The Canadian Finance & Leasing Association (CFLA) announced that Richard McAuliffe has been named chairman of the board of directors. The appointment was made at the 44th Annual General Meeting of the CFLA earlier this week. McAuliffe is senior vice president and chief operating officer Key Equipment Finance Canada Ltd.

“Everyone welcomes Richard’s appointment,” said David Powell, CFLA president and CEO. “He is a respected and effective industry leader. His energy and thoughtful advice will continue to make a major contribution to the association and advance the interests of the industry.”

McAuliffe is responsible for Key Equipment Finance’s Canadian operations. He is also responsible for direct originations, supporting bank clients’ equipment finance needs in Canada and managing the equipment finance programs for all of the company’s vendor customers, including equipment manufacturers and distributors who have operations and clients in Canada.

Before joining Key Equipment Finance in 2003, McAuliffe was associate vice president and general manager of TD Bank Asset Finance’s leasing business, where he had worked since 1996. Prior to that, he was vice president risk manager and operations at GE Capital Canada Inc. He also held the position of assistant credit manager and treasurer at The Chase Manhattan Bank of Canada.

“Throughout his career, Richard’s main focus has been on empowering the people around him,” said Adam D. Warner, president of Key Equipment Finance. “The Canadian Financing & Leasing Association plays an important role in advocating for the equipment leasing industry in Canada, and Richard’s industry expertise and leadership skills make him well suited to serve as chairman of the association. I congratulate him on being selected for this position and look forward to supporting him in this role.”

An active member of the Canadian Equipment Finance and Leasing Association for over 20 years, McAuliffe has served and chaired various committees and is a member of the executive committee.

In addition to McAuliffe’s appointment, the board also appointed the following individuals to serve on the Executive Committee:

• Tom Pundyk (National Leasing), Immediate Past Chairman
• Peter Horan (DLL Financial Services Canada Inc.),Vice-Chairman
• Patrick Lefebvre (VW Credit Canda, Ltd.), Secretary-Treasurer
• Stefan Karrenbauer (Mercedes-Benz Financial Services Canada Corporation/Daimler Truck Financial)
• Douglas McKenzie (BAL Global Finance Canada Corporation)
• Paul Monjanel (Ford Credit Canada Ltd.)