The National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers, (NAELB), welcomed 258 attendees to its 2015 Annual Conference at the Arizona Grand Resort, April 30 – May 2, said Conference Chair Rodney Blecha of Precision Leasing, Inc. of Shawnee, KS. “Our 2015 attendance was up 8% over last year and we welcomed more exhibitors in 2015 as well,” Blecha said.
NAELB’s new Board of Directors was introduced at the Conference. Taking on the role of President for 2015-2016 is Pete Sawyer of Sun South Equipment Leasing in Lakeland, FL. Other officers and board members include President-Elect Mike Parker of Credential Leasing, Fort Myers, FL; Vice President Rodney Blecha; Secretary Treasurer Jaime Kaneshina of Cambridge Capital, Chino Hills, CA; and Directors at Large Sheri Bancroft of Bancroft Leasing, Memphis, TN; Henry Grace of U.S. Financial Companies, Columbus, OH; and Doug Richters of Accord Financial Group, Inc. of Covington, OH. NAELB’s 2014-2015 President, Joan Modes of GEM Commercial Credit, Inc. of Livonia, MI remains on the board as Immediate Past President.
In addition to education sessions and exhibits, the Conference also featured the presentation of NAELB’s new President’s Award, which was bestowed on Rosanne Wilson from 1st Independent Leasing, Beaverton, OR. NAELB’s President’s Award is presented to one individual (Funder, Broker, Associate), chosen by the president, who has been an emissary of the Association through volunteerism, committee service, industry advocacy or other initiatives that best represent NAELB’s credo SUCCESS BY ASSOCIATION.
Wilson served on the NAELB Board for five years, as well as on the CLP Foundation's board as their President. Currently, Wilson serves on the Leasing News Advisory Board and is the Chair of NAELB’s Membership Committee. In addition, Wilson has been a volunteer mentor of new members and participates in the screening process for new NAELB members. Among Wilson’s professional achievements were founding 1st Independent Leasing 25 years ago and earning her CLFP designation in 1998. She was honored with the NAELB Lifetime Membership Award in 2012.
Also recognized at NAELB’s Annual Business Meeting was Carrie Radloff of American Financial Partners in Gary, SD who was awarded a scholarship for the CLFP exam by the Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation.
NAELB’s next Annual Conference is set for April 28-30, 2016 at the Tropicana Las Vegas.
NAELB is the premier organization formed to promote the interests of equipment leasing brokers through education, advocacy, improved communication with funders and programs designed to upgrade the professionalism and profitability of brokers, funders and others engaged in the business of equipment lease financing. NAELB is an association formed by leasing brokers for leasing brokers. The NAELB is the Broker's Advocate. For more information, visit www.naelb.org