The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association has selected Kevin P. Prykull, Senior Vice President and Credit Executive at PNC Equipment Finance, LLC, to receive its 2013 Distinguished Service Award. The award honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the equipment finance industry. Prykull will be formally recognized during a ceremony at ELFA’s 52nd Annual Convention in Orlando, Fla., in October.

“We are delighted to recognize Kevin in appreciation of his outstanding contributions to ELFA and the equipment finance industry,” said ELFA President and CEO William G. Sutton, CAE. “Kevin’s dedicated volunteer spirit and service to our industry’s association, especially in the areas of credit and collections, have had a positive impact on the ELFA membership and the equipment finance industry.”

“Being selected as this year’s recipient of ELFA’s Distinguished Service Award is very much an honor and in many ways a humbling experience,” said Prykull. “There are so many active and engaged volunteers at ELFA and a very supportive staff to help facilitate the numerous initiatives that we have proposed, initiated and developed over the last several years. I have thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with the organization and feel that I have made a difference within the industry, especially with respect to the risk management and credit management functions.”

Prykull has been an active member of ELFA for more than 20 years. Since 2008, he has served as a member and guiding force on the association’s Credit and Collections (C&C) Planning Committee. The ELFA C&C Committee is an essential resource on risk management, credit underwriting, collections and portfolio matters for the equipment finance industry. The committee provides guidance on the training needs for credit and collections management personnel within ELFA member companies.  It also helps plan and deliver business and professional development events, including the annual ELFA Credit and Collections Management Conference and Exhibition. Prykull assumed the role of Committee Chair in 2011, and under his leadership the Credit and Collections Management Conference has experienced increased industry participation and positive feedback regarding the timeliness and relevance of the topics covered. Prykull has served as a presenter not only at the Credit and Collections Management Conference, but also for ELFA’s web seminars, providing guidance on issues relating to credit and risk.  He also introduced and developed with the committee an annual Credit Manager Conference Survey as a component of the Credit and Collections Management Conference. This survey provides insight into trends within credit and risk management as they relate to the equipment leasing and finance industry and is a compliment to the reinvigorated Collection Survey.

Prykull has worked at PNC in risk management, credit policy, leasing and equipment finance for a combined 21 years. He first joined PNC in 1987 and worked in various credit and leasing roles until 1996.  He returned in 1999 to establish a standalone credit function for PNC Leasing (the predecessor of PNC Equipment Finance).  In his current role as the Credit Executive of the business, he manages all of the credit underwriting, portfolio management and credit administration functions for PNC’s equipment finance subsidiary. PNCEF has a portfolio in excess of $11 billion and is the fourth largest bank leasing company in the United States.

Prykull’s previous work experience includes service at Senstar Capital Corporation, an independent finance company; Amenbal, Deane and Associates, a national lease consulting firm; Joy Manufacturing, a Fortune 500 manufacturer and captive lessor; and Equibank, a local regional bank.  He has over 33 years of industry experience.

Prykull holds a bachelor’s of science degree in accounting from Duquesne University and a master’s in business administration from Robert Morris University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He passed the Pennsylvania CPA exam, although he is not a practicing accountant.  He also earned the Certified Lease Professional designation offered through the CLP Foundation and has maintained his credentials in good standing. Prykull serves as an adjunct professor in finance at Duquesne University, where he has taught for over 25 years.  He is a member of the Duquesne University School of Business Alumni Association.