Guy Klingler, who co-founded First American Equipment Finance, will make a significant equity investment in Innovation Finance. Klinger also joined Innovation Finance’s board of directors.

“Guy has been a close personal friend and a respected business colleague for two decades,” said Bill Verhelle, CEO of Innovation Finance. “I’m honored and grateful for Guy’s longstanding friendship and support. We are delighted to have Guy’s participation in this exciting new venture.”

After co-founding First American Equipment Finance with Verhelle, Klingler served as its president while Verhelle served as CEO.

“At the heart of Innovation Finance is a culture that embraces change to create opportunity,” Klingler said. “I’m thrilled to be supporting and working with a team I already know and respect. Innovation Finance is spearheading an important redirection in the commercial equipment finance industry. I am honored to be part of it.”

Before co-founding First American, Klingler assisted with the formation and management of Oliver-Allen Corporation’s computer leasing division in San Francisco, now part of US Bank’s commercial equipment finance business.

Innovation Finance is a new commercial equipment finance business that was founded earlier this year by Verhelle.