Orion First Welcomes Jenny Dubinsky as CFO
Orion First Welcomes Jenny Dubinsky as CFO
Seattle, WA—Orion First, a leading provider of commercial loan and lease servicing, has appointed Jenny Dubinsky, CPA, as chief financial officer (CFO). Dubinsky, a former Orion executive, returns to the company at a pivotal moment of growth and investment in innovation.
Dubinsky previously served as senior vice president of contract operations at Orion before leaving in 2022 for an external leadership opportunity. Her return reflects the company’s dedication to strengthening its position as a firmly established and well-respected commercial servicer. With 2024 marking a growth milestone of surpassing 100 employees, $6 billion in Assets Under Management, and an expanding portfolio of sophisticated clients, Orion remains focused on scaling operations, automating processes to drive efficiency, and enhancing client and customer experiences.
“We are excited to welcome Jenny back as CFO,” said Mark Johnson, who was recently named CEO of Orion First. “Her deep understanding of our business and customers, financial expertise, passion for efficiency, and hands-on leadership will be invaluable as we execute our growth strategy — scaling our infrastructure, investing in automation, and ensuring that Orion remains a fulfilling and rewarding place to work.”
Dubinsky expressed enthusiasm for returning to the Orion team at this critical stage.
“I’m passionate about strategic financial planning and making sure our clients have a strong back-office solution partner they can rely on,” she said. “Orion First has built something pretty special in both its solutions and its team. I’m excited to be back.”
Dubinsky’s appointment is the first external executive hire under Johnson, who became CEO in December 2024. She joins Orion First’s Executive Leadership Team alongside President Quinten Cote, Chief Operating and Technology Officer Paul Marcoe, and Chief Experience Officer Jenny Wood, who was recently promoted under Johnson’s leadership. Johnson succeeded Founder Dave Schaefer, who is now the company’s chairman.
Dubinsky’s appointment underscores Orion First’s commitment to building a strong leadership team to support Johnson’s vision for the company’s next phase of growth, innovation, and client success.
An Equipment Finance Advisor Interview: Opportunities and Insights with Dave Schaefer and Mark Johnson
Listen in as Dave, Mark, and EFA publisher Michael Toglia discuss Schaefer’s transition into the role of Orion’s Chairman. In this interview, they discuss Orion’s success, opportunities in the lending market, and how Orion will continue to focus on being a top commercial servicer for lenders across the U.S.
A New Era of Leadership at Orion First: The Monitor Interview
Get to know Mark Johnson, the new CEO of Orion First, in this exclusive interview with The Monitor Daily. Johnson shares his leadership philosophy, emphasizing empowerment, innovation, and a people-first approach to drive growth in the equipment finance industry.
Dave Schaefer to Serve as Chairman, Mark Johnson Named CEO, and Jenny Wood promoted to Chief Client Experience Officer
Orion First Announces Leadership Transition: Dave Schaefer to Serve as Chairman, Mark Johnson Named CEO, and Jenny Wood promoted to Chief Client Experience Officer
Phoenix, AZ, December 11, 2024—Orion First , the leading provider of commercial loan & lease servicing, announces an exciting new chapter in its leadership.
After 23 years as Founder and CEO, Dave Schaefer has decided to transition into the role of Chairman of Orion First, where he will focus on providing strategic guidance to the company. Mark Johnson, a seasoned executive and current member of Orion’s Advisory Board, has assumed the role of CEO.
“This decision has been in the making for some time,” said Dave Schaefer. “I’ve been preparing to transition from day-to-day operations to a more strategic role while positioning Orion for continued success. Mark is the ideal leader to take Orion into its next phase of growth. His background, leadership philosophy, and deep industry expertise make him a perfect fit to help Orion become a firmly established and highly respected middle-market company.”
Mark Johnson brings extensive experience in building high-performing teams and leading companies through middle-market growth stages. His distinguished career includes leadership roles such as CEO of Concord Servicing Corp., President of Wyndham Consumer Finance, and Vice President of Global Operations at GE Capital.
“I’ve enjoyed getting to know Mark through working with him on Orion’s board. His leadership philosophy aligns well with our company culture, and his experience is uniquely valuable” said Quentin Cote, President of Orion First. “We are excited to collaborate with Mark to advance Orion’s capabilities and take our business to the next level.”
Jenny Wood promoted to Chief Client Experience Officer
Jenny Wood is being promoted to the role of Chief Client Experience Officer (CXO). Having been with Orion for over twenty-two years, Jenny has been a cornerstone of its team, helping to shape the way it serves and supports its clients.
“Jenny’s been at the heart of so many of Orion’s successes, always focused on making things better for our clients and our team,” said Cote. “This move will only put Jenny in a better position to do what’s best for our clients. Jenny’s promotion is a natural step in building out our leadership team.”
In her previous role as SVP, Client Services, Jenny played a critical role in building critical client service infrastructure to serve clients better. In her new role as CXO, she will oversee all aspects of client experience.
Both leadership appointments are effective immediately and mark a significant stride towards Orion’s commitment to industry leadership and strategic growth. Quentin Cote, as President, and Paul Marcoe, as COO, will continue to serve as senior leaders of Orion, working alongside Jenny and Mark to drive Orion’s vision and ensure its continued success.
ABOUT ORION FIRST
Orion First, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial loan and lease portfolio servicer which provides a suite of services and products to manage the complete life cycle of a borrower. Orion’s product suite includes commercial loan and lease servicing and collection, portfolio management technology with client portal, data management, business analytics, and backup servicing. By delivering better technology, professional expertise, and deep experience, Orion empowers clients to focus their entrepreneurial energy on their greatest value—funding small businesses.
Orion First Announces Paul Marcoe's Promotion to Chief Operating Officer
Orion First Announces Paul Marcoe’s Promotion to Chief Operating Officer
SEATTLE—Orion First , the leading provider of commercial loan & lease servicing, is excited to announce that Paul Marcoe has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer (COO).
Paul Marcoe, who has played an integral role at Orion for over eight years, is being promoted from his current role as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Throughout his tenure as CTO, Paul has spearheaded major growth and technological advancements, playing a crucial role in Orion First’s success. In his new role, Paul will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company, ensuring continued excellence in service delivery and operational efficiency.
“Paul’s leadership and innovative vision have been instrumental in driving our technological advancements and overall growth,” said Quentin Cote, President of Orion First. “We are confident that his transition to COO will further strengthen our operational capabilities and support our long-term strategic goals.”
ABOUT ORION FIRST
Orion First, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial loan and lease portfolio servicer which provides a suite of services and products to manage the complete life cycle of a borrower. Orion’s product suite includes commercial loan and lease servicing and collection, portfolio management technology with client portal, data management, business analytics, and backup servicing. By delivering better technology, professional expertise, and deep experience, Orion empowers clients to focus their entrepreneurial energy on their greatest value—funding small businesses.
Opportunity Amidst Risk: Delinquency Management in a Volatile Market
Orion First President, Quentin Cote’s latest article in the Monitor Daily: After a prolonged economic upswing, delinquencies and defaults are on the rise. Quentin Cote explores how we got here, outlines the essentials of proactive delinquency management and argues that returning to fundamentals today can set the stage for tomorrow’s growth.
Orion First to provide servicing to Conserv Capital
SEATTLE—Orion First has begun servicing contracts for Conserv Capital.
Nashville-based Conserv established itself in 2015 as a premier lender to contractors and haulers for heavy equipment in the Southeast. Today, it has more than 1,500 pieces of equipment with over 750 customers in 30 states. The company is shifting away from servicing its contracts in-house using a major industry-leading software solution in favor of a third-party servicing partnership with Orion.
“I could go into how they reduce costs, increase productivity, and enable expansion, and that would all be true,” says Trey Miller, COO of Conserv. “But at the end of the day, we went with Orion because they are great people who are great at what they do.”
Orion is a leader in commercial finance and has been instrumental in helping growing lenders make the switch from in-house to third-party servicing operations in order to scale while saving back-office costs, offering better customer experiences and deeper business analytics.
Miller was strategic. “When I was first approached about using a third-party servicing partner, I thought my colleagues had gone mad. I understood the advantages that came along with it, but we were talking about one of the few things companies in our space can control: the customer experience. After getting to know the team at Orion, I realized we would be doing our customers a disservice by not giving them the Orion experience.”
“We’re thrilled to have Conserv as a partner,” says Orion President Quentin Cote. “The servicing landscape is evolving and increasingly demanding. Because Orion is focused on investing in the borrower experience and data analytics, Conserv can focus its investments on building the best portfolio possible.”
ABOUT ORION FIRST:
Orion First, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial loan and lease portfolio servicer which provides a suite of services and products to manage the complete life cycle of a borrower. Orion's product suite includes commercial loan and lease servicing and collection, portfolio management technology with client portal, data management, business analytics, and backup servicing. By delivering better technology, professional expertise, and deep experience, Orion empowers clients to focus their entrepreneurial energy on their greatest value—funding small businesses.
ABOUT CONSERV CAPITAL:
Conserv Capital is an independently owned, direct capital source focused on the construction and transportation industries across the United States. Originally designed for borrowers that did not qualify for traditional captive or bank financing, Conserv now offers competitive rates for all credit profiles. The business was started in 2015 and, to date, has provided financing on over $250mm of essential equipment.
Jaimie Haver joins Orion First as new SVP, Director of Contract Operations
Orion First has named Jaimie Haver, CLFP its new Senior Vice President and Director of Contract Operations. A veteran of the field, Haver has been responsible for building back offices for scaling companies, including banks and independent lessors.
“We are very excited to have Jaimie joining the team here at Orion,” says President Quentin Cote. “She brings a strong operational process focus and an ability to build strong and trusted relationships with her industry peers. It’s a rare combination of skills. It blends perfectly with Orion’s culture.”
Haver will be filling the role left by Jenny Dubinsky, CPA, CLFP, who has stepped down to pursue other career goals, leaving behind a contract operations department that is stronger and more robust than ever. In a role that depends on both relationship-building, leadership, and process discipline, Haver embodies all three. “She’ll help strengthen our focus on providing a meaningful partnership with each of our clients,” says Cote.
In previous roles, Haver inspired colleagues with her passion for the industry, enthusiasm for impeccable service, consistency, compliance, and decisiveness. Her open communication and leadership style enables her to improve team performance and to course-correct quickly when necessary. As a leader in equipment finance, Orion is deeply invested in the improvement and advocacy of the industry. Haver shares this commitment, according to the Monitor Daily, “believing it is essential for equipment finance businesses to self-police and enforce better practices.”
Haver serves as a Member of the Equipment Finance Cares Advisory Council and is chair of the fundraising committee. She has also served on both the ELFA Women’s Council, the subcommittee for the ELFA Women in Leadership Mentoring Program, and was a long-time board member of Beyond Blindness, formerly known as Blind Children’s Learning Center in Tustin, California.
“We are thrilled to have Jaimie on the team,” says Dave Schaefer, Orion’s CEO. “It’s rare to find someone of Jaimie’s caliber who also knows our company as well as many of our clients. She’ll be able to hit the ground running and help Orion get to the next level.”
ABOUT ORION FIRST:
Orion First, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial loan and lease portfolio servicer which provides a suite of services and products to manage the complete life cycle of a borrower. Orion’s product suite includes commercial loan and lease servicing and collection, portfolio management technology with client portal, data management, business analytics, and backup servicing. By delivering better technology, professional expertise, and deep experience, Orion empowers clients to focus their entrepreneurial energy on their greatest value—funding small businesses.
Orion First to provide servicing to Universal Finance Corp
SEATTLE—Orion First has begun servicing contracts for Universal Finance Corp.
Massachusetts-based Universal Finance has over the last forty years established itself as a premier lender to the construction industry. The company now serves clients in a wide range of other industries, including transportation, restaurants, and medical equipment suppliers. As it’s grown from a regional to a national business, Universal has wanted to expand product lines and operate more efficiently. Limitations of its current systems had restricted them, however.
“Outsourcing our servicing enables us to focus on sales and credit underwriting,” says Dan Robinson, a partner at Universal, “which is what we do best.”
Robinson led the search for a servicing partner. “Orion was clearly the top choice. No one else has the kind of performance and savvy that Orion does. They outperform everyone else, and they have two rare commodities: broad knowledge and deep history.”
“Like us, they’re really all about helping small businesses succeed.” says Orion EVP Quentin Cote. “It’s exciting to see them building a world-class organization.” Cote believes it’s natural for growing finance companies to seek servicing partners. “Visionary leaders recognize that originations and credit are key differentiators, while the back office can often be a drag on success. Partnering with Orion ensures world-class performance, insight, and borrower experience.”
ABOUT ORION FIRST:
Orion First, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial loan and lease portfolio servicer which provides a suite of services and products to manage the complete life cycle of a borrower. Orion's product suite includes commercial loan and lease servicing and collection, portfolio management technology with client portal, data management, business analytics, and backup servicing. As a key partner to banks, independents and captives, Orion harnesses its technology, expertise and experience to deliver better performance, deeper insights and a rewarding customer experience designed to support clients' growth.
ABOUT UNIVERSAL FINANCE:
With more than 35 years of experience and located just north of Boston, in Reading, Massachusetts, Universal Finance Corp. is a direct funding source. It has been a premier lender for the construction industry as part of a “One Stop Shop” for New England’s finest contractors since the early 1980s. Universal’s extensive experience in the construction industry gives it a unique edge when relating to customers.
Orion First promotes Cote to President, Dubinsky to Senior Vice President
Orion First Financial, LLC has promoted its director of accounting, Jenny Dubinsky, to senior vice president and director of contract operations, and has promoted executive vice president Quentin Cote to president and chief operating officer.
The promotions come just as Orion surpasses the benchmark of $3 billion under management. The company has enjoyed sustained growth over the last several years, despite the early tumult of the coronavirus pandemic. Orion adopted a leadership role in the commercial equipment finance industry throughout the pandemic, setting an assured tone and strategy for lenders and borrowers alike. Both Dubinsky and Cote were instrumental in navigating the industry’s ensuing upheaval, and helped Orion maintain its financial footing and continued growth.
CEO Dave Schaefer noted Cote’s contributions to Orion’s growth and marketplace innovation. “Quentin takes a deep interest in our clients and their well-being. This quality, and his ability to lead a high-performing team, are what the company needs as it continues to grow. Quentin has greatly influenced the strategic direction of the company.”
Dubinsky in particular was recognized by Schaefer for her leadership and management acumen. “She doesn’t just manage teams. She builds them. She leads them,” says Schaefer. “She’s seen us through some dramatic growth and has a clear vision for her group and the organization as a whole.”
CFO Zack Marsh agrees: “Jenny has a real passion for operational excellence. You see it in her commitment to developing a team of superstars and in her focus on building repeatable and reliable processes, all of which are critical for Orion’s ability to scale and perform at an optimal level for our clients.”
ABOUT ORION FIRST:
Orion First, founded in 2001, is a full-service commercial loan and lease portfolio servicer which provides a suite of services and products to manage the complete life cycle of a borrower. Orion's product suite includes commercial loan and lease servicing and collection, portfolio management technology with client portal, data management, business analytics, and backup servicing. As a key partner to banks, independents and captives, Orion harnesses its technology, expertise and experience to deliver better performance, deeper insights and a rewarding customer experience designed to support clients' growth.