ELFA announces distinguished service award

The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) has selected Ray James, senior consultant for Ivory Consulting Corporation, to receive its 2016 Michael J. Fleming Distinguished Service Award honoring individuals who have made significant contributions to the association and the equipment finance industry.

In its citation, ELFA said James has been a major contributor to the association’s research and data collection efforts for 25 years. He has served as an active member of the ELFA research committee since 1991, becoming chair in 2012.

During this time, James has played a critical role in helping the association collect and report industry trend data and performance metrics, particularly through the Monthly Leasing & Finance Index and the annual Survey of Equipment Finance Activity (SEFA).

James has served as senior consultant for Ivory Consulting Corporation since 2006. After a range of positions in the financial services sector, from 1989 to 1999 James served as vice president at Senstar Capital Corporation, a private leasing firm. The company was sold to John Deere Financial in 1999, where James went on to hold a range of senior level roles before retiring in 2005.

ELFA president and CEO Ralph Petta said: “Over the past quarter century, Ray has played a leadership role in helping ELFA to develop world-class research offerings that deliver essential insights and highlight the value of our $1 trillion industry to the US economy. I personally have had the pleasure to get to know Ray over the years. A gentleman and committed volunteer, there is no finer ambassador to the industry and ELFA.”

“It is truly an honor to receive this award,” said James. “ELFA has been my constant source of industry knowledge through their broad offerings of training, subject specific conferences, analysis—like the SEFA—and a great chance to interact with the best folks in the industry.”