About First Star Capital
First Star Capital is an independent commercial lender with a specialty focus in equipment financing and leasing. We have the ability to finance equipment requests between $10,000 and $10,000,000. Since we are a direct lender with our own funding capabilities we are able to offer some of the most comprehensive and competitive equipment financing programs in the industry.
The dedicated team at First Star Capital is always willing to help. With three Certified Leasing Professionals (there are roughly 4,000 - 5,000 leasing firms in the U.S but there is less than 250 CLPs), a CPA, and a team of experienced equipment finance specialists, we take pride in being harder working and more motivated than our competitors. Exceptional personal service is the reason that 99% of our customers plan on working with us again and would recommend us to their peers.
First Star has a national presence with offices in California, Washington, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.
First Star Capital is a BBB Accredited Business. We are also a proud member of two prominent industry associations; the NEFA (National Equipment Finance Association) and the NAELB (National Association of Equipment Leasing Brokers).
The First Star Team
Brad Harmon, CLP - President
 P: 800-604-4817 ext. 107
E-mail: brad@firststarcapital.com
Brad Harmon founded First Star Capital in early 2005 with six years of industry experience. Brad began his career at Balboa Capital in 1999 and subsequently moved on to WMI Capital as a Regional Account Manager and eventually Vice President. During his tenure at WMI Brad was involved in sales and marketing initiatives and executive management. Brad’s current responsibilities at First Star include program development and managing the overall strategic direction of the company. He earned the CLP (Certified Leasing Professional) designation in 10/07’ and regularly contributes to industry associations publishing articles and speaking at conferences. Mr. Harmon has a B.S. in Business Administration / Marketing from San Francisco State University.
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Kim Shea – Business Manager & Funding Coordinator
P: 800-604-4817 ext. 106
E-mail: kim@firststarcapital.com
Kim Shea joined First Star Capital in early 2006 with two years of industry experience. Kim got her start in the industry as a funding coordinator with WMI Capital in 2004. She has been instrumental in developing efficient systems and processes which have allowed First Star to grow and expand quickly. Her knack for building and strengthening relationships has helped First Star develop a reputable brand name with an admirable position in the industry. Kim manages the documentation and funding process ensuring that transactions move through credit and funding in a timely and efficient manner. She also has a hand in coordinating the day-to-day operations of First Star which includes a wide variety of management disciplines. Ms. Shea is a graduate of North Carolina State University with a B.S. in Business Management. |
Drew Khilyuk, CPA - VP, Finance
P: 925-627-1933
E-mail: drew@firststarcapital.com
Drew Khilyuk joined First Star Capital in early 2009 with a wealth of accounting, operations and financial management experience. Drew is a CPA and previously served in executive level financial roles such as Financial Auditor for a Big Four Accounting Firm, Controller for a Fortune 500 company and VP of Finance for a rapidly growing specialized medical practice. Prior to joining the First Star team he served as an Equipment Finance Specialist with Capital Funding Group which is where he got his start in the equipment leasing / financing industry. Mr. Khilyuk holds a B.A. in Business Economics with an emphasis in accounting from University of California, Santa Barbara. |
Steve Lee - National Account Manager
P: 800-604-4817 ext 108
E-mail: steve@firststarcapital.com
Steve Lee joined First Star Capital in early 2008 with nearly ten years of sales experience. Steve got his start in the industry as a Regional Account Manager with WMI Capital in 2003. Steve has quickly established himself as a top performer in every professional role that he has taken on. His current responsibilities include sales and marketing in addition to strategic program development. In his time at First Star Capital he has done a tremendous job driving new business development initiatives. Mr. Lee earned a B.A. in Philosophy from University of California, Berkeley. |
Mike Helder, CLP - National Account Manager
P: 925-952-7978
E-mail: mike@firststarcapital.com
Mike Helder is an esteemed professional with an established track record of success in the equipment finance industry. He joined First Star Capital in 2009 to help establish and solidify a presence in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to joining the First Star team Mike spent over six years as an Equipment Finance Specialist with Capital Funding Group. He has proven himself to be a great addition to First Star Capital with his consistent professionalism and a “can do” attitude. Mr. Helder is a graduate of Western Washington University with a B.S. in Manufacturing Management and earned the CLP (Certified Leasing Professional) designation in October 2010. |
Dave White – National Account Manager
P: 800-604-4817
E-mail: dave@firststarcapital.com
Dave White is an established professional in the financial services industry. He joined First Star Capital in early 2008 after leaving a successful position in the wealth management industry where he served in operations and business development roles. Dave’s current responsibilities involve business development and managing an increasing flow of new business activity. Mr. White earned a B.A in Economics from UC Riverside. |
Michael Rausch - National Account Manager
P: 507-337-2600
E-mail: michael@firststarcapital.com
Michael Rausch is a highly regarded professional in the equipment financing industry who joined First Star Capital in 2010 to establish and solidify a presence in the Mid-West. Michael joined First Star with 15 years of industry experience that includes a long successful stint at US Bancorp, Manifest Funding Services. During his tenure at US Bancorp he managed several indirect wholesale funding relationships of which First Star Capital was one. He played an instrumental role in the development of First Star as a strategic advisor and early funding source. Michael has worked with Brad Harmon extensively in a variety of situations during their respective careers. As a First Star representative Michael is focused on national business development initiatives in targeted industries. He brings a unique level of enthusiasm and energy to the First Star team. Mr. Rausch is a graduate of St. Cloud State University with a B.A in Psychology. |
Norm Malkowski, CLP - National Account Manager
P: 717-435-9691
E-mail: norm@firststarcapital.com
Norm Malkowski joined First Star Capital in November 2010 with nearly 25 years of professional experience. Norm was an independent business owner for 15 years prior to entering the commercial lending industry. Prior to joining the First Star team he established himself as a professional in the equipment finance industry. He served in executive roles for prominent and respected funding sources such as Dakota Financial and Mesa Leasing. Norm earned his CLP designation in early 2010. Norm is focused on developing, establishing and growing valuable vendor financing programs in the commercial vehicle and heavy equipment industries nationally. Mr. Malkowski is an avid reader, a member of Kiwanis International and a Vietnam Veteran who served in the US Navy. |
Nick Fong – Marketing Associate
P: 800-604-4817 ext. 101
E-mail: nick@firststarcapital.com
Nick Fong has been with us since the beginning of 2010. Nick was brought on board as a marketing associate and tasked with streamlining our existing marketing processes and to establish marketing systems / procedures to maximize effectiveness, and further advance the National presence of First Star Capital. Mr. Fong holds a BS in Marketing from San Diego State University and he recently earned an MBA from CSU East Bay where he excelled in his Business School studies of Marketing Management & Financial Management. |
Ian Harrington – Systems Coordinator
P: 800-604-4817 ext. 102
E-mail: ian@firststarcapital.com
Ian Harrington has been with the First Star team since late 2008. Ian was brought on board to oversee the front end processing of incoming applications and continues to do a tremendous job with credit processing and account coordination. As First Star Capital constantly receives new requests for financing Ian handles the screening and initial entry of all pertinent applicant data. Mr. Harrington is an accomplished public speaker and member of his college debate team. He is currently pursuing his Bachelors at California State University – East Bay and is scheduled to earn his degree in Communications with an emphasis on Public Relations in the summer of 2011. |
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