This is the United Association of Equipment Leasing’s (UAEL) 34th year of serving independent broker/lessors, service providers and funding sources. I am fortunate to have been involved with the UAEL since 1997 and a member of the board since 2002. The foundation of the association was built many years ago by a group of young leasing professionals who came together to collectively share their knowledge and experience with each other. Many of those early members attribute a significant portion of their personal and professional success to those collaborative, open exchanges of ideas and experiences.
It’s amazing how many new companies have entered this market in the past several years, and I see so many young professionals who can benefit from the foundation that built UAEL all those years ago by strikingly similar young entrepreneurs.
UAEL History
The Western Association of Equipment Leasing (WAEL) was founded in 1974 by a small group of trailblazers in the equipment leasing industry. The organization was renamed the United Association of Equipment leasing (UAEL) in 1993, in response to the nationwide growth of the organization’s membership. Today, the UAEL represents top leasing professionals from all over the U.S. Despite this growth, the spirit and mission of the UAEL has remained unchanged: supporting the success of its members by helping them share experience and knowledge.
The UAEL has grown in both size and complexity, representing a broad range of sizes and types of business. Today, membership includes most of the nation’s top lease funding sources, many of the best brokers and lessors in the country, and a variety of service providers who have tied the success of their enterprise to the success of their fellow UAEL members.
UAEL Mission
UAEL’s mission is delivered in large part through the professionalism and sophistication of our members. Our mission is to provide a forum for the personal and professional growth and mutual success of our members by uniting them through networking, education and involvement.
One of the core strengths of UAEL is the equal participation in the governance and leadership of the association by our diverse membership. We have strong representation from broker/lessors, service providers and funders in all aspects of the association’s business. We are truly a collaborative effort of members committed to each other’s success.
Today, as in the past, the UAEL staff works hard to serve our members’ needs. We help coordinate the conferences, regional and education activities of the association. We work closely with the board of directors and the UAEL committees to insure our members get the most out of their investment in UAEL.
My association with UAEL throughout the years, first as a funder, then a lessor and now as executive director, has provided many opportunities for personal growth and success of my businesses. I look forward to the continued success of what we started 33 years ago.
— Joe Woodley (UAEL President 1987) UAEL Executive Director
UAEL Value
For more than 30 years, UAEL has been a diverse group of experienced and sophisticated equipment finance and industry specialists. The value of the association is fostered by members sharing their collective experiences and knowledge to help others grow and evolve their companies.
We all share a common interest in “growing and evolving” our companies and businesses. UAEL joins us together in that endeavor. One of the primary benefits is that UAEL provides a forum for members to network with peers to learn and grow as the leasing industry changes.
Within UAEL, the sharing of knowledge and experience is done through:
National Conferences — At the annual Spring Education Conference, attendees can conveniently brush up on familiar topics and current industry issues, or learn about new ideas and services to aid their professional development or to help pursue new strategic directions for their business.
The UAEL Fall Conference and Exposition provides convenient, one-on-one access to virtually all the major funding sources and top service providers in the industry. This Expo is surrounded by timely, informative presentations and panel discussions.
Regional Gatherings — The UAEL sponsors more than 15 regional groups across the country. These events are excellent opportunities to strengthen current alliances and create new ones while getting caught up on what’s new in the industry and local markets.
Education Programs — In addition to the full pallet of educational offerings at the Spring Conference, attendees can take advantage of the Institute for Leasing Professionals as the premier source of formal training for the Certified Leasing Professional program. Also, UAEL training videos are available for valuable guidance in the areas of sales and business development.
Member Involvement — Commitment to growth and development requires a commitment to being involved. Your involvement can be as simple as attending regional UAEL gatherings, or as rich as volunteering for committee memberships, conference planning, speaking and publishing, national conference attendance or even participation on the UAEL board of directors. Each step to greater involvement promises a new opportunity to create new friendships while you enrich yourself and your business.
The United Association of Equipment Leasing has a rich heritage, which spans more than 30 years, and provides a forum for those who want to participate in a collaborative effort to grow and evolve their businesses. Collectively, we look forward to a promising future for our industry and our members.
I believe there is a great future in equipment leasing and in the UAEL. Early in my leasing career, which started in 1969, it became clear to me that I didn’t know very much about leasing and a lot of other important things in life. I felt other great men and women could help me. There is no better place to find that help than an association meeting. At the association meetings, the room is always full of bright, experienced people who have paid high prices for their “learning” experiences. Talk to them. Pick out what works for you, and add your thoughts and ideas to the mix.
The industry has always changed. When I started, banks legally couldn’t participate. Imagine the worry we faced when they opened that door. I’ve seen ITC come and go three times. Many today don’t even remember ITC and it drove leasing for decades. I remember when FASB 13 was being proposed in 1976 and everyone thought it would kill the industry. Instead it helped. There have been too many tax law changes and economic cycles to list, and they all had impacts and the industry adapted and thrived, and that’s what our future is too. There are new global accounting standards coming and they may hurt if you stand still. Don’t stand still, look for the silver lining, understand that many of your competitors can’t adapt in the way or as fast as you can. Take advantage and learn the new rules by giving and taking at the next UAEL Conference. There is always a way to prosper in this industry; find it.
— Jim Possehl (UAEL President 1989) Republic Financial
Brad Peterson is currently the VP of Business Development of Pentech Financial Services and serves on the 2007 UAEL board of directors as president. Prior to joining Pentech in August 2005, he was with US Bancorp Manifest for nine years and Ralston Purina for 15 years.
Peterson held several positions during his tenure at Manifest Funding Services including regional sales manager, director of sales and senior VP, general manager. He held several finance and sales related positions in his years with Ralston Purina. He has Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and Economics from Iowa State University.
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