Advisory Board
The IFA Advisory Board Members serve a two-year term and assist the IFA in broadening the public understanding of the uses and benefits of factoring and help to both design training programs and foster new ideas to benefit its member organizations.
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Hailey Benton-Thomas - President, Bison Payments AFA Chair Hailey Benton-Thomas earned her Juris Doctor from Pepperdine University and began her legal career as a business and employment law litigator with the Los Angeles-based firm Floyd, Skeren & Kelly, LLP. In 2014, Benton-Thomas was recruited by TBS Factoring Service, LLC. There, she discovered her passion for empowering small businesses through access to working capital—especially those underserved by traditional banks. Over the years, she held multiple leadership roles within TBS, gaining comprehensive expertise in the factoring process and solidifying her reputation as a versatile and insightful leader. In 2023, Benton-Thomas started Bison Payments, LLC in partnership with the technology company Bison Technologies, together they have created unique and forward-thinking working capital solutions and tools for the oil and gas sector. Benton-Thomas has also been a prominent voice in the factoring industry. As the current President for the American Factoring Association (AFA), she has played a pivotal role in the introduction of the CASH Act. In addition to her professional commitments, she sits on the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Humane Society and is passionate about animal welfare. |
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Jonathan Brindley, CPA - Founder & President, Capitally Finance Corp. Jonathan Brindley is a Chartered Accountant with more than 25 years of experience across corporate finance, business leadership, and alternative working capital. Before moving into the factoring industry, he held senior finance roles at major Canadian and multinational companies—including Senior Controller at Ericsson Canada, Senior Finance Director at Rogers Communications, Divisional CFO at Symcor, and CFO at PinPoint GPS Solutions—building expertise across financial operations, business transformation, and growth strategy. Jonathan has been active in the factoring and accounts receivable financing space since 2011, working directly with Canadian small and mid-sized businesses to structure flexible, relationship-driven capital solutions. He founded Capitally Finance Corp. to bring that same hands-on, practical approach to entrepreneurs who need more than a bank can offer. Based in the Greater Toronto Area, Capitally serves clients across Canada and beyond with a straightforward, transparency-first philosophy. Jonathan's appointment to the IFA Advisory Board reflects his commitment to advancing the factoring industry and his belief in alternative financing as a genuine growth tool for business owners. |
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Amanda Bowman - Head of Sales, Transportation Group - eCapital Amanda Bowman serves as Head of Sales, Transportation Group, and is responsible for leading a dynamic team focused on developing strategic partnerships and structuring flexible working capital financing solutions. Amanda has over 15 years of experience working in the alternative lending space, with the bulk of her career in service to the transportation industry, providing accounts receivable financing to undercapitalized businesses. This background helped develop her drive to be solution-focused and results-driven when developing flexible funding solutions to meet client needs. Amanda attended Georgia State University and holds a BS in psychology. She is an active member of the Association for Corporate Growth, International Factoring Association, Turnaround Management Association and Secured Finance Network. |
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Brian Center - Partner & CEO - Quasar Capital Brian Center is a Partner at Quasar Capital Partners with more than 30 years of experience in commercial finance, factoring, asset-based lending, and portfolio management. Known for his direct communication style, disciplined credit philosophy, and relationship-driven approach, Brian has built his career helping owner-led businesses navigate growth, operational challenges, and working capital needs with practical financing solutions grounded in transparency and trust. Over the course of his career, he has led credit and operations teams, structured complex financing facilities, and helped grow commercial finance platforms focused on lower middle-market businesses. Prior to Quasar Capital, Brian served as President and Chief Credit Officer of Far West Capital and previously co-founded Comresco Capital, LLC, which was acquired by Bibby Financial Services in 2007. At Quasar Capital, Brian helps guide the firm’s strategic direction while maintaining a strong focus on disciplined underwriting, operational understanding, and long-term client partnerships. He is recognized for his calm, practical leadership style and his ability to combine sound credit judgment with a deep understanding of how businesses actually operate. Brian earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics from Texas Tech University and began his career in asset-based lending, where he developed the hands-on experience and credit mindset that continue to define his work today. |
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Tom Croteau - President & CEO - OperFi Tom Croteau has been in the transportation factoring industry since 2012, with experience spanning operations, underwriting, risk management, and executive leadership. He began his factoring career as VP of Operations at Single Point Capital, where he developed deep expertise in transportation finance and the operational needs of small and mid-sized carriers. An Air Force veteran, Tom founded OperFi in 2019 to provide working capital solutions to carriers and logistics companies while building a company rooted in service, education, and long-term client support. OperFi offers veteran discounts and donates a portion of its profits annually to veteran-focused charities. Tom has been involved with the International Factoring Association for more than a decade and brings practical, front-line insight into operations, underwriting, fraud prevention, and the evolving challenges facing the transportation factoring industry. |
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Andrea Knoblauch-Wright – VP, Chief Experience Officer - Phoenix Capital Group Andrea has been a finance leader her entire career, focusing on transportation factoring for the last 13 years. Currently she serves as Vice President and Chief Experience Officer at Phoenix Capital Group LLC, a division of Gulf Coast Bank. Andrea’s experience with acquisitions and due diligence, operations, risk management, credit and portfolio management, internal audit and controls, and growth management has led her to her current position. Prior to working for Phoenix Capital Group, she was Senior Vice President at D&S Factors and Pavestone Capital. Andrea earned a Master of Business Administration at Northwest Nazarene University and holds a Bachelors of Arts in Accounting from California State University at San Bernardino. She is currently an advisory member of the IFA’s Certified Account Executive in Factoring (CAEF) Program and has served as a board member of the American Factoring Association. |
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Amity Mercado - CEO - Countify Capital Amity Mercado is a senior executive, entrepreneur, and construction industry veteran with over 15 years of experience in Corporate Finance, Financial Consulting, Accounting, Leadership, and Operations. She is a confident team builder with excellent interpersonal and communications skills. Combined with her in-depth knowledge and passion for accounting technology, this has made her a trusted advisor in many of her relationships. Amity served as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operations Officer of nFusion Capital, LLC, a lending company that provides cash flow, collections and financial reporting compliance solutions to growing companies. She brings a wealth of knowledge in the areas of capital acquisition, risk analysis, and accounting systems and technology. Her creative problem-solving skills and unique expertise and specialization in the construction and professional services sectors have been instrumental in the company’s exponential growth. Amity received the Certified Account Executive in Factoring designation by the International Factoring Association in 2023. |
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Andrew Osborn - Senior Managing Director - Working Capital, Pathward Andrew Osborn is currently senior managing director at Pathward. Previously, he spent five years as executive vice president and director of sales at ENGS Commercial Capital (now part of Mitsubishi HC Capital America). Prior to that, he spent four years as executive vice president and national sales manager at Federal National Commercial Credit after 16 years at Summit Financial Resources, first as vice president and business development officer and then as senior vice president and national sales manager. |
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Clayton Richardson – CEO - American Funding Solutions Clayton is the CEO of American Funding Solutions (AFS), a Midwest based general factor with 20+ years serving clients throughout the United States. AFS has built their brand primarily in staffing (emphasis on medical staffing), business services, and consulting. Clayton leads the growing team in their next chapter as a company, after acquiring the business in 2024. Prior to AFS, Clayton spent a decade working across asset classes, from institutional grade to small business credit. A native of Kansas City, Clayton and his family are active in supporting their favorite local teams (Jayhawks, Chiefs, and Royals) and non-profit organizations (Special Olympics, Sheffield Place, and Wayside Waifs). |
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Paige Runyard, CPA - Senior Credit & Portfolio Manager - Accounts Receivable Funding - First Business Specialty Finance, LLC subsidiary of First Business Bank 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 analysts monitoring First Business Bank’s factoring portfolio, overseeing debtor credit, and working directly with ledgered-line clients. In 2025, ABF Journal recognized Paige’s career accomplishments with a Trailblazer Award. Paige is actively involved in the International Factoring Association and is part of the NEXGEN committee. |
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Ben Rutkevitz – Senior Vice President - Alleon Capital Partners LLC Ben is Senior Vice President of Business Development at Alleon Healthcare Capital, leading its healthcare origination efforts since 2009. He structures medical receivable financing and factoring solutions for providers, supported by a background in real-estate bridge lending and Wall Street mutual funds. Based in Hudson Valley, NY, Ben is an avid tennis player and meditator. A known speaker and author in healthcare finance, he’s delivered SFNet webinars, contributed to Commercial Factor and other publications. |
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