GreatAmerica Financial Services is sponsoring a new course on Commercial Equipment Leasing & Finance (CELF) at the University of North Texas (UNT) G. Brint Ryan College of Business. Created and taught by Michael Gallo, the program director and lecturer professor at UNT, the course launched during the spring 2025 semester and will continue with an additional class offering in fall 2025. A spring reception celebrating the course took place on March 25, 2025, at the UNT College of Business.
GreatAmerica, a national leader in commercial finance, is committed to fostering future talent in the industry. Several GreatAmerica leaders including Jon Fales, vice president and general manager of the Connected Technology Group, Linzey Brunton, director, sales support operations, Mark Windeknecht, large transactions credit leader, and Heather Friedman, vice president of marketing and communications, will serve as student mentors for the program. Jon will also continue to collaborate with lecturer professor Gallo as an advisor on the course.
“The involvement and contributions from GreatAmerica are instrumental in bringing this course to life and ensuring its early success; educating 25 enthusiastic students enrolled for the inaugural offering this spring,” Gallo said.
“At GreatAmerica, we believe in investing in the future of the finance industry and creating job opportunities for the next generation of professionals,” Fales said. “This course is a testament to our dedication to nurturing talent and fostering growth in the sector.”
Students who successfully complete the course, which follows the Certified Leasing and Financing Professionals (CLFP) curriculum, will receive a Student Certificate from the CLFP. The program also aims to create internship and job placement opportunities for participants.
