New Hires/Promotions in the Leasing Business
and Related Industries

Brandon Schmoyer was named Managing Director, Originations, Capteris, Shelton, CT. Previously, he was Managing Director, Originations, Cortland Credit Group (April, 2024 - April, 2026); Senior Vice President, Sr. Relationship Manager, F.N.B. Corporation (October, 2019 - April, 2024); Vice President, Commercial Relationship Manager, Fulton Bank (January, 2019 - October, 2019); PNC, Vice President, Relationship Manager (January, 2013 - January 2019), Officer, Field Examiner (February, 2010 - January 2013). Full Bio:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alternativecredit/details/experience/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alternativecredit/     

Driving the Future: CSI Leasing Announces Officer Promotions

CSI Leasing, Inc. (CSI) recently announced a series of officer promotions at its annual Kickoff event. This year’s guiding message centered on Driving the Future, highlighting CSI’s leadership in the industry by driving innovation, shaping change and helping customers navigate an evolving technology landscape. Aligned with our overall direction, CSI promoted the following individuals to support the company’s continued growth.

Matt Kersting, senior vice president and deputy chief credit officer. Previously vice president, Matt oversees CSI’s US credit operations including US multinational customers. He has been with CSI for 17 years.

Sebastian Pelaez, senior vice president, transaction finance at CSI Latina Financial. Previously vice president of syndications, Sebastian is responsible for funding and syndications throughout CSI’s Latin American subsidiaries. He has been with CSI for 20 years.

Carolyn Berry, vice president, lease administration. Previously assistant vice president, Carolyn manages CSI’s U.S. lease administration team that is responsible for managing the lease documentation process to ensure an efficient and effective experience for customers. She has been with CSI for 28 years.

Ted Bushur, vice president – head of tax. Ted was a tax manager at CSI from 2000-2010 before returning in early 2026. He is responsible for overseeing federal, state and international income tax compliance as well as pursuing tax planning opportunities while minimizing tax risk.

Zulay Calero, vice president, information technology. Previously assistant vice president, Zulay manages CSI’s network and information technology infrastructure, hardware and software, in addition to managing IT resources and projects in Latin American subsidiaries. She has been with CSI for 15 years.

Steve Genazzi, vice president, information technology. Previously assistant vice president, Steve is a global administrator for CSI’s internal enterprise software, including LeaseWave, Dynamics GP, M-Files and DocuSign. Steve has been with CSI for 12 years.

Dennis Horan, vice president, portfolio management. Previously assistant vice president, Dennis manages pricing structures for customers throughout the U.S. and Canada. He has been with CSI for 15 years.

Michelle Keen, vice president, international accounting. Previously assistant vice president and international accounting manager, Michelle manages a team of international accounting specialists that are responsible for the consolidation of all CSI’s foreign subsidiary financial statements. She has been with CSI for eight years.

Neglady Aguilar, assistant vice president, administration at CSI Latina Financial. Previously administrative assistant, Neglady is responsible for managing several aspects of CSI’s Latin American funding processes. She has been with CSI for 16 years.

Cassie Halfmann, assistant vice president, international accounting. Previously international accounting supervisor, Cassie oversees daily lease transactions and processing of international subsidiary financial statements. She has been with CSI for 10 years.

Katie Schmitz, assistant vice president, accounting. Previously financial reporting manager, Katie is responsible for internal and external accounting reports and manages the accounts payable team. She has been with CSI for six years.

Dale Stafford, assistant vice president, federal and state income tax. Previously tax manager, Dale oversees North American income tax accounting and compliance. Dale has been with CSI for 12 years.

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AACFB Annual Conference Recap
Orlando, Florida
By Vicki Shimkus, CLFP, Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

The 2026 AACFB President’s Award was presented to Laura Simpson of Preferred Capital Funding
in recognition of her outstanding service and dedication
to the association and the commercial finance industry.

The AACFB 2026 Annual Conference, held in Orlando, Florida, delivered a comprehensive and engaging experience focused on advancing the knowledge, skills, and connections of commercial finance professionals. Through a combination of targeted training, industry discussions, and strategic networking opportunities, attendees gained practical insights to support business growth and navigate evolving market dynamics through the power of partnerships.

The conference commenced on Tuesday morning with a golf tournament held at the scenic Shingle Creek Golf Club. Later in the day, the highly anticipated Women in Finance Luncheon took place at Planet Hollywood. This increasingly popular event attracted a strong turnout and provided a dedicated forum for meaningful conversation while celebrating the continued advancement and impact of women within the commercial finance sector.

The Opening Reception, held at Icebar Orlando, provided a memorable and distinctive setting to reconnect with colleagues and strengthen industry partnerships. The unique venue offered a “cool” and engaging atmosphere, creating an enjoyable environment for attendees to network, socialize, and kick off the conference in style.

Robust training offerings were a cornerstone of the conference, delivered through expert-led sessions and interactive formats. Topics covered key industry priorities, including marketing strategy, legal considerations, AI implementation, credit analysis, and proposal development. These sessions provided practical tools and frameworks, equipping attendees to respond effectively to current market challenges and opportunities.

A highlight of the conference was the keynote presentation by Alyson Van Hooser, which set the tone for leadership, adaptability, and performance in a shifting business environment. Her message resonated strongly with attendees seeking to elevate both personal and organizational effectiveness.

Incoming AACFB President Katie Baker, CLFP

The exhibit hall remained highly active throughout Wednesday and Thursday, with attendees spending significant time engaging with exhibitors. Participants explored a wide range of products and services, strengthened existing partnerships, and established new
connections.

Thursday morning sessions delivered additional valuable educational content, with topics including strategies for cross selling to drive growth, the importance of relationship building in commercial finance, and best practices for structuring deals through effective packaging and credit analysis.

A standout networking event was the AACFB and Equipment Finance Cares Pickleball Social Charity
Event, which quickly became one of the conference’s most talked-about activities. Attendees enjoyed
food, drinks, and a live performance by country singer, Billy Brown. The casual competition and lively
atmosphere gave attendees another opportunity to strengthen relationships, create new connections,
and enjoy friendly competition while raising money for a worthy cause.

These sessions were followed by the Annual Business Meeting Lunch & Auction. During the business meeting, a heartfelt tribute was paid to Roderick Knoll, CLFP, Immediate Past President and a dedicated supporter of the AACFB throughout his career, who passed away in February 2026 after a battle with cancer. In his honor, AACFB announced the establishment of an ongoing scholarship to cover the cost of the CLFP exam. The first recipient of this scholarship was Jackie Paulsen of Synergy Financial Resources.

Jackie Paulsen of Synergy Financial Resources was awarded the CLFP Scholarship established in memory of AACFB Past President Roderick Knoll, CLFP, who passed away in February. The scholarship honors his lasting commitment to mentorship, professionalism, and advancing the industry

The conference concluded with the “Happy Hour & a Half,” providing a final opportunity for attendees to connect, reflect on key takeaways, and further strengthen partnerships.

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Navigating the Future of Automotive Finance and Leasing in the AI ERA:
A Review of the 2026 Auto Finance Summit East
by Ed Kaye, Corporate Vice President of Putnam Leasing

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (May 13, 2026) -- AI adoption, vehicle affordability and fraud in auto finance and leasing were the common threads in each session during the 2026 Auto Finance Summit East held May 11 - 13 at the JW Marriott Nashville.  This conference is a signature event attended by roughly 375 auto finance and leasing executives which brings together lessors, lenders, fintechs, captives, dealers, investors, and technology providers. 

What stood out most was the quality of the speakers and attendees and the relevance of the topics across the industry. The various sessions were structured as either fireside chats or panel discussions which included, among others, industry leaders Kevin Cullum, the president and CEO of Nissan Motor Acceptance Co., and Ernst Jan Van Eijkezenburg, the president and CEO of Volkswagen Financial Services.

JJ Hornblass, Founder and CEO, Royal Media and
Kevin Cullum, President & CEO, Nissan Motor Acceptance Company

“Every year has headwinds at some point,” said Cullum during his fireside chat.  A sentiment with which most veterans in the auto finance and leasing industries will agree. With the price of vehicles continuing to increase and affordability becoming a significant issue for many consumers acquiring new vehicles, leasing volume is expected to grow this year, he added.

Even with challenges to their portfolio, NMAC is having a very good year and stated they expect their lease portfolio to grow by $3 billion in 2026.

Interestingly, Cullum stated NMAC has seen a decline in prime credit applications but decided to expand their credit team to accommodate the additional time it takes to process the less than prime credit applications.

JJ Hornblass and Ernst Jan van Eijkelenburg,
President & CEO, Volkswagen Financial Services

During Ernst Jan Van Eijkezenburg’s fireside chat, he announced that VW Financial Services is going to start a used car leasing program soon with an expected 36-month lease term.  Clearly, there is a shift in traditional captive finance strategy that seeks to help consumers enter the VW ecosystem even if they cannot afford its new vehicles.

Several sessions addressed AI-powered underwriting, collections modernization, and fraud.  One estimate claims fraud was a $10.5 billion cost to auto finance and leasing last year. When asked what keeps Jeffrey Butler the president of AutoNation Finance up at night, he didn’t hesitate to answer, “how AI will embolden fraud.”  The captives and large lenders believe the perpetrators of fraud are early adopters of technology and lenders should be cautious how they on board new technology. 

“You have to lean into how people are shopping,” stated Chris Kleczynski, a seasoned automotive executive.  However, “adopting (technology) too quickly is where the risk is right now,” added Jack Chapman, the CEO of Cardinal Gray, a startup helping auto lenders automate DMV title work. “The biggest risk is undisciplined adoption,” Rohan Kakar, the Head of Retail and Consumer Strategy at Chase Auto Finance concluded.

Networking was another major strength of the Summit. The organizers clearly designed the experience around relationship building rather than passive attendance. Between exhibit hall receptions, curated networking opportunities, and informal meetings throughout the venue, there was constant interaction among the decision makers in attendance.

Overall, the 2026 Auto Finance Summit East succeeded because it focused less on buzzwords and more on execution. At a time when the auto finance and leasing industries face mounting regulatory scrutiny, affordability concerns, and rapid technological change, the event provided a credible forum for serious professionals looking to adapt rather than simply speculate. For lessors, lenders, fintech leaders, investors, and service providers operating in the vehicle finance ecosystem, it remains a valuable industry gathering on your calendar.

Ed Kaye is a longtime supporter of Leasing News and sits on its Advisory Board contributing articles as well as features.  He is a corporate Vice President of Putnam Leasing, the largest lessor of exotic and collectible vehicles in the United States (www.putnamleasing.com). He is a past president and board member of the National Vehicle Leasing Association and can be reached at e.kaye@putnamleasing.com or 646-294-6333.

Help Wanted Ad
    Ameris Bank Equipment Finance

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Overcoming Setbacks
By Scott Wheeler, CLFP

Every originator in the commercial equipment finance and leasing industry experiences difficult stretches. A lost deal, a vendor relationship that suddenly shifts, a credit department pivoting away from a familiar niche. None of these events are unusual. What is unusual is how the top originators respond. Their careers aren’t defined by the absence of adversity, but by their ability to rebound quickly and convert setbacks into forward progress.

Recently, I met with a group of seasoned originators and asked how they handle these predictable disruptions. Their answers were remarkably consistent: every major setback they faced over the years ultimately became a turning point that pushed them to work harder, reinvent themselves, and uncover new opportunities. In this industry, setbacks are not roadblocks. They are catalysts to future success.

One originator summarized her approach with four powerful principles:

1. Identify challenges early, never be surprised. She stays deeply engaged in every transaction, relationship, and niche. Her goal is simple: spot challenges before they become problems. By paying attention to early warning signs, she positions herself to adjust long before the competition reacts.

2. Prospecting is the best insurance policy. Her philosophy is blunt and accurate. “A setback is minor when there are other opportunities in the pipeline. A setback is major when there is no pipeline.” Top originators prospect consistently, even during strong months. A full pipeline protects confidence, stabilizes production, and prevents emotional overreaction when a deal collapses.

3. Deep relationships reduce surprises. She believes most challenges reveal themselves early, if you’re paying attention. Strong relationships with vendors, end‑users, and credit partners create transparency. They surface concerns before they become declines and allow originators to help credit teams manage risk proactively.

4. Success requires rapid adjustment. She views her career as a long journey, not a straight line. Setbacks don’t derail her; they redirect her. She learns quickly, pivots when necessary, and moves forward without drama. The industry always offers new paths for success—top originators find them faster because they don’t dwell on the past.

When you speak with long‑time producers, they all have stories of deals lost, relationships disrupted, and markets that shifted beneath them. But they also have stories of reinvention, new niches discovered, and new successes built from adversity.

The best originators share one defining trait: they predict challenges and react before their competition. That ability is what keeps them at the top.

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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When It's Time to Move On
By Ken Lubin, Managing Director, ZRG Partners

Know when to cut the cord. It happens in business, sports, you current job, and anything else that involves leadership. Once you start going down the road of hope versus certainty, you must be willing to get out.

I see it with deals that I negotiate and with interpersonal relationships. Once they start hoping that that person will come back to them or that deal may close if we do this, it’s too late. You must be proactive versus worrying about it after the fact; it should have been done six months ago.

The most important decisions a leader can make is understanding when to get out. You don't want to be the person who always "buys high, sells low. “You want to be the person who "buys low, sells high." You don't want to be on the downward trajectory. Your career is more important than the job you have now.

Ken Lubin
Managing Director
ZRG Partners, LLC
Americas I EMEA I Asia Pacific
C: 508-733-4789
https://www.linkedin.com/in/klubin

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NEFA Foundation Raises Over $35,000 at “Compass for Change”
Charity Event During Spring Conference

The NEFA Foundation is proud to announce that the 2026 Spring Conference Charity Event, “Compass for Change,” raised more than $35,000 to support meaningful causes within and beyond the equipment finance industry.

The Compass for Change event brought together conference attendees, sponsors, and
volunteers for an evening centered on connection, generosity, and impact while highlighting the collective commitment of the equipment finance community to giving back.

A highlight of the event was a hands-on packing initiative, where attendees rolled up their sleeves to assemble weekend meal kits for children facing food insecurity. The initiative reflected a shared commitment to giving back while strengthening relationships across the industry.

All proceeds from the event will benefit Blessings in a Backpack and the Chris Walker Education Fund (CWEF).

Blessings in a Backpack mobilizes communities, individuals, and resources to provide food on weekends for school-aged children across America who might otherwise go hungry. The Chris Walker Education Fund supports the advancement of industry professionals by providing grants for education and professional development.

Laura Reed, NEFA Foundation Committee Chair and Business Development & Marketing, said, “It’s pretty special to see the efforts of our committee, attendees, and sponsors come together to raise over $35,000 for Blessings in a Backpack and the Chris Walker Education Fund,” said Reed, Manager at SCJ Commercial Financial Services. “This wasn’t just an event…it was a village. And it’s proof that what we build together goes far beyond the deals we do every day.”

The NEFA Foundation continues to play a vital role in fostering philanthropy within the industry, supporting both national charitable initiatives and the professional growth of its members.

For more information about the NEFA Foundation and how to get involved, visit the NEFA Website. NEFA Foundation Raises Over $35,000 at “Compass for Change” Charity Event During Spring Conference:
https://www.nefassociation.org/nefa-foundation/

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