2024. These strategic moves have positioned AP to better serve a broad range of industries while maintaining their commitment to fast, flexible financing solutions. 

AP Equipment Financing remains focused on building lasting relationships with vendors and customers and looks ahead to continued success throughout 2025. 

About AP Equipment Financing: Founded in 1998 and based in Bend, Oregon, AP Equipment Financing is a subsidiary of Tokyo Century (USA) Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Tokyo Century Corporation. Tokyo Century Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo, has 7,800 employees, and offers specialty leasing and other high value-added financial services in more than 30 countries.  

AP Equipment Financing is renowned for its reliability, consistently delivering innovative financial services and comprehensive expertise to ensure customer satisfaction. The affiliation with Tokyo Century Corporation grants AP the financial strength and resources of a large organization, while enabling them to uphold the swift and personalized service characteristic of an agile independent enterprise. 

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

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