The annual business meeting of the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) was held this year on Thursday, October 8, during NEFA’s 2015 Funding Symposium at the J W Marriott Atlanta Buckhead hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Officers and Directors were elected during the business meeting.
Elected to lead NEFA on the Executive Committee for 2015-2016 were: Gary Souverein, of Pawnee Leasing, President; Stephanie Hall, CLFP, of Bryn Mawr Funding, Vice President; Greg Nappi, of DDI Leasing, Treasurer; and Mike Coon, of Axis Capital, Secretary. Tara Aasand, of LeaseTeam, will continue to serve on the Executive Committee as Immediate Past President.
Elected as Directors for NEFA for 2015-2016 were: Kip Amstutz, of 360 Equipment Finance; Dennis Dressler, of Dressler & Peters; Doug Houlahan, CLFP, of Maxim Commercial Capital; Bryan Inman, CLFP, of Great American Insurance; Gabe Jarnot, CLFP, of Northland Capital; Marc Keepman, of KLC Financial; Daryn Lecy, of Stearns Bank; and Nick Ross, CLFP, of Bank of the West.
“Our Officers and Directors represent a broad range of experiences and all have a passion for this industry and association,” said Gerry Egan, Executive Director of NEFA.
Kyle Gilliam, CLFP, of Arvest Equipment Finance, and Anna-mary Geist, of Sovos Compliance – Taxware; were honored for their Board Service as they completed their terms this year. Also honored for his successful efforts as Conference Chairperson, was Bob Hanna, of Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A.
Jim Merrilees, of Channel Partners Capital, was given the Chris Walker Memorial Member of the Year Award by the NEFA Executive Committee in recognition of his many years of Service to NEFA, its predecessor organizations and the industry at large.
Special Guest, Pete Sawyer, CLFP, of Sun South Equipment Leasing, Inc., and current President of NAELB, was also recognized.
During the Funding Symposium, NEFA, who has enjoyed a long standing and close relationship with the CLFP Foundation, provided meeting space for the Foundation along with exhibit space. During the NEFA business luncheon CLFP leaders were also given an opportunity to present a number of their own awards.
The 2015 Funding Symposium drew a record 281 registrants from across the US and Canada including a record 82 first time attendees. Represented among those first time attendees were 20 new NEFA Member companies.
Attendees participated in a broad range of educational sessions, visited with a record setting 44 leading-edge industry exhibitors, enjoyed social functions and a fund raising golf event. The Funding Symposium kicked off with an informative and inspiring talk by Michael Flock, of Flock Specialty Finance, who shared some of his own story set against the ups and downs and challenges of our industry.
Said, Bob Hanna, the 2015 Funding Symposium Conference Chairperson, “Atlanta’s an easy city to travel to and its Buckhead area is a great location due to the number of dining and entertainment options close by. I think that, the general health of the industry right now, the lineup of educational breakouts we put together, and the vibrancy of NEFA as an organization and the effective networking opportunities it offers, all combined to make this conference a great success.”
The National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA) is a national association serving small to mid-sized independent equipment finance companies, lessors and brokers. NEFA is a strong association offering enhanced educational programs and premium networking opportunities with broad geographic and industry segment diversity. The mission of NEFA is to provide a forum for members to pursue personal and professional growth and promote ethical business practices through advocacy, networking and industry involvement. For more information, visit: www.NEFAssociation.org or call: 847-380-5050.