Sheri Aaberg excels in creating organizations where people matter, where they are challenged and where they grow. The culture Aaberg has created while leading equipment and leasing finance companies over the last 22 years is one of excellence in performance, customer service and team development.
Aaberg’s career did not start in equipment finance. In 1989, Aaberg founded a consulting and business services firm, AA Enterprises. This venture provided Aaberg with a platform to bring her vision and gifts to many companies operating in different industries. Through the experience of running AA, Aaberg developed her view of what companies can and should be: a place where people are challenged to realize their potential. This principle is the core of Aaberg’s leadership.
Aaberg’s experience at AA resulted in a career transition into equipment finance full-time. Highline Capital, an AA client, asked Aaberg to build and grow a transportation finance division for their company. Aaberg served as general manager of transportation finance for Highline from 2000 to 2007. She built all aspects of their transportation finance activities including dealer networks, credit, operations and asset remarketing.
From Highline, Aaberg took over the equipment finance division of American Truck Business Services. She was responsible for the organization’s focus on financing commercial heavy trucks, primarily through carrier lease-to-own programs. In addition, Aaberg directed the establishment and maintenance of carrier, dealer and financing relationships as well as asset acquisition, reconditioning and re-marketing efforts.
As chief operating officer, Aaberg and her vision have been instrumental in the company’s growth and operating excellence since she joined Transport Enterprise Leasing (TEL) in 2014. She has overseen the development of process and organizational structure that has been key to the firm’s success. Under her guidance, Transport Enterprise Leasing’s lease portfolio has grown from 1,200 truck and trailer assets on lease to more than 9,300 vehicles. Additionally, employee headcount has grown by 43% and TEL has expanded from its Chattanooga, TN headquarters to a second location in Indianapolis, IN.
“My focus and passion has been building organizations where our people can be challenged with high expectations, with room to grow and develop as they achieve more for themselves, their families and for each other,” Aaberg says. “Cultivating that growth environment and seeing its fruit in so many people has been so personally rewarding for me in my career.”
Aaberg has served on the board of the Used Truck Association and as a member of the Heavy Truck Blue Book advisory committee. Her speaking engagements have included the Truckload Carriers Association, Used Truck Association conventions, TruckPaper forums and Blue Book seminars. Through her leadership and executive sponsorship, Transport Enterprise Leasing has joined and become active in the ELFA, and hosted its first Certified Lease and Finance Professional academy in Chattanooga in June 2023.
“Sheri sets our culture standards across the organization. She defines who our people are, what we are trying to do and how it all fits together,” Doug Carmichael, founder and CEO of TEL, says. “Her organizational skills, attention to detail and financial knowledge are all combined in the leadership she brings to our company. Sheri sets the standard and empowers and supports our people to grow; she makes us all better.”
“My advice to women is to understand their value and not underestimate their contribution to an organization. Know your abilities and seek a good fit where your skills and passion will enhance the team not because you are female, but because your skills, passion and experience enhance the team.”