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

New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Ryan Boooher was hired as Market President for the Tampa Region, Truist He is located in San Diego, California. Previously he was Group Manager, Customer Experience, QuickBooks Ecosystem (SMB, HCM and Money), (May, 2024 - August, 2025); Self-Employed  (December, 2021 - April, 2025); Head of QuickBooks, Payroll & QB Time (formerly TSHeets) (April, 2018 -
December, 2021). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbooher/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanbooher/

Steve Damon was hired as Vice President of Operations, Franklin Capital, Naples, Florida, where he is also located. Previously, he was Vice President, Client Management Operations, Eliande Trade Finance, LP (June, 2023 - February, 2025). Health and Well-Being Career Break (December, 2021 - June, 2023). Vice President ABL/Factoring Manager, First Florida Integrity Bank (February, 2019 - December, 2021).  Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-damon-a9282b4b/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-damon-a9282b4b/

Steve Fisher was hired as Executive Vice President, Commercial Sales Leader, Truist, Orlando, Florida, where he is also located. Previously, he was Executive Vice President, Regional President, Florida North (September 2023 - June, 2025), Executive Vice President, Central Florida (September, 2022 - September, 2023).  Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-fisher-mba-4475b1b/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-fisher-mba-4475b1b/

Arde Sahraeean was hired as Vice President, Portfolio Management, SLR Business Credit, Los Angeles, California, where he is also located. Prior, he was Assistant Vice President, CRE, Underwriter II, Banc of California (June, 2021 - March, 2023); He joined East West Bank as Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Officer, Technology & News Media, June, 2016; promoted Vice President, Portfolio Manager, Asset Based  Lending/Technology (March, 2023 - May, 2023); Assistant Vice President, Portfolio Officer, Technology & News Media (June, 2016 - March, 2018); Loan Portfolio Officer, C&I and CRE, CTBC Bank Corp. (USA) (March, 2016 - June, 2016); Senior Credit Analyst, Commercial Bank (April, 2013 - March, 3016). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardeshirsahraeean/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardeshirsahraeean/

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

Commitment to Lease or Make Loan Agreements
Often Have Full Disclosure

Ken Greene requested this be posted as both California and New York Laws will have their rules and procedures in place in 2022 for all non-bank commercial transactions, such as Capital Leases, Equipment Finance Agreements, Factoring, and Merchant Cash Advance.

This means assuring that the licenses of offices and branches located in the state or doing business in the state, follow the law. Most likely this will require a separate document, a legal agreement, a commitment, fully disclosing APR, First and Last payments, and Purchase Option procedure and recognized by both parties (not part of the actual contract.

While Boston Financial has published such rates and software such as True Value, and many companies have such programs on thier website, the law will be different.  Other states are going through the process of such a change as California and New York. 

The following will still be valid in states not adopting the present law, but readers should be aware these forms are only proposals and are only proposals in states who have not adopted the new disclosure procedure.

In small and medium size leases, the actual lease payment is often given and calls for the first and last payment as well as the documentation fee. Often a clause contains a "documentation" fee is noted, along with a clause that it is non-refundable if the lease is not approved. Often the wording is different and seems to be buried. Sometimes it is quite obvious and is spelled out as a processing fee.

This form was developed by Attorney Ken Greene, who is also a longtime advisor to Leasing News. It is aimed at keeping fees for working on an application.He is currently General Counsel for the American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (formerly the National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers) and has spoken at conference panels.

Greene Agreement to Keep Expenses
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/GreeneAgreementExpenses2016.pdf

In larger ticket size leases, a form as this is often used, which specifically charges a fee to process the application:

Charges a Fee Form
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/ChargesFeeForm2016.pdf

Business Loans or "Working Capital" loan commitment letters are explicit.  This is a form most often used by California License Finance Lenders:

Authorization to Find Lender
pdf

The dollar size of the lease proposal often dictates the details and length of the commitment letter.

This form is one of the most widely used in the leasing industry for leases $50,000 and above and covers most of the bases. Note: Last sentences about the signatures makes this more a “proposal,” than commitment. If required, these sentences may be removed.

Lease Commitment Agreement
http://leasingnews.org/PDF/LeaseCommittmentAgreement2016.pdf

It is a good idea to have the form you use reviewed by an attorney with equipment leasing experience. This does not mean your college friend who became a lawyer. You wouldn't take your children to an Endodontist to get braces on their teeth, although the practitioner is a "dentist." The same with going to an attorney. You go to a specialist who has experience in the leasing and finance industry.

Some things to consider in your form.

#1: ACH---If you are going to require it or may require it, you should have this spelled out in the agreement. If not in the contract and becomes a requirement of the lease, the proposal is invalid.

#2 Date---It is a good idea to have a time period involved. This can be  based on completion of all the documents and/or lease contracts. The time factor may be important, particularly if the matter goes to small claims court, or a higher court, depending on the money involved.
(Attorneys most likely will have different opinions on this, but it is important to let the applicant know there is a time frame involved in conducting credit or having to re-do credit and even ask for more current financial information, due to the time involved in collecting what you originally required.)

#3 Personal guarantees---of all officers who own 10% or more of a privately held corporation. (This will protect if the final approval comes in with terms and conditions but requires other guarantors who are not named on the application or in the proposal.)

Ken Greene
Law Offices of Kenneth Charles Greene
5743 Corsa Avenue Suite 208
Westlake Village, California 91362
Tel: 818.575.9095
Fax: 805.435.7464
Skype: 424.235.1658
ken@kengreenelaw.com
kenlaw100@gmail.com

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

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

Career Moves in the Age of AI … Research,
Career Documents, & Tracking
Career Crossroads
BY Emily P Fitzpatrick of RII

AI continues to evolve at a breakneck speed, with new iterations being released faster than most can keep up with. How does it affect the modern-day career search? There are many layers to this question, so I will touch on three key areas related to this topic: research, career documents, and action.

As a Career Thought Leader, I can confidently say that AI can offer valuable support in several ways during a career search; however, it is not the end-all and be-all that some may think. Nevertheless, it is highly effective in acting as a valuable partner. Additionally, I recommend that everyone, regardless of their career stage, begin learning about AI fundamentals – it is no longer optional, but essential.

Any career search begins with assessing where you are and where you want to go, as well as the steps to get there. This journey starts with RESEARCH and utilizing AI in this capacity is highly effective. Perplexity (fact-based/uses retrieval-augmented generation = RAG) is one of the most effective tools for research, with ChatGPT close behind. Research powered by AI can help determine the best types of positions, industries, and companies for achieving career success now and in the future. Obviously, success (output) will look different for everyone; however, by being specific in your prompts, you will be provided with compelling information to consider. A key point to remember is that good outputs require clear and specific prompts (inputs).

Next, CAREER DOCUMENTS, such as Resumes, Letters, and Biographies, are an integral part of any career search strategy. Large language models (LLMs) such as Claude, which excel at writing-based tasks, can assist in this step. Any AI tools used to create career documents should only be used to generate ideas, check your documents, or perform similar tasks. Increasingly, companies are flagging AI-generated documents and discounting them during the screening process. Career seekers must be aware of this. Hiring Managers are prioritizing authenticity; automation will undermine your credibility. If you want to be considered for a position, do not submit automated documents of any kind!

Thirdly, TRACKING where you have applied and where you have interviewed can be overwhelming. There are several practical tools for this function, such as TEAL, which offers a Chrome extension to save jobs, a board to track applications, and features to suggest resume keywords and optimize your profile for each job. Some of these tools will provide automated resumes, but, as noted above, it is best to avoid these features.

The AI world is constantly evolving, and I can’t even imagine what it will be like in 10 years from now. The key is to embrace the tools that genuinely support your goal and forgo those that do not. Authenticity will remain one of your most powerful assets in any career search.

*Please note the tools mentioned are just a sampling of thousands available … I highlighted well-known LLMS … there are even more specific/niche tools referred to as “specialized wrappers” that serve particular functions and can be effective depending on your goals/needs

Emily P Fitzpatrick
Senior Executive Recruiter Career Consultant
Career Columnist
Member of the National Resume Writers Association
Member of the Career Thought Leaders

Phone: 954-885-9241
Mobile: 954-612-0567
Email: emily@riirecruit.com

www.riirecruit.com
www.riicareer.com

Schedule a Candidate Call

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

Top Ten Most Read by Readers
August 25 to August 29

 

(1) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_25.htm#hires

(2) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_29.htm#hires

(3) New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_27.htm#hires

(4) Business Finance Brokers in 2025
    By Sean Murray, Chief Editor at deBanked
       (originally appeared debanked.com)
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_25.htm#bfb

(5) CLFP: Thank you
4,000 LinkedIn Follower
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_27.htm#clfp

(6) New Story Credit Financing Different Approach
    Business Loans, SBA Loans, Working Capital
       Footnotes First
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_29.htm#sc

(7) Mel Vinson, CLFP, Team Completes Oregon
    Mt. Hood to Coast Race Series
      By Melissa (Mel) Vinson, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_27.htm#hood

(8) Most Influential Lawyers
    in Equipment Finance and Leasing
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_27.htm#law

(9) You Are Better Than You Think:
    Soar to New Heights in Your Career!
      By Ken Lubin, Managing Partner, ZRG Partners
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_29.htm#you

(10) Your Relationship is Most Important
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP
https://leasingnews.org/archives/Aug2025/08_27.htm#your

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

Important to Show Up at Conferences
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

In the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry, success isn’t just about transactions — it’s about transformation. Top originators understand that their energy is a strategic asset. When they show up, they don’t just attend meetings — they ignite momentum.

Being in the room matters. Whether it’s a vendor visit, an end-user consultation, or a team huddle, originators who engage fully bring contagious energy that opens doors. That energy fuels conversations, builds trust, and ultimately leads to funded transactions — and increased income. Top originators prioritize daily engagement with vendors and end-users. These aren’t just sales calls — they’re strategic exchanges that uncover needs, share solutions, and build long-term partnerships. The “right” relationships are cultivated through consistent presence and a positive attitude.

Internal collaboration is non-negotiable. Credit, funding, portfolio management, and peer originators all play critical roles. Top originators elevate their teams by showing up with purpose, sharing insights, and driving alignment. Their energy becomes the internal engine that powers the organization through both calm and storm.

The best originators don’t just lead within their companies — they lead within the industry. They attend association conferences, engage with peers, and stay ahead of trends. They know that being on the forefront of change is the only way to serve clients with excellence. Top originators will show up and engage with their peers at upcoming industry conferences.: List of Finance and Leasing Conferences and list of fiancé and leasing associations follows. .

(Scott Wheeler will be presenting at the AACFB and NEFA conferences.)

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 
Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Scott Wheeler at: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

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

Conferences and Forums -  Updated
Commercial Finance/Leasing Finance

September 10-12: AACFB Commercial Financing Expo, Austin, Texas
Hotel Details: AT&T Hotel and Conference Center 1900,  University Avenue, Austin, TX 78705.
Information:
https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/

List of Exhibitors
https://members.aacfb.org/Expo/Expo/Exhibitors.aspx

Women in Finance Breakfast
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.

September 17: Brokers Expo NYC Center, 415 Fifth Avenue in Midtown  -

Full Information: https://thefundersforumbrokerexpo.com/ny/?utm_source=BENY&utm_medium=email
&utm_term=button

1. The Experts Want to Hear from You: https://myemail.constantcontact.com/---Don-t-Miss-
   Out--Game-Changing-Panels---Power-Networking-at-Brokers-Expo-NYC-2025---
   Register-Now-------.html?soid=1133130637774&aid=prP58Y9ItbQ

Sales Strategies That Convert in a Tight Market
What Funders Look for in a Top-Tier Broker

Don Cosenza, CLFP, will cover the conference for Leasing News. Public Relations and spokesman for North Mill Equipment Finance for 10-Years, plus past National Equipment Finance Association past board member.



Network with Women in
National Vehicle Leasing Association
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM CT
Full Information
https://www.nvla.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1909329



October 14-16: National Equipment Finance Association Fall Conference, Renaissance Hotel, Minneapolis, Minnesota
NEFA FALL CONFERENCE GRAPHIC HERE

Registration and Information
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.

October 26-28: ELFA 64th Annual Convention, Marco Island, Florida
https://www.elfaonline.org/events-new/event-detail/elfa-64th-annual-convention
Schedule:
https://www.elfaonline.org/education-networking/2025/annual-convention/schedule
Talent Pipeline Opportunity Fund awarding grants to attend ELFA Annual Convention

ELFA's Talent Pipeline Opportunity Fund to cultivate and support the next generation of leaders in the equipment finance industry will award seven grants to individuals to attend the ELFA 64th Annual Convention Oct. 26–28 in Marco Island, Fla. Each grant will cover registration, travel and hotel accommodations. The application deadline is Sept. 8. For more information about the grant or to submit an application visit here.

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.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/debanked-open-bar-tickets-1623458470989?aff=oddtdtcreator

Bob Coleman, Coleman Reports, will be a speaker. He us out with a new book Book:  “Hard time, Easy Money”  
 https://debanked.com/2025/07/coleman-reports-bob-coleman-is-out-with-a-new-book-easy-money-hard-time/
Questions? Email us at events@debanked.com


RISING To the Challenge
SFNet's 81st Annual Convention
November 11-13, 2025
Los Angeles, California
https://www.sfnet.com/home/81st-annual-convention
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/
For Updates, email: kitmenkin@leasingnews.org

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

Finance and Leasing Association
 Click Link and Follow

American Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (AACFB)

The American Bankers Association (ABA)

American Financial Services Association (AFSA)

Association for Govermental Leasing & Finance (AGLF)

Canadian Finance & Leasing Association(CFLA)

Certified Leasing and Finance Professional Foundation (CLFP)

The Electronic Payments Associations (NACHA)

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA)

Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation (ELFF)

Franchise Brokers Association (FBA)

Independent Community Banks of America (ICBA)

Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL)

Information Technology Resellers Associations (ITAA)

Leaseurope

National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA)

National Vehicle Leasing Association (NVLA)

Secured Finance Network (SFN)

Truck Renting and Leasing Association (TRALA)

News Briefs

Google won't be forced to sell Chrome after judge rules
   divestment a 'poor fit' in landmark antitrust case
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/google-wont-be-forced-to-sell-chrome-after-judge-rules-divestment-a-poor-fit-in-landmark-antitrust-case-210218257.html

How the Fed losing its independence could
    affect Americans’ everyday lives
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/31/how-the-fed-losing-its-independence-could-affect-americans-everyday-lives/

Fed Governor Lisa Cook ‘did not ever commit
     mortgage fraud,’ her lawyer says
https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/02/trump-lisa-cook-fed-powell-fraud.html 

Beer sales have dropped off. Modelo and Corona parent’s
    stock dives to a 5-year low.
https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/2025090299/beer-sales-have-dropped-off-modelo-and-corona-parents-stock-dives-to-a-5-year-low

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff says his company
   has cut 4,000   customer service jobs as AI steps in:
      ‘I need less heads’
https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/salesforce-ceo-marc-benioff-says-145324020.html

Why China Is Trying to Tame Its Electric Car Frenzy
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/02/business/china-electric-vehicles-overcapacity.html

Ukraine War Leads to a Global Shortage of TNT
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/us/politics/ukraine-war-tnt-shortage.html

India Was the Economic Alternative to China. Trump
   Ended That
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/01/business/india-china-trump-tariffs.html

Chevron’s Boss Says the World Will Need Oil
    for a ‘Long, Long Time’
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/31/business/chevron-oil-mike-wirth.html

Ocean Shipping Rates Sink as Importers
Balk at Trade Upheaval
https://www.wsj.com/articles/ocean-shipping-rates-sink-as-importers-balk-at-trade-upheaval-4dc3d1e6?mod=business_lead_pos4

ICE will ‘ramp up’ immigration raids in Los Angeles,
   other ‘sanctuary cities,’ border czar says
https://www.foxla.com/news/ice-ramp-up-immigration-raids-la-sanctuary-cities-border-czar

Trump plans a hefty tax on imported drugs,
risking higher prices and shortages
https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/09/01/nation/trump-administration-pharmaceuticals-tariffs/?rss_id=section_rss_full&s_campaign=bg:full:rss:section&et_rid=1
863613500&s_campaign=businessheadlines:newsletter

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

Trump’s BLS nominee discussed controversial
   theory on gender IQ with interns
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/09/02/trump-bls-nominee-gender-iq/

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

Sports Briefs---

49ers' Demarcus Robinson suspended for 3 games
    for violating NFL's substance abuse policy
https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/49ers-demarcus-robinson-suspended-for-3-games-21016811.php

49ers reportedly trade for Commanders starting running back
https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/49ers-reportedly-trade-commanders-starting-rb-20877710.php

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

California News Briefs---

Santa Clara County hoped to build 4,800 new homes with
    Measure A money. How did they exceed
        that goal by 38%?
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/31/santa-clara-county-hoped-to-build-4800-new-homes-with-measure-a-money-how-did-they-exceed-that-goal-by-38/

Stanford Shopping Center lands new merchants
    in burst of retail deals
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/08/28/stanford-palo-alto-economy-shop-store-restaurant-property-real-estate/

Large Marin County office complex faces financial crisis
https://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/article/article/novatos-hamilton-landing-office-complex-faces-financial-crisis/?utm_email=045BE4690564744D2475740E77&utm_source=newsletter&
utm_medium=email&utm_term=https%3a%2f%2fwww.northbaybusinessjournal.com
%2farticle%2farticle%2fnovatos-hamilton-landing-office-complex-faces-financial-crisis%2f&utm_campaign=nbbj_breaking

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

Gimme that Wine

 

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

All evacuation orders lifted as Pickett Fire
   in Napa County nears full containment
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/napa/pickett-fire-napa-county-evacuation/?ref=home-A1top

Production Facility, Significantly Expanding
  Its Capacity to Meet Rising Demand
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/307325

Mexican-Owned Mi Sueño Winery Is Proof that
    the American Dream Is Still Alive
https://remezcla.com/features/food/mexican-owned-mi-sueno-winery-is-proof-that-the-american-dream-is-still-alive/

Mendocino wines shine at People’s Choice competition in Hopland
by Karen Rifkin
https://mendovoice.com/2025/08/mendocino-wines-get-accolades/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic%2Fwineandspirits