FOUNDATION NEWS By Chelsea Neil Trustee Spotlight Get to Know the Chair of the Foundation Research Committee T HE FOUNDATION’S RESEARCH COMMITTEE has been led by Jeff Elliott of Huntington Asset Finance for the past four years. Jeff graciously allowed me to interview him about his role with the Foundation and his vision for the Research Committee. When did you become involved with the Foundation? I offi cially became a member of the Foundation Research Committee back in 2011, but I utilized the research materials provided by the Foundation for several years before join-ing the committee. In 2013 I became Chairman of the Re-search Committee and joined the Board of Trustees. [headshot of Jeff Elliott to come 2/24] What impact do you want the Foundation Research Committee to have on the industry? careers, which drives them to assist in the betterment of the industry. Last, as we have built more consistently available data-driven products like the Economic Outlook, some do-nors are building the research into their economic planning process, which improves their vision into the future. These factors combine to provide a compelling value proposition for companies and individuals associated with the equipment leasing and fi nance industry.. In order for our industry to continue to grow, it must inno-I’m a pretty social guy and vate. My strategic plans for the kind of an open book, but here Foundation Research Commit-it goes…. tee lean toward inspiring peo-● Most people don’t know that ple and companies within and I had a ponytail and wore outside our industry to develop parachute pants in the 1980s, new concepts and ideas that lead and my future job ambition Jeff Elliott to developing people, products, was to be a power forward in processes and profit improve-the NBA. ments in the future. In order to deliver this impact, we must ● ● In today’s world I value experiences more than tangible continue to build our brand at the Foundation and drive in-items, so I pursue the art of cooking and gardening when creased donor participation. As our brand builds, our research I’m not working in the industry. will be recognized not only with our industry but within other ● ● Last, from a business perspective, I pursue a bottom-up industries that are adjacent to us. As we broaden our appeal to management style, where I try to obtain information from many industries, our impact on our industry will soar. the “frontline,” outside sources, future-focused research and other industries that lead me to develop strategic ini-tiatives that drive production, create effi ciency or improve What value does the Foundation provide that controls in my organization or industry. ■ keeps generous corporate and individual What are three things that most people don’t know about you? donors pledging year after year? Donors’ value to the Foundation continues to grow as we continue to deliver research driven information on current topical issues within the industry as well as refreshing anal-ysis on longtime traditional equipment fi nance markets. Ad-ditionally, I believe donors have an emotional attachment to the industry that has been very good to them in their 48 MARCH/APRIL 2017 EQUIPMENT LEASING & FINANCE MAGAZINE Chelsea Neil is Program Assistant for the Foundation.