Meet our founders
Together, they bring over 40 years in Equipment Finance credit assessment.
Bill Phelan
Chairman & CEO
Bill’s roots in the information business go back to when he co-founded PayNet in 2000 with the belief that when commercial lenders are assured of risks, they’re more likely to make credit available, unlocking opportunity for small businesses. PayNet, an industry-standard for EF credit assessment, was later acquired by Equifax. Bill led Equifax Commercial Information until 2024. Additionally, Bill has served on several boards including ELFA, Canadian Finance and Lease Association, Innovative Lenders Platform Association and the Federal Reserve Bank’s Advisory Council on Agriculture, Small Business and Labor. He is currently a member of the Small Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Barry Ripes
President
Prior to joining PayNet Barry spent 19 years in the financial services industry. He was President and Founder of Struan Partners, LLC, a futures broker group in US Treasuries at the Chicago Board of Trade. The company specialized in executing contracts for Fortune 500 companies. At the CBOT Barry served as chairman of the 30 year Treasury Bond Pit Committee for 4 years.
Barry served on the Board of Directors of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association from 2020 through 2023, and previously had served for 4 years on the Service Provider's Business Council of the organization. A frequent speaker at conferences on industry and small business economic trends, data, and credit risk.
Outside Equifax Barry is an enthusiast wakeboarder, paddle boarder and cross trainer. Philanthropies include the Kevin Kaler Brightside Foundation and the BOLD (Black Organization for Leveraging Diversities) network.
John Dale
SVP – Credit Admin & Operations
Insert bio here.
KK Phelan
Associate
Insert bio here.
Meet our founders
Together, they bring over 40 years in Equipment Finance credit assessment.
Bill Phelan
Chairman & CEO
Bill’s roots in the information business go back to when he co-founded PayNet in 2000 with the belief that when commercial lenders are assured of risks, they’re more likely to make credit available, unlocking opportunity for small businesses. PayNet, an industry-standard for EF credit assessment, was later acquired by Equifax. Bill led Equifax Commercial Information until 2024. Additionally, Bill has served on several boards including ELFA, Canadian Finance and Lease Association, Innovative Lenders Platform Association and the Federal Reserve Bank’s Advisory Council on Agriculture, Small Business and Labor. He is currently a member of the Small Business Council at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Barry Ripes
President
Prior to joining PayNet Barry spent 19 years in the financial services industry. He was President and Founder of Struan Partners, LLC, a futures broker group in US Treasuries at the Chicago Board of Trade. The company specialized in executing contracts for Fortune 500 companies. At the CBOT Barry served as chairman of the 30 year Treasury Bond Pit Committee for 4 years.
Barry served on the Board of Directors of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association from 2020 through 2023, and previously had served for 4 years on the Service Provider's Business Council of the organization. A frequent speaker at conferences on industry and small business economic trends, data, and credit risk.
Outside Equifax Barry is an enthusiast wakeboarder, paddle boarder and cross trainer. Philanthropies include the Kevin Kaler Brightside Foundation and the BOLD (Black Organization for Leveraging Diversities) network.
John Dale
SVP – Credit Admin & Operations
Insert bio here.
KK Phelan
Associate
Insert bio here.
