Emerging Talent Networking Event
The Palmer House Hilton
March 14, 2023
6:00pm-8:00pm
Calling all future leaders - and those who lead them! Here's your chance to hear from some of the industry's best, followed by an opportunity to network with them and your peers. If you're in Chicago (or will be) on March 14th, we hope you'll join us!
The event will kick off with a panel discussion on “Bridging the Gap - The War for Talent” with time for Q&A. The panel will be followed by a networking reception.
Welcome by Bob Neagle, ELFA Board Chairman
Amy Gestal
Director, Vendor Finance
Huntington Technology Finance
Steven Holben (ETAC member)
Director of Digital Sales Strategy
ENGS Commercial Finance
Jackie Jacobs, CLFP (ETAC member)
Director of Data Analytics & Corporate Development
Fleet Advantage, LLC
Ernie Tsorvas
Senior Vice President, National Sales Manager
Fifth Third Bank, National Association
There is no cost to attend, but space is limited.
This event is brought to you by the Emerging Talent Advisory Council.
Emerging Talent Networking Event
The Palmer House Hilton
March 14, 2023
6:00pm-8:00pm
Speakers
Jacquelyn Dusseau CLFP
VP of Data Analytics & Corporate Development
Fleet Advantage, LLC
Amy Gestal
Director, Vendor Finance
Huntington Technology Finance
Amy lives in Boulder, Colorado with her wife and three young children. She is a die-hard Cleveland sports fan! Amy graduated from Kenyon College with a B.A. in Political Science. She enjoys her daily bicycle commute to work and spending time with her very energetic family.
ProfessionalHuntington Technology Finance 2018-Present
Amy manages the technology vendor business, overseeing the sales team, developing new programs and structuring deals. Amy built Huntington’s vendor program and continues to support its growth.
Key Equipment Finance 2006-2017
Amy had a variety of roles in business development, sales, credit and operations in the direct and vendor finance groups. Amy also spent time in leveraged finance within the bank’s investment banking division.
Community InvolvementELFA Bank Business Council Steering Committee Member
Safehouse Progressive Alliance for Nonviolence Board Member
University of Colorado School of Business Mentor
Kenyon College Career Development Mentor
Steven Holben CLFP
Sr. Director, Digital Sales Strategy & Originations
Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.
Steven is the Director of Digital Sales Strategy at ENGS Commercial Finance Co. where he is responsible for continuing to develop the digital sales strategy and building additional sales analytics for the company. He brings an analytical mindset to the sales team after spending his previous career in a breadth of finance and accounting roles (including five years as ENGS’ Finance Manager). Prior to joining ENGS, Steven was most recently a Sr. Financial Systems Analyst with Mondelez International after starting his career in a variety of finance and accounting roles at Navistar, Inc.
Steven was recently selected to join the ELFA Emerging Talent Advisory Council and was identified by the Monitor as a member of the Next Gen 40 under 40 in 2021.
Steven holds a Bachelor of Arts in Finance from the Michigan State University, and a Masters in Business Administration from DePaul University (Chicago) in Strategy and Decision Making.
Sean McKenna
National Sales Manager
Great American Insurance Group, Specialty Equipment
Sean has over 10 years of new business development and marketing experience. Currently, he works with clients in developing insurance programs to help mitigate risk and protect valuable asset portfolios.
He presently serves on the ELFA Emerging Talent Advisory Council (ETAC) and as the ETAC liaison to the ELFA Service Provider Committee and was identified by the Monitor as a member of the Next Gen 40 under 40 in 2022.
Sean earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Tiffin University. He resides with his family in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Robert Neagle
Bob Neagle is currently President and CEO of Finova Capital, LLC and Chair of the ELFA. Prior to this current role, Bob was President and General Manager of the Merchant Finance Division of Ascentium Capital LLC. In this role, he was responsible for Ascentium Capital’s entry into the payments industry, and the general direction of the business and its P&L.
Over the past thirty years, he has held senior management roles with leading companies in the equipment leasing and financing industry. He began his career with TriContinental Leasing, later Bell Atlantic Capital, where he was SVP and COO of the commercial equipment finance group. He later joined AT&T Capital where he was SVP of Marketing for the Business Finance unit which provided SBA loans, conventional loans and small ticket leasing. While at AT&T Capital, he started the Franchise Finance Division which provided equipment and real estate financing to select National franchisors. After some time at CIT leading its Franchise Finance group, he joined First Data Corporation in 2004 where he led the rapid and profitable growth of First Data Global Leasing both in the United States and Europe, and served on the board of the company’s largest International joint venture.
He previously served 2 terms as a Trustee of the Equipment Leasing and Financing Foundation. Over the years, he has published articles in the JELF and for 30 years has served as a member of the Editorial Review board of the Journal of Equipment Leasing and Finance.
He is a Ph.D. graduate of Loyola University Chicago.
Ralph Petta
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.
Ernest Tsorvas
Senior Vice President, National Sales Manager
Fifth Third Bank, National Association
Ernie Tsorvas is National Sales Manager of Fifth Third Equipment Finance (FTEF), a division of Fifth Third Bancorp. With assets of $7.2B, FTEF is the nation’s ninth largest bank finance or leasing company. Tsorvas joined FTEF in October 2015 after nearly 25 years with GE Capital, where he held roles in operations, asset management, risk, sales, marketing, sales management, program management and region management. His industry experience includes direct origination, vendor origination, equipment finance, fleet finance, capital markets and wholesale floor planning.
Tsorvas holds a BSBA from Northeastern University, an MBA from Sacred Heart University and an Executive Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Ernie has been a member of the ELFA Financial Institutions Business Council Steering Committee since 2018 and currently serves as Committee Chair.
Getting There
The Hilton Palmer House is located in the popular theatre and financial district of Chicagoland. Approximately 18 miles from Chicago O'Hare International Airport, 11 miles from Chicago Midway Airport.
Parking
If renting a car, the Hilton Palmer House has valet parking and self parking from $47 per day.
Visiting by Metro
When taking public transportation from O'Hare International Airport, take the Blue Line train to Monroe/Dearborn stop. Take Monroe east to the hotel. The Palmer House is on the south side of the street. From Midway Airport, take the Orange Line from Midway to downtown. Get off at the Adams/Wabash stop. The Palmer House is located on the west side of Wabash Avenue.
The Palmer House Hilton
17 East Monroe Street
Chicago, IL 60603
Get directions
