The Alta Group Adds Four Proven Industry Experts to Its Consulting Team

RENO, Nev., Jan. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alta Group today announced the appointments of four proven industry veterans in the global equipment leasing and finance industry, where the firm has provided specialized management consulting and professional services for nearly 20 years.

Joining Alta are Managing Director Paul W. Frechette, Director Valerie Gerard, Consultant Jim Billings and Consultant Chuck Thomas.  These additions to The Alta Group will augment the consultancy in its support to clients that need to accelerate growth and reframe business in what is viewed as a dynamic economic and regulatory period, according to John Deane, CEO of The Alta Group.

"We're very pleased to have each of these industry veterans joining our team of professionals," Deane said.  "Not only do they broaden the depth of our experience and expertise, but they also will provide our clients with valuable insights and direction for strategic planning and tactical execution."

In 2011, The Alta Group has designated five key practice areas to assist clients where there is high demand for their expertise: mergers and acquisitions, vendor and captive finance, legal support services, professional development, and general consulting.  These major disciplines meet the needs of equipment leasing companies that are developing a competitive advantage by expanding, or redefining business practices and human resources.

Paul W. Frechette, Managing Director

Frechette now leads Alta's vendor and captive finance practice area.  He has worked in the equipment leasing and commercial finance industries for more than three decades, with deep expertise in vendor and captive finance programs in North America and globally.

Prior to joining Alta, Frechette was executive vice president at EverBank Commercial Finance (formerly Tygris Commercial Finance), responsible for the growth of its vendor finance business.  He also was a corporate executive with Sun Microsystems, where he was responsible for the strategic direction and overall management of the company's global captive finance business.  He served in corporate management positions at Key Equipment Finance, Heller Financial, Fleet Credit and U.S. Leasing International, as well.  Frechette has special expertise in developing equipment leasing operations.

Valerie Gerard, Director

Gerard is working with Alta clients in various practice areas.  She brings more than 25 years of management experience in financial services, media and telecommunications. She served as chief investor relations officer for several S&P 500 and FTSE 100 companies, including CIT Group, Cable & Wireless plc, Dow Jones & Company and AT&T Capital Corporation.  Gerard is widely regarded as one of the top investor relations professionals in the industry.  Earlier in her career, she was in charge of the Finance and Leasing Company Group for Fitch Ratings Service.  Prior to joining Alta, Gerard spent several years building her own strategic advisory firm, Intellectual Capital Advisors LLC, in Denver.    

Jim Billings, Consultant

Billings is supporting clients in the mergers and acquisitions practice area.  He joins Alta after more than 25 years with Kropschot Financial Services, most recently as executive vice president.  There, he served as an investment banker and arranged the sale or merger of more than 30 companies across the country.  He also helped many companies obtain equity or debt capital, plus led due diligence reviews for acquisitions, provided expert witness testimony and completed valuation assignments for financial services companies.  In addition, Billings has served on the Board of Directors of the National Vehicle Leasing Association.  

Chuck Thomas, Consultant

Thomas, a 35-year professional in the information technology and equipment finance industries, joins Frechette on the vendor and captive finance practice team.  Following a successful career in computer sales with IBM, he joined the newly created IBM Credit Corporation in 1983.  There and with IBM Global Financing, he held executive leadership positions in sales, marketing, operations, pricing, contract practices, information technology and business transformation.  These diverse experiences helped Thomas develop U.S. business partner leasing operations.  He also was responsible for numerous sales and channel enablement programs, Internet applications and business transformation initiatives that spurred revenue growth through IBM Global Financing, IBM and the reseller channels.

Prior to joining Alta, Thomas provided consulting and project management services to IBM in 10 western and central European countries.  He also spent one year in China, helping a Chinese technology manufacturer develop a worldwide sales financing strategic execution plan.

PHOTOS OF THE FOUR NEW MEMBERS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST.

About The Alta Group

The Alta Group is the equipment leasing and finance industry's preeminent global consultancy, offering clients the unique combination of experience, expertise and executable counsel.  The firm's team of 40+ executives globally has held senior management positions at many of the world's most successful public and private equipment lessors, manufacturers, banks and other financial institutions.  Alta consultants are recognized as some of the most knowledgeable and thoughtful professionals in the global industry, who regularly combine their keen insights to serve companies seeking a competitive advantage in the dynamic equipment leasing and finance industry.  The Alta Group's major practice areas include mergers and acquisitions; vendor and captive finance; legal support services, professional development; and general consulting.  The firm is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2011.  To learn more, please visit www.thealtagroup.com.

SOURCE The Alta Group