The Alta Group appointed Jim Merrilees vice chairman in a business development role.

Merrilees will advise potential clients on ways Alta can add value to their organizations through increased originations, new business model launches, market entry opportunities, operational efficiencies, merger and acquisition advisory, asset management and appraisals and other value-added services.

Merrilees has served on the boards of two trade groups that merged to become the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA), and he was an early contributor to the development of the Certified Lease & Finance Professional  program. He also is a former board member of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association. The NEFA recently honored him with a lifetime achievement award in recognition of his significant contributions to the equipme3nt finance industry.

After a brief retirement, Merrilees, who holds the CLFP designation, decided to get back to what he enjoyed most in his professional positions: coaching and advising others. Merrilees joined The Alta Group because “the advisory firm is the most comprehensive and most respected in the industry,” Merrilees said.

“We are delighted Jim has joined Alta,” James Jackson, co-CEO of The Alta Group, said. “He has a distinguished career highlighted by senior positions at Pitney Bowes Credit, Colonial Pacific Leasing, Textron Financial and Channel Partners.”

While at Colonial Pacific, Merrilees and his team introduced credit scoring automation with Fair Isaac Co. (FICO) and adopted online leasing applications. He also initiated the concept of adding insurance to lease contracts, a product offered by Great American Insurance Group today. His experience includes advising service providers looking to position themselves in the equipment finance industry and assisting companies seeking to raise capital. He also was an initial client and former president of Quiktrak.