The Equipment Leasing & Finance Foundation has named William G. Sutton, CAE, as its new president and Kelli Jones Nienaber as its new executive director.

Sutton, who is currently President and CEO of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), will retain that role and will also serve as president of the Foundation. The Foundation was created by ELFA in 1989 to carry out the charitable, educational and scientific purposes of the association and is best known for its forward-looking, independent industry research.

Nienaber will serve as a member of the ELFA senior management team. She will be the primary conduit to the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and governance committees and will oversee the day-to-day programs and business of the Foundation.

Nienaber was selected by a search committee comprised of current and former foundation trustees, including Edward A. Dahlka, Jr., chairman of the Foundation, Henry Frommer, Joseph Lane, Michael Leichtling and Deborah Monosson. Her selection was unanimously approved by the Foundation Executive Committee.

Nienaber has been with ELFA since 2006, most recently serving as director of Government Relations and Membership. In this position, she managed the political programming of the ELFA, including the grassroots advocacy and the political action committee, LeasePAC. She also led ELFA’s efforts to recruit, retain and renew its members.

Before joining the ELFA staff, Nienaber worked for the former National Stone Association, managing its PAC and grassroots network, and for computer maker Gateway, managing federal and state government relations. Her legislative work at Gateway focused on tax policy and electronic recycling issues. She also directed the company’s political program, including planning events for numerous elected officials and management for the company PAC. Nienaber’s background also includes seven years working for U.S. Sen. Kit Bond (R-MO) both in his Washington D.C., office and in her home state of Missouri, where she managed the statewide campaign schedule and event planning for Sen. Bond’s successful re-election in 1998

“We are fortunate to have a talented and energetic team in place to carry out the mission of the Foundation,” said Dahlka. “It has been great working with Woody, and we are truly fortunate to have someone of Kelli’s experience and capability to manage the Foundation.”