Equipment Leasing and Finance Association - Equipping Business for Success

 

 

Mr. Marsh is the SVP - Accounting & Analytics for AP Equipment Financing. As a graduate of Washington State University, Zack had plans on becoming a business IT consultant for a large software firm. The first step in his plan was to gain hands on experience working in the business sector which led him to an opportunity with an equipment finance company. This was the beginning of his career in the small business lending industry, a 20+ year career in which he continues to build upon today. Mr. Marsh is responsible for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all financial, tax & treasury related activities and he develops and maintains corporate investor, bank, legal counsel, audit firm and other key stakeholder relationships.

Zack is active within the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and he currently serves as Vice Chair and Board Trustee for the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation (ELFF). Mr. Marsh has also served as Treasurer/Secretary of the ELFF, Chair of the Academic Outreach Committee, Chair of the Emerging Talent Advisory Council and as a member of the Small Ticket Business Council Steering Committee. He obtained his Certified Leasing & Finance Professional (CLFP) credentials in 2004. Zack lives with his wife and three kids in Sumner, WA where they take time away to enjoy skiing, golf and camping.

Ralph Petta is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the premier trade association representing 550+ member organizations in the $1 trillion equipment finance sector. Mr. Petta leads the organization in executing its mission to foster business development, deliver industry information and analysis, provide educational opportunities and advocate for the industry. He is also President of the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, which is dedicated to inspiring thoughtful innovation and contributing to the betterment of the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Mr. Petta, an authority in the business of equipment finance, has been with the association since 1987. Before assuming the role of President and CEO in January 2016, he served as Chief Operating Officer for six years, providing coordination, direction and oversight of ELFA programs and services designed to add value to the association's member organizations. Prior to that, he served as Interim President. From 1987 to 2010 he was Vice President-Research & Industry Services, managing ELFA's information, benchmarking and market research initiatives. Throughout his career at ELFA, Mr. Petta has assumed leadership roles in virtually all functional areas within the organization, including governance, membership marketing, communications, business and professional development, state advocacy and the association's affiliated Foundation.

He is often quoted in industry trade publications and is a frequent speaker about the role of equipment finance in the U.S. economy and trends and developments in the equipment finance sector.

Mr. Petta is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), as well as ASAE's Key Industry Association Committee (KIAC). He completed the ASAE/University of Maryland College of Business and Management executive development certificate program in association management. He also was selected for and participated in the ASAE Future Leaders Conference. Mr. Petta is a member of the Exchequer Club of Washington, DC.

Before joining ELFA, Mr. Petta worked for nine years in the office of United States Senator Sam Nunn, serving in a variety of professional capacities. He was Senator Nunn's legislative assistant when he left to join the association. Mr. Petta graduated from Syracuse University, earning a B.A. degree in political science.

As president of CoBank Farm Credit Leasing (FCL), Mike Romanowski is responsible for the overall management of FCL and leading the organization’s staff in 13 regional offices across rural America. Mr. Romanowski is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and is a member of CoBank's Division Leadership Team.

Previously, he served as a national leasing sales manager for the leasing division, with responsibility for customer relationship management, association channel sales, fleet services, marketing and training. He has been with CoBank since 1997 and has held a variety of leadership roles at the bank, including leasing, operations, strategic relationships and non-credit services.

Prior to joining CoBank, Mr. Romanowski worked for a Big Four accounting firm, a medium-sized produce wholesaler, a major car rental company and a Fortune 50 information systems consulting firm. He has extensive experience in both business and information technology.

In addition to his Bank responsibilities, he serves on the Mill City Farmers Market Board and is a member of the Finance Committee.

Mr. Romanowski earned a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from Northern Illinois University. He passed the CPA exam in Illinois in 1982.