New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Jake Gartenberg was hired as Chief Operating Officer, Golden Capital LLC, Charlotte, North Carolina. He is located in Overland Park, Kansas. Previously, he was IT Engineer, Casey’s (May, 2019 - January, 2026); Seasonal Production Assistant/Shipping and Receiving Manager, Core Cashless LLC (June, 2016 - January, 2019).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-gartenberg-3623b8153/

Erik Harke was hired as Chief Executive Officer, E&G Capital, LLC, Los Angeles Metropolitan Area, where he is located. Previously, he was Senior Vice President, Capital Partners (September, 2024 - January, 2026); Senior Vice President, Business Development, SLR Equipment Finance (April, 2022 - February, 2024); Senior Account Executive, Alliance Funding Group (May, 2017 - April, 2022); Account Executive, Jules and Associates, Inc.(January, 2016 - May, 2017).  Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-harke-57404a59/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-harke-57404a59/

Alissa Lucas was hired as Funding Specialist, Forward Financing, Plano, Texas, working remote. She is located in Canastota, New York. Previously, she was Documentation and Funding Specialist, BSB Leasing, Inc. (May, 2022 – January, 2026); Funding Coordinator, Bankers Healthcare Group (April, 2019 - February, 2022);Consumer Loan Officer, Berkshire Bank (May, 2016 - April, 2019).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alissa-lucas-6a6a70155/

Vickie Rocco was hired as Commercial Equipment Lease Finance Professional, Armada Credit Group, Kansas City, Missouri, where she is located.  Previously, she was Director of Business Development & Pre-Funding Operations, Entegra Capital, LLC (November, 2018 - August, 2025);  Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Family Features (2013 - 2015); Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickierocco/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vickierocco/

Steven Santagato was promoted Head of Capital Markets & Wholesale, BPCE Equipment Solutions, Jersey City, New Jersey, where he is also located. Previously he was Vice President, Capital Markets (June, 2016 - January, 2026); Team Manager, Societe Generale Equipment Finance -
SGEF (October, 2009 - May, 2016); Assistant Vice President of Underwriting, GE HealthCare Life Science Finance (May, 2005 - December, 2008); Credit Risk Analyst, GE Capital (2003- 2005); Litigation Specialist (2000 - 2003).
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-santagato-84188719/

Greg Stitt was promoted Senior Vice President of Capital Markets, 36th Street Capital, Great Neck, New York  He is located in Rochester, New York Metropolitan  Area. He is celebrating 2 years at 36th Street Capital Partners. LLC.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-stitt-2599163a/

Justin Toson was promoted to Equipment Finance Leader, Redaptive, Delafield, Wisconsin. He is located in the Denver Metropolitan Area. He joined Redaptive August, 2013 as Sales Director, promoted Managing Director, (January, 2025 - January, 2026). Previously, he was National Sales Manager, Regents Capital Corporation (May, 2023 - August, 2023), working remote.
Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justintoson/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justintoson/

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Funders Taking "New" Broker Business List
Five Do Not Require that Brokers Be Licensed

BSB Leasing
Bankers Capital
C.H. Brown Company
Forum Financial Services
Leasing Solutions
Maxim Commercial Capital
TimePayment

The following “funders” have informed Leasing News they will consider business from “new” third party originators.  Many companies require a certain length of time in business and other requirements, such as a specific volume of business.  These “funders” will consider submissions from those new in the leasing and finance business:

Help Wanted Ad
    Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

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Breaking Out of the Bubble:
The 2026 Imperative for Originators
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Successful originators in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry often operate within a familiar bubble. They know their company’s products inside and out. They understand internal processes better than anyone. They have deep relationships with their vendors, end‑users, and long‑standing clients. These originators are consistently top producers—and they are rightly celebrated for it.

But many of these same high performers are now feeling the pressure to break out of that bubble and elevate their production to an entirely new level in 2026.

The reality is simple: in the next year or two, many originators will need to significantly increase their production just to maintain their current income levels. Comfort zones are no longer safe zones.

Recent conversations with top originators revealed something surprising. Their own success—and the protective environment that comes with it—has limited their visibility into the dramatic changes reshaping the industry over the past twelve to twenty‑four months. These shifts have created new opportunities, but they exist outside the familiar. The path forward requires stepping beyond the bubble and learning what others are doing to win new business in today’s market.

Top originators are being required to HUNT—to operate as true business developers, not simply account managers of existing relationships. Below are a few suggested strategies for originators who want to remain top performers in 2026 and beyond.

1. Transfer Low‑Potential Relationships to Junior Associates

Time is money. If you want to pursue the future, you must free yourself from the past. Hand off older, low‑growth accounts to junior sales associates who can nurture them. Top originators are hunters, not caretakers.

2. Think and Act Bolder

Ask yourself: What must be true for me to double my production? Define what a “key account” truly means—and count how many you actually have. One or two strategic relationships can change the trajectory of your entire year. Prospecting for key accounts is the first step to winning them.

3. Know Your Competition—Really Know Them

The competitive landscape has shifted dramatically. Top originators stay informed with up‑to‑date, verifiable intelligence. They understand their competitive advantages and are willing to confront competitors head‑on. No competitor is unbeatable on every front.

4. Connect the Dots Relentlessly

Every relationship should lead to five new opportunities. Ask for referrals. The best path to an end‑user is through a vendor—and the best path to a vendor is through an end‑user. Build a network where every entry connects to the next. A powerful database is a powerful differentiator.

The greatest opportunity for originators in 2026 is the opportunity to break out of their comfort zones and explore the vast, evolving landscape of the industry. Those who step forward boldly will discover more opportunity than they imagined.

The possibilities are endless

Scott A. Wheeler, CLFP
Wheeler Business Consulting
1314 Marquis Ct.
Fallston, Maryland 21047
Phone: 410 877 0428
Fax: 410 877 8161
Email: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com
Web: www.wheelerbusinessconsulting.com 

Wheeler Business Consulting is working with individual originators and sales teams throughout the industry to ensure that they are well positioned in the market, capturing their fair share of business, and outperforming the competition. To schedule a one-on-one meeting contact Scott Wheeler at: scott@wheelerbusinessconsulting.com

 

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#### Press Release #######################

Alliance Equipment Finance  Appoints Troy Roach
as Managing Director, Sponsor Coverage

Alliance Equipment Finance announces the appointment of Troy Roach as Managing Director, Sponsor Coverage. In this role, Roach leads AEF’s private equity sponsor coverage efforts, further strengthening the firm’s platform supporting sponsors and their portfolio companies.

Roach brings more than a decade of experience advising private equity firms and management teams, with deep expertise structuring customized equipment finance solutions across industries and transaction types.

“I’m excited to join Alliance Equipment Finance and collaborate with a talented team that shares a sponsor-first mindset. Alliance’s platform, culture, and commitment to tailored capital solutions make it an ideal fit as I continue building long-term relationships within the private equity community,” said Roach.

Prior to joining AEF, Roach served as Senior Vice President at 36th Street Capital, where he led sponsor focused origination initiatives. He previously spent more than eight years at Wingspire Equipment Finance in senior sponsor coverage roles, building long standing relationships within the private equity community.

Ryan Elsass, Managing Director and Chief Revenue Officer, said, “Troy is a terrific addition to the AEF team. His equipment finance industry experience combined with his deep engagement with private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies will expand our access to this important market. Troy will bring AEF's deep product and industry knowledge coupled with our timely and consistent approach to the unique needs of the PE market’,”

About AEF
Alliance Equipment Finance (“AEF”) is a leading provider of competitive, flexible, and timely equipment financing to companies across a broad range of industries. Supported by decades of leadership experience, AEF structures customized financing solutions for transactions generally ranging from $5MM to $50MM across industries, asset types, and financing structures, with a focus on reliability and execution

#### Press Release #######################

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Where Inflation Has Hit the Hardest 2000-2025

Key Takeaways

• Overall U.S. inflation has increased 92% over the past 25 years.
• The cost of many essentials, like hospital services, childcare, medical care, housing, and even the cost of food, are rising at a faster rate than inflation overall.
• Meanwhile, the cost of technology (software, TVs, toys) is generally becoming cheaper on a relative basis.

Affordability remains a potent issue in America, with both Trump and Mamdami campaigning on high costs of living.

Even though inflation has fallen to around 2.7%, prices are about 25% higher than in 2020. Meanwhile, certain sectors, like housing and healthcare, have far outpaced this rate, putting growing strain on consumer wallets.

News Briefs

Wall Street Powers Nation’s
    Biggest Banks to Record Year
https://www.wsj.com/finance/banking/wall-street-powers-nations-biggest-banks-to-record-year-4aa861a4?st=KqEPdZ&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

Verizon says it’s fixed the massive outage that left
    many without phone calling and data services
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/tech/verizon-outage-impacting-tens-of-thousands

Cracks Begin to Appear at the Nation’s Biggest Banks
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/15/business/banks-earnings-goldman-sachs-jpmorgan.html

Why US oil companies remain wary about
  operating in Venezuela
https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/14/business/video/venezuela-oil-gas-investment-president-trump-lead-jake-tapper 

Most Americans oppose Trump’s push on Greenland,
     poll shows
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/01/15/trump-greenland-poll-00731009

Trump’s promised manufacturing boom is a bust so far
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/markets/ar-AA1UgGHs

 

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Broad Coalition Applauds Governor Hochul’s Bold Plan
   to Deliver Auto Insurance Relief for New Yorker
https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/money-your-pockets-governor-hochul-proposes-measures-bring-down-crushingly-expensive-

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Sports Briefs---

 

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California News Briefs---

Flu cases surging in California as officials
  warn of powerful virus strain
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-01-15/flu-hospitalizations-surging-california-health-officials-warn

Real estate deal for Fremont site may
   boost city’s manufacturing push
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/15/fremont-economy-property-build-jobs-tech-real-estate-develop-pge-work/

Los Gatos approves 450-unit North 40 Phase 2,
    including 77 affordable units
https://losgatan.com/los-gatos-approves-450-unit-north-40-phase-2-including-77-affordable-units/

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Gimme that Wine

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJnQoi8DSE8

Wine industry faces more years of pain before recovery,
     Silicon Valley Bank report says
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/01/15/silicon-valley-bank-wine-report-forecast-2026/

This Bay Area winery, once one of the biggest natural
   wine producers in the country, is shutting down
https://www.sfchronicle.com/food/wine/article/subject-to-change-natural-wine-closing-21295118.php

Pondering the Future of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
https://www.winespectator.com/articles/ste-michelle-wine-estates-future