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Listen in to Fireside Chats with Jesse to learn more about these equipment leasing thought leaders and the organizations that they call home.

In this fireside chat, Jesse sits down with Brian Noble, President and CEO of Asset Compliance Solutions (ACS), to explore his entrepreneurial journey and the evolution of his company over nearly three decades. Brian shares insights into asset recovery, collections, and the importance of building strong industry relationships and a customer-centric approach. The conversation also highlights market trends, business growth, and the realities of navigating challenges in the equipment finance industry.

In this fireside chat, Jesse sits down with Allyson Gale, Vice President of the ELFA, to discuss her career journey - from Capitol Hill and financial services to her leadership role in equipment finance advocacy. She shares insights on policy developments, industry challenges, and ELFA’s evolving strategy, including key legislative priorities and efforts to strengthen industry impact. The conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at how policy, advocacy, and industry collaboration shape the future of equipment finance.

In this Fireside Chat, Jesse and RJ Grimshaw discuss practical uses of AI in business, emphasizing the importance of contextual knowledge, validation of outputs, and building tools that enhance efficiency without replacing human relationships. They highlight strategies for leveraging AI in proposals, emails, voice agents, and process optimization, while stressing the need for intentionality, SOPs, and foundational readiness before full AI adoption. The conversation underscores balancing technology adoption with human insight to maximize impact and accuracy.

In this Fireside Chat, Jesse speaks with Anthony Trollope, President of Foresight Marketing Agency, about his entrepreneurial journey from building online businesses in the UK to leading a marketing agency for the equipment finance industry. Anthony shares insights on helping companies differentiate themselves, build trust, and strategically leverage marketing channels, from PR and trade media to digital campaigns. He also discusses modern strategies for owning a narrative, targeting niche markets, and maximizing visibility in a competitive finance landscape.

In this Fireside Chat, Jesse interviews Billy Quinn, Managing Director of Codex USA, about his career journey from software development to finance technology and consulting. Billy shares insights on building businesses, linking technology with business strategy, and leading Codex’s US operations. He also discusses Codex’s innovative platform, which integrates multiple financial products, supports hybrid offerings, and enables international, multi-tenant finance solutions.

In this episode, Erik Anderson, Chief Credit Officer at Northland Capital, shares his journey from actuarial studies to leading credit operations. He discusses the culture at Northland, mentorship that shaped his career, and the company's growth over 18 years, including innovations in syndication and remote team expansion. Listeners get an inside look at how a supportive, people-focused culture drives both personal and organizational success.

In this week's Fireside Chat, Jesse is joined by Kris Darby, SVP of Operations at Western Equipment Finance, who has spent 34 years in equipment finance, including 16 years with Western. Kris shares how he started in customer service at MetLife Capital, built his expertise across credit, collections, and operations, and now leads initiatives to improve efficiency, leverage technology, and support diverse market segments.

Jesse is joined by Mike Hammond, president of American Finance, who brings over 30 years of experience in collections, subprime auto finance, and equipment leasing. Mike shares insights from his career, the evolution of American Finance, and the lessons that have shaped his approach to business and leadership.

In this episode of Fireside Chat with Jesse, Barry Ripes, President and Co-Founder of PrivateCap, shares his 20+ year journey in equipment finance. From helping build PayNet into a data-driven industry leader and navigating its acquisition by Equifax, to launching PrivateCap as a private credit funding partner, Barry reflects on leadership, resilience through downturns, and the power of long-term relationships. The conversation highlights his transition from service provider to capital source—and his continued commitment to supporting growth across the equipment finance industry.

In this fireside chat, Jesse speaks with Nate Petrie, Head of North American Sales at Kin Analytics, about the evolution of credit scoring and data-driven decisioning in equipment finance. Nate shares how AI, machine learning, and smarter data integration are helping lenders modernize without overhauling their entire systems. The conversation highlights the growing need for actionable insights to drive faster, more confident decisions in a traditionally relationship-based industry.

In this fireside chat, Nicole Torraco shares her journey from Wall Street to founding Kalon Capital, discussing the launch of a mid-market leasing platform, the realities of startup life, thoughtful system selection, and her perspective on underwriting, relationships, and the collaborative culture that makes equipment finance unique.

In this fireside chat, Brad Kissler reflects on a 35-year journey in equipment finance, sharing hard-earned lessons on leadership, capital access, market cycles, and why long-term thinking, relationships, and integrity are essential to building sustainable businesses.

In this fireside chat, Deb Reuben, CEO and founder of Tomorrow Zone, joins Jesse to discuss the growing urgency of digital transformation, the human and leadership challenges behind successful technology initiatives, the shift from software-first thinking to strategic consulting, and how organizations can better prepare for innovation, AI adoption, and sustainable change.

In this fireside chat, Dana Galvin discusses her career journey from starting as an equipment finance customer to becoming SVP of Finance and Systems, sharing insights on operational leadership, system implementations, and how Customers Commercial Finance has scaled its business while adapting to industry and technology changes.

In this Fireside Chat: Jesse is joined by Dan Levin, President and Co-Founder of Liventus, to discuss the company’s momentum from 2024 into 2025, what’s ahead in 2026, and how custom software, business process automation, system migrations, and AI are shaping the future of equipment finance and other industries.

In this Fireside Chat: Carrie Radloff sits down with Jesse to share her nearly 20-year journey in equipment finance, from starting her career on the funding side to transitioning into brokerage, leading Synergy Financial as CEO, and building a relationship-driven business rooted in trust, industry involvement, and long-term partnerships.

In this week’s fireside chat, Jesse sits down with Josh Hanko—attorney and president of Messerli & Kramer—to discuss his career journey, the firm’s 65-year legacy, its diverse legal services across the Midwest, and insights on equipment finance, enforcement work, and today’s industry challenges, from rising bankruptcies to economic uncertainty.

In this Fireside Chat, Jesse speaks with Kareem Jernigan, CFO of LAI Fleet, about his journey from the U.S. Marines to leading a national fleet management company, the organization’s 65-year legacy, its strong employee and customer retention, and how LEI Fleet delivers end-to-end solutions that simplify vehicle lifecycle management for businesses across the country.

In this week’s Fireside Chat with Jesse, we sit down with Steve Siler, Chief Technology Officer at North Mill Equipment Finance, to explore how technology is transforming the equipment finance industry. Steve shares his insights on building scalable tech solutions, leading digital transformation, and creating cultures that embrace innovation without losing sight of people and purpose.

In this episode of Fireside Chat, Jesse sits down with Michelle Julia, founder of Aurium. Michelle shares her journey as an AI engineer from Stanford to Apple, where she contributed to products like AirPods and Find My — joking that “if it works, that’s me!” She’s one of Apple’s youngest patent holders and talks about how her transition from engineering to sales was born out of necessity when launching her own startup.

In this week’s Fireside Chat, Jesse sits down with Stephanie Taylor, founder of BroadFit Financial, to talk about her inspiring journey from the fitness world to leading a company that empowers health and wellness businesses through innovative equipment financing. Tune in as they discuss purpose-driven entrepreneurship, integrity in business, and how passion for wellness can fuel long-term success.

In this week’s Fireside Chat with Jesse, I sit down with Jay Lease, Chief Banking Officer at Choice Bank Equipment Finance. With over two decades in banking, Jay shares his journey from commercial banking to leading Choice Bank’s growing equipment finance platform, the influence of mentors like Gary Peterson, and the value of partnerships and trust. Tune in to hear how he’s shaping a new path in equipment finance—subscribe for more insights from industry leaders.

In this week’s Fireside Chat, Jesse Johnson sits down with Dennis Dressler, Partner at Dressler & Peters, to discuss the intersection of law and equipment finance — and how decades of legal experience have shaped his understanding of risk, compliance, and client partnership. Dennis shares stories from his long career in the industry, offering a lawyer’s perspective on what makes successful transactions work and how to navigate challenges in documentation, default, and portfolio management. Together, Jesse and Dennis talk about building strong relationships between legal professionals and lenders, the evolution of equipment finance, and the importance of clarity in every deal.

In this week’s fireside chat, Jesse sits down with Amanda Zeken, President of TG Titles, to unpack the often-overlooked world of vehicle titling in equipment finance. Amanda shares how she turned years of DMV experience and industry know-how into a business built to solve one of equipment finance’s most persistent challenges—perfecting titles. From complex “troubled titles” to buyback risks and the nuances of working across multiple states, Amanda reveals insights every broker, lender, and lessor should know.

For our 250th episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, Cary Jack, entrepreneur, author, and founder of The Happy Hustle, joins to share his journey from burning out as a tech entrepreneur to building a life and business grounded in balance, purpose, and fulfillment. We discuss his tech background, what led to burnout despite external success, the principles behind The Happy Hustle, the importance of balance across faith, family, fitness, fun, and fulfillment, and key lessons from the Happy Hustle Mastermind in Montana — a conversation that reminds us that true success is about living a life aligned with your values.

In this week’s Fireside Chat, Jesse sits down with Deepika Shahani, Founder & Chief Sales Officer, and Paul Manley, CTO of DealHub360. They share their journeys in leasing and payments, the challenges brokers and lenders face when relying on Excel, and how DealHub360 provides a simple, affordable, and user-friendly origination platform. From streamlining workflows to exploring AI and future technology trends, they discuss how the platform empowers brokers and lenders to scale, stay organized, and focus on customers.

In this week’s Fireside Chat, Jesse sits down with Joe Andries, VP and General Manager of GreatAmerica Portfolio Services. With 37 years in equipment finance, Joe shares his journey from Lion Financial to U.S. Bank and eventually launching GreatAmerica’s third-party servicing group. He discusses the growth of GreatAmerica Portfolio Services, the value of outsourcing and backup servicing, industry trends in technology and data integration, and how GreatAmerica continues to deliver trusted solutions for hundreds of clients.

In this week’s Fireside Chat, Jesse is joined by Moto Tohda, VP of Information Systems at Tokyo Century USA. With 18 years at the company, Moto shares his journey from ERP architect to technology leader, the role of Tokyo Century and its sister companies in the equipment finance industry, and how he bridges business and IT across the U.S. and Japan. He also reflects on innovation, AI, and the evolving role of technology in transforming processes and driving growth.

In this week’s Fireside Chat, Allen Snelling, President of Financial Pacific Leasing, shares his 27-year journey in equipment finance—from GE Capital to Marlin and now leading Fin Pac. He talks about the company’s 50-year legacy, its culture of loyalty, and how it has evolved into vendor and middle-market business after the Umpqua Bank acquisition.

Join Jesse in this week’s Fireside Chat with Mike Mroszak, VP of Sales at Dedicated Financial GBC. Mike shares his journey into equipment finance, his role in growing a faith-based collections company, and insights on building strong culture, relationships, and community impact in the industry.
In this Fireside Chat, Steve shares his journey from Alpha Financial Software to building Lendscape’s equipment finance practice, highlighting the challenges and strategies of global software delivery, balancing standardization with client-specific customization, and the growing impact of AI and intelligent automation in back-office systems.
Daryl shares insights on leadership transitions, technology adoption, and how the equipment finance industry is driving innovation and resilience in 2025 and beyond.

Brett shares insightful stories about international markets, growing within a captive finance environment, and how the equipment dealer landscape is evolving today.

This conversation dives into the founding story of Capchase, its evolution from serving SaaS providers to broader equipment financing, and how they’ve tackled point-of-sale friction by offering flexible payment options for buyers while allowing vendors to collect upfront contract value.

Michael shares his perspective on supporting non-prime borrowers, building trust-based partnerships, and growing Maxim into a meaningful force in the market. Whether you're in equipment finance, business leadership, or just love a good entrepreneurial journey—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

This conversation highlights the human side of legal practice in the equipment finance industry—and the value of consistency, credibility, and good humor. Whether you're in credit, leadership, or legal, Bob offers perspective on longevity, trust, and the business value of showing up as yourself.

This conversation explores the unique legal and operational dynamics of the equipment finance industry from the perspective of in-house counsel. Whether you're in operations, credit, or management, Aaron provides insight into how strong legal guidance helps drive better business outcomes in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

This conversation offers timeless perspective from a seasoned executive who has not only witnessed the evolution of the space but continues to actively shape its future.

This episode is packed with practical insights for sales professionals, content creators, and anyone striving to build meaningful, long-term business relationships.

Dan shares his insights on leading a mission-critical fintech company, the evolving equipment finance industry, and how technology, AI, and talent trends are shaping the future of finance and leasing.

As one of the earliest guests on the show, Don returns to share the latest on Regents' growth, market strategy, and the evolving role of leadership in a competitive equipment finance landscape.

Anne shares her journey through equipment finance, launching her consulting venture, and how she helps businesses streamline accounting, leverage technology, and develop teams for smarter financial management.

Steve joins Jesse to discuss his journey in equipment finance, industry insights, and his approach to consulting and leadership in the evolving finance landscape.

Jesse sits down with Saurin to discuss his journey from engineering to finance, leadership insights, the future of equipment finance, and even his unexpected passion for winemaking.

A candid conversation with Craig Ault on career transitions, lessons from the finance and insurance industries, and finding balance beyond work.

In this fireside chat, RJ reflects on his career shift from finance to insurance, the lessons he’s learned about leadership, and the importance of staying grounded through change.

Chad shares his journey from starting in sales to building a successful brokerage, discussing industry insights, technology innovations, and the power of relationships in equipment finance.

Kyle reflects on his decade-long journey in equipment finance, the evolution from independent to bank-backed operations, and strategies for sustainable growth in small-ticket lending.

Bob shares his 35-year journey in equipment finance and how Stearns Bank is seizing opportunities to grow nationally.

Fireside Chat with CFLA CEO Michael Rothe explores the association’s growth, key industry trends like AI and fraud prevention, and how collaborative efforts are driving Canadian finance and leasing forward.

Ed shares his journey from credit law to commercial equipment finance and explains how residual value insurance supports banks, lessors, and global leasing transactions as both an accounting tool and risk mitigator.

In this fireside chat, Britney shares her journey from corporate finance to founding BW Collective, how she builds a passion-driven team, and how she helps equipment finance companies elevate their marketing while fostering growth and innovation.

Jesse chats with Dan about his 30+ years shaping the equipment finance industry, leading high-performing teams, navigating bank-owned vs. independent firms, and insights on portfolio growth, tax strategy, and industry cycles.

Jeff shares why he left big banking after 30 years to start Eleven Capital. He explains how the company focuses on serving underserved markets with speed, efficiency, and innovative leasing solutions. Jeff also discusses taking a contrarian approach, leveraging technology, and building a functional, collaborative office culture.

Liz shares her 15-year journey in equipment finance, highlighting mentorship, hands-on learning, and building strong client relationships while transitioning from industry roles to a service provider.

Bruce shares his 40-year journey in equipment finance—from taking early risks as a recent college grad to building lasting client relationships and navigating multiple economic cycles with a focus on integrity and longevity.

Hannah shares her eight-year journey in equipment finance — from starting as a financial analyst in Buffalo to leading corporate finance, structured finance, and accounting teams in Virginia. She discusses breaking into a niche industry, empowering women in finance, and building relationships that drive growth and innovation.

Tony shares his journey from working in consumer electronics and Wells Fargo to leading a specialized finance company for chiropractors and small businesses. He discusses building strong relationships, making fast and responsible lending decisions, and fostering a community-focused company culture that truly ‘takes care of its own.

Steven shares his journey from finance to digital sales, how data-driven strategies are transforming equipment finance, and insights on building strong dealer relationships and navigating mergers in a growing industry.

Kayla shares her 13-year journey in equipment finance—from starting as a credit analyst to leading syndications—her experience transitioning from a bank to an independent lender, the importance of building relationships, promoting industry awareness, and the value of self-accountability and seizing opportunities in a growing industry.


In this fireside chat, Wade shares his journey from studying geology to building a career in equipment finance, his experience managing strategic accounts, and how he’s helped Ritchie Brothers grow into a global leader in equipment sales, while balancing a life full of travel and family.

In this fireside chat, Daniel discusses the Spark Flow acquisition, how it empowers companies to centralize and analyze data, the importance of customization in reporting, and strategies for staff augmentation—all while sharing insights from years of building technology solutions for the equipment finance industry.

In this fireside chat, Michael and David discuss Northmill’s growth journey, the strategic acquisition of Tore, and how integrating resources and back-office support will empower their teams to scale operations, strengthen partnerships, and drive new deal flow in equipment finance.

In this fireside chat, Tim shares his journey from business banking to equipment finance, the inspiration behind starting Aspire Finance, and his vision for building a relationship-driven, transparent, and service-focused non-bank lending company.

Sean shares his journey from early sales days hustling copiers to leading a fast-growing, intelligent workplace platform for equipment finance. He dives into the importance of building strong client relationships, the evolution of LeasePath’s end-to-end solutions, and how flexibility, trust, and smart growth strategies have fueled the company’s expansion across multiple regions.

Chad shares the journey of building a lean, client-focused software company from his father’s early programming legacy. He discusses how Turbo Lease empowers smaller leasing companies, the evolution of equipment finance software, and the importance of supporting clients even as they outgrow the system.

Martin shares how he’s leveraged customer-centric marketing, AI, and data-driven insights to grow Ivory’s solutions in equipment finance. He discusses his career journey, the evolution of SuperTrump, and strategies for creating meaningful, long-term client relationships in a niche B2B industry.

Mel shares her journey from banking to equipment finance, how she discovered the CLFP designation, and her passion for expanding access to industry education through innovative courses and scholarships.

Rob and Leigh discuss their leadership journeys, the welcoming and collaborative nature of the equipment finance community, and what attendees can look forward to at the upcoming EFA Annual Convention in Austin.

Join Jesse and Howard as he shares lessons from 40 years in equipment finance—from GE Capital and Olympic dreams to building Crossroads into a billion-dollar company, emphasizing leadership, people, and navigating cyclical markets

Join Jesse and Scott as he shares his journey from entering equipment finance in 2020 to leading digital transformation, leveraging AI and data, and building innovative solutions that combine deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge technology.

Jesse sits down with Melissa to explore her journey from credit and collections to leading a tech-driven servicing company, and how Ratech supports startups and established firms with innovative, cost-effective equipment finance solutions.

In this Fireside Chat, Delroy shares his seven-year journey in the equipment finance industry, his career growth, and insights on business development and financial technology. Hear his story and lessons learned along the way.

In this Fireside Chat, Kevin shares his journey in equipment finance, the growth of Beacon’s sales team, and how their technology-driven approach and industry-focused strategy set them apart in asset financing.
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