Commercial Banking Equipment Finance Q & A

Take a peek beyond the job titles and meet some of the people who make up the Wells Fargo Equipment Finance team.

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Spotlight on Wells Fargo Equipment Finance

Our equipment financing team members can help businesses acquire the equipment they need, through flexible, customized loan and lease solutions suited for a wide range of equipment needs. The team boasts wide-ranging, deep experience. At the heart of their best customer interactions? Relationships built on trust.

Deven Fuselier, Central/ Southern California & Nevada Territory Manager Equipment Finance – Specialty in Construction

1. How long have you been with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, and what drew you here?

I have been working at Wells Fargo Commercial Bank for one year and two months now. I was drawn to the long history of success Wells Fargo has in the equipment finance industry. When I first started in the industry nine years ago, Wells Fargo was the constant standard and mark to beat. Since joining the team I’ve learned that still stands true today. Through great leadership and values, Wells Fargo Equipment Finance has always set the standard on how to conduct business, grow relationships, and be a great business partner.

2. What do you enjoy most about working in Equipment Finance?

I most enjoy the opportunity to cultivate great relationships with business owners that move all our local economies. Getting a chance to truly understand their stories, where they’ve come from, and where they look to go makes each deal more than just a transaction. Each time we get the opportunity to work with our customers it is another chapter in their story signifying another step towards success and growth and we get see the growth and success firsthand.

3. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Equipment Finance?

The Equipment Finance market originates as a whole roughly $1 trillion in new business annually across many verticals. Wells Fargo Equipment Finance group is continuously top 5 and due to that we meet a large number of new businesses and new customers annually. This makes equipment finance a great tool for Wells Fargo to obtain new customers, becoming a great wedge product that introduces or deepens a Wells Fargo relationship.

4. How do you keep up on new trends, challenges and opportunities in your industry?

Fenix in Rogo is my new best friend. All of our AI tools we’ve been provided have been a game changer! Along with these tools, industry events keep me connected to not only our customers but colleagues and other industry service providers that have valuable insights. Monthly to weekly newsletters still work great as well keeping me up to date with anything regulatory, in market public works, and large in market projects.

5. What do you consider your professional “super power?”

I’d say my professional superpower is building trusted relationships through strategic listening and setting realistic expectations. Often my favorite prospect is one who has not had the best experience in the past, but it is my first opportunity to work with them. Through active listening, open ended questioning, and keeping Wells Fargo values forefront, I can build a genuine connection with that customer and re-establish a relationship.

Cheri Green, Equipment Financing Underwriting Associate Manager

1. How long have you been with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, and what drew you here?

I've spent the last 10 years in Equipment Finance. A chance opportunity drew me here, but it’s the people that have kept me here. I've been lucky to work with smart, talented people at Wells Fargo who’ve been willing to invest in me and help me grow. That culture makes Wells Fargo Equipment Finance a great place to build a career.

2. What do you enjoy most about working in Equipment Finance?

I'm naturally wired for process improvement, so I enjoy evolving how we do things. Over the last few months, I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of building Equipment Finance’s new Mid-Ticket Credit Team. That experience pushed me to think differently about how we serve our customers and explore new possibilities for the business.

3. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Equipment Finance?

I wish people knew how varied Equipment Finance is. As we’ve transitioned to a “one credit team” approach, I’ve had the opportunity to step outside my transportation roots and learn more about construction, bank and middle market vendor channels. Credit folks in Equipment Finance today will find themselves with the opportunity to become so well-rounded. That's good for underwriters and for the business.

4. How do you keep up on new trends, challenges and opportunities in your industry?

Early in my career, a mentor told me that the secret to success was to care about what you do and to think critically, and I've applied that advice throughout my career. To stay on top of trends, I pay close attention to what my team is doing and how our portfolios are performing. The data tells you a lot, especially if you’re thinking critically about what's impacting those results.

5. What do you consider your professional “super power?”

My professional “super power” is connecting people. Wells Fargo Equipment Finance is full of talented professionals who are willing to share what they know, and I enjoy helping others tap into that network. I like helping interns feel comfortable, analysts learn credit skills, and underwriters take on new challenges. I’m fortunate to lead an awesome and talented team that has worked through a lot of changes over the last year. It's been really impressive to watch the team take it all on and realize just how much they're capable of.

Brett Hewitt, Executive Director – Specialty Marine Industries

1. How long have you been with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, and what drew you here?

Been with Wells Fargo for eight years. Was drawn by the opportunity to be an industry specialist covering the commercial maritime industry.

2. What do you enjoy most about working in Equipment Finance?

I enjoy getting to be a subject matter expert of a unique, niche market that allows me to bring value to our client relationships. I also enjoy getting to work with a hard-working team that is committed to delivering for clients, at a Bank with defined growth goals

3. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Equipment Finance?

Wells Fargo Equipment Finance is often the “tip of the spear” product that allows us to begin doing business with a client, with the goal of developing a full bank relationship.

4. How do you keep up on new trends, challenges and opportunities in your industry?

I’m passionate about the commercial maritime industry, so it’s fun to obsess with reading weekly and monthly industry newsletters from several sources such as Workboat Magazine and the Waterways Journal.

I follow and read industry contacts and company’s LinkedIn posts, as well as Port Bureau newsletters, government whitepapers—and regularly attend organization quarterly meetings with American Waterway Operators, Waterway Council meetings, the annual International Workboat conference, as well as serving as vice-lead on the Blue Sky Maritime Coalition’s Finance, Chartering, & Commercial workstream committee. I also regularly speak on or moderate industry panel discussions at events such as Marine Money – Jones Act Forum in New Orleans.

5. What do you consider your professional “super power?”

Ability to build ‘trusted advisor” status relationships with clients

Janie Murray, Specialty Industries Inside Sales Manager

1. How long have you been with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, and what drew you here?

I first joined Commercial Banking in 2019 as a Transaction Coordinator with the Equipment Finance – Commercial Vehicle Group, where I worked for a little over two and half years before I moved into a role in HR-Compensation. In 2023, I came back to Equipment Finance as an Inside Sales Manager for Equipment Finance (CVG and Construction). A coworker from my days in Corporate Trust recommended I apply for a position on his team in EF; he said it was a great line of business with a lot of opportunity to grow in the organization, which I have found to be true.

2. What do you enjoy most about working in Equipment Finance?

The people – I have some of the best coworkers on my team who are helpful, resourceful, and always willing to work together to solve any issues that come up day to day.

3. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Equipment Finance?

That we have a wide portfolio of clients – from some of the largest corporations in the US to single truck owner-operators, we’re able to help customers grow their business by offering creative financial solutions.

4. How do you keep up on new trends, challenges, and opportunities in your industry?

I regularly reach out to our dealer partners to ask about what they are seeing in the market, if they have received any rate feedback from their customers, what their sales projects for the year look like, and how we can be better partners to serve our mutual customers. I also have a daily email from Rogo for updates in the industries/markets I cover (changes in treasury rates, demand, energy, and implications for lenders).

5. What do you consider your professional “super power?”

I’m a very quick learner, so it’s allowed me to become a resource on my team when issues arise, help new team members and rotating analysts jump into their roles quickly by providing comprehensive training, and process our dealer partner’s requests quickly and accurately to win more business.

Drew Schoessel, Credit Product Sales Director

1. How long have you been with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking, and what drew you here?

I’ve been with Wells Fargo Commercial Banking for 12 years, specifically in Equipment Finance for the last nine years. I started my career in Rail leasing and was quickly drawn to Equipment Finance team for the challenge of learning a new industry and the real-world impact we’re able to make. We aren’t just talking interest and monthly lease rates, we’re helping clients make decisions that actually drive their businesses forward.

2. What do you enjoy most about working in Equipment Finance?

It’s really a mix of the people, problem solving, and variety. We’re working with clients who run real businesses in dynamic industries, and every deal comes with its own set of challenges. There’s a puzzle to solve on every opportunity...how do we structure this in a way that works for the client and makes sense from a risk perspective? But I’d say the number one thing for me is the people. I’m never on an island alone, it takes coordination across all teams from originations to credit to operations to get things done.

3. What’s one thing you wish more people knew about Equipment Finance?

I think a lot of people assume it’s transactional, but in reality, its very relationship driven and strategic. Our Trailer team has an extremely unique product offering that can differentiate us from other lenders. We spend a lot of time understanding what’s going on beneath the surface for our clients, where they are in their growth cycle, what pressures they are facing, and how we can help position them for what’s next. The finance piece is important, of course, but the real value is in bringing solutions our competitors and maybe even our clients haven’t thought about.

4. How do you keep up on new trends, challenges, and opportunities in your industry?

A lot of it comes down to staying curious and staying connected in the industry. Some of the best insight comes from day to day conversations with clients, team members, and partners across the bank. In the transportation space, we’ve had back to back years with major disruptions that I don’t think anyone had on their radar. Last year it was tariffs and how that was affecting the cost of goods and equipment in our industry, like trucks and trailers. This year it was the war in the Middle East, rising fuel costs, continued pressure from tariffs on commodities and components used to build and assemble trucks and trailers. There was so much happening so fast, if you weren’t following things daily, you were late.

5. What do you consider your professional “super power”?

If I had to pick one, I’d say it’s the ability to build genuine, long-term relationships. Deals come and go, but relationships are what really matter. I’ve always tried to focus on earning trust over time, not just in the good moments, but especially when things get complex and don’t go exactly to plan. I try to stay connected, be responsive, and really understand what’s important to the person on the other end, not just the transaction. When you take that approach, you’re not just working a deal, you’re building partnerships that last well beyond it. At the end of the day, people might not remember every detail of a deal, but I promise they will remember how you showed up for them.

Commercial Banking products and services are provided by Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Member FDIC and its subsidiaries and affiliates. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., a bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company, is not liable or responsible for obligations of its affiliates. Deposits held in non U.S. branches are not FDIC insured. Products and services require credit approval

All transactions are subject to credit approval. Some restrictions may apply. Wells Fargo Equipment Finance is the trade name for certain equipment leasing and finance businesses of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and its subsidiaries. The information contained herein is general in nature and not intended to provide you with specific advice or recommendations. Contact your attorney, accountant, tax or other professional advisor with regard to your individual situation.

RO-5807589

LRC-0826

Stamp Value: 20270806-5807589-18526449