ELFA Press Release
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Announces New Board of Directors
William H. Verhelle, First American Equipment Finance, Elected ELFA Chair
The new Board members and officers will serve until ELFA’s Annual Convention in October 2008. The slate of officers and board members was recommended by ELFA's nominating committee and approved by a vote of the general membership.
“We have seen many changes in the equipment finance industry over the years, and the association has followed suit,” said Mr. Verhelle. “The last three years have been a period of transition for ELFA with a new association president, Ken Bentsen, and we are working with the new leadership and staff to ensure we are being responsive to the changing needs of our members.”
Mr. Verhelle has nearly 20 years of equipment leasing and finance industry experience. He worked for Tokai Financial Services, Inc. prior to founding First American Equipment Finance, and has been an active ELFA member including serving as Vice Chairman, director of the board of the ELFA Government Affairs Council, and a member of the association’s Industry Future Council and the Middle Market Independent Business Council Steering Committee.
He noted that future efforts include ensuring the ELFA's Business Councils take an increasingly important role in running the organization and shaping the association's programs. The five association Business Councils were formed to represent the key sectors in the equipment finance industry community – captive and vendor finance companies, financial institutions, middle market independents, small ticket companies and service providers.
“We are delighted that Bill will lead the association over the next year, which could be a pivotal year for the equipment finance community,” said ELFA president Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr. “As the equipment finance sector continues to grow and evolve, with a combination of new financial products and new market participants, we are fortunate to have strong leadership at the helm. The make up of the board and officer slate is representative for the posture of the business today.”
The new members of the ELFA Board of Directors include: • Kent M. Adams, President, Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation • Christa Hemans, President, Court Square Leasing Corporation • James McGrane, President & CEO, US Express Leasing, Inc. • Philip R. Rosenblatt, Partner, Nutter, McClennen & Fish, LLP • Richard Remiker, Managing Director, Group Head, Merrill Lynch Capital – Equipment Finance • Robert J. Rinaldi, Senior Vice President, National City Commercial Capital Company, LLC • Frederick S. Summers, Chairman & CEO, Vision Financial Group, Inc. • Adam D. Warner, President, Key Equipment Finance
Kenneth E Bentsen, Jr. continues to serve as President. Kenneth E. Collins, Jr., John M. McQueen and John M. Butler are the ELFA Vice Chairs. Edward A. Groobert, Esq., Partner, Dykema Gossett, continues to serve as secretary and David A. Merrill, President, Fifth Third Leasing Company will serve as treasurer.
Valerie H. Jester, President of Brandywine Capital Associates, Inc. is immediate past chair. In addition to Mr. Verhelle, Ms. Jester and Mr. Merrill, the following are also members of the ELFA Board of Directors: • Laurie A. Bakke, Vice President, Huntington Bank Equipment Finance • George K. Booth, Managing Director, Black Rock Capital LLC • Aylin N. Cankardes, President, Rockwell Financial Group • Edward Castagna, President, Nassau Asset Management • Glenn P. Davis, Vice President, NorLease, Inc. • Crit DeMent, Chairman, CEO, LEAF Financial Corporation • Curt F. Glenn, Senior Vice President – Portfolio Management, GATX Corporation • Eric Hanson, Managing Director, LAZARD • Thomas M. Jaschik, Group SVP, LaSalle National Leasing Corporation • Cameron W. Krueger, Vice President – Banking and Asset Finance, Capgemini Financial Services LLC • Joel C. Rutledge, President, BB&T Equipment Finance
For a photograph of Mr. Verhelle, please contact Diane Helyne Zyats at ELFA at dzyats@elfaonline.org or 202-238-3438.
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/1. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) is the trade association representing financial services companies and manufacturers engaged in financing the utilization and investment of and in capital goods. ELFA members are the driving force behind the growth in the commercial equipment finance market and contribute to capital formation in the U.S. and abroad. Its over 750 members include independent and captive leasing and finance companies, banks, financial services corporations, broker/packagers and investment banks, as well as service providers. For more information, please visit www.ELFAOnline.org
The ELFA is also the premier source for statistics and analyses covering the equipment finance sector. To access ELFA's comprehensive industry information, please visit http://www.elfaonline.org/Research/
Contact: Diane Helyne Zyats Equipment Leasing and Finance Association 202-238-3438 - office dzyats@elfaonline.org
| Contact Name: | Diane Helyne Zyats |
| Organization Name: | Equipment Leasing and Finance Association |
| Phone Number: | 202-238-3438 |
| E-mail: | dzyats@elfaonline.org |
