Leasing and specialty finance industry veteran Joe Woodley passed away April 2nd after a brief illness. Woodley had previously been named one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People in Leasing” and will be missed by his many friends throughout the industry.
In the late 70s and early 80s, Woodley worked for Colonial Pacific Leasing (CPL), then owned by Roseburg Lumber. John Thorne, the head of CPL at the time, had the idea to build a network of leasing brokers, as he saw it as more cost effective than competing for vendor business. Colonial Pacific Leasing was the first to pursue this business and Woodley, along with several other individuals who would go on to become leasing industry veterans, were instrumental in helping CPL develop their original broker network.
Woodley was already a leasing industry veteran when he went to work for Colonial Pacific Leasing. Upon graduation from the University of Albuquerque, he went to work for Burroughs and later St. Paul Leasing. From 1977 to 1984 Woodley served as the vice president of Marketing for Colonial Pacific Leasing. Many brokers from that era got their start in the business because of Woodley. He was also at the forefront of the formation of The Western Association of Equipment Lessors (WAEL).
When the association went through tumultuous times in 2001, Woodley stepped in as executive director and helped to restore the association, then known as UAEL, on a path of stability and growth.
He brought long time industry veteran Bill Grohe in as membership director, and together they shepherded the association back to a strong financial position. He was instrumental in setting up the merger of UAEL and EAEL, former rival associations. The merged entity later became the National Equipment Finance Association.
In retirement, Woodley continued to work for Westover Financial, a company he had founded some 14 years earlier. He remained in La Quinta, CA where he resided for over 30 years. Woodley touched the lives of many people in the industry through his work with Colonial Pacific Leasing and later through his tenure with the WAEL and UAEL.
Woodley’s philosophy could be summed up with the adage, “There are no strangers, only friends we haven’t met yet,” and he continued to make new friends everywhere he went through his professional career and beyond.
Woodley is survived by his sister Jan Walker from Austin, TX. He was 78.
Like this story? Begin each business day with news you need to know! Click here to register now for our FREE Daily E-News Broadcast and start YOUR day informed!
Terry Mulreany
Subscriptions: 800 708 9373 x130
[email protected]
Susie Angelucci
Advertising: 484.459.3016
[email protected]
Visit our sister website for news, information, exclusive articles,
deal tables and more on the asset-based lending, factoring,
and restructuring industries.
www.abfjournal.com
5 Replies to “Joe Woodley, Leasing & Specialty Finance Veteran, Passes Away”
Joe – you were ICON in the Industry and themany times we spent together at Association Meetings had a profound effect on me business and personal wise. Rest-in-Peace my good friend. Mitch
Joe was such a fun and gregarious guy. Always smiling and living life to the fullest. Loves golf and his friends. God bless him and his family. Will miss you Joe.
Joe was a dear friend to Elaine and I. We always had laughs whenever we got together. He was an industry giant and I knew him for at least thirty years, first as a friendly competitor, then a client, but always a friend, and our friendship increased over the years. I only had to come home from a conference and tell Elaine Joe sends regards, not even needing a full name. Many of us are saddened but I was glas we had our last laughs a few weeks ago. RIP my friend.
I first met Joe in 1990. He was best friends with my boss, Steve O’Neill. They played golf at least a couple times a month. They knew each other from when our company Nova Leasing sold transactions to Colonial Pacific Leasing.
Joe talked Steve into being a WAEL Board Member and Steve talked Joe into all sorts of trouble at various WAEL events.
When Steve passed away it was while playing golf with Joe and other friends on a golf tour. Joe was a source of support and comfort for our company as we dealt with that loss and as I navigated purchasing the company.
Joe Woodley was an important and vital part of the Western lease broker community for many decades. We will miss him.
I always really liked Joe, and he was very welcoming when I first became involved at UAEL, even through the attorney jokes. He brought smiles and laughter to every conversation. He will be missed. Hopefully, at an upcoming convention, I will be teeing off in the Joe Woodley Memorial Golf Tournament.