Meet the New IFA Advisory Board Members: New Perspectives from Factoring’s Leaders – Part One
The International Factoring Association (IFA) has recently announced the addition of Paige Runyard, Brian Center, Tom Croteau, Andrew Osborn, and Jonathan Brindley to the IFA Advisory Board for a two-year term. These accomplished professionals bring expertise spanning sales, transportation factoring, fintech innovation, and portfolio risk management.
To introduce our newest board members, we sat down with each of them for a candid conversation about the evolution of the factoring industry and the opportunities that lie ahead. From the industry's growing sophistication and collaborative culture to the increasing importance of technology, talent development, and client service, their insights offer a thoughtful perspective on what drives long-term success. Their experiences highlight how today's factoring leaders are balancing innovation with relationship-building, investing in people and expertise, and helping shape the future of the industry through strategic growth and community engagement.
Join us for part one of our two-part series as we get to know two of our newest members: Paige Runyard and Brian Center!
Paige Runyard – Senior Credit & Portfolio Manager, First Business Specialty Finance, LLC
Paige Runyard, CPA, joined First Business Bank in 2015 with over ten years of experience in consumer banking and business accounting. She began her career at First Business Bank in Asset-Based Lending and was promoted to Field Examiner Team Lead before accepting a position as Credit Officer within the Accounts Receivable Financing team. Since that time, she was promoted to Assistant Vice President – Senior Credit & Portfolio Manager, managing a staff of Team Leaders and Account Managers serving First Business Bank’s factoring and ledgered line clients. In 2026, Paige was a Bert Goldberg Award winner, recognized for her contribution in the factoring industry. Paige is actively involved in the International Factoring Association and is co-chair of the NEXGEN committee.
What was the turning point in your career that made you fully commit to the factoring industry—and how has that shaped your approach to growth or risk?
I had been auditing for our asset-based lending group for 7+ years and was ready for a new challenge. An opportunity in our factoring division allowed me to explore underwriting, portfolio management, and credit risk from a more strategic perspective. While I remain focused on managing risk and following established policies and procedures, I work closely with clients to reach solutions that benefit both parties.
What do you believe will separate successful factoring companies from the rest over the next 3–5 years?
The most successful factoring companies will be distinguished by how they invest their time and resources. While technology continues to evolve, investing in their people remains just as important to sustaining long-term success.
What’s one innovation or shift you think will shape the future of the factoring industry?
AI is poised to reshape the industry, and I believe firms that develop strong AI expertise will be best positioned for success. At the same time, attracting new talent of all ages will bring fresh perspectives to deal flow, underwriting, and the overall management of credit and operations.
What’s something that surprised you about factoring when you first entered the field?
What surprised me most about factoring is how welcoming the industry is. Although we often compete for the same deals, there is a shared desire for everyone to succeed. When a client is not the right fit for my portfolio, they may be a strong fit for another factor, which creates opportunities to support one another while still serving the client well.
Brian Center – Partner & CEO, Quasar Capital
Brian Center is a finance industry veteran with over three decades of experience providing clients with trusted expertise. He has a strong entrepreneurial spirit and passion for growing and connecting small businesses to more significant opportunities by capitalizing on what others in the industry don’t see.
Over the years Brian nurtured his networking and financial acumen to manage, lead and own multiple companies successfully. Previously, he was President and Chief Credit Officer for Far West Capital. Before that, he was the co-owner and president of Comresco Capital, LLC, a factoring company founded in 2002 and sold to Bibby Financial in 2007.
As the Chief Executive Officer of Quasar Capital, Brian thrives on assisting clients from all walks of life to understand the broader world and their story within it by creating a value-added consultative affiliation and helping them launch and grow their business successfully.
From your perspective, what’s the most meaningful way the factoring industry has changed—and what do you think we still need to work on?
The industry has changed significantly in two primary ways.
First, the size and sophistication of the industry have grown dramatically. While the barriers to entry remain manageable for newcomers, the IFA has played a remarkable role in helping entrepreneurs understand the complexities of building both a portfolio and a sustainable finance company.
Second, the influx of new participants has brought fresh perspectives, innovation, and new approaches to serving clients. The combination of experience from long-standing firms and innovation from new entrants has transformed factoring from what was once viewed as an alternative financing option into a widely recognized and respected source of working capital.
One hallmark of our industry has always been its collaborative nature. In the early days, it often felt like we were all working together to educate the market on the value of factoring. While the industry has matured, that spirit of openness and willingness to help one another remains. Preserving that culture is important because it has been a key driver of our industry's growth and success. The IFA and its events continue to reinforce that sense of community, and I believe maintaining it will be critical to our future.
What do you believe will separate successful factoring companies from the rest over the next 3–5 years?
We have evolved from an industry that primarily delivered a financial product to one that delivers a comprehensive service experience.
Today, access to capital alone is rarely enough to differentiate a factor. Clients have more options than ever, both within our industry and outside of it. The firms that will succeed over the next three to five years will be those that recognize that funding is only one component of the value they provide.
Successful factoring companies will combine capital with responsiveness, expertise, technology, and genuine relationships. They will understand their clients' businesses, anticipate challenges, and deliver a level of service that creates lasting trust. In my view, that commitment to client experience will be the defining factor for long-term success.
What’s been your most strategic investment or decision in growing your portfolio—and how did it change your trajectory?
Like many new firms, we had very little discretionary capital in our early years. One of the best investments we made was hiring a strategic advisor.
While we did not follow every recommendation exactly as presented, the value was far greater than any specific tactic. The advisor helped us develop a disciplined approach to planning, decision-making, and long-term thinking. More importantly, it forced us to look beyond immediate challenges and focus on building an enduring business.
That investment accelerated our growth trajectory and helped us develop the confidence, discipline, and strategic perspective necessary to navigate adversity. The lessons learned during that period continue to influence how we evaluate opportunities and make decisions today.
The Advisory Board plays an integral role in the association by providing guidance, industry perspective, and thought leadership that help drive the IFA’s mission and create value for its members. Collectively, these new board members bring extensive industry expertise and leadership experience that will strengthen the IFA’s ability to address emerging challenges, encourage forward-thinking initiatives, and create lasting value for members and industry partners.
In Part 2, we will continue introducing the IFA’s newest Advisory Board members and explore their perspectives on industry innovation, risk management, client service, and growth. Together, their experiences provide valuable insight into how factoring leaders are navigating change, embracing new technologies, and helping businesses succeed in an increasingly dynamic marketplace.