The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association named Valerie Hayes Jester to the 2022 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame. The announcement was made at the 61st ELFA Annual Convention in Orlando, FL. Jester was recognized as a groundbreaking leader, industry entrepreneur and champion of women in equipment finance.

“We congratulate Valerie for being inducted to the 2022 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame,” Ralph Petta, CEO and president of ELFA, said. “As an industry pioneer, Valerie has helped change the face of equipment finance and her legacy will inspire generations to come.”

Jester has more than 30 years of experience in the equipment finance industry. She has held positions where she supported fleet leasing sales efforts in the southeastern region, developed newly created fleet leasing product and oversaw the company’s capital equipment transactions. After founding Corporate Capital Leasing in 1987, after much success, she sold Corporate Capital to an industry consolidation headed by First Sierra Financial, achieving over $3 billion in sales annually. Jester started Brandywine Capital Associates, a small ticket equipment finance company, and has been active as president for more than 20 years.

Jester joined the ELFA 35 years ago and served on committees, including reinventing ELA, the ethics committee and the small ticket business council. She then served as a member, treasurer and chair of the ELFA board of directors.

Serving ss the first woman to be chair of ELFA Jester has been steadfast in her commitment to promoting women’s involvement in the industry and association. She has blazed a trail for women in the industry as a leader, mentor and advocate.

In 2015 Jester received the David Fenig Distinguished Service in Advocacy Award in recognition of her contributions to the association’s federal and state advocacy programs. She served as chair of LeasePAC, and through her advocacy has highlighted the value of equipment finance to the U.S. economy and the impact of legislative and regulatory proposals on the sector.