ELFA launches Equipment Finance Hall of Fame

The ELFA has established the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame, which each year will recognize individuals who have made unique, significant or lasting contributions to the equipment finance industry throughout their careers.

ELFA president and CEO William G. Sutton announced the new program and the inaugural class of 10 inductees at the 53rd ELFA Annual Convention in San Diego, California.

“We are excited to announce the creation of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame to honor remarkable individuals who have given so much to our industry and our association. Congratulations to all the inaugural inductees, whose influence is enduring and inspirational,” said Sutton.

The first ten people to be honoured in this way are:

• Abe Bernstein – Founder of Fidelity Leasing and industry mentor;
• Spencer Wiscomb Clawson (1915-1994) – Founding father and first president of ELFA and founder of Security Loan & Finance Company;
• Michael J. Fleming (1938-2014) – Industry icon, the face of leasing in Washington, D.C., and long-time leader of ELFA;
• John H. Giddens – Leading force in transitioning ELFA into a modern professional industry trade association;
• Adolf Sonny Monosson (1926-2003) – Pioneer of computer equipment leasing and founder of numerous leasing entities;
• Peter K. Nevitt (1927-2002) – Father of leveraged and synthetic leases and prolific industry author;
• Ken N. Pontikes (1940-1994) – Founder of Comdisco and a pioneer in independent IT leasing;
• James H. Possehl – Founder of Republic Financial and an independent middle market leasing visionary;
• Bob Stubbs – Founder of TriContinental Leasing and dedicated ELFA volunteer; and
• Thomas C. Wajnert – Leasing pioneer, multi-talented entrepreneur and founder of AT&T Credit Corporation.

To be considered for induction into the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame, a candidate must have made a significant impact on the equipment finance industry. This may be demonstrated through personal acts, the manifestation of an entrepreneurial spirit, support of ELFA and/or the ELFF, a substantial total body of work, positive contributions in industry advocacy, and/or a significant impact on the development of other industry participants.

The deadline to nominate an individual for the 2015 Class of the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame is April 1, 2015. The ELFA board of directors will make the final selection from the open nomination process. There is more information about the process and the first inductees on the Equipment Finance Hall of Fame website at www.elfaonline.org/hof/.