Richard Shanahan 2017-07-26 06:14:11
Capitol Connections Showcases the Visibility of the Industry within the Policy Debate
CAPITOL CONNECTIONS, held May 17–18 in Washington, D.C., saw 123 ELFA members visit 206 Senate and House offices to advocate for the association’s key policy priorities. Participants reported an increased recognition of the equipment finance industry and ELFA’s advocacy priorities when visiting congressional offices, showing that our voice is being heard and recognized. ELFA attendees also met with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to discuss data collection issues under the Dodd-Frank Act.
Keynote speakers at the event included Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who addressed the LeasePAC reception, as well as Russ Sullivan and Harold Hancock of McGuireWoods, who debated the prospects for tax reform at the opening luncheon.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Thompson Coburn sponsored this year’s Capitol Connection program by providing pen flashlights. International Decision Systems sponsored the Capitol Connections opening luncheon and inserted a little fun to the event through the Capitol Steps Challenge. Dominic Janney of Canon Financial Services, Inc., took home the top prize in the challenge by taking more than 41,000 steps during the day-and-ahalf event. Bob Neagle from Ascentium Capital LLC took second place and Ross Taylor of Keating Muething & Klekamp PLC took third.
Advocacy Award
ELFA Chairman Tony Cracchiolo and ELFA President & CEO Ralph Petta present the 2017 David H. Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award to Robert Boyer, President of Susquehanna Commercial Capital. The award recognizes individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the association’s federal or state advocacy programs.
Next Steps
Capitol Connections participants are encouraged to maintain a dialogue with their legislators and regulators to build on the successful contacts made during Capitol Connections. A meeting in the congressional district during the August break is a mutually beneficial opportunity to establish a local connection beyond a meeting in Washington. Ideally, ELFA members will be used as a resource to these members of Congress and regulatory bodies so that our voice is heard on a continuing basis.
Please visit www.elfaonline.org/advocacy for issue briefs and additional information on ELFA’s grassroots program.
For more information, please contact Richard Shanahan, ELFA Director of Government Relations, at rshanahan@elfaonline.org.
LeasePAC Event
LeasePAC Committee Chair Gary LoMonaco and ELFA President & CEO Ralph Petta present the highest participation award to Nathan Gibbons of First American Equipment Finance, a City National Bank Company. The LeasePAC Committee recognized several individuals and companies for their leadership at the LeasePAC Reception. Learn more at www. elfaonline.org/advocacy/leasepac/awards.
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