Founders
The founders of QuickFi previously built and exited one of the most successful commercial finance businesses in the U.S.
QuickFi is changing the $1 trillion Dollar per year U.S. business equipment financing market, by instilling trust and transparency into every loan. The founders realized the opportunity to imagine and build a new, borrower self-service lending platform to better serve creditworthy corporate borrowers using the latest technology to dramatically improve the borrower experience.
Bill Verhelle | Chief Executive Officer
Bill founded First American Equipment Finance, Harvard Partners, LLC and Innovation Finance USA LLC.
In 20 years as CEO of First American, the company received numerous awards, including being recognized eight times on the prestigious Inc 500/5000 listing, being recognized by Fortune Magazine in 2012 as one of the twenty best workplaces in financial services in the US, and being recognized repeatedly by the Best Companies Group as the best place to work in New York State (#1 in 2012).
Bill earned a BA from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and a Doctor of Laws (JD) from Cornell Law School and is a member of the New York Bar Association. Bill is past Chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) in Washington, D.C. and past Chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation.
Bill Verhelle | Chief Executive Officer
As founder of First American Equipment Finance and Harvard Partners, LLC, Bill is an entrepreneur and industry thought leader. In 20 years as CEO of First American, the company received numerous awards, including being recognized eight times on the prestigious Inc 500/5000 listing, being recognized by Fortune Magazine in 2012 as one of the twenty best workplaces in financial services in the US, and being recognized repeatedly by the Best Companies Group as the best place to work in New York State (#1 in 2012).
Bill earned a BA from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, an MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA and a Doctor of Laws (JD) from Cornell Law School and is a member of the New York Bar Association. Bill is past Chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association (ELFA) in Washington, D.C. and past Chairman of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Foundation.
Chief Executive Officer
Mark Tomaselli | President
As President and CTO of Innovation Finance, Mark is responsible for all aspects of product development, QuickFi Platform strategy, and QuickFi mobile app engineering.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Mark served as CIO at First American Equipment Finance (RBC’s US equipment finance business) where he guided the company's technology vision, strategy and execution. Mark has also held senior management positions with Fortune 500 companies, including Sun Microsystems and Frontier Communications.
Mark’s insights are sought in both finance and technology. He frequently presents on fintech topics and was recognized by industry peers as an “Industry Icon” in disruption. Mark holds a BS in Information Technology as well as several patents for commercial lending technology solutions.
Mark Tomaselli | President
As President and CTO of Innovation Finance, Mark is responsible for all aspects of product development, QuickFi Platform strategy, and QuickFi mobile app engineering.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Mark served as CIO at First American Equipment Finance (RBC’s US equipment finance business) where he guided the company's technology vision, strategy and execution. Mark has also held senior management positions with Fortune 500 companies, including Sun Microsystems and Frontier Communications.
Mark’s insights are sought in both finance and technology. He frequently presents on fintech topics and was recognized by industry peers as an “Industry Icon” in disruption. Mark holds a BS in Information Technology as well as several patents for commercial lending technology solutions.
President
Mike Ziegelmann | Chief Financial Officer
Mike Ziegelmann | Chief Financial Officer
Mike served as CFO of First American Equipment Finance from 2001 until 2008, when he became First American’s Chief Credit Officer. Mike served as Chief Credit Officer of First American until 2018, when he joined Innovation Finance.
As Frist American’s Chief Credit Officer, Mike developed and implemented the company’s highly successful credit policies, resulting in company-wide, cumulative net charge offs of less than 1% over nearly a full decade. Mike continued to serve as Chief Credit Officer and directed and managed the firm’s transition into the bank credit underwriting system, following First American’s acquisition by City National Bank / Royal Bank of Canada in 2012. Mike also received First American’s Chairman’s Award in 2014, the Company’s highest honor.
As CFO of Innovation Finance, Mike sets financial and credit strategy and builds the relationships and processes needed for sound, scalable lending practices. Mike started his career in 1992 in public accounting and worked at Rehmann, a top regional firm. A key member of Innovation Finance leadership, Mike is a member of the AICPA, and is actively involved in the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association, including previously serving on the ELFA Accounting Committee and on the ELFA CFO Roundtable.
Chief Financial Officer
Nate Gibbons | Chief Experience Officer
Nate Gibbons | Chief Experience Officer
Chief Experience Officer
Courtney Dioguardi | Senior Vice President
Courtney Dioguardi is a Senior Vice President at Innovation Finance USA LLC where she is responsible for partner engagements.
After graduating from St. John Fisher College, Courtney began her career at First American Equipment Finance in the credit and operations department in 2005. Courtney went on to serve in various operations and innovation leadership roles at First American for 15 years. Courtney is a recipient of First American’s Chairman’s Award, the Company’s highest honor.
Courtney is a Certified Lease and Finance Professional and previously served on the CLFP Board of Directors.
Courtney Dioguardi | Senior Vice President
Courtney Dioguardi is a Senior Vice President at Innovation Finance USA LLC where she is responsible for partner engagements.
After graduating from St. John Fisher College, Courtney began her career at First American Equipment Finance in the credit and operations department in 2005. Courtney went on to serve in various operations and innovation leadership roles at First American for 15 years. Courtney is a recipient of First American’s Chairman’s Award, the Company’s highest honor.
Courtney is a Certified Lease and Finance Professional and previously served on the CLFP Board of Directors.
Senior Vice President
Mendel Guillaume | Senior Vice President Engineering
Mendel has over 18 years of experience architecting and implementing software applications. In his role at Innovation Finance, Mendel leads a team of highly motivated and talented individuals who build and deliver robust, scalable services and experiences.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Mendel founded Sentient Grey, a Salesforce consulting and development firm.
Mendel holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, a BA in Mathematics and a BS in Computer Science from Brooklyn College.
Mendel Guillaume | Senior Vice President, Engineering
Mendel has over 18 years of experience architecting and implementing software applications. In his role at Innovation Finance, Mendel leads a team of highly motivated and talented individuals who build and deliver robust, scalable services and experiences.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Mendel founded Sentient Grey, a Salesforce consulting and development firm.
Mendel holds a Master’s degree in Information Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology, a BA in Mathematics and a BS in Computer Science from Brooklyn College.
Senior Vice President, Engineering
Zack Miller | Senior Vice President, Operations
As SVP of Operations at Innovation Finance USA LLC, Zack oversees transaction processing and workflow strategy. His priority is to provide customers and partners with a unique, fast and seamless financing experience through the use of technology and automation.
Zack has extensive experience with lease/loan documentation and transaction requirements, regulatory compliance requirements, syndications and customer service from almost a decade of service at First American Equipment Finance (RBC’s US equipment finance business). During his tenure at First American, Zack served some of its most sophisticated clients, served as an operations officer leading two industry focused teams, and was a recipient of First American’s Operations Person of the Year Award.
Zack is a graduate of St. John Fisher College and is a Certified Lease and Finance Professional. He resides in western New York with his wife, Kate, son, Mason, and daughter, Sophie.
Zack Miller | SVP Operations
As SVP of Operations at Innovation Finance USA LLC, Zack oversees transaction processing and workflow strategy. His priority is to provide customers and partners with a unique, fast and seamless financing experience through the use of technology and automation.
Zack has extensive experience with lease/loan documentation and transaction requirements, regulatory compliance requirements, syndications and customer service from almost a decade of service at First American Equipment Finance (RBC’s US equipment finance business). During his tenure at First American, Zack served some of its most sophisticated clients, served as an operations officer leading two industry focused teams, and was a recipient of First American’s Operations Person of the Year Award.
Zack is a graduate of St. John Fisher College and is a Certified Lease and Finance Professional. He resides in western New York with his wife, Kate, son, Mason, and daughter, Sophie.
Senior Vice President, Operations
Jillian Munson | Vice President, Process and Automation
As Vice President of Process and Automation, Jillian leads core technology initiatives at QuickFi. She analyzes internal and customer-facing business processes to determine how automation can transform traditionally manual workflows into automated, digitized experiences.
Jillian Munson | Vice President, Process and Automation
As Vice President of Process and Automation, Jillian leads core technology initiatives at QuickFi. She analyzes internal and customer-facing business processes to determine how automation can transform traditionally manual workflows into automated, digitized experiences.
Vice President, Process and Automation
Joe Vu | Senior Vice President, Marketing
As Senior Vice President of Marketing, Joe plans and implements the go-to-market strategy for the QuickFi brand. Utilizing marketing technology and creativity, Joe brings nearly 10 years of experience to build out unique, engaging customer journeys.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Joe was heavily involved with the digital transformation strategy at a global dental manufacturer.
Joe Vu | SVP Marketing
As Senior Vice President of Marketing, Joe plans and implements the go-to-market strategy for the QuickFi brand.. Utilizing marketing technology and creativity, Joe brings nearly 10 years of experience to build out unique, engaging customer journeys.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Joe was heavily involved with the digital transformation strategy at a global dental manufacturer.
Senior Vice President, Marketing
Ben Staffan | Lead iOS Developer
As Lead iOS Developer, Ben helped design, code, and publish QuickFi to both iOS and Android app stores. Ben is committed to driving development through user testing and implementing customer feedback. In doing so, he focuses on streamlining user experience and app security.
Ben earned his degree in Computer Science from SUNY University at Buffalo.
Ben Staffan | Lead iOS Developer
As Innovation Finance’s Lead iOS Developer, Ben helps continuously design and push the development of the QuickFi mobile app by intelligently and systematically implementing customer feedback. Ben is laser-focused on streamlining the user experience and maintaining application security. Ben earned his degree in Computer Science from SUNY University at Buffalo.
Lead iOS Developer
Manu Suresh | UX Engineer
As our UX Engineer, Manu is responsible for the design and development of QuickFi on the android platform. His prior experience includes UX design, java and android development to web design and development.
He holds a Master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore, India.
Manu Suresh | UX Engineer
As our UX Engineer, Manu is responsible for the design and development of QuickFi on the android platform. His prior experience includes UX design, java and android development to web design and development.
He holds a Master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction from Rochester Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from New Horizon College of Engineering, Bangalore, India.
UX Engineer
Andre Latour | Partner Program Manager
As a Partner Program Manager, Andre leverages sales technology to recruit and obtains strategic partnerships with OEMs and technology manufacturing companies to enable digital innovation in lending.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Andre was a NCAA Division I Collegiate Swimming & Diving Coach for Oakland University. During his time, his integral success led him and his team to 22 consecutive conference championships and numerous NCAA All American’s.
Andre earned his bachelor’s degree and a master’s in communications and minored in business from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He resides in Rochester Hills Mi with his girlfriend and his golden retriever Zeus!
View Andre’s Linkedln profile here.
Andre Latour | Partner Program Manager
As a Partner Program Manager, Andre leverages sales technology to recruit and obtains strategic partnerships with OEMs and technology manufacturing companies to enable digital innovation in lending.
Prior to joining Innovation Finance, Andre was a NCAA Division I Collegiate Swimming & Diving Coach for Oakland University. During his time, his integral success led him and his team to 22 consecutive conference championships and numerous NCAA All American’s.
Andre earned his bachelor’s degree and a master’s in communications and minored in business from Oakland University in Rochester Hills, Michigan. He resides in Rochester Hills Mi with his girlfriend and his golden retriever Zeus!
View Andre’s Linkedln profile here.
Partner Program Manager
Clark Masterson | Partner Program Manager
Clark Masterson | Partner Program Manager
Partner Program Manager
Jennifer Zimmerman | Senior Strategic Partnership Manager
As a Senior Strategic Partnership Manager at QuickFi, Jennifer specializes in forging and nurturing high-impact partnerships that drive growth and innovation. Her expertise lies at the intersection of strategy, negotiation, and relationship management, enabling her to create and sustain alliances that deliver exceptional value and results.
Jennifer Zimmerman | Senior Strategic Partnership Manager
As a Senior Strategic Partnership Manager at QuickFi, Jennifer specializes in forging and nurturing high-impact partnerships that drive growth and innovation. Her expertise lies at the intersection of strategy, negotiation, and relationship management, enabling her to create and sustain alliances that deliver exceptional value and results.
Senior Strategic Partnership Manager