The International Factoring Association formed a U.S.-based Midwest Chapter. The chapter will provide educational programs, serve as a venue for members to network with local practitioners, exchange ideas and best practices and discuss the impact of national and regional trends on their organizations.
Laurie A. Montplaisir, a shareholder with Robbins, Salomon & Patt, founded the chapter which spans 10 states.
“There was strong interest in forming a regional chapter where members could connect and collaborate locally,” said Montplaisir. “Our chapter will act as the local representative of the IFA. We are committed to furthering the IFA’s mission of promoting awareness of the industry and its member firms in the region.”
In addition to Montplaisir, the founding board members of the Midwest Chapter will include Robert Jaskiewicz, managing director of 12five Capital; Robert Meyers, who leads the origination and marketing departments for Republic Business Credit and will serve as president of the Midwest Chapter, and Gail Reints, president and founder of Sky Business Credit and a previous IFA board member.
The geographic territory covered by the chapter will include the states of Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Tennessee and Wisconsin. Only IFA members can join the chapter and current members located in these states will be grandfathered in as members of the new chapter.
The IFA’s Midwest Chapter is the second regional chapter in the U.S., after the Northeast Chapter, which was formed in 2014, and a Canadian Chapter, which was formed in 2007.
“Regional chapters make our organization stronger and provide members with an opportunity to strengthen business and personal relationships with professionals in the area,” said Bert Goldberg, executive director of the IFA. “I encourage all interested IFA members in the Midwest to attend the October gala and get more involved in the chapter.”
And invitation-only gala reception for members will be held on October 11, 2018 at the Civic Opera Building in Chicago.
