Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition : ELFA v4

Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition

September 16 - September 18, 2019

Hilton Chicago, Chicago, IL

Registration for this conference is still available, please contact Janet Fianko at jfianko@elfaonline.org to register manually. We also accept registrations onsite at the conference. See you in Chicago!

The Premier Event for Operations & Technology Professionals

The ELFA Operations & Technology Conference and Exhibition provides direction and support for member companies using technology to improve business processes, enhance customer satisfaction and increase operational effectiveness.

Featuring sessions such as:

Pre-Conference Forum: Gaining New Perspective: Customer Experience Innovation
Who Moved My Cheese AGAIN?
Using AI/ML Enabled Analytics to Fundamentally Lower Firms Cost Curves
Keynote Speaker: Robert F. Wescott
Fraud in Financial Services…through the lens of the FBI
Who Are You Digitally? Authenticating Customers Remotely
Creating Competitive Advantage with Diverse Thinking
Doing Agile vs. Being Agile: The Struggle is Real
Why Toast Isn’t Just for Breakfast: Visual Thinking to Solve Business Problems

Operations & Technology Excellence Award

Don't miss out on this year's Operations & Technology Excellence Award, which has been developed to recognize equipment leasing and finance companies that have demonstrated best practices in developing and implementing innovative uses of technology or creative business processes to improve operations, enhance customer interactions, enter new markets and build overall ROI. Award applications have been submitted and the winning applicant will present at this years' conference.

Exhibitor & Sponsorship Opportunities

An exhibition is held in conjunction with this conference and many sponsorship opportunities are available. To receive more information about exhibiting or sponsoring, please contact Steve Wafalosky at 440-247-1060 or stevew@larichadv.com.

Two Conferences for the Price of One!

The ELFA Operations & Technology Conference and Exhibition will again be held concurrently with the ELFA Lease and Finance Accountants Conference. Both conferences will share a table top exhibit area targeting companies that provide lease and finance accounting software, and other technology-related processes and systems.

Don’t Miss this Fantastic Opportunity!

Registration Fees

Price Description	Amount
1st Person Attendee - Member	$1225.00
Additional Attendee - Member	$1180.00
Additional Exhibitor - Member	$1180.00
Additional Exhibitor - Non Member	$2450.00
Attendee - Non Member (All)	$2450.00
Committee - Member	$610.00
First Time Attending This Conf (Addl Exhibitor)	$1050.00
First Time Attending This Conference(Members Only)	$1050.00
Speaker - Member	$610.00
Speaker - Non Member	$610.00
Spouse/Companion of Member	$250.00
Spouse/Companion of Non Member	$250.00

View cancellation and other policies

Conference Schedule

Session descriptions and speakers are all located in the conference schedule - Download Conference Schedule Here

Special Networking Events

Newcomers Reception
Monday, September 16th 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
Is this your first time at our conference? Wonderful! Meet other first-time attendees and Committee members from the Operations and Technology Committee and the Lease and Finance Accountants Committee at this fantastic reception. No additional fee to attend.

Hosted Receptions
Monday, September 16th and Tuesday, September 17th
A wonderful opportunity to network with individuals from across the industry. Receptions for the conference are jointly attended by Operations and Technology Conference attendees and the Lease and Finance Accountants Conference attendees.

5K Fun Run
Tuesday, September 17th 6:00 am
(pre-registration requested) Start your day with a little exercise and see some sights in Chicago! Join your colleagues for a 5K Fun Run before your full conference day begins. No additional fee to participate.

Women's Council Event
Wednesday, September 18th
(pre-registration requested)
A fantastic opportunity to meet with other women in the Finance, Leasing, Technology and Operations industry. This is a great networking event to learn about the new initiatives ELFA is taking for Women in Leasing. All are welcome to attend. No additional fee to participate.

Available Functions

Sunday - September 15
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
	Happy Hour
Monday - September 16
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
	CFO Roundtable
	PRE-CONFERENCE FORUM: Customer Experience Innovation
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
	New Comer's Reception
Tuesday - September 17
6:00 am - 8:00 am
	5K Fun Run
Wednesday - September 18
7:00 am - 8:00 am
	Women's Council Breakfast

Speakers

Merrick Benn

Partner
Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Merrick's practice focuses on personal property commercial financing with an emphasis on negotiating and documenting middle market and big ticket transactions involving all equipment types and classes including manufacturing lines, aircraft (corporate and commercial), vessels (barges and tankers), railroad rolling stock, software, and technologies.

Merrick has extensive experience in tax motivated "true leases," leases intended for security, off-balance sheet loans (synthetic leases), term and demand loans, commercial paper conduit transactions, and securitizations. In addition to originating deals, Merrick's practice includes the syndication of, and participation in existing transactions. He works regularly with special forms of credit enhancements such as letters of credit, guaranties, and insurance policies. Merrick also counsels clients on the acquisition and disposition of loan and lease portfolios.

Merrick is a frequent lecturer on the negotiation and documentation of equipment lease transactions.

Prior to joining Womble Carlyle, Merrick was a member of the Corporate/Finance practice group at DLA Piper LLP (US), where he worked on both domestic and

Shwetha Bhat

IT Business Analyst

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.

Al Brandt

Co Founder/CEO
BlocLedger

Al co-founded BlocLedger in 2016, a blockchain software company focused on document centric digital transformation. Al is the company's CEO and has served as a member of IBM's Blockchain Board of Advisors.

Prior to BlocLedger, Al worked at EMC as Vice President Engineering in which he managed a global engineering and product support organization for a $100m enterprise product portfolio. Prior to EMC, he was President of Bus-Tech an enterprise storage company. EMC acquired the company in 2010. Al began his career as a software engineer with IBM advancing into various R&D, headquarters and executive assignments.

Al earned his BS in Electrical Engineering from Michigan State University and his Masters of Business Administration from University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill.

Joshua Bridge

Consultant

Rita Brunk

Executive Vice President
CoSourcing Partners

Chad Carlson

Director of Professional Services
Tamarack Technology, Inc.

A strong advocate for the equipment finance industry, Carlson is an active member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), has served on the organization’s Ops and Tech planning committee since 2018, and earned the Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP) designation in 2019. He began working in the industry in 2006 as a software developer at a leading equipment finance software company.

Earlier in his career Carlson gained experience in software development and account management while at Meritain Health, an Aetna Company. During his tenure at the company, he led a team of employee and contract developers as well as developed and expanded an in-house claims adjudication platform.

A graduate of St. Cloud State University, Carlson earned dual degrees in Computer Science and Philosophy. He resides in Princeton, Minn. with his wife and 4 children.

Tina Cartwright CLFP

SVP Information Technology and Operations, Equipment Finance
U.S. Bank

Tina Cartwright is a Senior Vice President of US Bank and is responsible for Equipment Finance Information Technology Strategies, Security, Project Management, Facility Operations, Source Integration and Professional Development Programs. She began her career in January of 1997 with Lyon Financial, a small ticket leasing company. Lyon Financial was later acquired by US Bank in September of 2000.

Throughout her career, she has held a variety of positions within the organization working for both the Equipment Finance lines of business, as well as the Technology and Operations teams. Her responsibilities have included Credit Analyst, Credit Manager, Business System Analyst, Project Manager and most recently Director of Information Technology and Operations.

Allison Conley

Finance Manager

Andrew Cotter

EVP, Chief Information Officer
Somerset Capital Group, Ltd.

Andrew Cotter serves as Chief Information Officer for Somerset Capital Group, Ltd. and has been with the organization since 2002. Mr. Cotter is an experienced business leader and technology strategist providing vision and transformational leadership for more than 20 years. Mr. Cotter uses his extensive experience in people leadership, business operations, and technology innovation to partner with the organization. Through this partnership he develops effective plans and strategies to achieve meaningful results as well as enables continuous innovation needed to improve the customer experience required to succeed in the digital age.

Mr. Cotter serves on the board of Fairfield/Westchester Society for Information Management, is active on the ELFA Technology Innovation Working Group, and is the Immediate Past Chair of the ELFA Operations and Technology Committee.

Alex Doubinkine

Director of Global Credit Operations
Cisco Systems Capital Corporation

Alex Doubinkine, Director of Global Credit Operations for Cisco has been with the company for over 18 years. During this period Mr. Doubinkine held various roles within Credit organization in the U.S. and the Netherlands. Prior to joining Cisco, Mr. Doubinkine owned a software development company.

Mr. Doubinkine holds an MBA from The Hague University.

Jeffrey Emrich

Jeffrey provides strategic operational and technology guidance for Crestmark Equipment Finance as Chief Information Officer.

Jeffrey has over 20 years of experience managing technology for the equipment finance industry and has been a member of the Operations and Technology Committee of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) 2014-2016.

Jeffrey earned his Master of Business Information Technology from Walsh College and a B.S. in Computer Science from Central Michigan University.

Caren Evers

SVP Treasury Services
BankFinancial

Caren Evers has worked in the banking industry since 2005. Caren started her career at Fifth Third Bank, moving to MB Financial in 2013. In 2019, MB Financial merged with Fifth Third Bank, so you could say she's been "with" the bank for 14 years.

Caren joined the Paying Agent team 5 years ago, bringing her Treasury Management experience to the Lease Banking team. She works with middle market, mid corporate and large corporate customers across the country and Canada. She is based in Chicago.

Roman Gajda

Director of Financial Technology Solutions
Mitsubishi HC Capital America, Inc.

Roman Gajda is the Director of Financial Technology Solutions for ENGS Commercial Finance Co. (“ENGS”), an industry-leading finance company that has provided specialized lease/loan financing solutions to the equipment industry since 1952. He is responsible for managing the digital brands and leading the fintech strategy to both new and existing business relationships. Roman has over 25 years of experience in the equipment finance industry and has held various leadership roles developing organizations, handling all aspects of transactions and national programs, from origination through funding. Previously, he held various leadership positions at Forsythe Technology, Relational Funding, and Comdisco, always with a focus on people, process and profitability.

Keith Goepfert

Solutions Architect
Huntington Equipment Finance

Philitsa Hanson

Head of Transformation
Linedata Lending and Leasing

Robert Hornby

Member of the Firm
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC

An experienced litigator, Robert Hornby represents national and regional banks and finance companies in all aspects of equipment leasing, asset based lending and civil litigation in New York and New Jersey state and federal courts. He regularly counsels clients on a wide range of matters unique to the equipment finance and leasing industry, from drafting master documentation to the enforcement of lessors’ and secured creditors’ rights.

In addition, Robert’s litigation practice extends to the areas of construction law, commercial contract, solar energy litigation, product liability/toxic tort, professional malpractice, trusts and estates and franchise law. He is directly responsible for managing numerous complex litigation matters, including, but not limited to, those involving construction defect, shareholder derivative, restrictive covenant, solar energy and governmental authority issues.

Robert received his law degree cum laude from Seton Hall University School of Law, and his undergraduate degree cum laude from the University of Arizona. He served as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable David S. Baime, PJAD (ret.) in the New Jersey Appellate Division.

James Humphrey

Senior Vice President, Sales
Odessa

Marsha Hunt

Board Member
Financial Accounting Standards Board

John Hurt

Director, Digital Business Advisory Practice
The Alta Group LLC

Extensive experience in strategic system design and application of technology to support core systems and leverage technology to enhance sales force effectiveness and back office efficiency for LaSalle National Leasing in the U.S. and ABN Amro Leasing in Canada

Part of a 5 member DE Novo startup team for Cole Taylor and MB Equipment Finance, responsible for Technology, Marketing and Facilities

CIO roles with systems responsibility including lease and loan originations, sales, customer relationship management platforms, and process improvement initiatives

25+ years senior-level Information Technology experience

Michael Infante

Chief Credit & Risk Officer
Cisco Systems Capital Corporation

Michael Infante is the Chief Credit & Risk Officer for Cisco Systems Capital Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cisco Systems, Inc. Cisco Capital is focused on delivering premier solutions in Technology Financing, Trade and Channel Financing, and Cisco Certified Pre-Owned Equipment. Managing a portfolio of $10 Billion in financings and $48B in trade and channel receivables with a presence in over 100 countries, Infante leads Cisco Capital’s Global Credit & Risk Management Organization. He focuses on building and scaling Cisco Capital’s Enterprise Risk Management strategy, developing portfolio management and risk analytics capabilities and systems integration to better leverage information in support of Cisco Capital’s global business.

Infante has been with Cisco Capital for 13 years and previously led the Business Economics team where he was responsible for pricing and structuring leases and loans globally, along with risk analytics. Prior to heading up Business Economics, Infante has held various leadership roles in Structured Finance.

Prior to joining Cisco Capital in 2000, Infante spent eight years at Ameritech Capital serving as Vice President of Business Development, Director of Sales and Director of Portfolio Management. Prior to Ameritech, he has also held several sales roles with Comdisco.

Infante holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN and a Bachelor’s Degree from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI.

Matthew Ivory CLFP

Associate, Partner Relations Manager
Ivory Consulting Corporation

7+ years working at Ivory Consulting.

I have created a large video series on how to maximize your SuperTRUMP user experience.

I have worked on training and have helped to train Ivory Consulting customers on how to use SuperTRUMP and how to maximize their SuperTRUMP experience.

I work with SuperTRUMP partners to make sure that our relations are running smoothly.

I look forward to working with you.

Kristie Kosobuski CLFP

Vice President Product Management - Portfolio Management
Solifi

Kristie Kosobuski serves as Solifis’ Vice President of Product Management - Portfolio Management, with responsibility for driving the strategic vision and roadmap of Solifi’ Solution Portfolio including InfoLease and Rapport. Prior to her current role, Kristie consulted on business process, solution implementation, and software support across a diverse Lessor community during her 25 year tenure in Equipment Finance. With a passion for translating market requirements into software solutions, Kristie ensures Solifi’ product vision is translated into actionable releases. Kristie is committed to the success of the leasing industry and has been instrumental in driving an ongoing dialogue of how financial accounting, business process, and technology evolution are shaping the future of Asset Finance.

Troy Lock

Vice President Lease Operations

Troy Lock is the vice president of Lease Operations and leads a department responsible for lease origination documentation, booking, funding, insurance, accounting, and contract servicing. Mr. Lock joined Cobank in 2016 after spending more than 24 years in commercial banking operations. More than half of his experience was with Wells Fargo and US Bank that included a variety of management roles; with his most recent position managing Prepaid Card Operations.

Mr. Lock is a graduate of the University of Iowa and Minnesota School of Banking in operations and commercial lending. He is based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Jennifer Martin CLFP

Chief Product Officer
LTi Technology Solutions

Jen Martin is the Chief Product Officer at LTi Technology Solutions. In her role as CPO Jen leads the Product and Client Success teams. Jen is responsible for managing LTi's investment in new product and technologies, providing value added solutions to critical customer and market problems.

Jen Martin has been in the equipment finance industry and was at Key Equipment Finance (KEF) for 28 years. She has held many roles over that time including Operations Manager for various support/client service areas and Originations teams, Technology Project Manager, Technology product owner and Quality assurance manager. In 2019, she led the team that implemented ASPIRE and was a lead on the team that upgraded KEF’s end to end technology stack. Most recently, Jen Martin was part of the Key Equipment Finance senior leadership team, responsible for the successful execution of KEF’s technology roadmap, aligning technology tools with the needs of Key Equipment Finance’s clients and employees. Additionally, Jen led a sales enablement team that enables KEF’s growth success through data driven strategic modeling, problem solving, helping market Key’s capabilities and exceeding client expectations through the implementation of innovative technology tools.

Jen Martin is also a founding member of the ELFA Women’s council, immediate past chair for the ELFA Operations and Technology Committee/Conference, a member of the Monitor’s Editorial Board and is part of the ELFA’s Innovation Advisory council.

Ron Meyer

Sr. Business Advisor
Linedata Lending and Leasing

Ron joined Capitalstream in 2010. He is currently responsible for directing the company’s credit-related systems initiatives and enhancing data governance and stewardship efforts. He has over 27 years of banking experience with particular focus on commercial lending and has worked in a multitude of lending positions including credit origination, administration, servicing and asset risk management. Prior to joining Linedata, Ron served as Vice President and Loan Operations Manager for AMCORE Bank N.A and Vice President and National Operations Manager for Banco Popular North America.

Steven Nelson

SVP, Director of Operations
TD Equipment Finance, Inc.

Steve's career spans 25 years in which he has held roles in Operations and Finance. Steve Joined TD in 2012 and in 2014 became Senior Vice President - Director of Operations at TD Equipment Finance based Cherry Hill, NJ. Prior to joining TD, Steve was at Hewlett Packard for 14 years, including Director of Operations and Portfolio Accounting Manager roles at Hewlett Packard Financial Services. Steve's roles had accountability for documentation, customer service, collections, end of term processing, managing the portfolio accounting team and systems functionality/design. Prior to joining HP, Steve held roles in Public Accounting, including auditing public and private companies with KPMG Peat Marwick, LLP. Steve is a graduate of Drexel University and received his CPA license in PA.

Lisa Nowak

Director, Director, SaaS and Marketplace Platforms
Solifi

Lisa Nowak is an accomplished product strategist who joined International Decision Systems in 2014 as the Senior Product Manager for InfoLease. With 15 years of experience across financial services, and risk and compliance product management, Lisa brings deep experience translating market needs into software solutions and managing applications throughout their lifecycle. Lisa has a passion for digital and emerging technologies, and currently serves on the ELFA’s Operations and Technology committee.

Sheila Oliver

Global Product Manager, Retail Product Families

Career Highlights:

2019 Global Product Manager, Retail Product Families, JDF

2018 Director Global Retail Operating Platforms, JDF

2016 Region Finance Manager, Eastern Region U.S., JDF

2015 Director Strategic Planning and Business Development, JDF

2013 Director Wholesale Account Management, JDF

2010 Manager Retail Credit, JDF

2008 Manager Credit Operations, JDF

2004 IT Division Leader, JDF

2001 Agribusiness Product Development Manager, JDF

Previous Employment:

2000 Field Services Manager, Cybercrop.com, Ft. Collins, CO

1991 Purchasing and Transportation Manager, Purina Mills, Inc.,
St. Louis, MO

Affiliations & Organizations:

Deere ERGs: WomenReach, WORLD & I, Rainbow, Abled, BERG

Women Lead Change: Metro Women Connect Steering Council

Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA)
-Ops & Tech Committee

United Way Education Leadership Initiative

AHeinz 57 Pet Rescue and Transport

Other Development:

Smith-Tuck Leadership Program for Women

Global Leadership 2030 (2016-1017)

Robert Perrelli

Head of Product, Consumer Lending

Robert Perrelli is the SVP of Product and Acquisition for the Consumer Lending organization within TCF Bank, a $47B bank in total assets and a top 10 deposit market share in the Midwest.
Robert joined TCF in 2009 and has played a variety of creative and strategic roles throughout his tenure. Perrelli led strategy and its digital revolution at Inventory Finance and delivered on strategic purpose within the Consumer Bank to drive overall growth and retention. Recently, he also launched TCF’s first-ever fintech partnership in the consumer lending space. Prior to TCF, Robert worked at the National Restaurant Association and Allstate Financial.
Robert holds both his undergraduate and master’s degrees in Finance and Strategy from DePaul University where he continues to stay involved. He and his family currently reside in the Chicago area and enjoy visiting family in Europe when on break.

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.

Candace Reinhart CLFP

COO/CXO
CoreTech Leasing, Inc.

With over two decades of experience as a Certified Lease and Finance Professional (CLFP), Candace has consistently harnessed her expertise to drive operational efficiencies and establish scalable solutions in the realm of equipment leasing. Her extensive tenure in the industry has molded her into an equipment generalist and fervent enthusiast for the nuances of equipment lease dynamics.

At the heart of her journey lies CoreTech Leasing, where Candace has assumed the pivotal roles of Chief Operating Officer and Chief Experience Officer. Guiding Operations and Syndications, she orchestrates strategic initiatives that amplify client value on a grand scale, solidifying CoreTech's standing as an industry frontrunner.

Candace's CLFP accreditation underscores her unwavering commitment to continuous learning and mastery of industry intricacies. This qualification empowers her to navigate intricate financial landscapes with finesse, shaping informed decisions that resonate across CoreTech's operational landscape.

Through adept leadership, she not only sustains CoreTech's competitive edge but propels it to unprecedented altitudes, infusing innovation into every operational facet. Her all-encompassing experience provides her with a holistic perspective on operational workflows, enabling her to forge seamless synergies between departments and foster collaborative excellence.

Candace's dedication to refining operational nuances, coupled with her strategic acumen, has earned her a reputation as a dynamic leader who transforms concepts into reality. By steering Operations and Syndications, she engineers fluid client experiences that resonate profoundly, solidifying CoreTech's position as an industry vanguard synonymous with excellence.

In essence, Candace's professional voyage is marked by an unrelenting pursuit of operational mastery, a fervent zeal for equipment leasing, and an unwavering dedication to propelling CoreTech Leasing towards an innovative and prosperous future.

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.

Vinodh Sankaranthi I

John Deere Financial

Eileen Schoonmaker

President and General Manager

Eileen is U.S. President and General Manager for DLL Financial Services, overseeing the operations and business for the Health Care, Clean Tech, Tech Solutions, Advanced Solution, Office Equipment and Commercial Finance business units.

Eileen is a human-centric, transformational leader and respected industry expert with more than 35 years of experience in vendor finance. Since joining DLL in 2000, she has held multiple senior leadership roles including SVP Operations, SVP & Manager of Business Information and U.S. Chief Operating Officer. Eileen was the first DLL US country manager with P&L responsibility for a $10B portfolio.

She has also successfully implemented several transformative initiatives that are integral to how the company has operated and continues to remain an industry leader. She can be credited with helping evolve the DLL business model and advancing how business systems are managed to always be focused on delivering a great customer experience. In 2020 she became the Head of DLL/NewCo where she successfully launched DLL's first fully digital, end-to-end self-service platform for partners. She was also a key contributor to the design and launch of multiple U.S. Customer Engagement Hubs designed to offer improved customer experiences for DLL partners.

Eileen co-chairs DLL's Executive Inclusion Council and is a member of the ELFA captive and vendor finance business council steering committee.

Eileen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Finance from Stockton University and is a graduate of Harvard Business School's Executive Education Program.

Tawnya Stone CLFP

Vice President, Strategic Technology
GreatAmerica Financial Services

Tawnya Stone, Vice President, Strategic Technology, is responsible for the overall strategic direction, oversight and implementation of customer-facing tools and products across various GreatAmerica business units. She works in close collaboration with business unit and functional leadership and external technology partners. Tawnya joined GreatAmerica in 2011 as an IT Project Manager and eventually evolved into subsequent roles that blended technology and customer facing activities. Prior to joining GreatAmerica she worked for Philips Electronics and Verizon Communications in the Washington DC metro area.

Tawnya was the previous President of the Managed Print Services Association (MPSA) and Executive Council member of CompTIA’s Technology Lifecycle Services (TLS) Community and past Chair of CompTIA’s Managed Print Services (MPS) Community. She was recognized by ENX as Difference Maker in 2016 and 2018. Tawnya also is a member the Technology Innovation working group and Chair of the Operations and Technology committee within the ELFA.

Denis Stypulkoski

Founder and Principal
Reimagine Advisors

Denis Stypulkoski is a seasoned business executive with a successful track record of launching and building a private equity startup into a major industry competitor. Denis is known as a senior executive who bridges the business and technology landscape. He has envisioned, developed, delivered and managed business startups and technology platforms in leading-edge technology environments, with a focus on revenue creation, digitalization, and customer experience.

Denis's leadership experience spans from startups to global companies within the technology, finance and banking industries and includes executive positions with TIAA Bank, EverBank, Tygris Commercial Finance Group, US Express Leasing, CIT Group, Newcourt Credit Group, and AT&T Capital Corporation.

Denis most recently launched Reimagine Advisors, a business transformation consultancy helping organizations reimagine their business to compete in the digital economy. He also serves as an independent director and chair of the technology committee on the boards of both GreatAmerica Financial Services and IFG Companies.

Mark Theis

Director

Responsible for credit underwriting, M&A and risk monitoring for John Deere's U.S. and Canadian dealers. Held prior assignments in accounting and finance in John Deere in the U.S., Netherlands, Luxembourg and Canada.

Mark Tomaselli

President and CTO
QuickFi

As President and CTO of Innovation Finance, Mark is responsible for all aspects of product development, QuickFi Platform strategy, and QuickFi mobile app engineering.

Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Mark served as CIO at First American Equipment Finance. He guided the company's technology vision, strategy and execution. Mark is a recognized leader in creating exceptional client experience through the use of progressive technology.

Mark has held senior management positions with Fortune 500 companies, including Sun Microsystems and Frontier Communications. Mark’s insights are sought in both finance and technology. He frequently presents to organizations like Box, Salesforce, Okta, and the ELFA. Mark holds a BS in Information Technology and is an active Box Digital Advisory Board member.

Kevin Truitt

Vice President, Client Success
LTi Technology Solutions

Kevin is responsible for LTi Technology Solutions' product vision and strategy as well as the product-level support of Sales, Account Management, and Customer Support.

Joining LTi in 2012, Mr. Truitt has more than 25 years of product management and information systems experience gained from the software development and services industry. He has spent nearly two decades of his career in the finance industry, having previously held positions such as Product Manager and Software Development Manager/Director.

Before his tenure at LTi, he also served for 12 years in the United States Air Force, where he was a meteorologist and a weather liaison for NASA before transitioning into Information Technology at Air Force Global Weather Central.

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.

Equifax

Equifax empowers businesses and consumers with information they can trust. A global leader in information solutions, we leverage one of the largest sources of consumer and commercial data, along with advanced analytics and proprietary technology, to create customized insights that enrich both the performance of businesses and the lives of consumers. Equifax Commercial Information Solutions is the leading provider of small business intelligence. We provide the information and expertise necessary for companies to best understand and manage their dealings with small business customers, prospects and suppliers. Our exclusive relationship with the Small Business Financial Exchange, along with other proprietary sources, results in best-in-class commercial credit risk data. Combined with highly predictive scoring, corporate linkage and innovative technology, companies can rely on this information to make quick, confident credit decisions and minimize potential losses. Leveraging our EFX ID® keying and linkage technology, companies can also gain greater visibility into their supply chain as well as well as improve the precision of their sales and marketing efforts – from customer acquisition to retention and expansion.

At Equifax, we believe knowledge drives progress. As a global data, analytics, and technology company, we play an essential role in the global economy by helping financial institutions, companies, employers, and government agencies make critical decisions with greater confidence. Our unique blend of differentiated data, analytics, and cloud technology drives insights to power decisions to move people forward. Headquartered in Atlanta and supported by more than 12,000 employees worldwide, Equifax operates or has investments in 24 countries in North America, Central and South America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region. For more information, visit Equifax.com or contact Barry Ripes at barry.ripes@equifax.com.

Odessa

Odessa is a software company exclusively focused on the lending and leasing industry and the developers of the #1 platform dedicated to asset finance. Headquartered in Philadelphia, USA, Odessa’s leasing solutions and a workforce of 1,000+ power a diverse customer base of asset finance companies globally. Odessa provides a powerful, end-to-end, extensible solution for lease and loan origination and portfolio management. The Odessa Platform further provides rich feature sets, including low-code development, test automation, reporting, and business intelligence to ensure organizations can more effectively align business and IT objectives. To learn more, visit https://www.odessainc.com.

Solifi

Solifi is a leading global organisation delivering a solid financial technology foundation for automotive and asset finance firms. Our mission is to reshape finance technology by bringing together proven solutions into a singular powerful technology platform designed to help you protect and scale your business.

Leading banks, captives and independent finance organisations are futureproofing their business and capitalising on new opportunities using Solifi Open Finance Platform, through a range of products for originations, portfolio management, and lease and loan pricing.

Our latest product for asset funders, ESG Portfolio Strategist, is a multi-tenant SaaS application, which aims to solve the key considerations automotive funders have in addressing ESG. Encompassing a wide range of functionality focused on operationalising ESG within your existing leasing workflow, ESG Portfolio Strategist can ensure you’re one step closer to achieving Net Zero.?

With Solifi Open Finance Platform, you can:

Enjoy automated upgrades for access to the newest features and capabilities;
Enrich your data and improve the capabilities of your software with our trusted integration partners;
Utilise powerful reporting tools and identify trends and potential risk with ease;
Only ever pay for the features that you use with our trusted SaaS solutions;
Drive growth with a scalable platform built to last.

For more information, please visit www.solifi.com.

Hotel Information

The 2019 Operations and Technology Conference & Exhibition will be held at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60605.

The ELFA block of rooms for this conference is SOLD OUT and no longer available. However, you are welcome to inquire the Hilton Chicago regarding room reservations outside of the ELFA block. Please call Reservations at 1 (800) 774-1500 to inquire about room reservations.

Getting There

The Hilton Chicago is 19 miles from the Chicago-O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Approximate cost from Chicago-O’Hare to the Hilton Chicago is approximately $31.00 one-way with Super Shuttle and $50.00 one-way via Taxi and takes about 45 minutes in drive time.

Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) is another airport option in the area. Approximately 11 miles from the conference hotel, a Supper Shuttle ride will cost about $26.00 one-way and Taxi will be about $35.00 one-way and will take about 30 minutes in drive time.

Public Transportation
From O'Hare International Airport: Take CTA Blue Line train to the Jackson stop. This is the only subway train leaving O'Hare. Walk 0.6 miles southeast to 720 S. Michigan Ave.
From Midway Airport: Take the CTA Orange Line train to the Roosevelt stop. Walk 0.5 miles north to 720 S. Michigan.

Parking
Limited self-parking is available at the hotel for $62.00 per day as a hotel guest and valet parking is available for $75.00 per day.

Things To Do:

Click here for a full list of information from the hotel.

Hilton Chicago
720 South Michigan Avenue
Chicag, IL 60605

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