Serving Equipment Management Professionals For Over a Quarter Of a Century
GREAT SESSIONS that bring you up-to-date on a variety of asset classes
OFF-SITE EQUIPMENT TOURS enabling attendees to get invaluable insight into a variety of equipment and to see them in actual work settings.
FIRST CLASS EXHIBITION of equipment appraisers, remarketers, and others you need to meet
QUALIFIES FOR ASA Re-CERTIFICATION
UNMATCHED NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES with your peers in the industry.
New in 2019 - CFA Partnership
The 2019 Equipment Management Conference will highlight a partnership with the Commercial Finance Association (CFA)!
Exhibitor Opportunities
An exhibition is held in conjunction with this conference. To receive more information about exhibiting, please contact Steve Wafalosky at 440-247-1060 or stevew@larichadv.com.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsoring events and functions at ELFA meetings provides excellent exposure for your company. Contact Steve Wafalosky at 440-247-1060 or stevew@larichadv.com if you are interested in sponsoring any of the conference events.
Who Should Attend?
Equipment management professionals, including senior managers and their staff, equipment appraisers and remarketers and service providers to the industry.
Registration Fees
Price Description
Amount
1st Person Attending from Company - Member
$1170.00
Additional Attendee Exhibitor After Booth Price
$1050.00
Additional Attendee from Company - Member
$1050.00
Commercial Finance Association Member
$1170.00
Committee Member
$585.00
First Time Attendee (ELFA Member Company)
$995.00
First Time Attendee - Exhibiting Company(ELFA Mem)
Golf Tournament Sunday, February 24th * 6:45 am - 2:00 pm
**Additional fees apply**
Join your fellow attendees on the links! Stunningly beautiful and equally challenging, this course offers a distinct experience you won’t soon forget. Follow in the footsteps of the PGA’s finest players and come see what all the talk is about.
USS Midway Museum Tour
Sunday, February 24th * 9:00 am - 2:00 pm **Additional fees apply**
A unique once-in-a-lifetime experience - tour the USS Midway - a United States aircraft carrier! USS Midway was the United States' longest-serving aircraft carrier of the 20th century, from 1945 to 1992. Approximately 200,000 sailors served aboard the carrier, known for several naval aviation breakthroughs as well as several humanitarian missions. It was the only carrier to serve the entire length of the Cold War and beyond. It is now berthed in San Diego, California, the original home of the Navy's TOPGUN air combat school.This tour will depart the hotel at 9:00 am for a one-hour bus ride to San Diego where the USS Midway is docked. You will be given a self-guided audio tour and time to explore the ship and museum on your own. Come back to the bus by 1:30 pm for the ride back to the hotel. Water will be provided on the bus - lunch is on your own.
Newcomer Reception Sunday, February 24th * 4 - 5:00 pm
Are you new to the Equipment Management Conference? Well, join us at the Newcomers Reception to meet other new conference attendees and the ELFA planning committee who organizes this great conference.
Welcome Reception Sunday, February 24th * 5:30 - 7:30 pm
A great start to the conference and a wonderful opportunity to network with individuals from across the industry. Don’t miss the opening Welcome Reception in the exhibit hall.
Daily Breakfast Monday and Tuesday, February 25th & 26th * 7:30 - 8:30 am
Breakfast is held on both Monday and Tuesday in the exhibit hall for all attendees.
Hosted Reception Monday, February 25th * 5:00 - 7:30 pm
Closing Reception - Casino Night! Tuesday, February 26th * 6:00 - 9:00 pm
A perfect way to end your 2019 Conference - the Closing Reception and Casino Night! Do a little gambling - it’s fake money, so it’s ok! Have some food and refreshments with your friends and wish everyone farewell, until next year!
Available Functions
Sunday - February 24
8:00 am - 1:30 pm
2019 Golf Outing
$195.00
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
U.S.S. Midway Tour
$55.00
4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Newcomer Reception
$0.00
Monday - February 25
1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Solar Equipment Tour
1:45 pm - 3:30 pm
Hydroponic Farm Tour - Group 2
$0.00
2:45 pm - 4:15 pm
Hydroponic Farm Tour - Group 3
Tuesday - February 26
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Closing Reception & Casino Night
$0.00
Speakers
Jason Anish
President & CEO
Austin Financial Services, Inc.
Jason Block
Global Product Manager
Block Imaging International, Inc.
Jason joined the Block Imaging team in 2007. Prior to becoming Block Imaging's Global Product Manager, Jason Block was the VP of Procurement and responsible for purchasing all equipment modalities. Jason is a principal at Block Imaging, a second generation family business and a preeminent worldwide provider of imaging equipment, parts and service solutions.
Jason has his undergraduate degree and MBA from Taylor University. He and his wife Amy have 4 children and make their home in Lansing, Michigan.
Robert Bowles CFE
Founder, Executive Director
Bluewater Transaction Advisors LLC
David Braun Jr
Owner/ Remarketing Specialist
DJ Braun Equipment
Dave Braun
Sale/Remarker
DJ Braun Equipment
Karl Brier
Senior Vice President
PNC Equipment Finance
Kenneth Butz
Vice President, Sales
Tadano America Corporation
Throughout Kenneth's career in the construction industry, he has worked closely with banks and finance companies to develop finance programs tailored to the specific needs of manufacturers, distributors, rental companies, and end users mainly focusing on ground engaging equipment and cranes.
From 1987 to 1997 Kenneth worked at Kobelco America Inc. as a District Sales Manager, Western Regional Sales Manager, and General Manager. He was instrumental in developing Kobelco America's distributor network and pioneering their cranes and excavators throughout North and South America.
From 1997 to 1999 he worked at Nissho Iwai Construction Equipment Ltd. as the Chief Operating Officer & General Manager. He managed an international finance company focused on the financing and leasing of earth moving equipment and cranes; as well as collaborated with manufacturers and distributors to structure custom wholesale, retail and lease programs throughout the US and Mexico.
From 1999 to 2016 Kenneth worked at the Manitowoc Crane Group as Director of Sales and Marketing for USTC, Inc., Manitex Boom Trucks, and Manitowoc Crane Group as Regional Business Manager, responsible for sales and support of Manitowoc crawler cranes and Grove hydraulic mobile cranes.
Presently, Kenneth is the Vice President of Sales at Tadano America Corporation in Houston, Texas, leading the effort for rough-terrain and all-terrain crane sales and support in North America and Mexico.
Rochelle Carrington
Sales Training, Keynotes, Business Strategy, Leadership and Management Development, Business Development, Hiring and Speaker
Sandler Training
As a seasoned executive, sales professional and consultant, Rochelle Carrington guides companies in reaching their critical goals to drive increased revenue and more effectively manage their sales and management processes. Rochelle Carrington A self made millionaire and the CEO of Sandler Training, Rochelle has advised, trained and coached large companies including Time Inc and Georgia Pacific as well as small enterprises on best practices to develop stronger sales teams, create better hiring practices and lead organizations more effectively. Rochelle possesses over 23 years of experience in sales and sales management. She built her training business into a seven figure company in less than 10 years and is the top female franchise owner within the global Sandler network of 250 business owners. Prior to Sandler, Rochelle spent much of her career at some of the most highly regarded publishing companies including Conde Nast Publications, Hearst Magazines and Meredith Corporation. As an award winning salesperson and sales executive, she recruited and led a national team at magazines including Glamour, marie claire, Teen and Golf for Women. Each week, Rochelle trains company leadership and sales professionals using a vibrant, fun and interactive style of delivery which enables teams of all capabilities to incorporate their learnings into their every day lives. She has been the featured speaker at a variety of national associations across the country and has won numerous awards for her sales and training skills. She is the author of a forthcoming book entitled “Believe it to Achieve It...the Sandler Way." Rochelle holds a B.A from Luther College in Decorah, IA and resides with her family in New York.
Carl Chrappa A.S.A, M.R.I.C.S., I.F.A
Senior Managing Director
The Alta Group LLC
Carl C. Chrappa is Senior Managing Director - Asset Management Practice Leader of The Alta Group, LLC, headquartered in Clearwater, Florida. He is a registered auctioneer, recognized expert witness, and nationally (A.S.A.) as well as internationally (M.R.I.C.S.) tested and accredited senior equipment appraiser with over 45 years of experience.
Mr. Chrappa is uniquely qualified to author this article, since he actively trades in global equipment markets, and provides appraisals and equipment consulting services to companies throughout the world. He is also a member of the National Association for Business Economics (NABE), where he was elected to serve two-terms as Chair of the Association’s Industrial/ Manufacturing Roundtable. Since 2009 Mr. Chrappa has served as a panelist on the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s - ‘Livingston Survey,’ which twice a year forecasts macroeconomic moves in the U.S. economy. He also serves on the Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) monthly PMI survey panel.
He is Chair Emeritus and a founding member of The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association's Equipment Management Committee, also serves on the Board of Directors of the Secured Finance Network (fka CFA). He has served on the ELFA’s Service Providers Steering Committee, and is a past national technical director of the American Association of Cost Engineers. Mr. Chrappa received the ELFA’s Distinguished Service Award in 2010. In addition, he co-authored a book entitled A Leasing Company's Guide to Equipment Management and is the author of several columns devoted to equipment management as well as being a regular content provider to the ELFA's web-based ELFAonline.org. He has given numerous presentations at professional and trade association meetings and seminars throughout the United States, Europe and South America, and has been interviewed and quoted by such news media as The Wall Street Journal, the L.A. Business Times, TheStreet.com, CNBC MoneyLine, and NPR radio. Mr. Chrappa is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
The Alta Group, LLC, 2451 McMullen Booth Road, Suite 305 - Clearwater, FL 33759
Phone: (727) 796-7733
Email: cchrappa@thealtagroup.com
Bryan Courcier
Senior Vice President
Hilco Industrial, LLC
Rick Daubenspeck
President
Caddie Valuation Group, LLC
EXPERIENCE SUMMARY Mr. Daubenspeck serves as Managing Director – Tangible Assets for the Valuation & Business Analytics Group within BDO USA, LLC. He has more than twenty-five years of experience in developing valuation opinions of machinery and equipment for a broad range of financial transactions including leasing structuring and dispositions, mergers and acquisitions, bankruptcies and impairment reviews. His experience and knowledge was obtained and developed through a countless number of domestic and international engagements for a variety of assets groups including manufacturing, telecom, transportation, gaming and entertainment, power generation and distribution, wastewater and freshwater systems, as well as automated ticketing, signaling and toll systems. Renewable Energy, specifically Solar Energy, has been a primary focus for Mr. Daubenspeck over the last several years, and has been involved in the valuation of approximately 450 commercial and utility scale solar installations throughout the United States. Mr. Daubenspeck has performed appraisals throughout North America, as well as Europe and the Far East.
Mr. Daubenspeck has been a speaker on numerous occasions at the Equipment Management Conference sponsored by the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, as well as the National Conference of the American Society of Appraisers and the Solar power Finance & Investment Summit. He has also had several articles regarding equipment valuation published, as well as published articles regarding solar energy and the financing of solar collection systems.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS American Society of Appraisers (ASA) Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Jeffrey Dorrough
VP Asset Management
Mente Group
Kimberly Esposito
Managing Director, Asset Management Services
Ms. Esposito has 28 years of experience in Equipment Management. During her career, she has been responsible for portfolio management at two bank leasing companies, as an appraiser specializing in rail, material handling and middle-ticket assets; including transportation equipment, high-tech, and industrial equipment. She has sold numerous types of equipment internationally, including over 25,000 marine containers for a major container leasing company. She received her Accredited Senior Appraiser (A.S.A.) designation in 1998, and is past president of the A.S.A. Maryland Chapter. Ms. Esposito has actively served on the Equipment Management Committee since 2007 and was elected Committee Chair in 2014. She also has served as a member of the Credit & Collections Committee in 2011-2012. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut at Storrs.
Anthony Gordon ASA
Director of Asset Management and Remarketing
Farm Credit Leasing
Anthony Gordon is the Director of Asset Management & Remarket for CoBank - Farm Credit Leasing. Mr. Gordon is responsible for Asset Management and Remarketing functions at Farm Credit Leasing. He received his accredited Senior Appraiser designation from the American Society of Appraisers in 2011. Mr. Gordon was raised on a family farm and has over 30 years of agricultural equipment finance experience in various roles, including asset management, asset remarketing, credit underwriting, sales, foreclosure and portfolio management. Prior to joining Farm Credit Leasing in December 2017, Mr. Gordon spent a year at Heritage Bank NA, fifteen years at DLL Finance Food & Ag and fourteen years with Agricredit Acceptance Co. He studied finance at Drake University, Des Moines, IA and received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Graceland University – Lamoni, IA.
Anthony Gordon ASA
Director of Asset Management and Remarketing
Farm Credit Leasing
Anthony Gordon is the Director of Asset Management & Remarket for CoBank - Farm Credit Leasing. Mr. Gordon is responsible for Asset Management and Remarketing functions at Farm Credit Leasing. He received his accredited Senior Appraiser designation from the American Society of Appraisers in 2011. Mr. Gordon was raised on a family farm and has over 30 years of agricultural equipment finance experience in various roles, including asset management, asset remarketing, credit underwriting, sales, foreclosure and portfolio management. Prior to joining Farm Credit Leasing in December 2017, Mr. Gordon spent a year at Heritage Bank NA, fifteen years at DLL Finance Food & Ag and fourteen years with Agricredit Acceptance Co. He studied finance at Drake University, Des Moines, IA and received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Graceland University – Lamoni, IA.
John Gougeon
President and CEO
UniFi Equipment Finance
John is Senior Vice President, Manager - Corporate Valuations for Banc of America Leasing. John's team is responsible for equipment valuation supporting BAL's Large Corporate Americas originations group. Areas of coverage include Marine, Rail, Transportation, Medical, Material Handling, amongst others. Prior to joining BAL, John spent 8 years as a Major Account Manager for IronPlanet. John has over 30 years Equipment Management experience, including senior management roles at National Bank of Detroit Equipment Finance (NBD), Heller Financial (HF) and GE Capital.
John is a graduate of Central Michigan University and enjoys spending his free time with his beautiful wife Beth and their three daughters.
Thomas Harford
SVP - Equipment Management Group
Wells Fargo Equipment Finance
Thomas Harford oversees the Equipment Management Valuation team at Wells Fargo Equipment Finance (WFEF). WFEF provides competitive fixed- and floating-rate loans and leases covering a full range of commercial equipment for businesses in the United States and Canada. Based in Chicago, Thomas’ current team of equipment valuation managers and collateral equipment management specialists is responsible for managing WFEF equipment valuations supporting Capital Markets, Commercial/Corporate Banking, Corporate Aircraft, Specialty Industries, Surface Transportation and Canadian portfolios.
Prior to his current role, Thomas led Wells Fargo’s Equipment Management Valuation team with direct management responsibility for equipment valuations within Wells Fargo’s Vendor, Canadian, Construction and Business Banking Group business portfolios.
Before joining Wells Fargo in 2013, Thomas spent 10 years at Banc of America Leasing in management roles within the Equipment Management Group with responsibility for its Vendor lease portfolio as well as their Healthcare portfolio. Prior experience included equipment management roles at the Royal Bank of Scotland, National City Leasing, Sanwa Business Credit Corporation and The LINC Group.
Mr. Harford holds a B.S./B.A. in Finance and Economics from University of Wisconsin- LaCrosse. He is a member in the American Society of Appraisers and currently serves on the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Equipment Management Committee.
Thomas Hazelhurst
President
Machinery Management LLC
Tom Hazelhurst is President of Machinery Management LLC. Machinery Management LLC is a full-service asset management company offering remarketing, recovery coordination, warehousing, inspections, valuations, and consulting on a broad range of metal cutting and fabrication machinery.
Tom began his machine tool career in 1982. Over his career his experiences included directing an equipment remarketing company, buying and selling used equipment, new equipment sales management, and running a service department. He was a member of the Executive Committee and served on the Board of Directors of one of the largest machine tool distributors in the US.
Tom has been an active participant in the Equipment Management conference having presented several times in the past and spent 4 years on the Equipment Management Conference Committee. Tom holds a bachelor’s degree from Western Illinois University.
Elizabeth Jaramillo
SVP - Asset Management
Key Equipment Finance
Vice President of Asset Management and New Business Support for Key Equipment Finance. In this role, Jaramillo is responsible for transaction workflow, which includes managing a team of new business support analysts that provide asset and transaction support to internal teams.
Prior to her current position, Jaramillo served as lead equipment and portfolio analyst at Key Equipment Finance, a position she held for six years. She began her career as a program administrator at Leasetec Corporation, which was acquired by KeyCorp in 1997, and has held positions of increasing responsibility within the company for more than 20 years.
Jaramillo received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also received a certification in renewable and sustainable energy from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 2010.
Terry Keeton
General Manager
Forklift Wholesale International, Inc.
Kimberly Khoury, CEA, has over 25 years of experience in the used equipment industry, where she has purchased, sold, liquidated and appraised a broad range of conventional and state-of-the-art computer-controlled machine tools and allied equipment. As President of Action Machinery Consulting LLC and previously Vice President of Action Machinery, one of the leading machine tool dealers in the nation since 1965, Kim has managed every aspect of the business. Kim is a Certified Equipment Appraiser with relevant insight into market dynamics, sales trends and used equipment values. She has significant experience in strategic target marketing for plant and equipment sales, auctions, and liquidations and has participated in collateral repossession and equipment remarketing for numerous asset-based lenders.
Action Machinery Consulting is a member of the Machinery Dealers National Association (MDNA), an international trade organization dedicated to networking and business development among participants in the secondary equipment marketplace. Kimberly has been active in the MDNA for many years, in a significant number of capacities, and currently serves as the association's past-president and member of its Executive Committee. She has been a member of the association's Board of Directors since 2001 and currently serves on the ethics and mediation committee and is a Trustee for the MDNA Austin D. Lucas Scholarship Fund.
Michael Lane
Director
NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC
Michael Lane has been active in the power plant, electric distribution, water, and gas industries for over 25 years including experience in management, operations, finance and valuation. Mr. Lanes broad range of experience includes strategic and business planning, business development, financial and economic feasibility studies, cost-of-service analysis and rate design, system valuation studies, and power plant operation, maintenance and planning.
He recently joined NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC after working at SAIC's energy consultancy for more than 14 years (including SAIC's acquisition of R. W. Beck, Inc.) where he led the appraisal/valuation practice. Prior to SAIC, he worked with Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company as a field engineer/boiler inspector and as a submarine based nuclear power plant supervisor in the United States Navy.
Michael has an M.B.A. from the Jack Massey Graduate School of Business at Belmont University, a BBA from Belmont University and an Associates in Applied Sciences in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Thomas Edison State College. He is an Accredited Senior Appraiser by the American Society of Appraisers, specializing in Public Utility Appraisals.
Eric Livingston
Chief Operating Officer
Maritime Partners LLC
Eric Livingston is Senior Vice President Asset Management for Citizens Asset Finance focusing on the rail and marine industries. Prior to this he was Vice President and Executive Director, Portfolio and Equipment Management at GATX Corporation. Where he directed all asset management activities for GATX's $500 equipment finance portfolio. Prior to joining GATX in 2001, Mr. Livingston served as Vice President of Asset Management at ATEL Capital Group where he supervised all asset management activities for ATEL's $750 Million diversified equipment finance portfolio.
Mr. Livingston began his twenty-five year leasing career at GE Capital Computer Leasing in a variety of positions including Investment Analyst, Trader-IBM Communications Equipment and Product Manager-IBM Enterprise Systems. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Finance from San Diego State University and is a ASA accredited Senior Appraiser.
Mark Loken
Vice President
CoBank Farm Credit Leasing
Mark Loken is Vice President, Credit for CoBank - Farm Credit Leasing. Mr. Loken is responsible for Credit, Portfolio, and Asset Management functions at Farm Credit Leasing. He has over 20 years of equipment finance experience in various roles, including credit underwriting, sales, asset management and portfolio. Prior to joining Farm Credit Leasing in March 2016, Mr. Loken spent two years at Cisco Capital and fourteen years at TCF Equipment Finance. He received a bachelor's degree in Finance and Economics from the University of Wisconsin - Whitewater and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of St. Thomas.
Vincent Lorenz ASA
Director, Fleet & Valuations
Nations Capital, Inc.
Vince has over 20 years of experience working in the heavy equipment industry having started his career from the ground up working at his family’s construction equipment business. He is an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) with the American Society of Appraisers and has worked with various institutions, helping them understand equipment values, residual analysis, and remarketing strategies. He has managed complex appraisal and liquidation projects across multiple industries and various geographic areas. Specialty subject matter areas for Vince include heavy lifting & rigging, transportation, mining, construction, and the oil and gas pipeline industries.
Patrick Mazzanti
President
Railroad Appraisal Associates
Pat Mazzanti is president of Railroad Appraisal Associates, the management consulting division of The Occor Company, specializing in the railroad industry, serving operators, suppliers and financial service companies. Railroad Appraisal Associates is the oldest railroad specific appraisal business in the United States and was founded in 1976. Areas of expertise include railroad and locomotive appraisals, inspections, equipment remanufacture and general management consulting services. Prior to Railroad Appraisal Associates, Pat spent 18 years with Deutsche Financial Services a unit of Deutsche Bank, with the last 7 as Head of Railroad Finance.
Pat earned a MBA in Business Economics from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management in Lake Forest, Illinois, as well as a BS in Economics and Finance from Canisius College in Buffalo, New York. Pat is currently a member of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers, Equipment Appraisers Association of North America, and is a Certified Senior Appraiser. Pat resides in Spring Grove, Illinois with his wife and 2 children where he is active in the community as an elected village trustee.
Robert Mercogliano
SVP, Head of Asset Management
PEAC Solutions
Robert Mercogliano
Strategic Account Manager - Financial Services
bidadoo Inc.
Bob is currently the Strategic Account Manager for Financial Services at bidadoo auction services. Bob has 30 years of Asset Management experience with expertise in managing, evaluating, and selling transportation, construction, industrial, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare assets.
Bob has held several positions during his career in Leasing and Finance as Head of Asset Management, Pricing, and Portfolio Management. Prior to joining bidadoo in 2020, Bob worked as the Managing Director, Head of Asset Management for SunTrust. He was also the Global Head of Asset Management for the Project Structured Finance Group of Siemens Financial Services for 18 years. He currently sits on and is a former chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association’s Asset Management Committee.
Education - Bob received a B.S. in International Business Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
bidadoo is the largest and most trusted online auction service on the world’s largest auction marketplace, eBay. With eBay’s 150+ million active buyers around the globe, bidadoo provides equipment sellers access to the world’s largest online auction marketplace, with its long-term partnership with eBay. bidadoo provides professional remarketing for used construction equipment, rental and municipal fleets, trucks, and other capital assets to many of the world’s largest equipment and fleet companies.
Thomas Monroe Jr
SVP, ATEL Equipment Services
ATEL Capital Group
Thomas P. Monroe, Jr. joined ATEL as a portfolio manager in the asset management department. In 2004, Mr. Monroe was named Senior Vice President of ATEL Equipment Services. In this function, Mr. Monroe manages ATEL's asset management department, which is responsible for residual valuation, due diligence, equipment inspections and negotiating renewal and remarketing for ATEL's portfolio. Prior to joining ATEL, Mr. Monroe was employed by GE Capital for 6 years as a portfolio manager in the computer leasing division. Mr. Monroe holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Berkeley, and an M.B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.
Christopher Nugent
Managing Director
Bluechip Asset Management LLC
Mr. Nugent is Managing Director of Bluechip Asset Management, an appraisal and asset management services company. Mr. Nugent has over 25 years of experience in valuation, leasing, and financial services, focusing on equipment appraisal, residual management, asset remarketing, and portfolio management, including positions with Key Equipment Finance, Babcock & Brown, Comdisco, US Leasing, and other companies. Mr. Nugent has equipment management expertise in IT, healthcare, technology, semiconductor, energy, business equipment, construction equipment, and a variety of other industries, and has managed staff and transactions in the US, Europe, and Asia.
Mr. Nugent is an Accredited Senior Appraiser of the American Society of Appraisers. He holds a BA in Statistics from the University of California, Berkeley, and an MBA from Santa Clara University.
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.
Rick Pierman
Senior Managing Director - Business Development - Equipment Finance
Pathward Commercial Finance
Rick Pierman is the President of Crestmark Equipment Finance, a division of MetaBank and has over 20 years of leasing and finance industry experience. Before rejoining Crestmark Equipment Finance, a division of MetaBank, he served as senior vice president, managing director of asset management for Woodforest National Bank’s equipment finance division. There, he was involved with the development of a start-up equipment finance platform, which grew to $170 million portfolio before being acquired by Sterling National Bank in March 2019. Responsibilities included developing policies and procedures for collateral valuations, the tax lease program, division pricing and structure, residual setting, portfolio management, and developing equipment markets.
Pierman originally joined Crestmark in 2014 with the company’s acquisition of TIP Capital, where he served as vice president, asset management; his 15-year tenure with the company included roles as director of asset management, remarketing manager, and accounting and project manager. He also held a senior lease accountant position at CIT, formerly Newcourt and AT&T Capital. Pierman earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Michigan State University. He is a former chairperson of the Equipment Lease and Finance Association’s Equipment Management Committee.
Andrew Reger
Senior Consultant
NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC
Jane Rethmeier
CEO
Harbor Capital Leasing, Inc.
Ms. Rethmeier has been with Harbor Capital since the company's inception in 2000, as Mishawaka Leasing, and has over 30 years of leasing experience with a focus on asset management, remarketing, tax and lease accounting. Prior to joining Harbor Mishawaka, Jane was with Capital Associates International, Inc. where she was responsible for establishing residual values and end of lease activities.
Steven Robbins
Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Asset Management
Flagstar Financial & Leasing, LLC
Steven M. Robbins is presently the Senior Vice President and Director of Asset Management for Signature Financial LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Signature Bank. Signature Financial was formed in March, 2012, to provide equipment leasing and financing solutions to customers in the United States. In this role, Mr. Robbins is responsible for all Asset and Portfolio Management activities.
Prior to joining Signature, Mr. Robbins was the Vice President, Asset Management for Capital One Equipment Leasing and Finance, where he was responsible for its Asset Management activities. Mr. Robbins has also held Senior Asset Management positions at Marshall & Stevens, Inc., Republic Financial Corporation, Mizuho Corporate Bank - (USA), GE Capital - Vendor Financial Services, AT&T Capital, The CIT Group and MetLife Capital Credit Corporation, where he began his career in the leasing industry.
Mr. Robbins has been employed in the equipment finance/leasing industry for over thirty three years with thirty of those years directly involved with the Asset Management discipline, is the past Chairman of the ELFA Equipment Management Conference and Committee and is a member of the American Society of Appraisers. He is a graduate of the State University of New York at Cobleskill and was the 2011 Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - Long Island Chapter "Man of the Year".
Tom Sager
President
Tech Trade Partners, Inc.
Tom Sager is the President of Tech Trade Partners, Inc an IT remarketing company in suburban Chicago and has over 30 years of experience in remarketing, residual value setting and product sales and distribution. He has also held positions as a Portfolio Manager at lessor Comdisco and as Central Region Sales Manager for distributor Ingram Micro. For 3 years Tom was a contributor to Gartner, Inc's residual value report.
He earned a B.S. in Information Systems Management from State University of New York College at Buffalo. He is a 35 year member and racer and driving instructor in the Sports Car Club of America and enjoys spending time with his wife and 3 adult children.
Joseph Santora ASA
President
Irontrax
Joseph Santora has spent the last 21 years building Irontrax into a reputable partner for financial institutions, equipment managers and construction professionals who seek accurate valuation and sales of machinery and equipment. His deep relationships in the market, coupled with his true third-party viewpoint, have yielded consistent spot-on valuations for clients.
Irontrax specializes in asset management; consulting, appraisal, and the remarketing of bank-owned construction, transportation, and mining equipment. Irontrax also consults for lease-end negotiations, workouts, and litigations. Irontrax has entered into Master Services Agreements with many of the major financial institutions.
Joe walked in the shoes of his clients, prior to establishing Irontrax. He was an Asset Manager at First Merit Bank (Akron, Ohio) where he established bank policy for the Equipment & Leasing & Finance Division and instituted the use of an approved appraiser list. In addition, he has held roles with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, the world’s largest auctioneer of unused and used heavy equipment and trucks, and Insight Auctioneers (Sebring, Florida).
Well-known throughout the industry, Joe has been published in several financial and construction trade publications and has served on numerous committees for the Ohio Contractors Association. He currently is a member of the American Society of Appraiser’s International MTS (Machinery & Technical Specialties Discipline) Committee, which establishes appraisal policies, standards and education on an international level. Joe is also the Founder/Chairman of American Society of Appraisers Annual Equipment Valuation Conference.
Joe often presents at the American Society of Appraiser
Kevin Sensenbrenner ASA
SVP/Senior Managing Director, Head of Asset Management
Stonebriar Commercial Finance
Kevin Sensenbrenner is SVP and Senior Managing Director of Asset Management, with direct management responsibility for all asset valuation, lease portfolio management, and remarketing activities.
Kevin began his career in 1998 as a commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (M&E) and real estate appraiser with AccuVal Associates. He was responsible for Co-Managing AccuVal's M&E appraisal practice. At AccuVal, Kevin gained extensive experience appraising domestic and international large industrial/manufacturing facilities, such as: steel and paper mills, metal fabrication and automotive assembly plants, chemical/petroleum processing plants, carpet manufacturers, food processing facilities, printing operations, and energy related assets.
Sensenbrenner began his Asset Management career at AIG Commercial Equipment Finance (AIG CAF) in 2006 as Vice President and Senior Asset Manager. His responsibilities increased successively and ultimately included all asset management functions for AIG Investments and AIG CAF portfolios. At AIG, Kevin valued and managed a diverse portfolio, with assets in manufacturing, transportation, oil and gas, mining, construction, marine, rail, and technology industries, as well as real estate assets.
Prior to joining SCF in 2015, Mr. Sensenbrenner led an equipment management valuation team overseeing Wells Fargo Equipment Finances $29.5 billion portfolio, with responsibility for commercial bank, corporate bank, capital markets, marine, energy, and rail business verticals.
Kevin is a Senior ASA appraiser and has served as an ELFA Equipment Management Committee member since 2007.
Robert Slavin
Senior Valuation Analyst
Ritchie Bros.
Jud Snyder
President
BMO Harris Bank
Jud Snyder is the President of BMO Harris Equipment Finance Company and BMO's Senior Executive for Southeast Wisconsin.
Jud joined the Bank in 1994 and is responsible for leading the growth and development of BMO Harris Equipment Finance Company. This includes strategic and managerial responsibility for sales, operations, underwriting and equipment management capabilities within the Equipment Finance Company.
Prior to taking on his current role, he had roles in credit, sales and sales management in Equipment Finance prior to taking on the President's role in 2008. In 2010, he moved into the bank as M&I's Head of Specialized Industries. In this role he was responsible for Equipment Finance, Global Trade, Health Care, Dealer Finance, Agribusiness and Sponsor Finance. Following the BMO acquisition in 2011, he moved back into the head role at Equipment Finance with the mandate to leverage the business across BMO and grow the business to scale.
Jud obtained his BA in Russian and Economics from UW Madison ('94). He is currently the Chairman and an Officer of ELFA (Equipment Leasing and Finance Association). He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Milwaukee Ballet (Immediate Past Chair & President and Executive Committee Member), The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee (Trustee), United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Teach for America and Froedtert Health Systems.
Jud lives in Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin with his five children.
Carl Stitzel II
Owner/Remarketing Specialist
Direct Forklift and Equipment
William Tefft
SVP Asset Management
Banc of California Corporate Asset Finance
Will Tefft is Senior Vice President, Equipment Management for CapitalSource's Corporate Asset Finance group.
Wade W. Whitenburg is a Strategic Accounts Manager with Ritchie Bros. specializing in asset management, valuation and remarketing for finance, banking and insolvency management companies. Since joining the company in January of 2001, he has been responsible for building and maintaining customer relationships with financial organizations of all sizes throughout the U.S.
Wade provides market analysis and CMV guidance for the general equipment industry as well as for specific equipment fleet and asset portfolio managers based on real time data and market awareness. He also plays an essential role in the development and delivery of the Equipment Valuation Workshops which Ritchie Bros. hosts for equipment finance professionals across in the U.S. and Canada.
Before his tenure with Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Wade held several positions for various companies within the general equipment industry. His wide-ranging background includes sales, marketing, financing and corporate training. He and his family reside in Cypress, Texas.
Wade holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology with a second major in Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, TX.
Rick Wilichowski
Business Development Officer
Irontrax
Richard (“Rick”) Wilichowski is presently the Managing Director, Midwest Regional Sales Manager for Gordon Brothers. In this role, Rick is responsible for business development across the upper Midwest and oversees all sales activity in the Midwest and Canada. Since 1903, Gordon Brothers has helped lenders, operating companies, advisors, and investors move forward through change. Gordon Brothers offers services in valuations, dispositions, operations, and investments.
Gordon Brothers' valuations group offers expertise in machinery & equipment, industrial inventory, retail and e-commerce inventory, consumer inventory, commercial real property, brands & intellectual property, and business valuations. Gordon Brothers' experienced professionals value assets across industries, asset classes, and continents with offices in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Brazil, Japan, and Australia. Gordon Brothers leverages the expertise of its disposition practice and the most expansive asset recovery database in the world in determining recovery values.
Rick was formerly the head of Gordon Brothers' Machinery & Equipment Valuation practice. This team produces reports used primarily for financing, financial reporting, property tax, and litigation support. Previously, Rick headed AccuVal-LiquiTec's Machinery & Equipment Valuation practice prior to its acquisition by Gordon Brothers in 2015. For over two decades, Rick has managed complex personal and real property valuation projects throughout the world and also has experience executing orderly services. He is a Candidate in the American Society of Appraisers. Rick earned bachelor's degrees in real estate and marketing from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Sponsors
Direct Forklift and Equipment
We are a remarketer of off lease equipment. Including forklift, construction, aerial, turf, and other equipment.
Forklift Pro, Inc.
Russell Equipment Company
Russell Equipment, Inc. is the world's largest single source for off-lease used material handling and other mobile plant equipment. Since 1982, our company has been proud to provide sales to OEM dealerships, independent dealerships, and end-user customers both locally and worldwide.
Sandhills Global
Auctioning and bidding on equipment has never been easier or more cost effective. Powered by MachineryTrader.com, TractorHouse.com, TruckPaper.com, and MarketBook.com AuctionTime.com brings together buyers and sellers to move equipment at auction values. Sellers list equipment on AuctionTime.com for a low flat fee. Bidders pay no buyers fees whatsoever. The result is savings for everyone.
Stonebriar Commercial Finance
Stonebriar Commercial Finance (“SCF”) is an originator and servicer of assets in a diverse set of industries across the credit spectrum whose portfolio serves as a catalyst for the U.S. economy. SCF is the largest independent commercial finance company in the U.S. Since inception, we have built a world class, multi-billion-dollar platform of fixed asset secured leases and loans. Headquartered in Plano, Texas, SCF is a privately held, investment grade rated large-ticket commercial finance and leasing company established in 2015 to capitalize on the compelling investment opportunities in the equipment and real estate leasing and lending markets. Since inception, SCF has funded approximately $12 billion of leases and loans with annual funding in excess of $2 billion, with sequential growth each year. At year-end 2022, SCF was ranked the 30th largest leasing company with assets currently in excess of $6.2 billion and 23rd in volume in the U.S. and the largest private independent by assets, volume, and 1st in volume per employee.
SCF leases and finances assets located primarily in North America and select other jurisdictions worldwide currently through four distinct lines of business - General Equipment, Aviation Capital, Rail Leasing and Real Estate.
SCF structures include tax leases, finance leases, sale-leasebacks, TRAC leases, term loans, refinances, construction-to-permanent facilities, capital expenditures lines of credit, leverage to support mergers and acquisitions and other structures tailored to meet the specific objectives of its customers. Transaction sizes range from $5 to $500 million with typical terms of three to 20 years. SCF focuses on essential use and incoming producing assets operated by well capitalized lessees/obligors with proven management teams and defensible positions serving viable end markets.
Supported by an execution-oriented team with on average 25 years of experience, SCF is committed to providing innovative, efficient and effective capital solutions to its clients while generating attractive risk-adjusted returns with credit, structure and asset level protections.
Hotel Information
The 2019 Equipment Management Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Omni La Costa Resort, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road, Carlsbad, CA 92009. The ELFA room block is currently closed; however, you are welcome to make your own reservation at the hotel if available. Check in time is 3:00 pm and check-out time is 12:00 Noon. Please call Reservations at 1 (800) THE-OMNI
The Omni La Costa Resort & Spa provides a refreshing retreat any time of year. Located just north of San Diego in Carlsbad, the resort is within easy reach of beaches and popular tourist attractions. Escape your everyday routine and indulge in a renewing massage at The Spa at La Costa or make a splash with your kids on family-friendly waterslides and splash pads. They also offer an adult-only pool with panoramic views of two championship golf courses so you can enjoy a little private time while “at work”. Turn your stay into a sport outing by practicing your backhand or challenging friends on one of our 17 tennis courts. Or visit The Chopra Center. Founded by world-renowned holistic physicians Deepak Chopra, M.D., and David Simon, M.D., the Chopra Center for Wellbeing has served as a beautiful, nurturing place where people come to heal their physical body, empower themselves, find emotional freedom, and experience spiritual awakening for over 20 years.
Getting There
Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad is located 30 miles from San Diego International Airport (SAN).
Parking
Parking is available at the hotel. Self-parking is $24 per night and overnight valet parking is $34 per night.
Things To Do:
It makes sense that the resort that has it all is located near the city that has a little bit of everything. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa is just a short ride to San Diego, home to popular attractions, major sports teams, world-class restaurants, and endless shopping. Whether looking for family-friendly fun or searching for a quiet spot to enjoy a romantic dinner together, guests staying at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa are just minutes away.
Omni La Costa Resort
2100 Costa Del Mar Rd
Carlsbad, CA 92009
