RINALDI ADVISORY SERVICES AND SANDS COSTNER ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE
Rinaldi Advisory Services and Sands Costner Announce Strategic Alliance
HOUSTON, TX – Sep 10, 2025
Rinaldi Advisory Services, LLC (“RAS”), a leading advisory firm in equipment leasing and finance, announces a strategic alliance with Sands Costner, a marketing and brand strategy agency with deep-rooted expertise in the equipment finance sector.
Sands Costner brings over 15 years of continual experience working with equipment finance companies, eliminating the typical ramp-up period often associated with generalist firms. Their specialized expertise allows them to provide an integrated suite of services—from branding and advertising to lead generation and growth marketing, specifically tailored to this niche industry. Sands Costner’s strategic approach and creative execution are designed to meet the specific needs and goals of both independent lessors and bank-owned platforms.
The agency stands out for its unique blend of creative services including in-house design, content, and media, all integrated with a strong consulting approach. Sands Costner works closely with clients to develop robust marketing plans, identify and capitalize on market opportunities, and execute targeted campaigns designed to drive sustainable growth.
Founded in 2018 by industry veteran Bob Rinaldi, Rinaldi Advisory Services provides CEOs and founders of equipment finance firms with confidential, no-nonsense feedback and strategic guidance on the complex issues they face daily.
“Bob has a stellar reputation in equipment finance,” said President Curtis Costner. “We’ve helped establish his firm’s brand and position in the market, as well as multiple mutual clients. Formalizing this relationship is a natural next step. I look forward to being a valuable resource for RAS clients, particularly those who understand the power of brand and want to break away from the blur of lookalike lenders.”
Rinaldi added, “I have known Curtis and his firm for a long time and trust them implicitly. We’ve collaborated with Curtis and his team for years, and they’ve long been our go-to recommendation for clients seeking top-tier marketing and branding. We’ve seen firsthand the impact of their work. Formalizing this alliance with Sands Costner just makes sense, solidifying the immense confidence we have in recommending his marketing and branding expertise, backed by the agency’s full resources. This partnership will undoubtedly help our clients enhance their market presence and drive growth.”
About Rinaldi Advisory Services
RAS provides specialized advisory services to independent lessors, financial institutions, industry service providers, and manufacturers. Its core services include strategic planning and confidential advisory support for principals and executives of equipment finance companies and regulated financial institutions within the equipment finance industry.
To learn more about how RAS & Sands Costner can help your business thrive, visit https://rinaldiadvisory.com/about/ or contact Bob Rinaldi at Bob@RinaldiAdvisory.com or Curtis Costner at Curtis@SandsCostner.com.
Rinaldi Advisory Services Announces the Launch of “RAS Live” – An Eight-Part Open Forum Series on Equipment Leasing & Finance
Rinaldi Advisory Services Announces the Launch of “RAS Live” – An Eight-Part Open Forum Series on Equipment Leasing & Finance
First Session Kicks Off April 2, 2025, Focusing on Systems & Technology in Equipment Finance
HOUSTON, TX – March 27th, 2025 –
Rinaldi Advisory Services (RAS) is excited to announce the launch of RAS Live, a new eight-part interactive open forum series designed to facilitate real-world discussions on key topics impacting the equipment leasing and finance industry.
This innovative monthly series, running from April through November 2025, will bring together industry professionals, expert panelists, and strategic partners for in-depth conversations on critical industry trends, challenges, and opportunities. Each 60-minute session will feature an expert-led overview, followed by open discussion and Q&A, allowing attendees to engage with peers in a no-sales, collaborative environment.
What makes this unique:
- Industry Expert Insights – Each session features thought leaders sharing market trends, best practices, and strategic guidance.
- Peer-to-Peer Collaboration – Open forum format encourages dialogue and shared experiences.
- Focused, Actionable Discussions – Covering everything from technology and risk management to regulatory changes and market shifts.
- Exclusive Access – Each session is limited to 22 industry leaders, ensuring meaningful engagement.
“Our goal with RAS Live is to create an open forum where leaders in the equipment leasing and finance space can engage in candid discussions, tackle industry challenges, and stay ahead of market trends,” said Liz Rinaldi, SVP of Rinaldi Advisory Services. “This series is designed to be interactive and insightful, providing real value to our industry peers.”
First Session – April 2, 2025 | 2:00 PM ET
Topic: Systems & Technology in Equipment Leasing & Finance
The first session of RAS Live will focus on the evolving role of technology and automation in equipment finance. As digital transformation accelerates, businesses must adapt to new systems, AI-driven tools, and automation trends to remain competitive.
Featured Speakers:
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- The RAS Team: Bob Rinaldi, Nancy Geary, Harry Kaplun, Chris Chiappetta, and Liz Rinaldi
- Special Guest: Michael Varney, Strategic Alliance Partner at MAI Technology
🔹 Key Discussion Points:
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- Core system challenges in equipment leasing & finance
- Emerging technology trends – AI, automation & digital transformation strategies
- Best practices for system upgrades & integrations
- Strategies for staying competitive in a tech-driven market
- Cybersecurity in equipment finance – Protecting data, mitigating risks, and ensuring compliance in an increasingly digital world
Spots are limited—early registration is encouraged!
Register now: RAS Live: Session 1 – Systems and Technology
For more details on the RAS Live Series, including upcoming session topics and guest speakers, visit www.RinaldiAdvisory.com or contact Liz@RinaldiAdvisory.com
About Rinaldi Advisory Services®
Rinaldi Advisory Services (RAS) provides expert consulting services to independent leasing companies, OEMs and financial institutions. With years of industry experience and a commitment to excellence, RAS helps its clients achieve their business objectives through curated advisory services.
Rinaldi article featured in NEFA Newsline: "Preparing and Positioning Your Equipment Finance Company to Secure Growth Capital"
Rinaldi article featured in NEFA Newsline: "Preparing and Positioning Your Equipment Finance Company to Secure Growth Capital"
Securing growth capital is crucial for equipment finance companies aiming to expand, but it requires careful preparation. This article provides a comprehensive roadmap to position your company as a credible and reliable borrower, offering actionable strategies to instill lender confidence and overcome challenges in today’s banking environment.
Rinaldi Advisory Services and TomorrowZone Announce Strategic Alliance
Rinaldi Advisory Services® and TomorrowZone Announce Strategic Alliance
HOUSTON, TX, July 9th, 2024 — Rinaldi Advisory Services, LLC (“RAS”), renowned for its strategic expertise in exit strategy planning and mergers and acquisitions within the U.S. equipment finance marketplace, announces the addition of strategic alliance partner Deborah Reuben and TomorrowZone® to bolster its digital transformation capabilities.
This alliance enriches RAS’s service offerings, enabling the firm to guide banks and equipment finance companies not only through complex digital transformations but also in developing bank-ready postures that drive sale premiums during exits. Leveraging TomorrowZone’s deep equipment finance and business application strategy expertise, the two firms will work together to help equipment finance companies develop and implement digital strategies that will improve their efficiency, agility, and profitability.
Rinaldi Advisory Services, led by Bob Rinaldi, was founded in 2018 to provide CEOs and founders of firms in the industry with a very close advisor whom they can confide in on sensitive issues they face daily — providing true, no-nonsense feedback.
TomorrowZone was founded by Deborah (“Deb”) Reuben in 2013 as a boutique consulting company leading the visionary innovation conversation in the equipment finance industry. Pairing deep business and technical expertise with expert human-centered innovation practice, TomorrowZone helps companies to co-create strategic vision, and optimize business processes with a focus on long term value creation.
RAS’s and TomorrowZone’s services are complementary, and provide deep expertise in a wide range of functional areas within commercial equipment finance. With Reuben’s out-of-the-box thinking and specialized focus on the visionary front-end of transformations, RAS can offer a holistic suite of strategic guidance to equipment finance firms.
Deborah said of the opportunity to work with Bob and the RAS team, “I am thrilled to partner with Rinaldi Advisory Services to help equipment finance companies prepare for the future of work. Our combined expertise will provide our customers with the expertise and tools they need to thrive in the digital age. Bob is a legend in our space. I love the way he thinks. His stellar reputation and willingness to embrace true innovation, curiosity, and future readiness are a great fit for TomorrowZone. I look forward to our collaborations to make awesome happen for our customers.”
“Deb Reuben is exceptional,” says Bob Rinaldi, President of Rinaldi Advisory Services (RAS). “Her approach to business transformation, particularly in fostering a growth-oriented mindset, aligns perfectly with our philosophy. Deb begins by reshaping the CEO’s perspective and then guides the leadership team to envision and implement essential transformation processes. This collaboration with Deb and her team at Tomorrow Zone, combined with the expertise of the entire RAS team, will help our clients not only to adapt and thrive in a digital landscape but also prepare them for optimal exit strategies, enhancing their value in the equipment finance marketplace.”
About Rinaldi Advisory Services
RAS provides advisory services to independent lessors, financial institutions, industry service providers, and manufacturers. Primary services include strategic planning and confidential advisory services to principals / executives of equipment finance companies and regulated financial intuitions in the equipment finance industry.
To learn more about how RAS & TomorrowZone might help your business explore the art of the possible and chart a course for digital transformation success, please visit https://rinaldiadvisory.com/about/ or contact Bob at Bob@RinaldiAdvisory.com, or TomorrowZone at https://tomorrowzone.io/