IFA Expands with New Board Members and Committee Structure
The International Factoring Association, IFA, expanded with three members to its advisory board who will serve a two-year term: Lori Gustaf, president, FirstLine Funding Group; Gail Reints-Pratl, president, Sky Business Credit; and Loren Shifrin, founder and CEO, REV Capital. The Advisory Board has been responsible for assisting the IFA in broadening the public’s understanding of the uses and benefits of factoring, designing high-value training programs and fostering new ideas to benefit member organizations.
The IFA announced a new committee structure to support the Advisory Board with the formation of training & education, next generation, and chapter committees. The training & education committee, chaired by Reints-Pratl, will assist in the development of training opportunities to expand members’ knowledge and skills throughout their careers. The next generation committee, chaired by Shifrin, will develop education and leadership opportunities to attract and cultivate future industry leaders. The chapter committee, chaired by board member Rombola, will foster greater educational and networking opportunities at the chapter level.
“We are excited to welcome the expertise of such a distinguished group of individuals to the advisory board,” Tania Daniel, executive director for IFA, said. “Our board is a dedicated team of industry leaders committed to expanding knowledge, building relationships, and supporting members. Additionally, the creation of education, next generation and chapter committees will create participation opportunities for members to become more involved in the IFA and provide valuable insights as we grow.”
Advisory board members returning for the second year of their term include Jay Atkins, resident of Seacoast Business Funding; Oscar Rombola, managing director at eCapital; Greg Salomon, president of Oxygen Funding; George Thorson, president and COO, CAEF of Triumph Business Capital; and Debra Zukonik, co-founder and chief credit officer of Dare Capital.
Reints-Pratl is the founder and president of Sky Business Credit, a factoring company committed to supporting small businesses with funding needs of up to $2 million. With 25 years of factoring industry experience, she is an expert at structuring factoring lines for small businesses in all industries.
Shifrin is the founder and CEO of REV Capital (formerly Revolution Capital). He is a successful entrepreneur with 15 years of experience building brands and growing portfolios in the factoring industry. Shifrin is also the founder and CEO of REV Tech, a fintech on a mission to democratize the transportation industry’s access to resources.
Gustaf is the president of FirstLine Funding Group, a division of First Bank & Trust and one of South Dakota’s largest privately held holding companies. She has more than 35 years of experience in the transportation industry and more than 20 years in commercial finance. Gustaf is an active member of the IFA having served on the advisory board from 2007-2009, as well as leading multiple training classes and seminars.