FOUNDATION NEWS By Chelsea Neil 10 Minutes with the Development Committee Chair T HE FOUNDATION has a new Chair of the National Development Committee: Randy Haug, Executive Vice President/Vice Chairman of LeaseTeam, Inc. Randy graciously allowed me to interview him about his passion for the Foundation and the Foundation’s value proposition. Here is a look at the person leading the Development Team. the research creates for them. It’s also worth noting that if we want to expand our re-search and education pro-grams, we need to expand our donor base. It’s important for people who understand the value the Foundation off ers to help educate non-donors. Why did you become involved with the Foundation? Th e Foundation was created the same year we founded Lease-Team. As our company grew we relied on the research the Foundation published; we used the information to provide in-sight and to support our goal of always being connected to the industry. Additionally, I’ve sat through a number of edu-cational breakout sessions [fo-cused on Foundation research], and I’ve always found those sessions to be informative and to provide a “forward-looking” perspective on our industry. My respect for the Foundation and the thought leaders sup-porting it is why I decided to become involved. What are three things that most people do not know about you? 1. I’m a proud fi rst-generation American. My parents came to the United States as young adults without any formal ed-ucation or grasp of the English language. My parents worked multiple jobs to ensure we had the education and opportuni-ties to be successful. Th ey also Randy Haug instilled in us the value of hard work, to appreciate our good fortunes and the importance of paying them forward, and What impact do you want the Foundation to to treat others with respect. have on the industry? Th e Foundation’s mission statement is to provide compre-2. I love to travel. Most of my relatives still live overseas, and hensive, forward-looking research for business leaders, an-I love to go to other countries and experience new cultures. alysts and others interested in the industry. As the industry’s It has helped me become a better person and has taught me largest non-profi t research foundation, it’s my opinion that to have compassion and gratitude for all I have been given the Foundation needs to continue evolving and growing. I in life. believe this is important to ensure the industry continues to thrive, which is important for everyone who works directly, 3. Twenty-seven years ago I co-founded a company called or indirectly, in the industry. LeaseTeam, Inc. Starting and maintaining a successful com-pany in the industry I love was a dream come true for me. I What value does the Foundation provide that attribute my success to the core values my parents instilled keeps generous corporate and individual in me. ■ donors pledging year after year? I believe one of the most impactful benefi ts the Foundation provides is its research. Th e topics are selected by a Research Chelsea Neil is Program Assistant for the Committee and span a variety of segments. No other organ-Foundation. ization off ers the breadth of research, data and analysis that the Foundation generates year aft er year. We have a great group of both corporate and individual members that we can count on year aft er year due in large part to the value 52 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2017 EQUIPMENT LEASING & FINANCE MAGAZINE