FROM THE PUBLISHER William G. Sutton, CAE Fair Winds and Following Seas T HE YEAR 2015 HAS BEEN A TERRIFIC YEAR FOR ELFA MEMBERSHIP. A total of 65 companies joined the association and 94% of existing members renewed their memberships. With the highest membership renewal and retention rates in recent memory, it’s clear that members are recognizing the ELFA value proposition. You can meet some of our newest members in the feature story on p. 14. Don’t miss “Eight Ideas to Maximize Your ELFA Membership”—you may discover a tip or two for get-ting the most out of your involvement with the association. Special congratulations go to the companies celebrating milestone membership anniversaries (see p. 16). One com-pany celebrating a milestone this year—Volvo Financial Ser-vices USA—refl ects on this achievement on p. 44. Annual Convention It was wonderful to see so many new and veteran members at our extremely successful 54th Annual Convention in San Antonio last month. At the Convention, we announced that ELFA will meet or exceed all our goals and objectives for 2015, and we are on target to fi nish the year with a balanced budget. Don’t miss highlights and photos from the event— including insights regarding the state of the association and the state of the industry—on p. 24. complished Board of Directors and many member company volunteers in support of this great industry, which truly is an engine for the economy. “Equipping Business for Success” is a message that resonates with anyone concerned about the future prosperity of our great nation. ELFA is in a strong position and is poised for continued success, with an engaged membership, terrifi c volunteer leadership, skilled staff and sound fi scal standing. When I turn the reins over to Ralph Petta at the end of this year, I know the association will continue to thrive. Th ank you all for this very special opportunity. Claudia and I wish each and every one of you fair winds and follow-ing seas, always! ■ Hall of Fame During the Convention we inducted seven industry giants into the 2015 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame. All of the honorees have made unique, signifi cant or last-ing contributions to our industry and our association. Read more about this special program and our sophomore class of inductees on p. 30. Also in this issue, catch up on what’s new in the bank sector in our feature story on p. 20, learn how the Emerg-ing Talent Advisory Council is engaging the next generation of equipment fi nance on p. 32, and get up-to-speed on the lease accounting project on p. 36. With the new accounting standard expected in December 2015 or January 2016, ELFA will be your leading provider for information regarding the new rules. William G. Sutton, CAE, is the President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association and the publishing director of Equipment Leasing & Finance . To submit letters to the editor, email EL&F@ elfaonline.org. Thank You It has been an honor these last fi ve-and-a-half years to serve ELFA and the Foundation. As I announced in January, aft er a long and rewarding career—including 30 years in the United States Navy defending our nation and 15 years in business working for our nation’s future prosperity—I feel the time is right for me to set sail for the next chapter of life. I have been blessed with an active, engaged and dedicated group of volunteers and leaders with whom to work. I have truly enjoyed working alongside the best staff ever, an ac-At the 54th ELFA Annual Convention, Woody and the ELFA Chairmen with whom he served (L-R): Adam Warner (2014), Ken Collins (2010), Crit DeMent (2012), Dave Merrill (2011) and Bob Rinaldi (2015). Not pictured: Rick Remiker (2013). EQUIPMENT LEASING & FINANCE MAGAZINE NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2015 3