In this week’s episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I sit down with Brett Davis, CEO of the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA). Brett brings a wealth of experience, from practicing law to nearly three decades in equipment finance leadership at CNH Industrial.

We talk about his global career journey—including time spent in Brazil, Argentina, and Europe—how he transitioned from legal roles to executive leadership, and what he’s focused on now with NAEDA. Brett shares insightful stories about international markets, growing within a captive finance environment, and how the equipment dealer landscape is evolving today.

📌 Topics Covered:

From law school to global finance leadership

Captive finance and CNH Industrial career milestones

International perspectives on equipment finance

The mission and impact of NAEDA

Advice for those navigating transitions in the industry

Tune in to hear Brett’s remarkable journey and what lies ahead for equip

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In this week’s Fireside Chat, Jesse Johnson sits down with Miguel Fernandez, Co-Founder and CEO of Capchase. Miguel shares his journey from management consulting to leading one of the most innovative fintech platforms in the equipment and SaaS financing space.

They dive into the founding story of Capchase, its evolution from serving SaaS providers to broader equipment financing, and how they’ve tackled point-of-sale friction by offering flexible payment options for buyers while allowing vendors to collect upfront contract value.

📌 Topics Covered:

Miguel’s career journey and entrepreneurial pivot

The core problem Capchase set out to solve

Expansion from software to equipment financing

International growth and market trends

The future of financing in a bundled hardware-software world

Subscribe for more conversations with industry leaders in equipment finance, tech, and innovation.

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This week on Fireside Chats with Jesse, I sit down with Michael Kianmahd, CEO of Maxim Commercial Capital. We explore Michael’s unique path from J.P. Morgan to the world of equipment finance, and how joining a family business transformed his career. Michael shares his perspective on supporting non-prime borrowers, building trust-based partnerships, and growing Maxim into a meaningful force in the market.

We also dive into:

The origin story of Maxim and its mission

Lessons learned from banking and entrepreneurship

What sets Maxim’s culture and approach apart

How family values and leadership intersect in finance

Whether you're in equipment finance, business leadership, or just love a good entrepreneurial journey—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

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Fireside Chat with Bob Cohen | Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP

In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I’m joined by Bob Cohen, Partner at Moritt Hock & Hamroff LLP, for a conversation that highlights the human side of legal practice in the equipment finance industry—and the value of consistency, credibility, and good humor.

Bob shares:

His journey from early legal work to becoming a recognized leader in equipment finance law

What’s changed—and what hasn’t—when it comes to client needs, compliance, and expectations

Why industry relationships and being authentic still matter most in a complex, evolving market

Stories from decades of industry events, and why a Sharpie is always in his pocket

Whether you're in credit, leadership, or legal, Bob offers perspective on longevity, trust, and the business value of showing up as yourself.

#EquipmentFinance #LegalLeadership #ConsultDisrupt #BobCohen #MorittHockHamroff #FiresideChatsWithJesse

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Fireside Chat with Aaron Massie | General Counsel at Beacon Funding

In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I’m joined by Aaron Massie, General Counsel at Beacon Funding, for a conversation that explores the unique legal and operational dynamics of the equipment finance industry from the perspective of in-house counsel.

Aaron shares:

His journey from government and private legal practice to the world of equipment finance

What drew him to Beacon Funding and why legal work in this space is both challenging and rewarding

Key legal considerations lenders face and how he supports the business side in navigating risk

His philosophy on internal partnerships, compliance, and balancing legal oversight with commercial enablement

Whether you're in operations, credit, or management, Aaron provides insight into how strong legal guidance helps drive better business outcomes in a fast-paced, regulated environment.

#EquipmentFinance #LegalLeadership #ConsultDisrupt #AaronMassie #BeaconFunding #FiresideChatsWithJesse

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Fireside Chat with Ken Walters | Managing Director at Apple Bank Equipment Finance

In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I’m joined by Ken Walters, Managing Director and Group Head of Apple Bank Equipment Finance, for a conversation that spans four decades of leadership, experience, and transformation in the equipment finance industry.

Ken reflects on:

His 40-year journey through banking and equipment finance

Leadership lessons from building and scaling high-performing teams

How Apple Bank is positioning itself in today’s evolving financial landscape

The enduring importance of relationships, adaptability, and long-term thinking in the industry

This conversation offers timeless perspective from a seasoned executive who has not only witnessed the evolution of the space but continues to actively shape its future.

#EquipmentFinance #Leadership #ConsultDisrupt #KenWalters #AppleBank #FiresideChatsWithJesse

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In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I sit down with Patrick Rohn, Regional Sales Manager for the Healthcare Team at Peak Solutions, to explore his journey in equipment finance, his sales philosophy, and how he's leveraged content creation to build his professional brand.

Patrick brings an energetic and candid perspective to the conversation as we cover:

His start in the industry through vendor acquisition and how persistence shaped his early success

The importance of reliability, integrity, and consistency in sales

How creating content and sharing his journey on LinkedIn transformed his visibility and relationships

His thoughts on handling adversity, staying competitive, and serving partners with transparency

The personal rewards of coaching youth hockey and applying life lessons from sports to his professional growth

This episode is packed with practical insights for sales professionals, content creators, and anyone striving to build meaningful, long-term business relationships.

#EquipmentFinance #SalesLeadership #ConsultDisrupt #PatrickRohn #PeakSolutions #FiresideChatsWithJesse

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Fireside Chat with Dan Corazzi | CEO of Solifi

In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I’m joined by Dan Corazzi, CEO of Solifi, to discuss his career journey and fresh perspective just four months into his leadership role. With a background that spans over 35 years in business and technology—including senior leadership at Xerox and as CEO of a SaaS company in the procurement and supply chain space—Dan brings a customer-centric and commercially-driven approach to the evolving landscape of secured finance.

We explore:

Dan’s leadership philosophy and the formative years that shaped it

His transition into equipment finance and what excites him about Solifi’s future

Lessons learned from leading SaaS businesses and driving transformation

How customer focus and execution are guiding principles in his current role

This conversation offers valuable insight into leading with clarity, scaling through complexity, and staying anchored in customer success.

Subscribe to the channel for more in-depth conversations with executives shaping the future of equipment finance.

#EquipmentFinance #Leadership #ConsultDisrupt #DanCorazzi #Solifi #FiresideChatsWithJesse

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In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I reconnect with Don Hansen, CEO of Regents Capital Corporation, for a follow-up conversation four years after his original appearance. As one of the earliest guests on the show, Don returns to share the latest on Regents' growth, market strategy, and the evolving role of leadership in a competitive equipment finance landscape.

We discuss:

Regents Capital’s trajectory over the past few years

Shifts in client needs and how the company has adapted

Don’s reflections on building culture, leadership resilience, and staying focused through change

Insights into the broader equipment finance market and where he sees it heading

Don offers valuable perspective not just as an executive, but as someone who continues to innovate and lead with clarity in a fast-moving space.

Subscribe for more in-depth conversations with key leaders across the equipment finance industry.

#EquipmentFinance #Leadership #ConsultDisrupt #DonHansen #RegentsCapital #FiresideChatsWithJesse

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Fireside Chat with Anne Dalgaard | CEO of Ambit Financial

In this episode of Fireside Chats with Jesse, I sit down with Anne Dalgaard, newly appointed CEO of Ambit Financial, to explore her transition from public accounting and executive leadership into launching her own consulting venture. A longtime contributor to the equipment finance industry, Anne brings a wealth of experience supporting small and mid-ticket lessors through compliance, regulatory insight, and operational strategy.

In our conversation, we cover:

Anne’s 16-year background in public accounting and how it shaped her industry perspective

Her leadership role at Dynamic and the evolution of her career

The vision behind Ambit Financial and what sets it apart in the consulting landscape

Advice for those considering a similar entrepreneurial leap in equipment finance

Anne’s thoughtful approach to client service and compliance makes this a valuable conversation for anyone navigating change or considering new ventures in the finance space.

Subscribe to the channel for more interviews with professionals who are shaping the future of equipment finance.

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