Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Equipping Business for Success

Jon Gerson

President
Executive Solutions for Leasing and Finance, LLC

Jon Gerson is President of Executive Solutions, a second generation Executive Search firm that has focused exclusively on the commercial equipment leasing & finance industry since 1990. He first joined Executive Solutions in 2004 while on sabbatical from Rutgers University. He finished his degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Rutgers while working full time as an executive recruiter.

Executive Solutions provides Talent Solutions for all functional roles and levels of seniority in equipment leasing for bank owned equipment finance firms, captives, independents, brokers, and everything in between. In addition, ESLF provides consulting services including on compensation plans, interview structures, and general business strategy.

Jon is an active member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, serving on the Emerging Talent Advisory Council since 2017, the membership committee starting in 2013 and the Service Provider Business Council Steering committee off and on since 2012. He has also presented several times at the ELFA annual conference.

Jon lives in Atlanta with his wife Jessica, their daughter, and too many pets.

Tanisha Gordon-Flowers

Senior Manager, US_Can Technology Finance Partners
Cisco Systems Capital Corporation

Svetlana Kralik CLFP

Senior Operations Director
Dext Capital

Lana joined the Equipment Finance industry right after her graduation from Portland State University. During her time with U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, her skills have been put to the test. In her first role, Lana was instrumental in developing and implementing operational procedures geared towards improving and streamlining documentation processes to eliminate bottlenecks, increase speed to market and improve process flow within the department. She also handled multimillion-dollar contract documentation, negotiations, funding, and auditing for compliance with internal policies and external regulations. In her current role, Lana manages a team of underwriters, reviews and approves large ticket credit requests from borrowers within the healthcare and manufacturing industry.

Outside of work, Lana enjoys spending time with her active 12-year old son exploring Pacific Northwest. She is also an active traveler and gardener. Lana was born in Russia and her husband in the Czech Republic, so they split their vacation time between the two counties.

Kelli Nienaber

Executive Director
Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation

Kelli Nienaber is the Executive Director of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation in Washington, DC. Having been in this role since 2011, she is the primary conduit to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and volunteer governance committees. She oversees the business and staff of the Foundation, which propels the $1 trillion equipment finance sector—and its people—forward with its industry-specific knowledge, intelligence, and programs. Through free studies, internships, and Guest Lecture opportunities, the Foundation helps industry professionals navigate the changes coming up and make better business and personal career decisions.

Prior to the Foundation, Kelli’s career was focused in the government relations/political arena. She has successfully managed political involvement and grassroots campaigns, as well as developed and executed federal and state legislative strategy in corporate and trade association organizations. She began her professional career in the public sector working for former U.S. Senator Kit Bond (R-MO) both in his Washington, DC office and in her home state of Missouri.

Kelli holds a B.A. in political science from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is an active volunteer serving on non-profit Boards in her community. Kelli and her husband Brian reside in Alexandria, VA with their four children.

Stuart Papavassiliou

Copywriter
LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.

George Parker

Co-Chief Executive Officer
VenSource Capital LLC

George is the Co-CEO and co-founder of VenSource Capital LLC, a national provider of equipment financing for emerging venture capital-sponsored startups. Before joining VenSource Capital, George held key roles:

Co-founder and CFO of Leasing Technologies International, Inc.; VP-Treasurer at DPF Computer Leasing Corp; Management positions in commercial lending at Continental Illinois National Bank & Trust Company. He has also served on the boards of the EEAL, NEFA, and as President of the Black Equipment Finance Network.



His educational background includes an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill and a BS from Wake Forest University. He resides in New Rochelle, NY, and has actively contributed to the community as a big brother with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Westchester, NY, and as a board member of the St. Bernard?s Center for Learning.
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Eboni Preston-Laurent

Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Eboni comes to ELFA from USA Lacrosse, where she served as the Senior Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Opportunity. Since 2013, she's developed resources and implemented strategies to increase opportunities and access for underrepresented communities across the country. Eboni regularly engaged board members, administrators and, staff nationwide to provide critical direction and growth centered around diversity, equity and inclusion.

Her work at USA Lacrosse led to her selection as one of The Baltimore Sun Magazine Top 40 Women To Watch in 2014. She was also selected as a recipient of the DEI Champion Award by the National Diversity Council in 2021. Eboni continues to serve on several national boards and committees committed to providing inclusion and access for youth in underserved communities.

Eboni attended St. Bonaventure University, where she earned a degree in journalism/mass communications in 2008 and her master's degree in education from Endicott College in 2010.

Reid Raykovich CLFP

CEO
Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation (CLFP)

Michael Rothe

President & Chief Executive Officer
Canadian Finance & Leasing Association

Sean Scampton

Director of Sales & Marketing
Leasepath

Sean Scampton

Director of Sales & Marketing
Leasepath

Sean Scampton

Director of Sales & Marketing
Leasepath

DelRoy Stauffer CLFP

VP, Sales
Odessa

Derek Vander Linden

Strategic Projects Business Analyst