As an SFNet Chapter leader, some of the most enjoyable times are spent working with the next generation.  Joe Accardi, Head of New Business Development at Peoples United Business Capital, and I did that earlier this fall at Temple University, where I have been an adjunct professor for the last 11 years. 

During the last two semesters, Joe has led discussions on asset-based lending (ABL) with graduating seniors.  Jeff Walsh and the team at SFNet prepared a slide presentation on the particulars of ABL and Joe also prepared a separate supplement.

While I assisted with the presentation, Joe was thoroughly engaging and captured the students’ attention and interest with his various stories regarding his experience, expertise and career in lending. 

Throughout my experience as an adjunct professor, it has become clear that students greatly  appreciate and enjoy engaging in active discussions with professionals in order to interact and understand what the “real world is like” beyond the theoretical learnings at college.  They want to know what they can expect in the banking industry and where the opportunities lie.

Joe was thoroughly engaging as he offered practical advice about interviewing and what one hopes to accomplish in the early stages of a career.  He let the students know he was available to meet and speak after class and asked that they keep in touch with him if he could be of further assistance with their careers.

Joe and I met with SFNet Chapter leaders in New York at the SFNet Annual Convention and recently sent this follow-up email:

Hello, Chapter Presidents!

I wanted to follow up from our meeting in NYC at the convention SFNet Chapter Presidents meeting, where I had the pleasure of meeting many of you. For those of you who were unable to attend, Rob Katz and I talked about a presentation on ABL that was made in September at Temple University in Philadelphia…we discussed the basics of ABL and career paths in the industry… the students found it enjoyable and worthwhile.

I wanted to reach out and again mention that if any local SFNet Chapters are so inclined to do something like this at a nearby university, Rob and I both encourage it. We are very available to discuss how to make a contact at a particular school, and what our presentation was like. Even if you’re only moderately interested, please feel free to reach out to either Rob or me, or both, for some discussion!    Thanks,   Joe

There is a great deal of excitement throughout SFNet and the Secured Finance Foundation and tremendous opportunities to participate in Chapter leadership activities, including engaging with local universities.  I know a number of chapters have started the process. 

Most universities would welcome the opportunity to engage Chapter members on campus.  Most of us remember welcoming the chance to meet with professionals who could offer advice, insight or, even better, accept our resume for a possible job opportunity.  It is a great deal of fun and exceptionally rewarding.

If you are interested in learning more about these opportunities, please let us know if we can help in anyway. We can be reached at: joseph.accardi@peoples.com and robert.katz@eisneramper.com.

Happy and healthy new year and hope to see many of you in Las Vegas at the Asset Based Capital Conference.

Editor’s Note: To support the work of the Secured Finance Foundation, please click here.