Member Talk
"Initially, the course work and skills required to pass the exam did me a great service. In any industry, one tends to stick with what one knows and you can narrow in your skills and experience..." (read more)
Thursday
May 17, 2012
| Setting the Standard for Leasing & Finance Professionals the World Over |
Testimonials
Larry LaChance, CLP
Bankers Capital
Why I became a CLP. One Major Word: CREDIBILITY - Being the Best of the Best in the Leasing Industry. Similar to the CFP designation in the Financial Planning Industry. Many Financial Planners out there but very FEW "Certified" Financial Planners
Bruce Winter, CLP
FSG Leasing Inc
By earning the CLP designation, an individual demonstrates they have not only mastered a comprehensive knowledge base reflecting all aspects of the equipment leasing and financing industry but they also have proven they possess solid work and study habits necessary to pass the CLP exam. When I see the letters “CLP” on a business card, I see a person who was willing to undertake a challenge and accomplish a significant professional goal. Only those that have truly absorbed the many facets of our industry can reasonably expect to earn their certification. In my eyes, those individuals recognized as CLP’s have proven they have a comprehensive skill set that will undoubtedly serve them well throughout their career.
Paul R. Knowlton, CLP
Wells Fargo
"Initially, the course work and skills required to pass the exam did me a great service. In any industry, one tends to stick with what one knows and you can narrow in your skills and experience. Working toward the CLP designation required me to brush up on a variety of other leasing products and topics. This has served me well in assisting clients and coworkers with a broader base of knowledge. The CLP designation has allowed me to elevate my status with clients and bankers. I am frequently asked what the CLP stands for on my business card and it provides me with an excellent opportunity to explain the designation and the knowledge and experience required to attain it. It allows me to separate myself from competitors and the clients view my information with a higher degree of confidence. I have closed deals and relationships because of the expertise reflected by the CLP designation. Internally, within my bank, the designation has assisted me in forming the leasing division. The board of directors also as to what a CLP is and again the answer has helped create a confidence in me as the leasing group has grown. Within the industry, a CLP is well respected and the feeling is mutual when I meet another CLP. I have enjoyed the friendships and relationships I have made within the associations and the continuing education opportunities. A Certified Lease Professional has demonstrated a broad base of industry skills and experience and I am very proud of my CLP status."
Wendy L. Storino, CLP
BlueCross BlueShield of Florida
The funny thing is when I talk to lease sales reps that come in to sell me a lease program, they always get annoyed that I know more about leasing than they do…it’s great. Grading these tests helps me stay sharp on professional leasing.
David A Normandin CLP
ENvision Capital Group LLC
The CLP designation is our industry standard of excellence. I believe that this designation makes the statement that ENvision Capital Group is committed to being the best in class lessor within our industry. Additionally, the designation is a differentiating factor with our vendors and customers that distinguishes us from our competitors. Finally, the CLP network is full of the brightest minds in our industry and is an invaluable resource to help grow my business.
David T. Schaefer, CLP
Orion First Financial
I wanted to set myself apart from others early on in my career and obtaining my CLP certification certainly helped to distinguish myself within the lease and finance industry. When I founded Orion First Financial I wanted our management team to be well rounded, experienced and talented individuals committed to our industry. All but one of our senior managers is a CLP. Our junior managers also see the value of certification and some have already obtained their CLP certification. I expect that all of our managers will strive to achieve and become Certified Leasing Professionals once they are eligible.
Hal Horowitz, CLP
"When the CLP exam was first instituted by WAEL, I felt privileged to have been qualified to sit for the first battery of exams and was among the first eight CLP’s so designated. It feels like that was back in 1890, though I think it was actually 1980. I remember acing the selection on lease law and collections as I actually wrote that part of it. The following year, those of us who passed the exam were asked by WAEL to conduct workshops on various topics and to assist in re-writing the exam. Jeff Wong and I worked on the sections mentioned above." Back then I wore my CLP designation on my sleeve (at first figuratively, and then literally after Ken Goodman had cufflinks designed for us). I participated on the CLP committee and eventually made a contribution to the Leasing Professional’s Handbook (first addition, so I don't know if my chapter is still in the current edition). For years the designation meant little to any except those who either held it or those who desired it. It was very ego satisfying." Today there are many more than eight CLP’s, many of who include my old cronies and most of who are very active in the industry. I had hoped the designation would have come to mean something, but from the sound of your letter, I'm not sure it tests much more than one's ability to recall various facts, and many of those having less meaning and being less topical. Still, I wish you the best of luck in taking the exam. I believe that in order for some things to evolve, they require the assistance of those who have vision, and they are often the ones who can say, "This cow is not sacred. I can change it." As a CLP, you can help make the designation more meaningful. I believe that people who care about their profession should be as active in that profession as they can afford to be. As a recruiter working in the financial arena, designations make a difference. When I introduce a candidate with a designation, whether it's a CLP, a CPA, a CMA, a CFA, or any of several others that apply to their trade, I tell them to wear that badge proudly. So long as it has not been smeared, it is a major accomplishment, if for no other reason than to show that we can deal with the pressure of sitting through a tough exam long after we thought we'd taken our last."
John Rosenlund, CLP
Portfolio Financial Servicing Company
I am a firm believer in the CLP credential for all leasing and financing industry professionals. It distinguishes us as industry advocates and reinforces our vision of competency and ethics in this complex environment we are operating in. Personally, it lets other professionals know I am dedicated to my profession and they can feel comfortable they will be dealt with in a consistent, ethical and business-like manner. I have enjoyed teaching at the various CLP and industry sessions and consider it an honor to serve on the Board. It was definitely worth the agony of the exam! My advice to others: Step Up, If I can do this, so can you!
Spencer Richman, CLP
AFN Equipment Leasing & Financing Services
I use my CLP designation as a means of differentiating myself from the rest of my competition. I find that I can effectively use my CLP designation, along with my other professional association service and recognition, to show potential vendors and lessees that my company is something different. I explain to them that what it all means is that they can TRUST us to treat them (or their clients) professionally, honestly, and ethically. It means that we have competitive pricing, and thorough industry knowledge with which to serve them and their clients.
Theresa Kabot, CLP
Kabot Commercial Leasing
When I first entered the industry I understood CLP stood for knowledge, credibility and integrity - the characteristics I want for myself and my company. For the last 13 years the CLP designation has played a major role in our success in establishing relationships with banks and funding sources. Better business means doing business with a CLP.
Steve Reid, CLP
Nassau Asset Management
"What does the CLP designation mean to me...well, I was attending a local UAEL meeting a number of years ago, and there were several individuals from GE sharing my table. They mentioned that if they received the CLP designation that they would get a $1,000 bonus. I mentioned this to my boss, Paul Menzel, and he asked if I had planned on going to work for GE. I guess one could conclude that there is no money value to the CLP designation as I still work for Paul, so it must be something else. I have been in this industry for over 20 years and I consider myself a professional. To be a professional, one should have a good understanding and knowledge in all the phases of their chosen profession. This is the major benefit of the CLP designation. At the time I started studying for the CLP test, we did not have the formalized classes or the Leasing handbook. I collected articles and handouts that I had saved from prior association meetings and conferences. I even found parts of the “blue binder” that was the original study guide. This studying forced me to learn all the different aspects of our industry, such as accounting, collections, legalese, etc. I was forced to learn about the parts of the business that I had never cared about, or was concerned with, as it didn’t affect my job, or so I believed. What this forced studying did was provide me with an all-encompassing knowledge of our leasing industry. What does it mean today? It states that I have a good understanding and overview of our industry. Does it mean I am an expert in all phases of Leasing? No! As I have told people who have asked me difficult or challenging questions, “I only need to be correct 75% of the time to be a CLP”, but being right three out of four times puts me way ahead of the average leasing person. Would you recommend it to others? Yes! If you are calling yourself a “professional” and making your livelihood in leasing, you owe it to your business associates, your lessees, your vendors, your funders, and most of all to yourself and your family who depends on you for their well being. In summary that CLP designation is the self-satisfaction in knowing that I am a “Professional” in the leasing industry."
Jack Harvey, CLP
Enterprise Financial Solutions, Inc.
I wanted to obtain my CLP status for several reasons. First and foremost, I believe that to serve your customers well one must have superior product knowledge. I believe in customer relationships and one significant value that we can add to the customer relationship is knowledge to help our customers with their financial decisions. Also, the CLP status and the knowledge that it brings, gives me the confidence to talk to knowledgeable customers about their companies’ financial opportunities. Finally, it was a personal challenge and goal to be the best that I can be in my industry. I believe that EVERY broker in our industry should have the CLP Handbook in their library and a goal to be a CLP. Our industry would be a better place to work for all.
Kevin Clune, CLP
Clune & Company LC
We decided to make the CLP program the centerpoint of an employee continuing education and training program. While not specifically designed for that purpose it is a great way to train employees and expose them to all of the facets of the leasing and financing industry. Each of our employees had the option to participate or not. Whether or not they decided to sit for the test, all involved gained a broader and deeper knowledge of the industry as well as a higher level of confidence in their job skills.
Rosanne M Wilson, CLP
1st Independent Leasing, Inc
Carrying those 3 little letters (CLP) after my name on all my business cards and correspondence has given me a vote of confidence by my Vendors and Lessees. They have told me they feel a real sense of security knowing they are dealing with the best of the breed.
Chris Walker, CLP
GreatAmerica Leasing
When I moved into the broker business unit at GreatAmerica in 2005 I looked for ways to accomplish the goal of growing our broker business and learning first-hand what my broker customers needed to be more successful. The first thing I needed was a list of high quality brokers, those companies that had unique business niche and a reputation of high integrity that resulted lasting relationships with vendors and their customers. The two filters that stood out were the leasing associations and the CLP Foundation. I decided to concentrate my sales efforts on members of the UAEL (now NEFA) and NAELB who were also Certified Leasing Professionals. GreatAmerica Leasing joined both organizations and I studied for my CLP. I took my CLP exam at the UAEL Lake Tahoe conference in September 2005 and thanks to my preparation, and the help of several other CLPs at the review course, I passed. I have 30 years of leasing experience and having my CLP has helped differentiate me from others because it sets me apart as one who is willing to commit to a higher standard ethical practices.
Nancy A Geary, CPA, CLP
ECS Financial Services, Inc.
I believe the CLP designation gives ECS Financial Services, Inc. an additional level of credibility. While our CPA designation says we know accounting, the CLP designation tells clients and prospects that we also understand the leasing industry. Obtaining the CLP designation was a great start to establishing a reputation of expertise in the industry, which I believe is critical to the success of any service provider.
Donna Wesemann, CLP
Susquehanna Commercial Finance, Inc.
During a troubling time in our industry when “leasing” was experiencing some negative media and our industry was misunderstood, I felt it important for vendors and customers to know they were working with a qualified and credible expert. I was also looking for a way to take my career up to the next level and pursue job advancement. The President of our company at that time, Ken Collins, had suggested taking the CLP courses and exam. Studying and taking the exam has made me more confident and positive. It has had a major impact on my professional progress by having my level of expertise understood and recognized. During my many years in leasing and finance, my job responsibilities required the evaluation and decisions on choosing the right indirect business partners to develop a funding relationship with. Prospects that displayed the CLP designation, distinguished themselves as individuals and companies with a reputation of integrity, expertise and a higher standard of ethical practices. These were the individuals and companies that I choose to focus on and work with.
Cliff E. McKenzie, CLP
Financialogic, Inc.
Certified Leasing Professional (CLP) is the only title in the entire industry of finance that recognizes those few people who have strived to be the best in the leasing industry. As the head of FinanciaLogic, Inc. a company that sets atop 4 major credit arms/financial relationships, it is important that those major companies believe that they have hired the best person possible to lead their sales effort and be entrusted with the greatest asset - their customer base. The CLP provides that certification. In addition to FinanciaLogic, I also lead FinanciaLogic Consulting Services, Inc. This company provides expert review and testimony as to what is and what is not a lease. These services usually terminate with depositions and trial. As a CLP, the courts consider me an expert in my field. The question I would ask anyone in our industry that does not have the CLP is simple. In competition, will the prospect believe you have all the same talents as someone who has been certified?