Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Equipping Business for Success

Tim Alberta

Staff Writer for the Atlantic, Former Chief Political Correspondent for POLITICO
Leading Authorities

Named one of the most-respected young political reporters in Washington, Tim Alberta is a writer for The Atlantic and the author of New York Times and Washington Post best-seller, American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Donald Trump, and The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory: American Evangelicals in the Age of Extremism. He not only expertly covers the political landscape, but also writes stories on a range of subjects including culture, religion, crime, and sports.

Alberta’s consistent coverage of the biggest stories in politics grants him a front-row seat at the latest congressional battles, the evolving campaign landscape, and the ideological warfare between and within the two parties. Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Alberta grants audiences insight into the actions and motivations of Washington’s key players.

Before The Atlantic, Alberta served as the chief political correspondent for POLITICO, where he covered Capitol Hill, the Donald Trump presidency, demographic change in America, the evolving role of money in elections, Capitol Hill, and the Republican Party. His longer form work was often published in the publication’s magazine. Tasked with roving widely across battleground states, he also wrote a regular “Letter to Washington,” a 2020 dispatch highlighting stories, trends, and people from outside the political bubble for the political bubble. Additionally, Alberta received critical acclaim for co-moderating the final Democratic presidential primary debate in 2019 hosted by PBS Newshour and POLITICO.

Prior to joining POLITICO, Alberta had extensive experience at National Journal. In addition to his 2016 campaign coverage, Tim also covered Congress as the publication’s House leadership reporter, and later reported on campaigns as its senior political correspondent. Alberta’s further accolades include his time as senior editor of The Hotline and as web producer and assistant editor for POLITICO. His work has been featured in dozens of other publications nationwide, including The Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, and Vanity Fair, and he frequently appears as a commentator on political television programs in the United States and around the world.

His best-selling 2019 book, American Carnage, delivers a comprehensive, thought-provoking analysis on the last decade of political and ideological turmoil that gave rise to Trump’s presidency. Featuring exclusive interviews with some of the most prominent figures in Washington—including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, former U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, and President Trump himself—Tim’s book offers key insight into Trump’s tactics and takeover of the Republican Party.

With unmatched experience and access to the highest offices in DC, Alberta provides audiences a look at the inner workings of Washington in the context of current as well as historic events.

Jonah Berger

Best-Selling Author and Expert on Innovation, Disruption, and Change
Leading Authorities

Dr. Jonah Berger is a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a world-renowned expert on innovation, change, word of mouth, and why products, services, and ideas catch on. He is an internationally bestselling author and over a million copies of his books, The Catalyst: How to Change Anyone’s Mind, Contagious: Why Things Catch On, and Invisible Influence: The Hidden Forces that Shape Behavior, are in print in over 35 languages around the world. He has published over 50 articles in top-tier academic journals, teaches Wharton’s highest rated online course, and popular accounts of his work often appear in places like The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review.

Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, Berger has a PhD in marketing was named one of the American Management Association’s “Top 30 Leaders in Business.” A fresh and exciting voice, Berger blends behavioral science, business examples, and his own research to help fuel growth within modern, complex organizations operating in rapidly-changing environments. How can we become more effective at changing minds? Increase the pace of innovation within our organizations and industries? Get our products, services, and ideas to catch on? Prof Berger has spent over 15 years answering these questions, explaining why certain thing becomes popular, and why certain companies have an easier time breeding an innovative culture.

With his latest book, Magic Words, Berger reveals the six types of words that can increase your impact in every area of life — from inspiring others to buy into your vision to motivating high-performance teams. In his book The Catalyst, Berger provides a powerful way of thinking and range of techniques to catalyze change, while in Contagious, he reveals the science behind social transmission and shares how six key emotional and societal factors drive all sorts of things to become contagious – from products and policy initiatives to services and culture change within organizations. His book Invisible Influence examines how social influence works and how organizations can use these insights to motivate employees, increase sales, and drive business partners and investors to take action.

Berger often keynotes major conferences and events like SXSW and Cannes Lions and consults for companies like Apple, Google, Nike, Amazon, GE, 3M, Kaiser Permanente, and The Gates Foundation.

Jeffrey Bilbrey

CEO
Leasepath

Introducing Jeffrey Bilbrey, a distinguished professional with a remarkable trajectory in spearheading and advancing enterprise technology products and associated services since the early 1990s. Presently, he assumes the prestigious role of CEO within Leasepath's global business landscape, where he undertakes the pivotal responsibility of ensuring utmost customer satisfaction while propelling the flagship cloud-based finance origination platform to the zenith of the market. Leasepath's exceptional growth journey is underpinned by the augmentation of its product portfolio, heightened market visibility, and the delivery of pioneering market-leading functionalities through an agile cloud infrastructure.

Jeffrey Bilbrey's career narrative has been closely intertwined with the realm of Information Technology and consultancy. His affinity for software products transcends mere technicality, driven by a profound appreciation for how technology and automation can adeptly resolve tangible business challenges. His professional odyssey commenced post-university, embarking on a five-year stint as a consultant within the telecom sector across Europe (AMS - American Management Systems). Subsequently, Bilbrey embraced a pivotal role within a Boulder-based startup, contributing to pioneering efforts in online banking and bill-pay technologies (Avolent). His journey encompassed several transformative years within the Property & Casualty Insurance technology arena as a global product manager and delivery lead (Sentry Insurance, Majesco). Carving his path through diverse domains, Bilbrey emerged as a prominent figure in Healthcare IT (Cancer Treatment Centers of America) before assuming a leadership role as a board member and president within a publicly traded multinational engaged in commercial finance software.

Residing in Thousand Oaks, CA, Jeffrey Bilbrey shares his life with his wife and three children. Beyond his professional endeavors, he is an avid outdoors enthusiast, deeply passionate about pursuits such as hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, cycling, running, and triathlons. His exploration of the natural world allows him to relish the serenity and marvels it offers.

Robert Boyer CLFP

President
First Commonwealth Equipment Finance

Robert Boyer is currently President of First Commonwealth Equipment Finance, a division of First Commonwealth Bank. Most recently, he was Senior Director and Senior Vice President at TCF Capital Solutions, a division of TCF Bank. Prior to that, he was the President of BB&T Commercial Equipment Capital Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB&T), now Truist.

He is the 2024 ELFA Board Chair.

Rob has held a variety of positions throughout his career, including Sales Executive, Syndications Manager, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions and Syndications and Executive Vice President. He has served as Treasurer of the ELFA Board and is a member of its Executive Committee. Previously, he chaired ELFA’s Membership Committee and Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee. He also has served as a Director for the Certified Leasing and Finance Professional Foundation (CLFP).

Rob has been working in the equipment finance industry since 1995. He holds a bachelor’s degree from LaSalle University and attended the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Dave Fate

Senior Advisor and Vice Chairman
Stonebriar Commercial Finance

Dave is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Stonebriar Commercial Finance providing leadership and oversight over all aspects of the business. With over 39 years of industry experience, Dave created and launched Stonebriar with capital backing from Eldridge and Security Benefit Corporation in March of 2015. Dave currently leads a team of 48 professionals focused on originating transactions through multiple channels including direct clients, OEMs, and strategic partner relationships. Stonebriar provides lease and finance products to a wide range of industries including rail, aviation, marine, transportation, energy, manufacturing, and real estate.
Since launching Stonebriar he has led the team on a phenomenal growth trajectory culminating in Stonebriar achieving an investment grade corporate credit rating while building a highly profitable $5.5 billion portfolio. During that time Stonebriar has issued nine ABS transactions approximating $5B with the top traches rated AAA on the last four issuances. Stonebriar is proud to have over 85 institutional investors including some of the largest global asset managers, pension funds and insurance companies. In October 2019 Stonebriar completed its inaugural $150M Investment Grade Unsecured private placement to further diversify its funding sources. Subsequently Stonebriar has issued an additional $365M Unsecured financing. Dave previously played key leadership roles in the successful startup of $3.5B AIG Commercial Asset Finance and $3.2B Transamerica Equipment Finance. He began his career as a credit analyst with CIT. Dave has been heavily involved with ELFA and served an various committees, boards, and initiatives within.

Andy Fishburn CLFP

Senior Vice President of Public Policy
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Adrian Hebig CLFP

EFD National Sales Director
Stearns Bank N.A.

Adrian Hebig joined the Channel leadership team in 2018 and currently serves as Chief Corporate Development Officer, leading planning & development of Channel’s strategic goals and initiatives, including strategic review, planning, execution & growth of new business units. 

Prior to joining Channel, Hebig served as Senior Vice President, National Sales Manager for the Wells Fargo Equipment Finance vendor services group. Hebig has more than 30 years of commercial finance experience, leading teams in asset-based lending and sales and operations across vendor, healthcare, and bank finance platforms. He began his career at Lyon Financial Services, Inc., subsequently U.S. Bank Equipment Finance, where he held positions as Division General Manager, Senior Vice-President, and Chief Operations Officer. He has also served as Senior Vice President for the commercial healthcare finance group at United Health Group and Optum Bank. 

Michael Jones

President, Equipment Finance
First Citizens Bank Equipment Finance

Leigh Lytle

President and CEO
Equipment Leasing and Finance Association

Leigh Lytle is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing 575+ member organizations in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector. In her role, Ms. Lytle leads the association in executing its mission and delivering on the value proposition to its members. This includes providing a platform to promote and advocate for the industry, including attracting and developing new and diverse talent; a forum for professional development and training; and a resource that develops information about, and for, the industry. She also serves as the President of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFF), which is dedicated to inspiring thoughtful innovation and contributing to the betterment of the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Before joining ELFA, Ms. Lytle served as the Head of North American Policy at Plaid and led education and engagement efforts with regulators and financial institutions. In this role, she advocated for protecting consumers' rights within the digital financial ecosystem and in Washington, D.C. She also served as the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Financial Technology Association (FTA), which represents innovative companies shaping the future of finance. The industry trade group champions the power of technology-centered financial services and advocates for the modernization of financial regulation to support inclusion and responsible innovation. Before joining Plaid, Ms. Lytle spent over 15 years in the Federal Reserve Bank system in various executive roles ranging from engagements in monetary and regulatory policy to operations and data analytics oversight.

Rick Remiker

Vice Chairman
The Alta Group LLC

Deborah Reuben CLFP, DES

CEO & Founder
TomorrowZone

Deborah "Deb" Reuben, CLFP, DES, is CEO and Founder of TomorrowZone, a technology strategy consultancy inspiring fresh ideas and collaborations to shape the future of business. She encourages new thinking to explore the art of the possible through her extensive technical knowledge, equipment finance experience, and passion for challenging the status quo. Her expertise will enhance and broaden your company's products and services and create efficiencies that will produce a competitive advantage for your company.

Her view on digital transformation and future-readiness is radically different with over two decades of innovating, speaking, and most importantly, real-life, in-the-trenches innovation experience in finance and software industries. Deborah appreciates and shares with clients and audiences that digital transformation is less about the digital and more about the people. When it comes to thinking about technology, innovation, and the future, you can choose to act today to shape your future. The best investment you can make is investing in what's between your ears by taking ownership of your personal growth. Everyone, regardless of role, must stay on top of technology and trends to stay ahead of tomorrow.

What surprises most clients is her ability to combine big company thinking and entrepreneurial ideas to create marketplace success. Deb's clients and audiences include companies like PNC, Wells Fargo, DLL Group, Huntington (TCF Bank), Dell, Mitsubishi UFG, Caterpillar, Key Equipment Finance.

She currently serves on the CLFP Foundation Board of Directors and authored The Certified Lease and Finance Professionals' Handbook, 6^th – 9^th editions. She served on ELFA's Board of Directors and is the founder and chair of the ELFA Innovation Advisory Council. In partnership with ELFA, she and her team moderate quarterly industry innovation roundtables for the ELFA to bring forward-thinking insights and fresh ideas to ELFA Members.

Reuben also served on the Monitor Editorial Advisory Board and co-founded the Disrupted+ innovation conference series with Monitor. She is the recipient of both the CLFP Foundation Cindy Spurdle Award of Excellence and the ELFA Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award. Monitor Magazine honored her as one of the 50 Most Powerful Women Leaders in Equipment Finance, named TomorrowZone one of the most innovative companies in the equipment finance ecosystem and honored her as an Industry Disruptor Icon. Learn more at tomorrowzone.io.

Jayma Sandquist

Chief Marketing Officer, SVP JDF US & CA
John Deere Financial

Jayma Sandquist brings 34 years of industry experience to her current role as SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at John Deere Financial (JDF), a role she has held since June 2020. In this capacity, she holds global responsibilities for spearheading the marketing function at JDF. Her pivotal role encompasses leading the marketing, sales, and customer management teams in the US and Canada and having profit and loss accountability for the region. Jayma's responsibilities include overall management, driving new business generation, and ensuring robust financial performance.

Jayma's journey with John Deere began in 2002 when she assumed the role of Operations Manager for John Deere iVESTA, a unit that laid the technological ground work for the crop-input financing business. Over the years, she has taken on various roles in JDF in marketing, sales, product, and operations functions.

Jayma holds a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science from Northwest Missouri State University. She is a wife of 35 years, mother to 4 adult sons (and daughter-in-laws), and grandmother to 3. Additionally, she serves as a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association Board of Directors.

Robert Wax

Co-President
Kingsbury Wax Bova, LLC

Robert Wescott

President
Keybridge Research, LLC

Robert F. Wescott is Founder and President of Keybridge Research LLC, an economic consulting firm in Washington, DC, that has served major financial institutions, Fortune 500 companies, and leading business associations since 2001. Dr. Wescott concentrates on global macroeconomics, financial risks, and public policy research. He provides global asset allocation advice to high-profile international financial firms and is a frequent speaker to business and financial audiences around the world. Dr. Wescott also testifies as an expert before U.S. Congressional committees on economic, financial, and energy policy matters.

From 1999 until 2001, Wescott served as Special Assistant to the U.S. President for Economic Policy at the White House. As senior economic adviser to President Clinton, he helped to develop Administration policies toward G-7 countries, Russia, China, India, other key emerging-market economies, and the international financial system. During 1993-94, Wescott was Chief Economist at the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, where he developed the Administration’s U.S. macroeconomic forecasts and performed policy analysis. He helped write and edit the Economic Report of the President. From 1994 to 1999, Wescott was Deputy Division Chief at the International Monetary Fund. In the IMF’s Research Department he helped produce the World Economic Outlook, the Fund’s semi-annual review of world economic prospects, key risks, and policy challenges. In the European Department he was responsible for Eastern European countries in transition. He participated in IMF missions to Japan, China, Poland, and a number of countries in Western Europe.

Between 1982 and 1993 Wescott was Senior Vice President and Chief Economist at WEFA Group (now IHS Global Insight), the economic forecasting and consulting firm, where he oversaw all forecasting, economic modeling, consulting, and research activities for the U.S. Group. Before that he managed the firm’s Global Economic Outlook Committee and coordinated the firm’s international forecasting from centers in North America, Europe, and Asia. For nearly 10 years he wrote WEFA’s flagship monthly U.S. economic newsletter and he also co-authored its quarterly international economic newsletter. During these years he served as the firm’s primary public spokesman with clients and the media. In 1989-90, Wescott lived in Japan, where he helped the University of Pennsylvania establish the International Center for the Study of East Asia Development (ICSEAD) in Kitakyushu. ICSEAD does quantitative economic modeling and research on East Asian economies.

Dr. Wescott has published research papers in the areas of macroeconomics, fiscal policy, global saving patterns and interest rates, inflation targeting, the credit crunch in Japan, energy policy, and economic development, especially issues related to globalization. Wescott holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, 1983.