Milestones and Momentum: Reflecting on 2023
And just like that, 2024 is here. It’s hard to believe that Oakmont Capital Service’s momentous year of milestones and memories has ended. Although the OCS family would have liked to press pause at 11:59 pm on December 31, there’s no time to linger when you’re in the fast-paced and ever-evolving equipment finance industry.
That doesn’t mean, however, that OCS customers, prospects, partners, colleagues, and our local communities can’t help us reflect on last year’s achievements. So, here it is – a litany of accomplishments the entire organization is proud to list off. Much like an iceberg, this article only scratches the surface of positive happenings in 2023 at Oakmont Capital Services, but we’ll do our best to summarize an amazing 25 years in business!
The dream team that made it possible for OCS customers and partners in 2023.
And the Winner Is…
Our team was presented with four prestigious accolades last year. The awards included:
- Inc. 5000’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies (#1622)
- The Monitor Daily’s Top 100 Equipment Finance Companies (#78)
- The Monitor Daily’s Top 50 Bank-Affiliated Companies
- The Equipment Leasing & Finance Association’s (ELFA) Operations & Technology Excellence Award
To receive industry recognition and outside commendations is an honor and both the leadership and staff at Oakmont Capital Services were humbled by the recognition.
Jeff Bilbrey of Leasepath, Scott Nelson of Tamarack, and Bill Schmidt & Daryn Lecy of OCS at the Operations and Technology Conference in New Orleans received the prestigious Technology Excellence Award.
Networking is a (Non-Offensive) Four-Lettered Word: NEFA, ELFA, and CLFP
The equipment finance industry is a tight-knit community. This is one of the many reasons why we enjoy attending events hosted by organizations like the National Equipment Finance Association (NEFA), the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association (ELFA), and the Certified Lease and Finance Professional (CLFP) Foundation. You always see a familiar face when you walk into a conference or attend events like the ones listed below…no matter where they are held across the US of A!
NEFA
Pictured (Left to Right): Joe Leonard, Mikki Henkelman, and Kayla Perlinger at the 2023 NEFA Finance Summit; Daryn Lecy at the Lake Minnetonka Fishing Event; Bill Chandlee and Keara Piekanski at the Annual NEFA Crab Feast in Baltimore, MD.
ELFA
Oakmont Capital Services attended ELFA, or Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, events throughout 2023, including the ELFA Women’s Leadership Forum in Chicago, the ELFA Operations and Technology Conference in New Orleans, and the ELFA 34th Annual Funding Conference in Chicago.
CLFP
Oakmont Capital Services hosted a CLFP, or Certified Lease and Finance Professional, event on August 24th, which was CLFP Day. It was hosted in Albany, MN, and attended by other equipment finance companies, professionals, and CLFPs.
Brand New Brick and Mortar
In five years, Oakmont Capital Service’s Albany, Minnesota branch has had not one, not two, but three offices. The reason? An exceptional cause: exponential growth. Under the helm of Daryn Lecy, MBA, CLFP, and COO/VP, the North Star State’s current home is more than just brick and mortar. It was groundbreaking (literally!). Completed in 2023 and with over 10,000 square feet, this state-of-the-art facility has more than enough space for the forty-plus employees who call it home. From an acorn to a mighty Oak, our Minnesota branch has blossomed.
In 2023, Oakmont Capital Services’ branch in Albany, Minnesota moved into their brand-new, 10,000 sq. ft building. The building is adjacent to the Lake Wobegon Trail.
Perfecting our Mission, Vision, and Values
Equipment finance and growth capital loans for business owners. This is what Oakmont Capital Services does – but why do we do it? What gets our team out of bed every day? The answers lie in our mission, vision, and values.
(Trade) Showstoppers
The number twenty-five was significant in 2023. It’s the number of years we’ve been in business and the number of tradeshows our business development team attended. East Coast, West Coast, and everywhere in between. This is how we reinforce our vendor/dealer relationships, which inevitably contributes to our goal of supporting small business owners in all fifty states.
These are just a handful of the twenty-five tradeshows OCS attended in 2023, including the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), Work Truck Week (WTW), American Rental Association Show (ARA), TCIA, and ArborExpo.
Wellness = Excellence
Kudos go out to Broker Services Specialist and CLFP, Jacki Thielen, and Finance Coordinator and CLFP, Maggie Terres, for establishing Oakmont’s first Wellness Committee. And thank you to the other staff volunteers who help us “keep it healthy!”
Jacki Thielen and Maggie Terres from the Minnesota branch co-founded and chair OCS’ NEW Wellness Committee, which focuses on the health and well-being of Oakmont’s most valuable assets: its employees.
A Growing Team
OCS is truly a family, and each person in our family is essential to the success of the company. Accounting, Credit, Customer Service, Collections, Sales, and Operations each welcomed new team members last year, and now, it’s time to say welcome once more to:
Building the Best Leaders
What do Jodie Schimek, Trista Stangler, Sara Birr, Tatum Noreen, and Tracy Schneider all have in common? They were promoted in 2023 for their hard work, leadership abilities, and passion for the industry.
Five Years and Counting in Albany, Minnesota
On June 4th, 2018, OCS’ Albany branch was born. To commemorate their 5th Anniversary, Joe Leonard, CLFP and Founder/CEO/President, and Megan Zoba, Founder and VP of Documentation and Funding, flew to Minnesota.
Joe Leonard, President/CEO, and Megan Zoba, VP of Documentation & Funding flew North to celebrate Albany’s 5th anniversary under the helm of Daryn Lecy, Vice President/COO.
OCS: Twenty-Five Years of Making it Possible
In 1998, Joe Leonard met Megan Zoba. They both had a mission to make their mark in equipment finance. So, they teamed up for mission possible, which, over the last twenty-five years has evolved into an ever-expanding vision. Their origin story is reminiscent of the American dream, which requires discipline, diligence, and fiscal wisdom. Not to mention, it is often a long and winding road to success. Their worthwhile journey is one that you too can traverse through the timeline below.
The Next Chapter: 2024…
There you have it! Although we only noted the highlights of 2023, the accomplishments would not have been possible without our dream team’s daily hustle. However, the next chapter is here, and the wise know it’s best not to linger on the past. As we continue to grow, our team of more than sixty industry experts will carry the lessons we learned and the camaraderie we’ve built into 2024.
We plan to further optimize operations, leverage the latest in technologies, continue to connect with our customers, delve deeper into partnerships, and more as we start the next twenty-five years of our odyssey. We Make It Possible…together!
WHY CHOOSE US?
Better Rates and Flexible Terms
Oakmont Capital shatters the big bank rates, making us the go-to funding source for a wide range of customers.
Over 20 Years of Experience
Work with our team of experts and grow your business. Speak with our Certified Lease & Finance Professionals today to learn more.
24 Hour Turnaround
Our streamlined application process delivers credit decisions within hours, not days, maximizing your time and experience.
