The Alta Group, a global equipment leasing and finance consultancy, announced today the development of a new vertical industry focus, Diversified Industries, to be headed by Paul W. Frechette, a senior managing director.  Alta also appointed Valerie L. Gerard to head its Management Consulting Practice.
 
“We have seen significant growth in client engagements within Diversified Industries, including health care, construction, alternative energy, manufacturing, and transportation,” said John C. Deane, CEO of The Alta Group. “Paul has more than three decades of experience in equipment leasing and finance, and exposure to the manufacturers using financing to improve sales.

Frechette joined Alta in 2011 to head its Vendor and Captive Finance Practice and will continue to be involved in client engagements requiring his expertise in this category.  In his new position he will expand Alta’s consulting practice in markets where leasing is attractive and where financing operations can expand, counseling clients on building new markets, driving revenue growth, and improving market positioning.

His accomplished career in vendor and captive finance includes a focus on strategic and financial planning, tactical execution, quality controls, organizational leadership, and hands-on client development activities on a global basis. Prior to joining Alta, Frechette was executive vice president at EverBank Commercial Finance (formerly Tygris Commercial Finance), part of the management team responsible for the growth of its vendor finance business.

Valerie L. Gerard, managing director, will manage the captive and vendor business for Alta in her new role as head of Alta’s Management Consulting Practice. Deane said that since Gerard joined Alta two years ago she has demonstrated excellence in working with Alta’s clients in numerous engagements.
 
“Our Management Consulting Practice, which now includes vendor/captive programs, is one of our most important. We wanted to pair Valerie's engagement management skills and background with our clients' needs in this very important space,” he added.
 
Leveraging her extensive career and areas of expertise, Gerard’s research and consulting work for Alta clients has included a variety of market entry, capital markets access, rating agency advisory, investment community messaging, and market survey projects.
 
She has worked in the financial services, media, and telecommunications industries for more than 25 years, developing deep management expertise in business strategy, capital markets/funding, corporate reputation and valuation, investor relations, and rating agency relations.
 
Since 1992, The Alta Group has represented equipment leasing and finance companies, financial institutions, manufacturers and service providers, offering management consulting and expertise in global market entry, vendor finance, professional development, legal support services, and mergers and acquisitions.