Rena Waples, portfolio manager at AP Equipment Financing, has built a career defined by trust, transparency and a commitment to lasting relationships in equipment finance. With more than three and a half decades in finance, Waples has built a career defined by resilience, adaptability and unwavering integrity. Today, as portfolio manager at AP Equipment Financing, she blends her extensive background with a people-first approach that has earned her the trust of colleagues, manufacturers and dealers across the industry.
Waples’ professional journey began in 1990, and by 2008, she had become a recognized leader in floorplan financing. She joined AP Equipment Financing in February 2023 as Operations Manager and quickly proved her ability to lead through change and growth. In October 2024, she was promoted to Portfolio Manager, where she continues to shape the company’s flooring portfolio. Since January 2024, she has also taken on business development responsibilities, securing multiple manufacturer and dealer agreements that have strengthened AP’s receivables and expanded its market share.
Her results are not only measurable but also personal. Waples is known for creating financing solutions that reflect a deep understanding of her partners’ needs. “Rena is a trusted lender [and] has helped us to structure programs that work for us and for our dealers, and she assumes full responsibility for the program’s success,” says Courtney Burton, CFO of Flex Trailers. “We count on Rena and she delivers!”
This reputation for honesty and dependability is the foundation of her leadership. For Waples, building trust is not just a business strategy but a personal mission. She considers her proudest achievements to be the lasting friendships and professional relationships she has cultivated throughout her career. These relationships, grounded in transparency and mutual respect, have consistently led managers and business owners to seek her out as a partner.
Her influence also extends far beyond her role at AP. Waples has served as finance chair for a drug and alcohol rehab center, director of Hands of Grace and continues to contribute to her community through active service at Manna Church, where she is part of the Welcome Committee and Count Team. These roles underscore her conviction that leadership is inextricably linked to service.
As a Certified Lease & Finance Professional, Waples also embraces mentorship as a key part of her legacy. She takes a deliberate role in supporting younger women in the industry, helping them refine their resumes, grow their confidence and establish themselves as respected resources in equipment finance. Her guidance ensures the next generation of leaders can succeed on their own terms while carrying forward a culture of integrity and inclusion.
Her professional mission is simple yet profound: to be the kind of leader, colleague and partner others know they can depend on. Whether through business growth, mentorship or community service, Waples is shaping an industry where trust and transparency remain at the center. More than titles or achievements, her career is proof that lasting success is built on meaningful relationships.
“In this business, you will be stepped over, spoken over and looked over, but keep your head up and keep moving! You are stronger, smarter and more resilient than you know. Be an encourager and a builder, remember the next generation of women need you to be an example of what is possible.”
– Rena Waples
