David Normandin, president and CEO of Wintrust Specialty Finance, will speak on a panel alongside fellow industry leaders at the upcoming Investors’ Conference on Equipment Leasing in New York City on March 20.

Experts participating in the panel discussion, “Preparing for the Downturn,” will cover topics including learnings from the last recession and requirements for getting through a future recession.

Joining Normandin for the conversation will be Joe Collins, senior vice president, business development for Orion First Financial, Quentin Cote, president of Mintaka Financial, and Barry Ripes, managing director of PayNet.

“I’m honored to contribute alongside a great panel of professionals, especially at the Investors’ Conference on Equipment Leasing, one of the premier events for the industry,” said Normandin. “Events like these, where we can all come together in one space to share knowledge and best practices, are so important for the ongoing advancement of the business. I’m looking forward to sharing my expertise and continuing to learn from my peers.”

Normandin established Wintrust Specialty Finance by developing the business plan, policy, processes, and procedures for the division and negotiating partnerships with crucial services and the head executive in the building and growth of this division. A division of Wintrust Asset Finance, the new team has a centralized focus on serving small and mid-sized business lending to companies in the U.S. and Canada.

Normandin, a Certified Lease & Finance Professional, has more than 20 years of experience in commercial finance, sales, marketing and operations. He currently serves on the board of directors of the ELFA, where he was the chair of the small ticket business council steering committee for the last two years. Normandin has also served on the board of NEFA and the CLFP, where he is a past president.

The Investors’ Conference on Equipment Leasing will be hosted by IMN and the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association at the Union League Club in New York City.