Meet Our Leadership
David Levy
Co-founder and CEO
David co-founded Utica Leaseco in 2005 and led the company to consistent growth and profitability by focusing on portfolio metrics and creating a disciplined approach to collateral lending and asset management. He is a recognized leader in the equipment finance industry, having completed hundreds of transactions totaling more than one billion dollars.
David has spent his entire career in the financial services industry, and his dedication to client service, coupled with his strong financial and asset management skills, is unmatched. Before founding Utica Leaseco, he served as Director of Mergers and Acquisitions for MNP Corporation and its affiliates. Previously, he led the appraisal and advisory businesses for Norman Levy Associates, a renowned family-owned international industrial auction and appraisal firm, for two decades. During his two-decade tenure at Norman Levy, he specialized in asset valuation and remarketing across a wide variety of industrial categories. He attended the University of Michigan and also received a Key Executive Program Certificate for study and completion from Harvard Business School in 1987.
Craig Stormer
Co-Founder, CFO
Craig co-founded Utica Leaseco in 2005 and presently serves as the Chief Financial Officer. He strategically manages and leads the financial affairs for Utica, while also co-managing the risk management responsibilities for the organization.
Prior to founding Utica Leaseco, Craig served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MNP Corporation, one of the automotive industry’s largest fastener suppliers, for almost 30 years. Previously, he served as a Director of Meridian National Corp. and EPI Technologies, Inc. Craig began his professional career as a C.P.A. with Price Waterhouse before joining Gulf and Western Corporation. Craig received his degree in business administration in 1976 from the University of Michigan.
Ryann Whitmore
General Counsel
Ryann serves as General Counsel for Utica Leaseco. She spearheads the legal function for the organization and leads all day-to-day legal matters pertaining to deal structuring, transaction closings, litigation and all strategic negotiations across the firm, including managing inside and outside counsel.
Ryann has over 14 years of experience in commercial asset-based lending and is a vital resource when it comes to handling due diligence for complex, multi-bank commercial financing transactions. She is also an expert when it comes to papering documents for and negotiating terms of asset-based financings secured by real estate, equipment & machinery, and current assets. Ryann is also experienced in negotiating inter-creditor and participation agreements. She earned her B.A. degree from the University of Michigan and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Renate LaCroix
President and In House Counsel
Renate serves as the most senior member of Utica Leaseco’s legal team. During her tenure with Utica Leaseco, she has advised on over 400 transactions and is responsible for shepherding customers through the legal aspects of the due diligence process.
She leads complex business transactions including working with secured creditors to procure subordination and payoff letters, communicating with property owners and negotiating access agreements, filing UCC financing statements and reviewing UCC search results. She earned her B.A. degree fom the Universirty of Michigan in Corporate Communications and graduated from the Thomas M. Cooley Law School.
Igor Zelidman
Asset Manager
A results-oriented manager with a strong background in the industrial auction and appraisal industry, Igor serves as Asset Manager for Utica Leaseco. He is responsible for determining accurate equipment values, monitoring the equipment markets for technology changes, disposing of returned equipment and overall equipment portfolio management.
His innovative problem-solving skills with a strong valuation background allow him to manage complex lease and loan transactions. Prior to joining Utica Leaseco, he held positions with AuctionReady and Maynards Industries.
Monika Stormer
Controller
Monika serves as Controller of Utica Leaseco. She leads the accounting operations function and enforces a documented system of accounting policies and procedures. In addition, she maintains a system of controls over equipment lien, insurance and title documentation.
She earned her B.S. degree in Marketing from Oakland University and an MBA from Walsh College.
Fred Taft
Asset Manager
Fred serves as a Lease Analyst for Utica Leaseco. He works closely with the Asset Manager and analyzes equipment appraisals, creates proposals, and performs background checks. In addition, he prepares credit and financial analyses for new and existing lease and loan transactions in accordance with the company’s loan, lease and risk management policies.
He earned his B.S. degree in Business Management from Western Michigan University.
Phone: (248) 710-2134
info@uticaleaseco.com