Manufacturing Equipment Finance Experts
CHRIS RICHARDSON
Vice President of Sales & Strategic Initiatives
Chris is a people person. In fact, he puts himself in his customer’s shoes to understand their needs and share in their success.
Chris' highest calling in finance is in providing a positive experience for his customers. Before joining Connext, he was National Finance Manager at Joachim Machinery Company (dba JMC Financial Services), Program Manager in the Manufacturing Equipment Division at Associates Commercial Corporation and a Credit Analyst in the Construction Equipment Division. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with an Economics emphasis from Hanover College and his Masters in Business Administration with an emphasis on Management from Webster University. Continuing education is important to Chris and he is always striving for ways to grow, both personally and professionally. He has over 12 years of experience in the equipment finance business. And it runs in the family; both he and his twin, Michael, work in the finance field.
GARY MAUERMANN
Regional Vice President
Gary sets the bar high for himself and for the rest of the Connext team.
Gary has 30 years of credit experience, including serving as Credit Manager at Associates Commercial Corp and Senior VP at LCA Leasing Corp before joining Connext. He attended the University of Louisville, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Gary likes working with a group of people who are great friends and share a commitment to excellent service.
KEVIN WRIGHT
Regional Vice President
Kevin has experience in everything from beer to chocolate. But now he’s most interested in making sure your financing transactions run smoothly.
Though he's had broad business experience, Kevin also has eight years of experience in finance. Before joining Connext, he was: Regional Vice President at Machine Tool Capital, VP of Business Financing Solutions at General Electric, District Account Supervisor at Hershey's Chocolate and member of the Contemporary Marketing Team at Anheuser-Busch. Kevin attended the University of Louisville where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Management and minored in Marketing. He takes pride in following up on his customers and enjoys the family atmosphere at Connext. Kevin's own family loves athletics, running and working out together.
PETE MCSHERRY
Regional Vice President
Pete is a gifted listener. That’s why his customers always feel their needs are being heard and met.
Peter loves working with the people on the Connext team as much as he loves working with his customers. He has been Regional Vice President at Connext for four years. Peter earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Villanova University and an MBA from Temple University. He has been Regional Sales Manager at Center Capital Corporation and VP/Regional Sales Manager at LCA Leasing/Associates Commercial Corp., Sales Manager at Xerox Credit Corporation and VP at CIT Group. That‟s more than 25 years in the business. But he still knows how to relax. In his spare time, he enjoys chess.
JOE SEROT
Regional Vice President
Joe’s numbers are excellent: 30 years in the machine tool business and 110% effort.
Joe is very focused on every deal he works on until that deal is completed and he has learned over the years that he can give that effort to more than one deal at a time. “Everyone at Connext has your back. Here, I can provide many more financing options to my customers – which allows me to give every deal a much greater chance of approval,” Joe said. An experienced pro, he spent 21 years as VP at US Bank Equipment Finance and eight years as credit manager at Yamazen USA after graduating in Business from the University of La Verne in California. In his spare time, Joe is a fanatical movie trivia expert specializing in older movies and an avid golfer.
CHRIS KEMP
Regional Vice President
Because Chris has been a commercial bank credit officer, he knows what they are looking for and how they think.
Chris works hard to get his customers the best deal by analyzing all the credit information and looking at each transaction from multiple angles – helping customers and vendors get to “Yes.” His extensive experience with originating and underwriting commercial loans and leases informs this process. Chris served as National Business Development Manager at Industrial Finance Group for 13 years. Prior to entering the equipment financing industry he worked as a Relationship Manager at AmSouth Bank and a Portfolio Manager at First Union Bank. Chris earned his MBA and his BS in Corporate Finance and Investment Management, both at the University of Alabama.
CRAIG de KONING
Regional Vice President
Craig is a tireless advocate who has faith in doing the right thing.
Whether it’s helping a fellow mountain biker with a mechanical problem or providing clients with clear, concise and accurate financial advice, Craig has built his business around sound problem solving and prompt financial guidance, with one goal in mind: advocating for the success of his customers.
Before joining Connext, Craig worked with the Equipment Finance Division of Bank of the West for over 9 years and honed his skills as National Program Manager - Machine Tool for the last 6. He studied Japanese and graduated with a Bachelors degree in Asian Studies from San Diego State University. Craig’s expertise is his best tool in assisting decision makers in both large and small companies, recommending optimal financing options available and working to effectively and efficiently implement them.
DU'WEENA JORDAN
Operations Manager
Du'Weena is an efficiency maven who lets her work do the talking.
Du'Weena brings 17 years of operations management and business administration to Connext. Most recently, she worked as VP of Leasing Operations for 121 Leasing (now National Bank of Commerce) in Birmingham, Alabama. As a director of operations, Du'Weena has enjoyed gaining industry-specific expertise when working in various fields, from medical to leasing. She is detail-oriented and organized, not to mention a keen-strategist. Du'Weena attended San Jose State University. A little known fact about Du'Weena: she specialized in aviation medicine in the Navy.
DANIELLE HEFNER
Program Manager
In Danielle’s capable hands, you’ll get complete lease follow through.
Once your lease is received at Connext, a Program Manager like Danielle will shepherd your lease documents all the way through funding. Danielle’s detailed orientation and excellent follow through assure that everything will flow smoothly with your equipment funding. In fact, handling the details is her favorite part of the job. Danielle graduated from Indiana State University with a Bachelor Degree and a minor in Marketing. During college, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, local food and clothing drives and tornado recovery in Kansas. Danielle studied in Florence, Italy for a summer, enjoying the Italian cultural experience. After graduating, she moved to Indianapolis and found Connext where she enjoys learning something new every day.
CHRISTINA GEPHART
Program Manager
Christina is constantly driven to learn and grow in her role. The work in this industry continues to challenge and motivate her each and every day.
Christina has embraced her career change from ambulatory medicine into equipment finance with enthusiasm and a commitment to ongoing learning. Supporting machine tools sales
representatives allows her to work in a positive and supportive environment, enhancing customer experience and facilitating the work of her reps. Christine earned her Bachelor of Science in General Studies at Indiana University, Bloomington. Building on her skills and knowledge in her current role is important to Christina and she sees her position
as one that will only serve to complement these personal goals.
CHRISTINA COLLINS
Program Manager
Christina's ready to do the behind-the-scenes work to help us help you move your business forward.
Christina joined the Connext Financial team in the beginning of 2013, coming from a background in banking, sales, and customer service. She's enjoying the challenges she runs into at Connext and loves getting to work with a group of intelligent and well-spoken people. Christina attended the University of Southern Indiana and Indiana University-Purdue University Columbus, where she studied business. She's related to basketball legend John Wooden so it may not surprise you to learn that she's dedicated and punctual, and works well with others in any environment.