Adam Warner will retire from Key Equipment Finance (KEF) after serving as the company’s president since 2009. Peter Bullen was named group head of KEF and will assume responsibility for KEF’s leadership. He will report to Derek Chauvette, group head of the public sector and Native American financial services at Key.
Based on Cleveland, Bullen joined Key in 1996 and previously served as executive vice president of KEF’s bank channel and clean energy markets, which included overseeing the company’s direct equipment finance solutions for middle-market and large corporate companies, as well as financing solutions for energy projects through vendor and direct relationships.
“Peter has worked with KEF’s clients for nearly three decades and has developed strong relationships across the industry,” Chauvette said. “His combination of industry experience, leadership skills and proven track record for collaboration make him a natural fit for this position, and I look forward to working with him in his new role.”
In addition to his role within KEF, Bullen has served as a member of the bank council steering committee for the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association for several years before being appointed to the Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation’s board of trustees in 2022, where he currently serves as incoming treasurer.
Warner’s retirement will take effect on Dec. 31. He joined KEF in 2001 and his career with the company has included managing the organization’s direct sales, corporate aviation and specialty finance lending organizations. His tenure also includes leading the company’s global vendor operations, which encompassed direct oversight of 65 employees in 16 countries. As part of his global vendor responsibilities, Warner helped Key establish an analytics and underwriting business presence in India.
“Adam has been pivotal to Key Equipment Finance’s success over the past 22 years,” Randy Paine, president of Key Institutional Bank, said. “He has made significant contributions to the industry and local community, where he has excelled as a leader, advocate and mentor. I am grateful for his contributions, and we wish him the best in retirement.”
Warner’s career includes serving on the ELFA’s board of directors for eight years, including his tenure as chairperson of the board from 2013 to 2014. He also served on the University of Colorado-Boulder Leeds School of Business board of directors from 2014 to 2023. Under Warner’s leadership, Key secured more than $500,000 in resources to fund and establish the KeyBank Business Leadership Program and the KeyBank Summer Bridge Program to provide scholarships and hands-on experiences to students at the University of Colorado-Boulder Leeds School of Business.
