The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has selected Robert J. Rinaldi, CEO of King Commercial Finance, to receive its 2014 David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award. The award, named for ELFA’s former Vice President of Federal Government Relations, honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the association’s advocacy efforts to promote sound public policies for the equipment finance industry. Rinaldi will be formally recognized during a ceremony at ELFA’s Capitol Connections event on Tuesday, June 10, in Washington, D.C.

“As a passionate advocate for the equipment leasing and finance industry, Bob has inspired countless ELFA members to participate in the association’s public policy activities,” said William G. Sutton, CAE, the President and CEO of ELFA. “We are delighted to present this award to Bob, whose enthusiasm and tireless contributions not only have strengthened our advocacy program, but also have increased awareness of the value of equipment finance as an engine for U.S. prosperity and growth.”

“I am both humbled and moved to receive this award aptly named for David Fenig, a dear friend of mine whom I still miss to this day,” said Rinaldi. “David had an intense passion for his federal government relations work on behalf of the industry and its members. His passion is something that I really admired and try to emulate in all my industry endeavors.”

Rinaldi has been an active participant in ELFA for more than 15 years. During this time, he has supported the industry’s policy objectives in a number of ways. From 2007 through 2010, he served as the Chairman of LeasePAC, ELFA’s nonpartisan federal political action committee. In this role, he helped to increase awareness of and member participation in the association’s advocacy program. For the past 14 years, he also has been a regular attendee and steadfast promoter of ELFA’s annual Capitol Connections event. He has met with members of Congress and executive branch agencies, highlighting the value of equipment finance to the U.S. economy, and the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals on the industry.

Rinaldi has advocated for many key industry issues.  He has been passionate in advancing awareness of industry members’ need to be heard on Capitol Hill and educating legislators about the industry’s positive economic impact. As LeasePAC Chairman, he educated ELFA members on the need for their LeasePAC prior authorizations, for holding internal company campaigns, for attending Capitol Connections and for getting involved in the legislative process. On the state advocacy front, his areas of involvement have included state tax issues in Ohio, including a personal meeting with the State Senate President, and the collection of electronic recycling fees in California. 

A member of the ELFA Board of Directors from 2002-2005 and 2007 to present, Rinaldi is currently Chairman-Elect of the association. In addition to his ELFA involvement, he has contributed to ELFA’s research affiliate, the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation, including service on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and Development and Research Committees. Through his Foundation work, he has helped to provide a vision for the industry through future-focused information and research.

Before joining King Commercial Finance, Rinaldi was Senior Vice President at CSI Leasing for nearly four years. Previously, he served as Executive Vice President of the $8 billion bank-owned lessor National City Commercial Capital (now PNC Equipment Finance), and President of National City Commercial Capital Canada. Prior to that, he and his partners founded Information Leasing Corporation in 1984, which they subsequently sold to Provident Bank of Cincinnati, later acquired by National City Bank.