The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association is mourning the passing of Michael J. Fleming, who served as the association’s President for 27 years. Mike passed away Aug. 19 after a long but valiant fight with cancer.

The family would appreciate donations to Capital Caring Hospice, 4715 15th St. N, Arlington, VA. Donations can be made by going to www.capitalcaring.org and clicking on the Donate button. 

A Florida memorial service celebrating Mike’s life is tentatively scheduled for October. The ELFA website will continue to be updated as further information becomes available.

Mike will be remembered as an industry icon who touched the lives of countless industry professionals. He was a trusted friend, valued colleague, esteemed mentor and accomplished advocate on behalf of the equipment leasing and finance industry.

Mike served as ELFA President from 1979, when he established the association’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., until his retirement in 2006. During his tenure, the equipment finance industry grew from a fledgling industry to a major force in the U.S. economy, and he transformed the association into the leading professional trade association representing the U.S. equipment finance sector.

Most recently, Mike served as Senior Managing Director of Client Relations for The Alta Group. In this role, he assisted clients in strategic consulting, market and competitive analysis, and unilateral and multilateral projects.

Prior to serving as ELA President, Mike managed state associations in Iowa and South Carolina. He was devoted to the concepts of strong, active business leadership and believed that associations are most effective when they act in a proactive mode on behalf of their members.

Mike earned a B.A. in Political Science and History and an M.A. in history and economics with honors from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. He did additional postgraduate work at several other major universities.

He was an active member of several professional and economic groups. He was a past Chancellor of the Exchequer Club of Washington, the organization for all financial industry trade associations and federal agencies in the financial services sector, and he was an active member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Committee of 100.