CFA COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS

Secured Lender, The, Mar/Apr 2008

Chapter Focus Committee

John M. Depledge

John M. DePledge is senior vice president, team leader - ABL of TD Banknorth. He has been charged with establishing and growing the business in the organization's metro Philadelphia and New York markets. Prior to his work at TD Banknorth, he most recently worked for 11 years at LaSalle Business Credit (f/k/a Mellon Business Credit) in Philadelphia and New York and was instrumental in establishing their Los Angeles office. Earlier he was a senior account executive for People's Bank in Bridgeport, CT, a senior field examiner for Citytrust Bank (n/k/a JP Morgan Chase), also in Bridgeport and an assistant account executive for Associates Commercial Corporation in New York. DePledge also is a member of a number of professional organizations, most notably having served as president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Commercial Finance Association (CFA) in 2003 and 2004 and a member of CFA's Chapter Focus Committee since 2005.

DePledge believes that at the local chapters are the life blood of the CFA and as chairperson of the Chapter Focus Committee in 2008, he would like to continue to foster ideas and methods to focus on the health and development of local Chapters. This can be done through shared best practices, new membership initiatives, educational and special event programs, support from CFA National, amongst others.

Convention Program Committee

Michael Coiley

Michael Coiley co-manages the firm's debt fund, which focuses primarily on providing capital to small-cap and middle market companies primarily In the form of first- or second-lien loans. He has been in the finance industry for over 20 years and is currently on the Executive Committee of the Commercial Finance Association. He is actively involved in a number of CFA committees and isa past chairman of the Education Committee. He has been a speaker at different industry events and has authored several articles for industry publications. Coiley is also a founding member of the ACG-NJ chapter. Before joining Ram, Coiley was responsible for developing the de-novo asset-based lending business at Siemens Financial Services (SFS) and ultimately became a member of the SFS senior management team responsible at different times for their large ticket leasing business, their traditional and healthcare ABL units and their Commercial Equipment Finance Business. Coiley also has held a number of different management positions in First Union's ABL group.

The 2008 convention is being held in San Francisco and CFA's Convention Program Committee is comprised of a diverse group of members who will be focused on delivering a program that is both professionally rewarding and fun. Coiley notes that San Francisco is a great host city and really provides for some unique and exciting venues where you can interact with your fellow industry colleagues.

Spring Connections Committee

D. Michael Monk

D. Michael Monk has been a managing director and partner of Amerisouree Funding since 1998. He has over 17 years' experience in senior leadership roles covering virtually all aspects of the commercial finance field, including credit, underwriting, legal, compliance, operations management, portfolio risk management, business development, marketing and public relations. Monk has been a member of the Commercial Finance Association since 1994, has served on its National Board of Directors since 1999, and is actively involved at both the local and national level. At the local level, he serves on the Board of Directors of the Houston Chapter and was Chapter president from 2001-2003. At the national level, he has served as chairman of the Chapter Focus Committee since its inception in 2005. He also serves on numerous other committees, including Chapter Focus and Planning.

Monk graduated with Honors from The University of Texas at Austin with majors in Finance and Marketing and a minor in Astronomy. He also received his MBA from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992. Monk serves on a number of private boards of directors and is actively involved with numerous trade associations and charitable organizations.

Committee on Cooperation with Accountants - Robert A. Schnitzer

Robert A. Schnitzer, director-business development of the ABL Division of Sterling National Bank, New York, NY, has over 28 years' experience in asset-based lending. During his career, he not only specialized in asset-based lending, but also gained valuable experience in DIP financing, trade finance and factoring while at Security Pacific Business Credit and Chemical Bank. Schnitzer joined Sterling National Bank in May 2002 and is responsible for building business relationships to further grow Sterling's ABL unit and support the bank's initiative to expand nationally.

He is an active member of the Commercial Finance Association of New York and New Jersey Chapters, Commercial Finance League, Financement Club, Turnaround Management Association and the Risk Management Association.

As chairperson, Schnitzer wants to continue to maintain an open line of communication between lenders and accountants and provide opportunities to share information and experiences through networking and educational venues. He would like to provide thought-provoking programs that impact the asset-based lending industry on timely, current issues relevant to CFA's membership. Furthermore, these programs will be offered to CFA chapters and the national convention. The committee will also attempt to develop ties with the state society of CPA's local and/or regions to develop a mutually beneficial relationship.