John Seibel - President 

Prior to Forming AFG in November 2001, John served as Senior Vice President and Product Line Manager from 1998 through 2001 for Specialty Finance Group of US Bancorp Leasing (fka Firstar Equipment Finance, fka Cargill Leasing).   In this capacity, John had management responsibilities for $500 million in annual originations and a portfolio of 5,000 customers and $1 billion of leases and loans. 

Prior to this, John held various marketing and management positions within Cargill’s Financial Markets Group from 1990 to 1998.  John has personally exceeded all individual sales goals and records.  John continued that tradition as a manager in exceeding sales goals and records as a group. 

John is a graduate of the College of St. Thomas with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Marketing Management. 

Pat O'Brien - Chief Financial Officer 

Prior to being one of the co-founders of AFG in November 2001, Pat served as the Chief Credit Officer from 1997 through 2001 for Specialty Finance Group of US Bancorp Leasing (fka Firstar Equipment Finance, fka Cargill Leasing).  His responsibilities included developing policies and procedures for underwriting, credit scoring, documentation, funding, collection, bankruptcy litigation and repossession.  From 1995 to 1997, he served as an investment analyst for the group. 

From 1986 to 1995 Pat worked for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), a division of the Federal Treasury Department.  As a National Bank Examiner, he participated in more than 200 examinations to assess credit risk and evaluate management systems within national banks. 

 Pat is a graduate of the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management and Economics.  Pat is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and a member of the CFA Society of Minnesota. 

Mark Spease - Senior Vice President Sales 

Prior to being one of the co-founders of AFG in November 2001, Mark had been the top Regional Marketing Manager for the Specialty Finance Group of US Bancorp Leasing (fka Firstar Equipment Finance, fka Cargill Leasing).  He consistently exceeded personal sales goals and records for SFG during this time.  Prior to joining SFG, Mark served from 1986 to 1997 in various positions including New Truck Manager, Used Truck Manager, and Finance Manager for Boyer Ford Trucks, Inc. of  Minneapolis,  Minnesota.   Mark’s various roles over his 16 years of experience in the equipment finance industry brings a comprehensive perspective of the needs of our customers.   

Mark is a graduate of Minnesota State University of Mankato with Bachelor of Science Degrees in Finance and Real Estate & Insurance.

Jody Halvorson - Vice President Administration  

Jody has over 21 years of leasing experience. Prior to joining AFG, Jody held several Lease Operations Management positions at such companies as: Farm Credit Leasing, US Bancorp Equipment Finance, Firstar Equipment Finance, Cargill Leasing, Lend Lease, Liberty Capital Resources and Dart & Kraft Financial. Jody’s extensive knowledge of the documentation and funding requirements for all types of lease and loan transactions has been called on many times to help in the design and implementation of new operations systems. She has also trained and provided marketing support for several field Sales Managers, aiding them in exceeding all sales goals. Jody has been recognized many times by her customers for her dedicated service. That, along with her many years of experience, brings a comprehensive perspective to the many needs of our customers. 

Shelly Anderson - Controller - Vice President Accounting

Shelly has over 17 years experience in lease accounting, most recently as Sr. Business Group Financial Analyst for Farm Credit Leasing providing budgeting, forecasting, spread analysis, and financial analysis for portfolio purchases and sales. Previous to this, Shelly worked as a Sr. Corporate Tax Accountant at KPMG, and as a consultant for International Decision Systems assisting with conversions, new portfolio implementations, and GAAP and tax issues.

Leon Perkins - Vice President Workouts and Collections

Leon was a Senior Credit Analyst for SFG from 1992 to 2001.  He has been involved with commercial finance and leasing since 1971. Leon has held positions which include Sales Executive, Credit Analyst and Collections Manager.  Using his extensive experience in the industry, Leon has the knowledge to resolve all types of customer issues.

Doug Rountree - Regional Sales Manager - Nashville  

Doug has been working in the finance and leasing business since 1985, starting with Navistar Financial.  As a finance representative with Navistar Financial he worked in various capacities which included credit analysis and financial sales, working with transportation companies of all sizes.  In 1993 Doug left Navistar and went to work with Cargill Leasing as a finance and lease sales representative working with various companies located throughout the Tennessee, Kentucky, and Alabama region.  Doug has always upheld the highest standards of professionalism, meeting and exceeding his customer’s expectations.

Brian Lichter - Regional Sales Manager - Chicago

Brian served as Regional Sales Manager Central Region for Motor Coach Industries, from 1997 to 2004. Brian served as Regional Manager for Domestic Uniform Rental from 1993 to 1997.  His responsibilities included customer service for over 5,500 customers, management and training of 37 employees.  Brian served as Construction and Sales Manager for Our Home of America where he was a co-owner from 1989 to 1993.  Brian held various sales positions from 1987 to 1989 including being a Realtor and a truck sales person for a regional transportation vendor.  Using his extensive experience and high standard of professionalism, Brian has the skill and knowledge to handle any situation for our customers.

Steve Mantz - Regional Sales Manager - Kansas City

Steve has been working in the finance and leasing business since 1980, starting with Borg Warner Acceptance Corporation.  From Borg Warner, Steve moved to ITT Capital specializing in the transportation industry.  After nine years, Steve moved to Cargill Leasing Corporation, again focusing on transportation.  Steve has a long and extensive background in the transportation industry.

Ed Reese - Director, Portfolio Acquisitions - Arizona