The Certified Lease & Finance Professional Foundation added 30 new CLFPs through two online Academies for Lease & Finance Professionals, which were originally scheduled to be in-person events but were moved to a digital format due to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. Bank Equipment Finance hosted the first academy in May and Arvest Equipment Finance hosted the second in June.

“We were looking forward to hosting again in Kansas City but when we realized that wasn’t an option, we adjusted our plans to move forward with the online class,” Eric Bunnell, CLFP, president at Arvest Equipment Finance, said. “I observed the sessions and I was very impressed with the experienced instructors that the CLFP Foundation lined up and how they presented the material.”

The 30 new CLFPs include:

• Amanda Albertsson, CLFP – vice president of sales, Fernwood Capital & Leasing
• James (Jay) Bankston, CLFP – VP, equipment finance business development representative, Arvest Equipment Finance
• Brett Blankenship, CLFP – manager of customer support, LTi Technology Solutions
• Michelle Castor, CLFP – director of contract administration, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Anita Colvin, CLFP – vice president and director of sales, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Katie Crawford, CLFP – vice president and equipment finance specialist, Arvest Equipment Finance
• J. Patrick Doud, CLFP – account executive, Zions Equipment Finance
• Regina Eckendorf, CLFP – vice president, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Maria Ehlers, CLFP Associate – commercial relationship manager, American Equipment Financial Services
• Leslie Harty, CLFP – sales support specialist, Arvest Equipment Finance
• Kacie Haugen, CLFP – financial analyst, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Austin Johnson, CLFP – finance manager, Commercial Capital Company
• Derek Johnson, CLFP – partner, 10-4 Financing
• Eric Johnston, CLFP – business development representative and vice president, Arvest Equipment Finance
• Amber Kodet, CLFP – business analyst, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Jenaleigh Lathrop, CLFP – sales support specialist, Arvest Equipment Finance
• Ryan Ledden, CLFP – implementation manager, LTi Technology Solutions
• Isaac Leman, CLFP – vice president, U.S. Bank Manufacturing Vendor Services, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Andrew Lepley, CLFP – leasing credit manager and assistant vice president, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• John Marshall, CLFP – principal, JRM Business Advisory & Consulting Services
• Jackie Moore, CLFP – credit analyst, Arvest Equipment Finance
• John (Clark) Parker, CLFP – asset manager, Arvest Equipment Finance
• Matthew Peters, CLFP – sales manager, Commercial Capital Company
• Jason Peterson, CLFP – EVP of finance, JenCas Financial
• Megan Syltie, CLFP – operations manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Jeffery Swift, CLFP – vice president and credit manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• John Thomsen, CLFP – regional sales manager, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Annie Weets, CLFP – end of lease manager and AVP of asset management, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Kayla Werkman, CLFP – financial analyst, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance
• Justin Wilmes CLFP – AVP and inside sales manager, Healthcare Vendor Services, U.S. Bank Equipment Finance

“The breadth of knowledge required to obtain the CLFP designation encompasses the entire leasing life cycle and all of the departments involved,” Weets said. “Having this knowledge makes me a more valuable resource to my company and to my customers. Having the designation is just an outward sign of my commitment and passion for an industry that I love.”

The CLFP designation identifies an individual as a knowledgeable professional to employers, clients, customers and peers in the equipment finance industry. There are currently 905 active CLFPs and associates in the United States, Canada, India and Australia.