New senior appointment for US leasing’s Bob Rinaldi

Equipment leasing and finance veteran Bob Rinaldi has joined King Commercial Finance (KCF) as chief executive officer.

Founded in 1982, KCF provides equipment financing for companies of all sizes and specializes in implementing sales aid finance programs for manufacturers, vendors and distributors of capital equipment to the commercial and industrial sector.

Scott Hawkins, KCF’s president, said: “We are pleased to have Bob leading our vision and strategy. Recognized as an industry thought leader, he is known for his forward thinking and entrepreneurial energy.  We’ve spent the last two decades refining our operational processes, building market expertise, and strengthening our relationships with manufacturers and dealers. Combining our individual talents presents some exciting growth prospects.”

Rinaldi, formerly senior vice president at CSI Leasing, also headquartered in St. Louis, said he will be focused on KCF’s expansion plans in the commercial and industrial equipment financing sector and in sustainable energy initiatives predominantly in the “built space.”

“I am excited to partner with Scott and his outstanding team,” said Rinaldi.  “He has built a dynamic and well-established company – one with a solid customer base and an innovative culture with a great vibe. They are well positioned for growth.”

Before his nearly four-year engagement with CSI Leasing, Rinaldi served as executive vice president of the $8bn in assets bank-owned lessor, National City Commercial Capital (now PNC Equipment Finance), and president of National City Commercial Capital Canada, where he established the NC4 brand and the company’s reputation in Canada.

His experience includes developing new revenue streams – organically, by starting up new business divisions and inorganically, through acquisitions and international expansion.  Before NC4, Rinaldi and his partners founded Information Leasing Corporation (ILC) in 1984, which they subsequently sold to Provident Bank of Cincinnati, later acquired by National City Bank.

Rinaldi is chairman elect of the board of directors of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA), the industry’s American trade association in Washington, D.C., and an active member of the Research Committee of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation.       

He has served also as chairman of LeasePAC, the industry’s political action committee, and as a trustee of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation. In 2010, Rinaldi launched the website, LeasingAvenues.com, to provide video interviews with leasing pioneers and innovators, and he is a frequent contributor to leasing industry media and forums on topics of entrepreneurism and asset finance.

King Commercial Finance is a privately owned company and member of the ELFA.