Chris Hemler is a senior vice president on Hovde Group’s specialty finance investment banking team, the top ranked M&A practice to the commercial finance sector, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence (2019 and 2020). Hemler specializes in advising equipment finance companies on sell-side and buy-side transactions, valuations and debt and equity capital raises.

Eric McGriff is Founder and President of Pinnacle Advisory Services.

Gerry Oestreich is owner of ABC Leasing & Financing. He enjoys being able to quickly and competitively provide businesses and professionals with the capital they need to acquire the technology, equipment and vehicles they need to move their businesses and professions forward.

John-Paul Smolenski is President and CEO of MMP Capital.

Lisa Rafter is the CEO and Founder of STRIPES Leadership Program. She is the publisher of the Monitor magazine, the leading publication in the equipment finance industry. Lisa is also the owner and president of Molloy Associates, the executive search firm dedicated to serving the equipment finance and leasing industry. Lisa has been publishing in the financial services industries for over 25 years and also publishes ABF Journal, DealMaker Magazine, and Commercial Factor.

Phil Neuffer is senior editor of ABF Journal.

Ray Ellingsen is Senior Vice President, Syndications & Operation at Corcentric. He has more than 25 years of experience in the syndication, equipment lease finance and commercial banking industry. At Corcentric, he is responsible for growing and maintaining national funding source relationships with complementary valued-added financial institutions and equipment finance organizations, as well as developing customized, customer-focused, life-cycle fleet management financing programs.

Rick Remiker is a vice chairman of The Alta Group equipment finance advisors. His regulatory, risk management and investor relations insights inform work for Alta’s clients. Rick previously served as chief commercial banking executive and senior executive vice president of Huntington National Bank, where he led its equipment finance business earlier in his career. His past experience also includes launching Merrill Lynch Capital’s commercial equipment finance business and holding top leadership positions in the ELFA. He can be reached at [email protected].

Rita E. Garwood is editor in chief of Monitor.

Scott Nelson is the president and chief digital officer of Tamarack Technology. He is an expert in technology strategy and development including AI and automation as well as an industry expert in equipment finance. Nelson leads the company’s efforts to expand its impact on the industry through innovation using new technologies and digital transformation strategies. In his dual role at Tamarack, Nelson is responsible for the company’s vision and strategic planning as well as business operations across professional services and Tamarack’s suite of AI products. He has more than 30 years of strategic technology development, deployment and design thinking experience working with both entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies.