State Enforcement Coming for Ya!

By Sloan Schickler, Esq.

The Federal Trade Commission’s (“FTC”) extensive Combating Auto Retail Scams Trade Regulation Rule (“Cars Rule”) was effectively extinguished by the Fifth Circuit in January 2025 when it ruled the FTC had not followed proper procedure to enact the Rule. That was the FTC’s major attempt to combat bait and switch, junk fees and deceptive practices by forcing dealers to disclose pricing upfront. As a result, it was clear that the states would have to take up the cudgels of enforcement while the federal government’s enforcement abilities have been placed on the back burner. 

Thus, it was no surprise that California adopted the California Automotive Retail Sale Act (CARS Act) effective October 1, 2026, that represents the most significant change to California auto dealer and lessor practices in decades. While primarily aimed at dealers, lessors need to understand these requirements. The law focuses on individual car buyers and lessees and does not apply to commercial purchasers of 5 or more vehicles a year for commercial or business purposes and does not apply to vehicles of 10,000 pounds or more. The law covers disclosure of the “total price”, advertising requirements, a 3-day right to cancel consumer used car sales and leases, add-on product restrictions and recordkeeping. Several other states have recently enacted laws or have bills pending seeking to require more upfront disclosure from dealers.

Similarly, state attorneys general have stepped up enforcement of certain federal and state laws to fill the void left by federal agencies. On March 16, 2026, New York Attorney General Letitia James (“NYOAG”) led a bipartisan coalition of 13 state attorneys general, including those from Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin to file a complaint against OneMain Holdings, Inc. and several affiliates (“OneMain”). The complaint centers on an alleged “add-on packing” scheme. The coalition alleges that OneMain exploits vulnerable customers by loading their already high-cost loans with expensive and often useless additional products like insurance policies, adding these products without customers’ knowledge or by misleading them concerning the products’ terms and costs. The add-on products include, e.g. credit life insurance, credit disability insurance, credit involuntary unemployment insurance, Guaranteed Asset Protection (GAP). 

The complaint alleges among other issues that OneMain rushes consumers through fine-print loan documents containing dense terms and conditions of the add-ons, often hides the add-ons, and sometimes closes loans on smartphones where the small print shrinks to an illegible size. 

The average cost to borrowers was significant at purportedly an average of $826 for each borrower and the conduct is alleged to have continued despite a prior Consumer Financial Protection Bureau ("CFPB") enforcement action against OneMain in May 2023 when it settled with the CFPB and paid $20 million in redress and penalties to resolve nearly identical allegations. 

The 13-state coalition is seeking hundreds of millions of dollars in restitution, penalties, and disgorgement of unlawful profits. 

Further, on April 2, 2026, the FTC and the Maryland Attorney General announced Lindsay Automotive Group (“LAG”) and its executives will refund customers pursuant to a settlement order stemming from allegations of false advertising and unsolicited add-ons that increased vehicle costs by thousands of dollars. The refunds amount to more than $75 million and LAG must also pay a $3.1 million civil penalty to the Maryland Attorney General’s office.

On June 3, 2026, the NYOAG announced the Nissan Motor Assurance Company (“NMAC”) will provide refunds to all New Yorkers that were unfairly overcharged on their vehicle leases. NYOAG’s investigation of 15 Nissan dealerships previously uncovered added junk fees and falsification of the price of leased vehicles that customers desired to purchase at lease end. The result of that investigation required those dealers to pay $1 million in penalties and refund more than $4.5 million to more than 3,100 customers who paid more than they were required under their leases. This new settlement with NMAC will provide restitution to all New Yorkers that were cheated by lease overcharges by any other Nissan dealers in New York that had not previously settled with the NYOAG.

Finally, California is amping up its enforcement capabilities as Governor Gavin Newsom announced on May 12, 2026 that former CFPB director Rohit Chopra will be the first Secretary of the newly formed cabinet level agency: the California Business and Consumer Services Agency. The California Senate must approve the appointment within 365 days; however, Chopra will begin working prior to that time as the agency will be effective July 1, 2026. The agency will act as an umbrella over several existing departments including the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Chopra will likely be in a position to control such matters as regulatory initiatives, enforcement strategy, licensing and supervisory priorities and California’s attempt to fill the void left by the lack of federal enforcement. Given that Chopra was highly aggressive in enforcing federal law while at the CFPB, no doubt he will continue to follow that path now in California aside from enforcing state law. Leasing companies, finance companies and banks that do business in California should be looking at advertising, junk fees, add-ons and consumer data practices as well as determining whether they have complied with California licensing law requirements.

As previously predicted, with the joy of dwindling federal enforcement comes the spectacle of increased state action. 

Sloan Schickler is a partner in the commercial finance law firm, Schickler & Schickler PLLC (www.schicklerlaw.com). Schickler, a veteran vehicle leasing, finance and bank attorney and the attorneys in her firm have decades of experience representing and protecting lessors, banks, captive and independent finance companies and start-ups in all facets of the vehicle leasing and financing business. She has served as the NVLA Legal and Legislative counsel since 2017, is on the NVLA board of directors, founder of NVLA’s Women in Leasing and is a supporter of Leasing News and sits on its Advisory Board. Sloan can be reached at sloan.schickler@schicklerlaw.com or 212-262-5297.

Today, we track hundreds of thousands of assets nationwide and provide a combination of technology, automation, and personalized service to help our clients reduce risk, improve compliance, and protect their portfolios. Our goal is simple: make insurance tracking easier, more effective, and more transparent for our clients.

Why Did You Join NVLA and What Has Been Your History of Involvement with the Organization?

I joined NVLA because it is one of the few organizations that brings together professionals from every segment of the vehicle leasing industry. The opportunity to learn from industry leaders, build relationships, and contribute to the advancement of the leasing community was extremely appealing to me.

I have been involved with NVLA for many years as both a member and industry partner. During that time, I have attended conferences, participated in educational programs, contributed articles and content, served on committees, and worked closely with fellow members to address industry challenges. The relationships I have developed through NVLA have been invaluable, both professionally and personally.

What Are Your Goals for Board Service and Why Did You Join the Board?

I joined the NVLA Board because I believe in giving back to an industry that has contributed significantly to my professional growth. My goal is to help strengthen the association, support member engagement, and ensure that NVLA continues to provide meaningful value to its members.

I am particularly interested in helping expand membership, enhancing educational opportunities, encouraging greater collaboration among industry partners, and bringing practical solutions to the challenges facing today's leasing companies. I look forward to working alongside the other board members to support NVLA's mission and contribute to its continued success.

Brief Bio and Interesting Facts About Yourself

Jacob Mark is the President and CEO of Lease Tracking Services (LTS), a leading provider of insurance tracking and risk management solutions for the leasing and lending industry. He has spent more than three decades working with leasing companies, financial institutions, and fleet organizations to help protect their assets and reduce portfolio risk.

Jacob is a long-time supporter of industry associations and believes strongly in the value of education, networking, and collaboration. In addition to his professional activities, he is actively involved in community and charitable initiatives.

An interesting fact about Jacob is that while his career has focused on insurance tracking and risk management, his favorite part of the business has always been building relationships. Many of the clients and industry partners he works with today have become friends over the course of his career. He believes that trust, service, and personal connections remain the foundation of long-term success in business.

Earlier this month, we hosted our Maximize Your NVLA Membership webinar for new members and industry professionals looking to learn more about the resources, relationships, and opportunities available through NVLA. If you were unable to attend, I encourage you to watch the recorded session and share it with colleagues who may benefit from learning more about the association.

As I have traveled the country speaking with dealers, lenders, lessors, OEMs, captives, credit unions, and industry partners, one theme continues to emerge: affordability remains one of the biggest challenges facing consumers and businesses today. Leasing remains one of the industry's most effective solutions.

That creates a tremendous opportunity for NVLA.

Whether your focus is commercial fleet leasing, consumer leasing, Lease Here Pay Here, lending, technology, compliance, remarketing, or another area supporting our industry, your expertise can help strengthen the leasing community and expand the reach of leasing nationwide.

Over the coming months, we will continue building out committee initiatives focused on membership, education, conferences, content, and industry engagement. These efforts are designed not only to deliver more value to current members but also to attract new voices and perspectives into the association.

If you've ever considered becoming more involved, now is the time.

The future of NVLA will be shaped by members who are willing to share their knowledge, contribute ideas, and help grow our industry.

Whether you're a dealer, lessor, lender, OEM, captive, credit union, or industry partner, I invite you to join us.

Together, we can continue promoting all aspects of vehicle leasing and ensure that NVLA remains the association of choice for the entire leasing industry.

Imposter Syndrome and When You Get Over It

What if Impostor Syndrome isn't a personal deficiency to overcome, but a signal that we've been taught to question our readiness, competence, or belonging?

Led by returning favorite speaker, Katie O' Malley, Founder and Principal Coach, (en)Courage Coaching, this interactive workshop will trace the evolution of the Imposter Phenomenon - from its original research to its relevance in today's conversations about confidence, belonging, and workplace culture.

Grounded in decades of research and informed by contemporary perspectives on women's leadership, participants will gain practical strategies to challenge self-doubt, accurately assess their accomplishments, and navigate uncertainty with greater confidence. 
RSVP: Click Here to Attend! 

Share this with anyone in your organization who may be interested. 

See you there!

This month I’m making a Turkish classic known as Lahmacun — a crispy, paper-thin flatbread topped with seasoned lamb, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, pine nuts, and warm Middle Eastern spices. What makes this dish especially interesting to me is how familiar the aroma feels growing up in Cincinnati. As the lamb cooks with cinnamon, allspice, tomato paste, onion, and garlic, it immediately reminds me of Skyline Chili. Most people outside Cincinnati think Skyline is traditional chili, but it’s really closer to a Greek-style meat gravy with Mediterranean spice influences served over spaghetti, hot dogs, or fries.

That connection is part of why I’m partial to this particular pizza. Lahmacun and Cincinnati chili may come from different parts of the world, but they share many of the same comforting flavor notes and spice profiles rooted in Eastern Mediterranean cooking traditions. I’m making mine with mozzarella and Fontina for a little added richness while still letting the lamb and spices shine. The pine nuts add texture, the tomatoes keep it bright, and the thin crust keeps every bite crisp and balanced.

One addition I’d recommend is a small amount of anchovy paste sautéed with the onions and garlic at the beginning. It melts into the mixture and deepens the savory flavor without tasting like anchovies. This is the kind of dish that fills the kitchen with incredible aromas long before it hits the table. Around here, that usually means everybody suddenly wants a slice.

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil
1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1-2 anchovy fillets
6 oz ground lamb
2 small tomatoes, finely chopped
1 1/2 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 tbsp minced fresh Italian parsley
3 tbsp pine nuts
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 500 degrees

2) To make the topping, in a large frying pan or sauté pan over low heat, heat the olive oil. Add the onion and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Then add the garlic and anchovy paste, if using, for about 30 seconds.

3) Crumble the lamb into the pan and add the tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, pine nuts, cinnamon, allspice, cayenne pepper, salt and black pepper to taste. Cook gently, uncovered, until the mixture is almost dry, about 10 minutes.

4) Place the pizza crust on a baking sheet. If using pizza dough, roll it out on a floured work surface into a 12-inch round and transfer it to an oiled baking sheet.

5) Scatter the shredded cheese on top of the pizza round, leaving a 1-inch border uncovered around the edge.

6) Distribute the lamb mixture evenly over the cheese.

7) Bake until the cheese melts and the crust is crisp and golden, 6-8 minutes if using a partially baked crust or 10-12 minutes, if using pizza dough.

8) Remove from oven, cut into wedges, and serve at once.

Much like a great plate of Skyline Chili, Lahmacun proves that a blend of warm spices, savory meat, and simple ingredients can create something unforgettable that keeps people coming back for more.

NVLA's Women in Leasing consists of leaders and emerging leaders of NVLA and the vehicle leasing industry.

Join us for the next meeting!
Imposter Syndrome and When You Get Over It
Wednesday, July 15, 2026, 11:00 am CT

A Review of the 2026 Auto Finance Summit East

By Ed Kaye, Vice President, Putnam Leasing

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (May 13, 2026) -- AI adoption, vehicle affordability and fraud in auto finance and leasing were the common threads in each session during the 2026 Auto Finance Summit East held May 11 - 13 at the JW Marriott Nashville. This conference is a signature event attended by roughly 375 auto finance and leasing executives which brings together lessors, lenders, fintechs, captives, dealers, investors, and technology providers.  

What stood out most was the quality of the speakers and attendees and the relevance of the topics across the industry. The various sessions were structured as either fireside chats or panel discussions which included, among others, industry leaders Kevin Cullum, the president and CEO of Nissan Motor Acceptance Company, and Ernst Jan Van Eijkezenburg, the president and CEO of Volkswagen Financial Services.  

“Every year has headwinds at some point,” said Cullum during his fireside chat. A sentiment most veterans in the auto finance and leasing industries will agree. With the price of vehicles continuing to increase and affordability becoming a significant issue for many consumers acquiring new vehicles, leasing volume is expected to grow this year, he added.

Even with challenges to their portfolio, NMAC is having a very good year and stated they expect their lease portfolio to grow by $3 billion in 2026.

Featured Above is the Panel Discussion

Interestingly, Cullum stated NMAC has seen a decline in prime credit applications but decided to expand their credit team to accommodate the additional time it takes to process the less than prime credit applications.  

During Ernst Jan Van Eijkezenburg’s fireside chat, he announced that VW Financial Services is going to start a used car leasing program soon with an expected 36-month lease term. Clearly, there is a shift in traditional captive finance strategy that seeks to help consumers enter the VW ecosystem even if they cannot afford its new vehicles.

Several sessions addressed AI-powered underwriting, collections modernization, and fraud. One estimate claims fraud was a $10.5 billion cost to auto finance and leasing last year. When asked what keeps Jeffrey Butler the president of AutoNation Finance up at night, he didn’t hesitate to answer, “how AI will embolden fraud.” The captives and large lenders believe the perpetrators of fraud are early adopters of technology and lenders should be cautious how they on board new technology.  

“You have to lean into how people are shopping,” stated Chris Kleczynski, a seasoned automotive executive. However, adopting (technology) too quickly is where the risk is right now,” added Jack Chapman, the CEO of Cardinal Gray, a startup helping auto lenders automate DMV title work. “The biggest risk is undisciplined adoption,” Rohan Kakar, the Head of Retail and Consumer Strategy at Chase Auto Finance concluded.

Networking was another major strength of the Summit. The organizers clearly designed the experience around relationship building rather than passive attendance. Between exhibit hall receptions, curated networking opportunities, and informal meetings throughout the venue, there was constant interaction among the decision makers in attendance. 

Featured Above are JJ Hornblass and Kevin Cullem

Overall, the 2026 Auto Finance Summit East succeeded because it focused less on buzzwords and more on execution. At a time when the auto finance and leasing industries face mounting regulatory scrutiny, affordability concerns, and rapid technological change, the event provided a credible forum for serious professionals looking to adapt rather than simply speculate. For lessors, lenders, fintech leaders, investors, and service providers operating in the vehicle finance ecosystem, it remains a valuable industry gathering on your calendar. 

Ed Kaye is a longtime supporter of Leasing News and sits on its Advisory Board contributing articles as well as features. He is a corporate Vice President of Putnam Leasing, the largest lessor of exotic and collectible vehicles in the United States (www.putnamleasing.com). He is a past president and board member of the National Vehicle Leasing Association and can be reached at e.kaye@putnamleasing.com or 646-294-6333.

By Tarry Shebesta, NVLA President

As spring conference season wraps up, now comes the important part: putting what we learned into action.

Across every event and conversation this spring, three themes were consistently top of mind throughout the industry: fraud, AI, and affordability. While all three will continue shaping the future of automotive and fleet leasing, NVLA believes affordability is where the leasing industry has the greatest opportunity to lead.

Leasing remains one of the strongest tools available to help consumers and businesses access vehicles with more manageable payments and greater flexibility. From commercial fleet and consumer retail leasing to the full credit spectrum including LHPH, NVLA brings together the experience, resources, and collaboration needed to help the industry address today’s affordability challenges.

We are also seeing important momentum across the market as independent lenders continue expanding into used vehicle leasing alongside OEM captives, increasing their focus on Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) leasing programs. This growing commitment to used vehicle leasing is helping create additional affordability solutions while opening new opportunities for dealers, lenders, and consumers alike.

NVLA is uniquely positioned to help bring these segments together. Our association represents the full vehicle leasing ecosystem and provides a forum where independent lessors, captives, dealers, lenders, and industry partners can collaborate, share best practices, and help drive innovation forward.

As we move deeper into 2026, I encourage everyone connected to the leasing industry to become more involved with NVLA. Whether you are a dealer, lender, independent lessor, OEM/captive, or supporting vendor, there is a place for you in helping shape the future of leasing. The more voices, perspectives, and expertise we bring together, the stronger our industry becomes. If you are not yet a member, join today!

NVLA will continue leading conversations around affordability, education, innovation, and responsible growth across all areas of vehicle leasing. The opportunities ahead are significant, and the organizations that embrace leasing solutions today will be better positioned for tomorrow.

NVLA provides an opportunity to connect with fellow members in the members-only area of the NVLA website. NVLA also hosts a listserv, which is frequently leveraged by members to find insights, examples or referrals from other members. Don’t miss out on this valuable member benefit!

Chicken Thighs, Spinach & Pasta

By Tarry Shebesta, NVLA Master Chef

Every once in a while, this happens—open the fridge, see chicken thighs, fresh spinach, pasta… and decide to do something a little different instead of the usual rotation. This one came together around building more depth into a simple dish. Garlic (always), a little anchovy to layer in umami without calling attention to itself, prosciutto for salt and texture, and mushrooms to bring it all together. Finish it with a light cream sauce and just enough pasta to support it—not take it over. It’s straightforward but feels like something you’d get out.

Serves: 2–3
Time: ~45 minutes

Ingredients

Chicken & Pasta

• 1 to 1¼ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (3–4 pieces) 
• 6 oz angel hair pasta 
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper 
• 1–1½ tbsp olive oil 
  
  

Flavor Base

• 2 oz prosciutto, torn 
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced 
• 1 anchovy fillet or ½ tsp paste 
• 2 tbsp shallot (or onion), finely diced 
  
  

Vegetables

• 4–5 oz mushrooms, sliced 
• 3 packed cups of fresh baby spinach 
  
  

Sauce

• ⅓ cup red wine (for deglazing) 
• ½ cup chicken stock 
• ⅓ cup heavy cream 
• ¼ tsp dried thyme 
  
  

Finish

• 2 tbsp butter 
• 2–3 tbsp Parmigiano Reggiano, grated 
  
  

Instructions

1. Crisp the Prosciutto

• Heat pan over medium 
• Add a little olive oil 
• Cook prosciutto 2–3 minutes until lightly crisp 
• Remove and set aside 
  
  

2. Sear the Chicken

• Season lightly 
• Increase heat to medium-high 
• Sear 4–5 minutes per side until golden 
• Remove (will finish later) 
  
  

3. Build the Base

• Lower heat slightly 
• Add: 
  o garlic 
  o anchovy 
  o shallot 
  

• Stir 1–2 minutes until melted and fragrant 
  
  

4. Mushrooms

• Add mushrooms 
• Cook 5–7 minutes until browned 
  
  

5. Deglaze

• Add red wine 
• Scrape pan 
• Reduce by about half 
  
  

6. Simmer

• Add chicken stock + thyme 
• Return chicken 
• Simmer 8–10 minutes 
  
  

7. Cook the Pasta

• Boil salted water 
• Cook angel hair (usually 2–4 minutes) 
• Reserve ½ cup pasta water 
• Drain 
  
  

8. Add Spinach

• Add spinach to the pan 
• Let wilt into the sauce (1–2 minutes) 
  
  

9. Finish the Sauce

• Add cream 
• Stir in butter 
• Return prosciutto 
• Simmer 2–3 minutes 
  
  

10. Bring It Together

• Add a portion of pasta to the pan 
• Toss lightly with sauce 
• Use a splash of pasta water if needed 
  
  

11. Final Touch

• Stir in Parmigiano Reggiano 
• Taste and adjust 
  
  

Serve

• Twirl pasta into shallow bowls 
• Top with chicken and sauce 
• Finish with extra parm 
  
  

Closing

This is one of those dishes that doesn’t try too hard but still hits. Simple ingredients, just handled the right way, and a couple small moves that take it up a notch. Definitely one that makes it back into the rotation.

NVLA Drive Webinar: YouTube the Right Way:

Consistent Content That Builds Authority

Thinking about starting a YouTube channel for your business or struggling to keep one consistent and professional? The NVLA member-exclusive webinar explained how to launch and maintain a YouTube presence that will position you as a trusted industry expert. 

Some takeaways:

How to Succeed:

• Be informative, not viral
• Speak naturally
• Commit to a reasonable cadence your business can maintain
• Embrace a casual structure, not a rigid script
• Build trust in your community
• Measure success by conversations started, not the number of views received
  
  

Use Video to:

• Build thought leadership
• Increase trust and credibility
• Provide educational content
• Meet customers where they are researching
• Repurpose and share content on social media platforms like LinkedIn

Whether you’re brand new to YouTube or looking to refine your approach, watch this webinar that will give you practical guidance to help your channel support your reputation, visibility, and authority over time. 

Speaker

Jay Wertzberger, founder and host of the ATI Auto Business YouTube channel and podcast, is a video and content developer, live streaming producer, webinar host. From early experience in Hollywood filmmaking and live webcasting, mixed with a passion for marketing on social media and a decade in auto transport, Jay develops engaging content for automotive business professionals.

Upcoming Meeting:
Wednesday, May 20, 2026 11am CT - Unleash Your Feminine and Masculine Superpowers in your Professional and Personal Lives

Led by Gail Rubenstein, Founder and CEO of Retail Resilient, this interactive workshop invites women in leasing and automotive leadership to explore how both feminine and masculine strengths show up in their professional and personal lives through guided self-reflection and shared conversation.

Together, we will identify qualities such as confidence, structure, intuition, empathy, leadership, and creativity, and examine how these energies influence the way we lead, communicate, sell, and navigate everyday challenges.

Through real-life examples, Gail will share a few personal reflections from her own journey and invite several women in the room to openly reflect on their own experiences, observations, and growth moments. By going around the room and learning from one another, attendees will gain deeper self-awareness, practical insights, and a stronger understanding of how to lead with greater balance, intention, and authenticity.

and Staying Engaged

By Tarry Shebesta, NVLA President

Over the past several weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to attend and speak at multiple industry events across the country. Different audiences, different perspectives—but the same themes keep coming up in every room.

Fraud. Affordability. AI.

These aren’t just topics anymore. They’re shaping real decisions—how dealers operate, how lenders evaluate risk, and how consumers engage in the buying and leasing process.

At the same time, there’s growing regulatory attention, particularly from the FTC, about dealer practices and full price transparency. That’s not something to ignore. It’s a signal that how we present and structure transactions matters just as much as the products themselves.

This is exactly why NVLA exists.

We’ve always been a place where the industry comes together to share ideas, challenge each other, and move forward with a better understanding of where things are headed. Our role is to help members stay informed, stay connected, and stay ahead. 

As we move further into 2026, there are a few areas we’re focused on:

Expanding Member Value

We’re working on new member benefits that will be rolling out soon. The focus is on practical value—education, insights, and resources that members can use in real time, not just once a year.

Looking Ahead to Next Year’s Conference

Planning is already underway. Coming off the success of Nashville, the bar has been raised. The goal is to continue building a conference that reflects the full scope of the leasing industry and delivers content that matters. 

Staying Engaged on Industry Issues

Fraud isn’t slowing down. Affordability remains a challenge. AI is accelerating change across every part of the business. NVLA will continue to be a forum where these issues are addressed with real-world input from across commercial, consumer, and LHPH leasing.

Growing the NVLA Community

The strength of this association is the mix of perspectives—dealers, lessors, lenders, and partners all contributing to the conversation. That’s where the real value is created.

What stands out most from my recent travels is this—there’s no shortage of innovation in this industry. But there is a need for alignment, education, and leadership.

Leasing is in a strong position to address many of the challenges the market is facing today. Our job as an association is to make sure the industry is equipped to take advantage of that opportunity.

If you’ve been thinking about getting more involved, this is the time.

Mark Van Nest, CVLE, CVLP, OCLC
Managing Partner, MidWestern Leasing

About Our Company

MidWestern Leasing was established in 1985 as an independent vehicle leasing company and is now owned by the second generation of the Van Nest family. MidWestern provides personal and commercial vehicle leases with a focus on delivering highly personalized service. Our focus is building a long-term relationship with every client and making them and their families customers for life! We are your transportation solution!

Why I Joined the NVLA

MidWestern joined the NVLA in 1988. We quickly established invaluable relationships that have been paramount in our success. But, most importantly, we have made friends. People who have helped us with problems, and we have reciprocated many times ourselves. The NVLA is a unique collaborative community that is committed to the vehicle leasing industry, and we take great pride in our membership and the fact that both my son and I are graduates of the Certified Vehicle Leasing Executive (CVLE) program.

Goals for Board Service

Being invited to join the board of the NVLA makes me very proud, as I have tried over my entire leasing career to always help the industry grow. The board of directors is the voice of the vehicle leasing industry, and I want to do my part. The board of directors is the epicenter of our industry, and I am anxious to be part of education and emphasize bringing young people to our industry.

From 1987-2005, I served on the board of the Ohio Vehicle Leasing Association, as president for two terms, and helped to merge the OVLA into the NVLA in 2005.

Bio

In 1977, I helped establish a leasing subsidiary for the BMW Volvo dealer where I worked, and I will never forget leasing our first car, a fjord blue BMW five series.

I am starting my 50th year in this industry, and I love coming to work every day!

Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, six granddaughters, and my  wife of 52 years, Bev. I have been blessed with a fabulous family and a job that is a joy. I want to help more people walk this path as well.

Where Leasing Innovators Band Together

By Sloan Schickler, Esq.

The National Vehicle Leasing Association held its 2026 Annual Meeting in Nashville, TN on March 4-6. 

The meeting launched on March 4th with a fantastic tour of Nissan’s assembly plant located in Smyrna, TN for sixty of the members which provided a rare glimpse of an auto manufacturing plant, thanks to NVLA sponsor, Nissan. That evening, NVLA held a Welcome Reception and the President, Tarry Shebesta, gave awards to: Ken Sopp - Clemens-Pender Lessor of the Year Award and Sloan Schicker - Samuel J. Lee Memorial Award. Kirk Browning, CLFP, Rhonda Hadden, and Edith Chavez, Program & Marketing Manager, NVLA, received the President’s Award. To round out the evening’s festivities, Women in Leasing hosted a social and networking event at Chief’s on Broadway, a popular Nashville live music spot.

A highpoint of the morning of March 5th was Building Great Teams and Great Leaders by keynote speaker Eric Kapitulik, a U.S. Marine Corps Infantry and Special Operations Officer, endurance athlete and founder of The Program who spoke of his courageous survival from a helicopter crash that claimed the lives of six of his Marines. His experiences have taught Eric how to build great teams and great leaders through commitment, courage and character.

Next, Rudy Nieto, Mark Falconer and Tarry Shebesta spoke about Fraud Prevention: Building a Modern Fraud Stack for the Leasing Industry. The team identified various ways that fraud can infiltrate lessor, dealer and lender’s systems from credit prequalification workflows, form-fill web apps, bot-driven submissions and fake identities and suggested a multi-layered approach to combat this extremely prevalent phenomenon. 

The last item of the morning was my Legal and Legislative Update. The first topic up was the Regulation M threshold increase to $73,500 effective January 1, 2026. This means on the federal level that Truth in Lending Act disclosures are required for consumer leases where the total obligation is at or below the threshold amount. Lessors and lenders should check their origination systems annually to be certain they are flagging the updated threshold amount. Also note there are states where these federal disclosures are required even though the lessee’s total obligation meets or exceeds the threshold amount. Next, I noted that Rohit Chopra, the former CFPB Director who is known for aggressive enforcement, was hired by the Democratic Attorneys General Association to lead their new Consumer Protection and Affordability Working Group. This means that state attorneys general (AGs) are banding together to coordinate enforcement activities due to the lack of such activity at the federal level. Auto finance is explicitly mentioned as a priority for the AGs. AGs can move quickly with civil investigations and coordinate multi-state investigations that will result in nationwide standards. Further, although federal enforcement has scaled back, private attorneys will closely follow the AGs’ activities, and this could likely precede increased class action litigation. Next, we reviewed commercial finance disclosures. I reminded the crowd that each state has different legal requirements, and the disclosures vary by state. Most banks and credit unions are exempt, but not non-bank lessors and captive finance companies. These disclosures are currently required in CA, CT, FL, GA, KS, MN, MI, ME, ND, NV, NH, NY, OR, UT and VA (sales-based financing only). States with recently enacted legislation are MO, TX and LA. Most of these laws apply to transactions below $500,000 and require consumer-like disclosures. While traditional operating leases are generally exempt, structures that may trigger the disclosure requirements include finance leases with purchase options, lease-to-own arrangements and disguised credit sales, among others. Note that the laws in these states may or may not apply to specific transactions and lessors and lenders should consult legal counsel. The next topic was the California CARS Act which is geared to cover individual car buyers and lessees and does not apply to commercial purchasers of five or more vehicles a year for commercial purposes. The law heightens disclosure of total price, advertising disclosures, a right of cancellation and restrictions on add-on products. Other states have joined the bandwagon of these new consumer protection provisions, including MA, PA and NY and IL has a bill pending. Finally, I recommended revising leases to include updated provisions on electronic signatures, GPS telematics and data privacy.

During the lunch break, Women in Leasing (WIL) held its fourth annual roundtable during which we planned our sessions for the next year. We meet on the third Wednesday of every other month on Zoom, and the next meeting is May 20, 2026. Up to now I have served as chairperson of WIL and this year Christy Bader of 1st Source Bank has agreed to co-chair the group. We have a dynamic group of women from all facets of NVLA membership, including banks, independent lessors, manufacturers’ fleet teams, and computer software vendors, among others. We are excited to share that Tonya Philson of WIL was elected to serve on the NVLA Board of Directors commencing this past January. We discussed our focus for the next year will include sessions on leading from your masculine or feminine side, networking, imposter syndrome, public speaking and more. 

The afternoon session started with By the Numbers: The Economics Shaping Modern Vehicle Leasing presented by Eric Lyman of Black Book and Melinda Zabritski of Experian. They noted there are no big increases in vehicle prices so far in 2026. However, we should expect to start seeing an impact from tariffs in May of 2026.  Further, subprime is at an all-time high which is no surprise given the current economic climate. Sales of electric vehicles have had a significant tapering in 2026 as a result of the expiration of the federal tax credits and an increase in off-lease EVs which is putting pressure on used car prices among other issues.

Succession Planning to Ensure Business Continuity and Grow Future Leadership was presented by WIL members Christy Bader, Donna Klug and Addison Pixley. The session was highly attended and provided insightful suggestions and discussion with the audience on ways to create and maintain a strong internal talent pipeline and a framework to identify and retain high-potential individuals who can step up and into roles to diminish risk if employees leave or become ill or retire. 

Simultaneously, Building a Profitable LHPH Program: What’s Needed to Succeed was presented by a large panel led by Rhonda Hadden. The session outlined funding structure methodology, explained third-party servicing and collection resources, identified dealer management and add-on products devoted to LHPH and other practical hands-on considerations. 

Other notable sessions included Growing the In-House Portfolio While Monetizing Out-of-Scope Deals, led by Doug Moore and including Ed Cain, Scott Crawford, Paul Erwin, Garrett Kautz, Jeff Morgan, Tim O’Connor and Mark Van Nest, which drilled into the development of a collaborative structure with outside lenders to enable the lessor to retain the customer relationship and find a suitable funding source for deals that fall outside of the lessor’s credit parameters or overall funding capacity.

On March 6th, Gail Rubenstein of Retail Resilient provided a lively and informative session on Marketing Lessons that Fuel Sales, Leadership and Growth. The session gave real life examples of how-to market using social media to develop trust, strengthen relationships and drive sales. Gail demonstrated her technique for creating promotions on social media—check out the ones created during the session among NVLA LinkedIn posts from the annual conference.

E-Signatures and Vaulting presented by Matthew Babcock, Dan Schaub and I gave a complete overview of the mechanics of e-signatures and electronic vaulting as well as the legal basis for perfecting the lender’s lien and maintaining control of the authoritative copy of an electronic contract. For the lender to perfect its lien under the Uniform Commercial Code, I explained that the lender must have control of the electronic chattel paper, commonly known as the lease contract. Control is obtained through compliance with UCC §9-105: there can be only one single authoritative copy of lease; identification of the secured party on the document; the authoritative copy must be delivered to and maintained by the secured party or its custodian; only the secured party can authorize copies or revisions to the lease contract; and all additional copies must be identifiable as copies as distinguished from the authoritative copy. 

Finally, the last session of the conference, Practical AI for Today’s Workplace: Security, Safety and Smarter Decisions by Tarry Shebesta, Rob Schenk, Mike Francis and Constantine Yaremtso delved into the topic on everyone’s mind today: the practical application of AI in the workplace.

Once again, the NVLA Annual Conference knocked it out of the park with amazing on point content.





Sloan Schickler is a partner in the commercial finance law firm, Schickler & Schickler PLLC. Schickler, a veteran vehicle leasing, finance and bank attorney and the attorneys in her firm have decades of experience representing and protecting lessors, banks, captive and independent finance companies and start-ups in all facets of the vehicle leasing and financing business. She has served as the NVLA Legal and Legislative counsel since 2017, is on the NVLA board of directors, founder of NVLA’s Women in Leasing and is a supporter of Leasing News and sits on its Advisory Board. Sloan can be reached at sloan.schickler@schicklerlaw.com or 212-262-5297.

By Tarry Shebesta, NVLA President

Our 2026 NVLA Annual Conference in Nashville is officially in the books, and it’s clear we continue to build something special together. The energy, engagement, and collaboration throughout the week reinforced exactly why NVLA exists—to bring together every segment of the vehicle leasing industry to learn, share, and grow. From commercial to consumer, from independents to lenders and vendors, the diversity of perspectives in Nashville made the conversations more meaningful and the takeaways more actionable.

A big thank you to our Conference Committee Chair, Kirk Browning, and the entire committee for delivering a first-class event. The programming, speakers, and overall experience reflected the strength of this organization and the commitment of those who step up to lead.

As we look ahead, our focus is clear. NVLA exists to be the central hub for the entire vehicle leasing ecosystem. That means continuing to bring together commercial (fleet), consumer (retail), LHPH, lenders, and vendors under one organization that represents and advances leasing as a whole. We will be placing a strong emphasis on two key areas:

Membership Growth

We need to expand our reach across all segments of the industry. More dealer participation, especially franchise dealers, strengthens the ecosystem and creates more opportunity for everyone. Growth is not just a goal; it’s a necessity for the long-term impact of NVLA.

Education and Industry Advancement

Education remains at the core of our mission. We will continue to build programs that help members better understand and execute leasing across all channels. From fundamentals to advanced strategies, NVLA will be the place members turn to stay ahead of the market. 

To support this, we are also refining how our committees operate. Moving forward, committees will be more aligned with real industry representation, with co-chairs that reflect both commercial and consumer leasing perspectives. This ensures that what we build is relevant, balanced, and actionable.

The momentum coming out of Nashville is real. Now the work begins to build on it. If you’re a member, get involved. Join a committee, contribute to education, help us grow membership. If you’re not yet engaged, now is the time.

NVLA is not just an association. It’s a platform for shaping the future of leasing.

Looking forward to what we build together this year!