“Never underestimate the value of relationships — equipment finance is a people business. Technology improves efficiency, but trust remains the foundation of every successful transaction. Invest in people, maintain your integrity and keep a long-term perspective; success will naturally follow.”
– Joe Leonard
For Joe Leonard, building an industry-leading organization is anchored in relationship-building, continuous adaptation and a steadfast commitment to empowering people. When Leonard co-founded Oakmont Capital Services in 1998 alongside Megan Zoba, the business operated as a small startup equipment finance brokerage with limited resources. Over nearly three decades, Leonard guided Oakmont through major market disruptions, including the Great Recession and COVID-19, expanding it into a premier, internationally recognized direct lender with dual offices in Pennsylvania and Minnesota and a team of nearly 100 dedicated professionals.
A pivotal turning point in Oakmont’s trajectory was Leonard’s strategic decision to transition the company from a traditional brokerage into a full-service balance-sheet lender. Recognizing that controlling the financing lifecycle would elevate the customer experience, he invested heavily in proprietary technology, secured warehouse funding and built comprehensive servicing and asset
management capabilities. By pairing cutting-edge operational efficiency with relationship-focused financing, Leonard scaled the business into a national platform while preserving the personal touch that defines its core identity.
As Oakmont grew, Leonard’s leadership style shifted from driving direct execution to fostering talent, listening and cultivating an environment built on trust and transparency. While he takes pride in Oakmont’s substantial growth, his greatest satisfaction comes from seeing employees build thriving long-term careers and earning the lasting trust of customers. To the next generation, Leonard emphasizes the importance of remaining curious, embracing technological innovation and building an organization bigger than oneself. Through principled leadership and dedicated mentorship, Leonard continues to leave a lasting mark on the industry.
