It is with sorrow that the Alta Group mourns the passing of its friend and an industry icon, John H. Giddens, but also with profound gratitude that they are able to have known such a remarkable person.

In 1992 he joined leasing industry executives, John C. Deane, Norm Chapman and Bill Montgomery, to form The Alta Group. “It is with pleasure that we will remember more than 50 years of camaraderie and respect for his founding role in the consultancy,” the Alta Group stated.

He died Jan. 6 of a heart attack at his home. He is survived by his wife, Clare.

He entered the equipment leasing and finance industry in 1955 at CIT in industrial finance.

In 1964, following nine years with CIT, he joined U.S. Leasing Corporation as Regional Operations Manager in Atlanta. He was appointed Treasurer in 1967, Senior Vice President of Finance in 1969, Chief Operating Officer in 1969 and Chief Executive Officer in 1976. He was elected to the Board of Directors of its parent company, U.S. Leasing International.

In 1978, he assumed responsibility as Group Executive Vice President with operating responsibility for four subsidiaries with aggregate revenues in excess of $250 million. He continued in this capacity until January 1986, when he elected to discontinue this affiliation and engage in private consulting.

He is a former Chairman of the ELFA and was among the first group of executives to be inducted into the association’s Hall of Fame in 2014.

ELFA described him as a leading force in transitioning ELFA into a modern professional industry trade association. He served as a Director and Vice Chairman for over 12 years and as ELFA Chair from 1983 to 1985. In addition, he was a life-long mentor to many industry professionals.