ELEASE was founded in 1995 with the vision of providing, quite possibly, the easiest way for small businesses to acquire the equipment they need to grow.
Since our inception we have prided ourselves with good old fashion “service with a smile”.
From looking at every individual transaction & seeing our clients as people 1st (without AI) we are the lender who goes the extra effort and learns your story.
Give the Loan Rangers a call (’cause we still pick up the phone!) and we will help change your business today!
J Thomas Williams, has been the entrepreneurial force behind every company he has been involved in. He heads up the ELEASE Management team. A graduate of the Peddie School Mr. Williams received his Bachelor of Arts from Boston University in 1994 in Economics.
Mr. Williams was involved with Ernst & Young’s “Ernie” Project and started two additional companies Cold Fusion Sports (Fusion.com), an e-commerce, which was sold to Action Sports in Minnesota in 2000 and LeaseExchange that was recognized at Red Herring’s Top 10 Technology Companies To Watch in 2000.
In 2001, Mr. Williams’s first company Paragon Capital acquired the ELEASE brand from Idealabs and licensed LeaseExchange’s software. ELEASE is recognized as one of the most dynamic and responsive companies in the industry. Mr. Williams is passionate about small business and helping people become self-employed. Mr. Williams is honored to have been placed in the Leasing Hall of Fame from Lessors.
Mr. Williams is married to Michele and has two children, Madison and Tommy who are often entertained by their two Jack Russell Terriers Max and Brady. When not working he enjoys fishing, water skiing and boating.
Katelynn Johnson began her journey at ELEASE Funding when applications still arrived handwritten, giving her a front-row seat to learning the equipment finance business from the ground up. With a natural interest in systems and efficiency, she helped guide the company through program transitions and improved processes that keep operations running smoothly.
Now serving as Customer Service Manager, Katelynn works closely with customers, vendors, and the internal team to keep deals moving and ensure every partner feels supported. Whether solving problems, building better systems, or helping push deals across the funding finish line, she’s committed to keeping the wheels turning and the trail running smooth for everyone involved.
Erika was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida. She attended CCC Preparatory School before moving to Orlando to attend the University of Central Florida, where she majored in Marketing and Political Science.
Erika started out as a buyer for a high end fashion boutique, then moved to Real Estate where she flipped homes, negotiated short sales, acted as an operations Manager and perfected her sales skills by taking on the broker’s role.
After leaving the Real Estate world she started with Elease Funding Inc in 2023 as administrative support. When her skills and personality emerged, she moved to Sales where she has excelled in a male-driven industry while having a blast doing what she loves.
Erika’s loves to help customers find the right financial solution. She understands her customers’ goals and financial situations and figures out what they need, not just what they ask for. She recommends the right product to the right person based on the available financial terms, clearly explaining options, building relationships and trust and guiding customers to make decisions.
Erika does not give up easily on opinions or goals; she pushes through challenges and rejection while staying focused on the long term. Cultivating trusted relationship with vendors and direct clients alike is always her main goal as a LOAN RANGER!
Brandon Queen has built his career around one core belief: strong businesses are built on strong relationships. With a natural curiosity for people and the stories that drive them, he is passionate about helping entrepreneurs grow, scale, and succeed. His approach is rooted in understanding not just the numbers, but the day-to-day realities of running a business.
Brandon began his career in the restaurant and bar industry, where his appreciation for craft beer sparked an interest in homebrewing. Along the way, he ran his own landscaping company and served as a first responder—experiences that shaped his discipline, resilience, and problem-solving mindset.
That foundation led him into the brewing world, where he gained hands-on experience and a deep respect for the realities of running a business. Today, he brings that perspective into equipment financing by helping entrepreneurs access the tools and capital they need to grow with confidence.
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, Brandon balances his professional drive with a passion for the outdoors and competition. He enjoys kayaking, seashell hunting, and competing in shuffleboard at a national level, including representing Team USA internationally.
When he’s not working or competing, he’s usually enjoying a cold pilsner, making new connections, and embracing the simple moments that make life—and business—worth it.
Rob Schoos, also known as “The Keg Wrangler”, is a Brewery Finance Specialist with more than a decade of experience helping breweries tap into creative funding options that help them scale with confidence!
Specializing in brewery equipment finance, keg leasing/sales, and working capital for rapid expansion, Rob combines his deep industry knowledge paired with strong vendor relationships and a network of 1,000+ satisfied clients he proudly calls friends.
As a member of the Tampa Bay Brewers Alliance, Florida Brewers Guild and a regular at the Craft Brewers National Conference, he stays closely connected to the heartbeat of the brewing community and even got his feet wet as a proud “beer nerd” home brewing, beertending and doing cellar work prior to joining the team.
When traveling beyond “The Brewery Bay”, Rob enjoys visiting new breweries—not just for the beer, but to learn about their space, their people, and to see how he might be able to help them grow as organically as possible within their communities.
Rob has degrees in Music & Business from The Florida State University and began his professional career as a nationally recognized High School band director and takes that same educational approach & creative outlook when learning about his client’s needs as he takes pride in educating them on what their best options look like in the market and how those option best effect their growth.
Rob’s customer base is rooted in deep, meaningful and trusted relationships that grow and mature over time… he’s deeply committed to building connections that last and considers himself a partner in each brewery’s sustainability.
Outside of being a “Keg Wrangler” Rob is still an active freelance professional Horn player in regional orchestras, a Music Education consultant to some of the top High School band programs in Florida and is an active Adjudicator for High School Marching Band competitions nationally.
He has a deep love for cooking, cocktails & life and spends all of his spare time at home on the beach with his wife Erin, their daughter Nola Pearl and their friends & neighbors… it’s always “Tiki Time” with Rob out at their home by the shore!
Hi, I’m Jack!
I love what I do because I get to hear your story and help you navigate the world of equipment financing. Whether you need a truck, a trailer, or any kind of heavy machinery, I’ve got you covered.
When I’m not structuring deals, I’m usually out on the water. I’m a huge fan of fishing—and who knows, once we get your equipment sorted, maybe I’ll even take you out on the boat in the future!
Michele Conklin Williams brings over 30 years of experience in sales, marketing, and new product development. A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology in Food Marketing, with an MBA from the University of Tampa, she has built her career around identifying opportunities, building strong partnerships, and driving revenue growth.
At eLease, Michele serves as a Strategic Growth Partner, focused on identifying new opportunities, strengthening key relationships, and bringing a strategic lens to the business.
Known for her ability to connect ideas to execution, she turns opportunities into meaningful, scalable growth.
Logan Stenger is an Account Manager at ELEASE Funding, where he works with small business owners to help turn ideas into growth.
Before joining ELEASE, he built his own business in the golf industry, giving him firsthand experience in the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship.
That background drives his approach today—taking the time to understand each client’s vision and helping them find the right path forward.
Logan is passionate about building strong relationships and creating opportunities for others, and at ELEASE, he’s proud to be part of a team that fuels dreams.
Hailing from the shores of South Jersey, Mark embraced everything coastal life had to offer—boating, fishing, crabbing, water sports… you name it.
He later attended San Diego State University (SDSU), home of the Aztecs, where he earned his degree in Business.
After gaining experience in recruiting and staffing, along with several years at Sprint PCS, Mark joined his brother Tom when he relocated eLease from California to St. Petersburg, Florida.
Since then, they’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs turn their passions into thriving enterprises.
Since 1995, ELEASE has been dedicated to providing small to medium-sized business owners like you with easy financing and equipment leasing options. We understand the challenges you face in acquiring the equipment you need to grow and succeed, which is why we’re here to offer tailored solutions that fit your unique needs.
Our equipment leasing program allows you to acquire the tools and machinery necessary to run your business without the hefty upfront costs of purchasing outright. Whether you need office equipment, manufacturing machinery, or technology solutions, we have the expertise and resources to help you get what you need.
At ELEASE, we believe in making the leasing process as smooth and hassle-free as possible. Our team of experts will work closely with you to understand your business requirements and financial goals, ensuring that you get the right leasing solution for your needs.
By choosing ELEASE for your equipment leasing needs, you’ll benefit from our years of experience and industry knowledge. We have helped thousands of businesses like yours secure the equipment they need to thrive, and we’re ready to help you too.
Contact us today at 1-800-499-2577 to learn more about our equipment leasing options and how we can help your business grow. Experience the ease and convenience of leasing with ELEASE.
