Richard Baccaro, executive vice president of Sales and Marketing for Ascentium Capital, stated: “We are honored that Ryan Linsky has joined Ascentium Capital. He is a proven professional with experience in originating, negotiating, and closing finance transactions within the QSR Industry. Ryan has a strong skill set combined with unparalleled industry knowledge. His client retention rates are among the best in the business. He will be instrumental in the growth and development of the Franchise Finance Group at Ascentium Capital as franchisors and franchisees embrace and utilize Ryan’s talents and Ascentium Capital’s resources.”

Linsky stated, “I’m excited to join up with Ascentium Capital. There are very few well capitalized national lenders that want to fund all types of capital requirements for Franchisees across many concepts.  Ascentium Capital has the lending capacity and desire to help borrowers execute their growth plans by providing a robust menu of products; including equipment and POS roll outs, signage and menu boards, new store development, acquisitions, refinancing and reimaging.”

Newsom has a 20-year background in Vehicle Wash and Retail Petroleum Equipment Financing Industry. The past 18 years, Curt has served as the President of Summit Funding Group Inc., where he developed and implemented many of the current car wash manufacturing equipment financing programs.

Richard Baccaro, EVP Sales and Marketing for Ascentium Capital, stated:  “Curt Newsom is an outstanding leader and great addition to our sales team. His knowledge of the Vehicle Wash and Retail Petroleum industries is a tremendous asset for our customers, manufacturers and distributors. Ascentium Capital is ready to provide the needed liquidity for Retail Petroleum and Vehicle Wash businesses across the United States. These industries will benefit from the entrance of a well-capitalized direct lender that knows their business.  Curt Newsom and Ascentium Capital are a great combination that will serve the industry well. “

Newsome said:  “It is a pleasure to be associated with Ascentium Capital and I am looking forward to building Ascentium Capital in the Vehicle Wash and Petroleum Equipment industries.”

Curt Newsome can be contacted at CurtNewsom@AscentiumCapital.com.

Ascentium Capital specializes in providing financial solutions to open new avenues for growth and profit for small businesses located nationwide. The company offers a wide variety of equipment loans and leases including financing for medical, computer, office, and other mission critical equipment.  The Ascentium Capital website is located at www.AscentiumCapital.com.

Ascentium Capital is backed by Vulcan Capital, the private investment group of Paul G. Allen, and a group of investors led by LKCM Capital Group, LLC (“LKCM”), the alternative investment vehicle for Luther King Capital Management.

For More Information Contact:

Christine Kimball
Press Liaison
281-348-2064
ChristineKimball@AscentiumCapital.com

KINGWOOD, TX, October 18, 2011 – Ascentium Capital LLC, Kingwood, Texas announced the merger of American Equipment Finance and the appointment of Richard A. Baccaro as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Baccaro will be responsible for managing the sales operations of Ascentium Capital. As Senior Vice President of Sales, Len Baccaro will be responsible for direct originations in the Petroleum, Convenience Store, Car Wash and Franchise Industries.

Richard A. Baccaro, co-founder and President of American Equipment Finance since 2002, has over 25 years of experience serving the equipment financing industry. In 1991, he co-founded Independent Capital Corp (ICC) with his brother Len. First Sierra Financial acquired ICC in 1998. Richard was the Executive Vice President at First Sierra prior to its acquisition by American Express and was responsible for the sales team and $1 Billion of annual originations. Len was Vice President of Sales in the New Jersey office for First Sierra until he co-founded American Equipment Finance in 2002. With more than two decades of industry expertise, Len is a trusted financing resource for countless sales organizations, spanning multiple vertical markets.

Tom Depping, CEO of Ascentium Capital, stated: “We look forward to working with Richard and Len as we reunite a winning sales team from First Sierra. Richard brings 25 years of sales management experience and the entrepreneurial spirit needed to build a top tier sales force and make Ascentium Capital a premier company in the small ticket market place.” According to Depping, “Len adds a solid knowledge and customer focus. I am happy to reconnect with these two talented individuals.”

Richard A. Baccaro noted: “Tom Depping has once again put in place some of the industry’s best minds to support a tremendous platform providing manufacturers, dealers and distributors with a war chest of capital to help their clients with cost effective and innovative financing solutions. This capital is provided by world-class private partners that will allow us to operate effectively as an unregulated entity. Ascentium Capital will be an engine for job creation and provide much needed liquidity to all types of businesses in America. All of us at AEF are honored to become part of Ascentium Capital LLC and we look forward to building Ascentium’s sales force.”

Richard and Len can be contacted at RichardBaccaro@AscentiumCapital.com and LenBaccaro@AscentiumCapital.com.

Ascentium Capital specializes in providing financial solutions to open new avenues for growth and profit for small businesses located nationwide. The company offers a wide variety of equipment loans and leases for capital expenditures across many industries nationwide. The Ascentium Capital website is located at www.AscentiumCapital.com.
Ascentium Capital is backed by Vulcan Capital, the private investment group of Paul G. Allen, and a group of investors led by LKCM Capital Group, LLC (“LKCM”), the alternative investment vehicle for Luther King Capital Management.
For More Information Contact:
Christine Kimball
Press Liaison
281-348-2064
ChristineKimball@AscentiumCapital.com

“We chose to work with AEF because of their reputation in the industry, their association with PEI, and their large menu of financing solutions, financial stability and backing, and commitment to customer service” said Dave Sarginson, President of Shields, Harper & Co. “Our client base is exploring different ways to pay for dispensers and POS equipment, and AEF fits that niche very well”.

Shields, Harper & Company, was founded in 1917 and is headquartered in Martinez, California (near San Francisco), They currently operate eight branches in three western states, are wholly employee-owned, and is a supplier of fueling equipment for the C-Store and petroleum industry.

“Paul has the vertical market and a proven tenure of industry expertise that AEF was searching for in an associate,” said Len Baccaro EVP. “This is an exciting time for me professionally, as I look forward to building the AEF Brand”, noted Hagner; a resident of Colorado.

AEF moved quickly and offered straight forward and aggressive financing that met our cash flow and facility update requirements. “ I’d recommend AEF to any Franchisee looking for responsiveness, professionalism and industry knowledge,” stated the CFO of the Franchisee.

“Richard’s 25 years of industry and sales expertise, and AEF’s brand and sales strategy, will be a tremendous partnership,” said Len Baccaro Executive Vice President of AEF. “Business has been robust for the past two quarters and we see this as the perfect opportunity to add to our “human capital” and continue the execution of our growth strategy for 2011.”

“We chose to work with American Equipment Finance because of their large variety of leasing solutions, financial stability and backing and commitment to customer service” says Alan Levine, VP of Business Development for Bennett Pump Company. “Our client base is exploring different ways to pay for the much needed dispensers and American Equipment Finance fits that niche very well”.

Bennett Pump Company is a global supplier of gasoline and diesel dispensers. The flagship Pacific dispenser is widely used in both the US and international markets. The Pacific uses fewer boards and fewer moving parts then competitive dispensers and offers a high degree of reliability and a lower cost of ownership.

As a member of the NGA, AEF has an understanding of the glass, window and door industries and the ability to assist your business as you seek to acquire new & used machinery, computers & software, trucks, and other items needed to grow your company.

NGA members qualify for a discount on the processing fee.

David Walker, vice president of association services for the NGA, said, “We are excited to offer American Equipment Finance’s services to NGA members. This is an NGA member company that understands the industry and will be able to assist industry businesses for years to come.”