Monitor’s 50th Anniversary Issue

50th Anniversary 2023 | Vol. 50, No. 3

Interactive Flipbook

Featured Articles

Monitor 50th Anniversary: A Letter from the Publisher

By Lisa Rafter

Lisa Rafter, Publisher of the Monitor, shares her unique perspective of watching the equipment finance industry grow throughout the years since she started at Monitor and eventually became its publisher. ... read more

Monitor 50th Anniversary: A Letter From the Editor

By Rita E. Garwood

Rita E. Garwood, Editor-in-Chief at Monitor, shares a heartfelt opening letter to the Monitor 50th Anniversary issue. Whether you attended Converge, participated in an interview or simply engaged with our special content, we appreciate you and look forward to serving the equipment finance industry for the next 50 years.... read more

New Sprouts Appearing from Deep Roots

By Paul Bent

When the equipment leasing industry was created, leasing was the go-to product. But as time went on, the industry morphed into a subset of secured lending. Paul Bent explores the cycles of the industry and says as market conditions shift, the old roots of yesteryear may be giving rise to a new generation of lessors.... read more

Leading with a Purpose: Patel Emphasizes the Importance of Curiosity

By Markiesha Thompson

As head of equipment finance at Wells Fargo, Amrita Patel’s strong history of achieving outstanding results propels her forward as she creates her own path and makes a name for herself as a leader. ... read more

Straightforward Success: Stephenson’s Vantage Point

By Ian Koplin

Bill Stephenson, CEO of PEAC Solutions, reflects on his legacy in the equipment finance industry, from those who aided him in his rise to success to those who will oversee the next era of transformation and growth. With an accomplished career and track record of success, Stephenson remains at the heart of change and says the next disruption to the equipment finance industry is already here. ... read more

Dedicated to Hard Work: How Kropschot Became an M&A Guru

By Rita E. Garwood

Bruce Kropschot shares the story of how he got his start in the equipment finance industry, how the City of Brotherly Love and Monitor played a pivotal role in his success and how relationships and hard work helped him close more than 200 mergers and acquisitions in his 51-year equipment finance career.... read more

Two Peas Create a Pod

By Markiesha Thompson

Asking themselves “What would Abe do?” led Crit DeMent and Miles Herman to founding LEAF Commercial Capital. Chairman DeMent and CEO Miles explore their excitement and optimism for the equipment finance industry and how they are optimizing opportunities to grow LEAF in this dynamic sector.... read more

A Potent Combination: Fate Reflects on Decades of Success

By Ian Koplin

Dave Fate, CEO and co-founder of Stonebriar Commercial Finance, is a household name in the equipment finance world. Fate details his formative years and the people who gave him a chance as well as a few ways he’s paid it forward to the next generation.... read more

Building Equipment Finance: Deane Reflects on the Industry’s Journey

By Markiesha Thompson

A veteran of the equipment finance industry, John Deane spoke with Monitor about his career journey from a newbie in a still budding industry to a leader, founder and retiree. He also discusses the evolution of the industry over the years and reflects on its life cycle.... read more

Tapping into Servant Leadership: Jones Speaks of Mentors, Ideals and Lessons Learned

By Ian Koplin

Mike Jones, president of vendor equipment finance at First Citizens Bank, has watched the equipment finance industry and its people blossom over time. Touched by inspirations like former EverBank executive Jim McGrane and others, Jones embodies servant leadership by embracing his team for the greater good.... read more

A Passion for Education: Amembal Expands His Impact on Equipment Finance

By Rita E. Garwood

A love for teaching led Sudhir Amembal to the equipment leasing industry 45 years ago, and he has no intention of leaving anytime soon. In an interview with Monitor, he reflects on the highlights of his career and shares advice for the next generation of equipment finance leaders. ... read more

Reflections on 30-Years of Business Strategy

By Bill Verhelle

Bill Verhelle of Innovation Finance USA looks back at how equipment finance business strategies have changed during his career and asks if the industry’s business models may be poised to make another transition. ... read more

Turning Passion into Action: True Leadership Creates a Better Tomorrow

By Scott Thacker

Scott Thacker says true leadership must include three prongs of focus: long-term, strategic and storytelling. He urges equipment finance leaders to funnel their passions into volunteerism that will create a better future. ... read more

Transformational Leadership: Human Experience is the Future of the Industry

By Nancy Robles

In a special essay for Monitor, Nancy Robles reflects on the increasing importance of honoring the human experience within a company culture. She says the most successful companies will be built on integrity, ethics, trust and humanity.... read more

Expanding Access to Credit in Equipment Leasing

By Bill Phelan

The U.S. is powered by small businesses, but many of these companies have limited access to capital. Bill Phelan and Barry Ripes discuss this trend and outline how Equifax is helping to improve financial inclusion in the industry.... read more

Rising to the Challenge: Golobic Takes an Iterative Approach to Innovation

By Tony Golobic

Tony Golobic reflects on the growth of the company he founded in 1992, Great America Financial Services, as he hands the reins to a leadership team of the next generation led by his son, Martin Golobic. ... read more

How Do You Tell the Story of an Industry? Tracing Equipment Finance's Past, Present and Future

By Phil Neuffer

During its 50 years covering the equipment finance industry, Monitor has seen the sector constantly reshape itself in response to new legislation, technology advancements and customer needs, but in addition to its adaptability, the industry’s people have always been at the heart of its long-time success. ... read more

Shaping the Future: Innovating Student Outreach

By Deb Reuben, CLFP

How will the equipment finance industry ensure the growth of its workforce for years to come? In this two-part interview, Deborah Reuben sits down with the leaders of The CLFP Foundation and CreateMpls to discuss how to attract the next generation. ... read more

Staff Insights: Personal Histories

Members of Monitor’s senior staff reminisce about their individual journeys with Monitor and the publication’s evolution from tabloid newspaper to multi-media company. ... read more

50 Years 50 Moments

By Monitor

During its 50-year run as the premier publication in the equipment finance arena, Monitor has always been there to tell the industry’s story. In a sector like equipment finance, however, there are always more tales to tell, so leaders from across the equipment finance industry shared some of their enduring memories, funniest anecdotes, vital insights and top pieces of advice from the last 50 years.... read more

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