2016-03-14 01:32:41
WHAT’S HAPPENING with the Business Council Steering Committees (BCSCs) this year? The five committees, which represent ELFA’s five key business segments, are actively engaged in representing members’ interests. The BCSCs are an integral part of ELFA operations, providing critical input on the direction of the association, meeting the needs of members in their respective areas and serving as a bridge between the members and the Board of Directors and staff . The following are highlights of the activities under way by the committees, which will meet in Washington, D.C., as part of the Capitol Connections program, May 18–19.
Captive and Vendor Finance BCSC
This committee represents the constituency group within ELFA that provides vendor financing, either as a subsidiary of a manufacturer or on an independent, third-party basis, or a hybrid of the two.
A major initiative for the committee is planning the Captive and Vendor Finance Best Practices Roundtable for senior executives, to be held April 19 preceding the National Funding Conference in Chicago. To learn more, visit www.Elfaonline.org/CaptiveVendorBP/.
The committee is in the process of trying to assess and understand the needs of its constituents through an electronic survey distributed in January to all members of this Business Council. The response period recently concluded, and a subgroup within the committee is busy analyzing the results and determining how to translate those needs into actionable programs or initiatives benefiting captives and vendor-based member organizations.
The committee is also focused on meeting its membership targets for 2016; continuing its leadership in contributing to LeasePAC, ELFA’s political action committee; achieving 100% participation in ELFA’s Beige Book; recruiting colleges and universities who may be willing to expose their students to the equipment finance industry as a career choice through the Guest Lecture Program; and supporting the Foundation and its targeted research initiatives.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Mike Sweeney (Michael.Sweeney@EverBank.com) or staff liaison Bill Choi (BChoi@elfaonline.org).
Financial Institutions BCSC
This committee represents bank-related organizations and other financial institutions involved in single transactions over $5 million.
A subcommittee of this BCSC has been formed to plan the April 19 Bank Best Practices Roundtable. This event is designed to bring like-minded executives together to discuss trends affecting their companies, market segments and areas of responsibility. This year's roundtable, facilitated by Charles Wendel, President of Financial Institutions Consulting, Inc., is limited to senior executives of member bank leasing companies. Topics planned for this event include:
This roundtable is being held at the Swissotel Chicago immediately preceding the ELFA National Funding Conference, April 19.21 in Chicago. To learn more, visit www.Elfaonline.org/events/2016/BBPR or contact Alexa Carnibella at acarnibella@elfaonline.org.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Alan Sikora (alan.sikora@faef.com) or staff liaison Julie Benson (jbenson@elfaonline.org).
Independent Middle Market BCSC
This committee engages independent finance and m ultiline finance companies involved in transactions between $250,000 and $5 m illion, either in d ivid u ally or through lines.
A subcommittee is planning the April 19 Independent Best Practices Roundtable for senior executives from independent leasing companies. The event w ill feature focused sessions on planning for the future, including (1) current events, (2) growth obstacles and opportunities and (3) the next generation of leasing. To learn more and register, visit www.elfa online.org/events/2016/IR.
In addition, the committee is focused on meeting its membership targets for 2016; continuing its leadership in contributing to LeasePAC, E L FA ’s political action committee; achieving 100% participation in E L FA ’s Beige Book; Supporting the Foundation and its targeted research initiatives; and planning an engaging luncheon for independent members at the 2016 E L FA Annual Convention. In addition, committee members set a goal to complete 10 Guest Lecture Program presentations this year.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Connie Eimers (Connie@vfgusa.com) or staff liaisons Amy Vogt (avogt@elfaonline.org) and Richard Shanahan (rshanahan@elfaonline.org).
Service Providers BCSC
This committee is composed of a diverse mix of industry specialists who provide a variety of services to the members of the other four Business Councils.
The 2016 committee is off to a fast start. In addition to the committee's ongoing work in membership retention and recruitment, several subcommittees are hard at work in the following areas:
Looking to the future: A subcommittee is tackling the tough question of what is the future role of the service provider at ELFA and how your Steering Committee can better serve the needs of the service provider members of ELFA.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Jeff Dicosola (jdicosola@gaig.com) or staff liaison Paul Stilp (pstilp@elfaonline.org).
Small Ticket BCSC
This committee engages companies primarily involved in transactions that are less than $250,000, either individually or through lines.
In 2016 the committee will continue to examine issues of importance to the small-ticket marketplace, as well as look at new ways to engage ELFA’s small ticket members. The committee is chaired by Kris Darby of Western Equipment Finance and Miles Herman of LEAF Commercial Capital serves as the Board Liaison. John Beard of LEAF Commercial Capital serves as the liaison for LeasePAC, and David Normandin of Banc of California and Michael Green of Dakota Financial share responsibility as membership liaisons.
Each month the BCSC conducts a conference call. So far in 2016, the committee’s calls have focused on how to further engage the small ticket market and the group’s desired involvement in ELFA’s Guest Lecture Program.
In 2016, the committee plans to conduct its 10th annual Small Ticket Market Trends Survey in late summer. The survey collects key business data for small-ticket members in the areas of new business development, pricing, portfolio quality and capital/liquidity. All members that identify as “small ticket” are encouraged to participate in this yearly survey, which is helpful to members in understanding the market trends in the industry.
In addition to the survey, the committee organizes a luncheon at the ELFA Annual Convention. During the luncheon, guest speakers will discuss trends in the industry and attendees will learn the results of the Small Ticket Market Trends Survey. Last year, the Small Ticket BCSC was pleased to have guest speakers to talk about recruiting and retaining new hires in the industry.
For more information, contact Committee Chair Kris Darby (Kris.Darby@westernequipmentfinance.com) or staff liaison Dennis Brown (dbrown@elfaonline.org).
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