ELFA unveils new board of directors

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has announced its new board of directors and officers who will serve during the next 12 months, with Anthony Cracchiolo, president and CEO of US Bank Equipment Finance, named as the new chairman.

“We are very fortunate to have Tony Cracchiolo serving as chairman of the board of directors for 2017,” said ELFA president and CEO Ralph Petta. “Tony’s vision and leadership skills combined with his industry knowledge and commitment to our association will be tremendous assets to the ELFA membership and the industry at large in the coming year.”

Cracchiolo is a 35-year veteran of the financial industry. In his current position, he leads and oversees all operations of US Bank Equipment Finance, which is composed of nine business units, delivering products and services through both direct and vendor channels. He was previously managing director of CitiCapital vendor finance for business technology.

An active participant in ELFA, Cracchiolo has served on the ELFA board of directors since 2010 and has been a member of its executive, personnel, nominating, investment and audit committees, as well as the captive and vendor finance business council steering committee. In 2015 he served as a trustee of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation.

“As our industry evolves, I am proud and encouraged that the ELFA continues to have such an influential role in the financial marketplace. Given the high degree of engagement of our members and the guidance and support of the ELFA staff and leadership team, I am truly honored to take on the role of chairman of the board,” said Cracchiolo. “I look forward to continuing the important work that is already underway, furthering the evolution of our association and rising to the challenges ahead.”

David Schaefer, founder and CEO of Orion First, is now ELFA chairman-elect. Other newly elected members of the ELFA board of directors include James Cress, vice president and general manager, Stryker Flex Financial Michael; Marjorie Krumholz, partner, Thompson Coburn LLP; Matthew LeSage, COO, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance; Brian Madison, president, Trinity Industries Leasing; and Robert Neagle, president, Merchant Finance, Ascentium Capital.