Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition : ELFA v4

Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition

September 12 - September 14, 2022

Sheraton New Orleans Hotel, New Orleans, LA

The Premier Event for Operations & Technology Professionals

Conference Attire: Business Casual
Conference Format: All in-person

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 Session: M&A Strategy Workshop
Achieve Business Agility Using Product Lifecycle Management
Spilling the [T]echnology: Finding Comfort in Failing Forward
Disrupting Client Authentication
Third Parties: Love’em, Leave’em, But You Better Evaluate Them
E-commerce (Ying) How to Automate the Customer Experience without Losing the Personal Touch (Yang)
A Fresh Cut on the Talent Bouquet: Empowering a More Diverse, Creative, and Impactful Workforce for the Future
Spark! Ignite Innovation and Employee Engagement
The New Dress Code – What WFH and RTO Mean to Culture
Human Centered Design Workshop
Next Generation Innovation in A/R and A/P
With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility: What You Need to Know to Take Advantage of Low/No-Code Platforms

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! Register Today!

Release and Assumption of Risk

As we continue taking important steps to provide for the health and safety of our attendees, we ask that you review our COVID-19 information, well-being protocols, and policies . By registering for this event you agree to adhere to the below policies to sustain a healthy and safe environment for our attendees. It's important that we all respond responsibly and transparently to these health precautions. Any and all private health and personal data will be treated with confidentiality and sensitivity.

Individuals who fall within either of the categories listed below should not attend ELFA conferences or events:

Individuals who are experiencing, or within the 14 days prior to the conference or event have experienced, symptoms associated with COVID-19; or
Individuals who believe that they may have been exposed to a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19 or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and are not yet cleared as non-contagious by state or local public health authorities or the health care team responsible for their treatment.

Conference and event attendees should self-monitor for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 and are asked to contact ELFA at meetings@elfaonline.org if experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 within 14 days after participating in an ELFA conference or event.

Registration Fees

Price Description	Amount
1st Person Attendee - Member	$1225.00
Additional Attendee - Member	$1210.00
Additional Exhibitor - Member	$1210.00
Additional Exhibitor - Non Member	$2515.00
Attendee - Non Member (All)	$2515.00
Committee - Member	$610.00
First Time Attending This Conf (Addl Exhibitor)	$1075.00
First Time Attending This Conference(Members Only)	$1075.00
Speaker - Member	$610.00
Speaker - Non Member	$610.00
Spouse/Companion of Member	$200.00
Spouse/Companion of Non Member	$200.00

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

New Orleans Ghostly Legends Walking Tour
Sunday, September 11th * 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Are you arriving Sunday evening and looking for something to do in fantastic New Orleans? Well, let’s meet in the hotel lobby and enjoy a walking tour of the French Quarter and its infamous ghostly legends! This tour combines some of New Orleans haunted locations with the city’s history and its people. Hear the stories of murders and crimes of passion of Old New Orleans. $30 additional fee to attend. Approximately 2 miles will be covered on a walking tour during this event.

Newcomers Reception
Monday, September 12th * 5:00 - 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 12th and Tuesday, September 13th
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.

Exhibit Area
Monday, September 12th - Wednesday, September 14th
A fantastic group of exhibiting companies will be joining the conference. Our exhibit aea for the two conferences is directly outside of the main ballroom space and creates an intimate experience for both exhibitors and attendees. Receptions and beverage breaks will be held in the exhibit area, so take some time to visit with this great group of companies supporting the conference.

5K Fun Run
Tuesday, September 13th * 6:00 - 8:00 am
(pre-registration requested) Start your day with a little exercise and see some sights in New Orleans! Join your colleagues for a 5K Fun Run before your full conference day begins. No additional fee to participate.

People Power Breakfast
Wednesday, September 14th * 7:00 - 8:00 am
(pre-registration required)
This event is open to all interested in improving Diversity in the leasing industry. We hope thatmeans everyone! We will discuss mentoring, hiring strategies, workplace initiatives and much more in an interactive, informal session. No additional fee for conference registrants; however, we do ask that all participants register for this event through the online conference registration. Space is limited.

Available Functions

Sunday - September 11
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
	Historic Ghost Tour	$30.00
Monday - September 12
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
	Pre-Conference Workshop
5:00 pm - 5:45 pm
	New Comer's Reception
Tuesday - September 13
6:00 am - 7:30 am
	5K Fun Run
Wednesday - September 14
7:00 am - 8:00 am
	People Power Breakfast

Speakers

Chelsey Barron

Vice President of Sales
LEAF Commercial Capital Inc.

Chelsey Barron serves as VP, Sales Operations for LEAF Commercial Capital. As a legacy VAR Technology Finance employee, she has served on several internal committees on the merger transition with LEAF Commercial Capital. Chelsey currently oversees and manages account management and sales support teams. Her role is focused on implementing better efficiencies from beginning of the sales cycle throughout the life of the lease while also creating unique finance solutions. Chelsey currently serves on the ELFA’s Operations and Technology committee.

Anirban Basak

CEO
FID Inc.

Fellow at MIT Connection Science and a retail financial services expert, Anirban has built the world’s first zero-emission of raw data platform FortifID (www.fortifid.com) to facilitate privacy first customer onboarding and validation for financial institutions, crypto exchanges and property management companies.

John Bober

Managing Member
IXL Lease Advisory Services, LLC

John chairs the accounting and reporting committee of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) and was the 2014 recipient of the ELFA’s Distinguished Service Award. As the managing member at IXL Lease Advisory Services, LLC, John specializes in lease accounting and financial reporting. He is also a senior consultant to Ernst & Young LLP.

John retired in 2018 after a 23-year career with GE Capital, where he primarily focused on vendor finance arrangements and the leasing of equipment as well as managing all aspects of General Electric Company’s Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) lease accounting project. He has been active in the accounting standards setting process, having served on both the Emerging Issues Task Force and the Accounting Standards Executive Committee working groups. John was a member of the joint FASB and IASB international working group on lease accounting. Active in Financial Executives International, he is the past chair of their leases working group.

John joined GE Capital in 1995 and held various positions in finance, risk and general management within GE Capital and GE Energy Financial Services. He managed the group within GE Energy Financial Services responsible for the analysis of economic returns from equity and debt investments, project financings, partnerships and large ticket leases, including lease pricing. Prior to joining GE in 1995, John was a partner with an international accounting firm, based in both Jakarta, Indonesia and New York. He frequently speaks at industry conferences on matters related to current developments in finance and accounting.

John has a BA in History from Tulane University. He is also an MPA from the University of Texas at Austin and is a past member of the Department of Accounting Advisory Council and of the McCombs School of Business BBA-MPA Alumni Advisory Board.

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.

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.

Michael DiCecco

Executive Managing Director, Huntington Asset Finance
Huntington Equipment Finance

Michael DiCecco is Executive Managing Director of Huntington Bank’s Asset Finance business which includes asset-based lending, equipment, technology & healthcare finance, vendor & inventory finance, public capital, renewable energy, premium finance, and lender finance. DiCecco, along with a group of colleagues, established Huntington’s equipment finance capabilities in 2001 after starting his career at Star Bank (nka US Bank) in 1988. Over the last 30 years DiCecco has earned increasing responsibilities in equipment finance and commercial banking, including leading Huntington’s commercial bank for Northeast Ohio from 2005-2008.

Active in the industry and community, DiCecco, has served on the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association’s Membership Committee, Financial Institutions Business Council, and from 2014-2017 served on the ELFA Board of Directors and Executive Committee. DiCecco rejoined the ELFA Board of Directors in 2018 and is currently Chair-Elect. Michael is also on the Cuyahoga County Regional Advisory Board for the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Ohio and an active fundraiser for cancer research through Pelotonia.

DiCecco holds a Bachelor of Science with a concentration in Finance from the College of Mount St. Joseph, and he is a member of the Leadership Cleveland class of 2008. Michael lives in Avon Lake, Ohio with his wife Amy and has three children.

Keelie Fitzgerald

SVP, Marketing

Keelie is Odessa’s SVP, Marketing, responsible for global marketing and communications. A seasoned asset finance marketer, she is passionate about brand storytelling and translating complex technical concepts into market-ready content. Prior to joining in 2009, she developed B2B marketing and design programs at JNPR. Keelie previously served on the ELFA Communications Committee and is now focused in her current terms on the ELFA Operations and Technology Committee and on the Board of Directions for the Odessa Foundation. Committed to building diverse teams that serve communities, Keelie is the executive leader for Women@Odessa and CSR in the Americas. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Temple University.

Nick Fong CLFP

Chief Marketing Officer & CTO
AP Equipment Financing

Nick Fong, CLFP is the CMO & CTO of AP Equipment Financing. Mr. Fong started his career in the equipment financing industry in 2010, working for an AP owned originations group by the name of First Star Capital.

Mr. Fong's career at AP has focused on collaborating with the executive team to develop holistic, contextual, and creative marketing strategies for AP's target markets. Throughout his career Mr. Fong leveraged his curiosity for technology to explore and implement various platforms across the multiple departments of AP.

Acquiring his CLFP (Certified Lease & Finance Professionals) designation in 2014, he has helped instruct multiple ALFP (Academy for Lease & Finance Professionals) events over the past few years.

He now lives in Bend, OR with his wife and their twin boys. They enjoy traveling, dining, and exploring Oregon. He has a B.A. in Marketing from San Diego State University and an M.B.A. from California State University East Bay where he double majored in Marketing Management and Financial Management.

Keith Goepfert

Solutions Architect
Huntington Equipment Finance

Joe Graham

Managing Director
FIS

Over 29 years of experience in the Financial Services Information Technology business sector. Demonstrated achiever with exceptional knowledge in implementing large scale, complex technical environments to support direct business applications. Seasoned business manager with extensive leadership in transition management, application development, and delivery of enterprise wide technology-based solutions.

Peter Haug

Product Manager
LTi Technology Solutions

Current Member of the ELFA Operations and Technology Committee, Peter Haug is Product Manager at LTi Technology Solutions – the market-leading platform provider to the equipment finance industry. Since joining LTi in 2009, Peter has enjoyed collaborating with thought-leaders in the industry to understand and solve the critical challenges the industry is facing.

Recently, Peter has presented on technology topics covering innovation and the customer experience.

In his free time, Peter enjoys spending time with his wife and two kids, watching soccer, and learning languages.

Kaylie Hodge

Partnerships Manager
Middesk

Michael LaPierre

VP, Operations & Finance
Meridian OneCap Credit Corp.

As Vice President of Operations & Finance, Michael oversees financial and strategic planning, business decision support and operations at Meridian OneCap. Since joining the OneCap team as Director, Finance in 2018, Michael has been instrumental in transforming the business model, developing revenue streams and increasing return on capital.

Michael brings over 15 years of banking, finance and business transformation experience. Prior to his current role, Michael held the roles of Principle Consultant at Temenos AG, Director Financial Planning & Analysis and Director Financial Reporting & Controls at First West Credit Union. Michael brings extensive experience across a broad range of enterprise scale projects, including business acquisitions, core banking, ERP, and business intelligence.

Michael holds a Bachelors in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting from Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and has his CPA, CGA designations.

Jeffrey Lezinski

SVP Solution Architecture
Odessa

Jeff is Odessa’s SVP, Solution Architecture, instrumental in architecting Odessa’s functional solutions since he joined the company in 2004. Jeff currently serves on the ELFA Accounting Committee and participates as a liaison to various industry and regulatory bodies. Prior to Odessa, Jeff worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP where he participated in and managed various engagements from a consulting and an audit perspective for a variety of industries, including financial services, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Haverford College.

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.

Jena Morgan CLFP

COO
360 Equipment Finance, LLC

Jena Morgan, CLFP leads the operations team of KLC Financial, Inc. since 2014. She strives to remove roadblocks from the sales cycle, enhance productivity from its people and to deliver a suburb customer experience. Jena’s vision for ongoing improvement, drive for execution on the deliverables and deep love for helping people get where they want to go, makes her a unique leader.

Jena is a technology visionary who has been able to see the impact technology and data can have on both the customer experience and operational excellence. She is passionate about taking visions from great ideas to people and profit powerhouses. She believes the equipment finance industry can be the leader in technology deployment rather than the follower.

Jena is honored to be on the 2022 CLFP Board of Directors as the NEFA liaison and a member on the planning committee for ELFA Technology and Operations conference. She is an avid advocate of industry organizations and continuing their strong partnership. She is excited to volunteer in these capacities.

Robert Neagle

President and CEO
Finova Capital, LLC

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.

Scott Nelson

President & Chief Digital Officer, Board Member
Tamarack Technology, Inc.

A well-recognized expert in technology strategy and development including Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, Scott Nelson leads the company’s efforts to expand its impact on the industry through innovation with new products, system level thinking, and the application of new technologies with a design thinking methodology.

In his dual role at Tamarack, Nelson is responsible for the company’s vision and strategic planning as well as business operations. Since joining Tamarack in 2020, Nelson has led efforts to refocus the business strategy around investment in digital technologies in order to provide greater value across the equipment finance industry.

Nelson joined Tamarack with more than 30 years of experience leading product development, product management, and entrepreneurial business growth as a technology and business leader. After beginning his career at Honeywell in the Corporate R&D center, Nelson spent the next 15 years at Logic PD as CTO and EVP. More recently, Nelson served as the Chief Product Officer and Vice President of Product at Digi International, a leading global provider of business and mission-critical IoT products and services and the Chief Technical Officer (CTO) and Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at SkyWater Technology Foundry, where he led strategy, growth, and new-offering development.

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)

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.

Sumeet Puri

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation

Rish Ramjit

Director, Technology
Meridian OneCap Credit Corp.

As Technology Lead, Rish is responsible for all IT strategies including system infrastructure, application development, alignment with corporate strategy and compliance.

Rish has been in leasing for over 20 years holding various roles with leasing organization and software providers. Most recent role with RCAP Leasing as Director of Business Application.

In his downtime, you can catch a glimpse of Rish speeding by you on his motorcycle.

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.

Nancy Robles

President
Eastern Funding LLC

Nancy Robles is Chief Operating Officer of Eastern Funding LLC where she is responsible for all of the company’s day-to-day operational and administrative functions.

Nancy joined Eastern Funding in 2005 from Fleet Healthcare Capital Leasing/Bank of America. During her tenure at Eastern Funding, she has managed the company’s operations functions including credit, compliance, documentation, funding, loan servicing, legal and work-out, and human resources.

Outside of Eastern Funding, she serves on the board of the Berkeley College Scholarship Foundation, The Coin Laundry Association Diversity and Inclusion Committee, the Berkeley College MBA and Legal Studies Committees.

Nancy has been recognized by Monitor Magazine as a Top Woman in Equipment Finance for 2020. She has also been featured in Hispanic Executive Magazine.

Stephen Schroth

Digital Design Studio
Key Equipment Finance

David Schwietz

Consultant

David Schwietz is an independent business and technology consultant who has founded and held executive and innovation technology roles in the financial, retail, health care, manufacturing and hospitality industries. David has led information technology strategies for prominent financial organizations including The Federal Reserve, Wells Fargo and Ameriprise. He has led cyber security, infrastructure, software engineering, project management, product and marketing areas. He also founded and led a materials aggregate business where he was required to negotiate his own equipment finance agreements.

David has experience managing and delivering innovative SaaS technology products in several industries. He has served on several boards and participated in national blockchain, cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence consortiums to develop standards, create pilots and evaluate impacts on the financial services industry.

Aaron Simmons

Digital Design Studio
Key Equipment Finance

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.

Hugh Swandel

President
Meridian OneCap Credit Corp.

Hugh Swandel has been active in the commercial equipment finance industry for 30 years in a variety of roles. Mr. Swandel is the President of Meridian OneCap Commercial Credit (MOCC). MOCC is a market leader in the Canadian equipment financing sector with offices across Canada. Previously, Hugh was the Senior Managing Director of The Alta Group in Canada and worked for clients in both United States and Canada. During his time with The Alta Group, Hugh Swandel assisted many top North American firms on a variety of projects including market entry studies, acquisitions, due diligence, funding and strategic planning.

Hugh is an executive member of Canadian Finance and Leasing Association (CFLA) board of directors, is Chairman of the CFLA research committee, and is a past President of the National Equipment Financing Association (NEFA, USA). He also is a member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association of America (ELFA). He has reported on many events and conferences for Leasing News and is an active participant on the Advisory Board.

In 2006, 2010 and in 2018, Hugh received the Canadian leasing industry’s highest honor when he was named “CFLA Member of the Year.” He is one of a small group of industry professionals to receive the award on three separate occasions.

Prior to founding his consulting firm, Swandel and Associates, in 2001, Hugh served as president and chief operations officer of Electronic Financial Group (EFG). EFG was a Canadian company that launched a multi lender web-based credit system that was one of the earliest platforms of its kind in the equipment finance industry. Earlier, Hugh spent 10 years with National Leasing Group in a variety of senior positions. National Leasing Group is now known as CWB National and is a Canadian lessor that has won numerous awards for excellence in management and innovation.

Mr. Swandel resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Jason Thomas

CIO
Cole, Scott & Kissane P.C.

Motofumi Tohda CLFP

Vice President / Information Systems
Tokyo Century (USA) Inc.

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Derek Vander Linden

Strategic Projects Business Analyst

Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition

Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition

Operations & Technology Conference & Exhibition

September 12 - September 14, 2022

The Premier Event for Operations & Technology Professionals

Featuring sessions such as:

Operations & Technology Excellence Award

Exhibitor & Sponsorship Opportunities

Two Conferences for the Price of One!

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Chelsey Barron

Anirban Basak

John Bober

Chad Carlson

Andrew Cotter

Michael DiCecco

Keelie Fitzgerald

Nick Fong CLFP

Keith Goepfert

Joe Graham

Peter Haug

Kaylie Hodge

Michael LaPierre

Jeffrey Lezinski

Jennifer Martin CLFP

Ron Meyer

Jena Morgan CLFP

Robert Neagle

Scott Nelson

Lisa Nowak

Sheila Oliver

Ralph Petta

Sumeet Puri

Rish Ramjit

Candace Reinhart CLFP

Deborah Reuben CLFP, DES

Nancy Robles

Stephen Schroth

David Schwietz

Aaron Simmons

Tawnya Stone CLFP

Denis Stypulkoski

Hugh Swandel

Jason Thomas

Motofumi Tohda CLFP

Derek Vander Linden

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