OUR TEAM

John Engelbrecht is the founder of m2 Equipment Finance LLC. He has been in the equipment leasing industry since 1975.

John has presented numerous seminars and training programs for both private industry and professional organizations. He has served on many boards of directors and has been active on many non-profit committees including the Equipment Leasing Association and the Eastern Association of Equipment Lessors.

John attended Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin, Keller Graduate School of Management, Chicago, Illinois and is also a graduate of the Lease Institute, Graduate School of Business, Columbia University.

Rich Couch is m2 Equipment Finances' President & Chief Executive Officer. Rich has over 30 years of experience in equipment finance and commercial banking in various management and sales capacities, including 13 years with Wisconsin based M&I's Equipment Finance and Correspondent Banking divisions. Rich has worked with banks throughout the country to assist them in providing financing capabilities to their existing and prospective customers.

Rich is a graduate of Northern Illinois University where he received his business undergraduate and MBA degrees.

Christine Kennedy has served as Chief Financial Officer of m2 Equipment Finance LLC since 2000. She has over 20 years of business accounting and management experience. Prior to working in the leasing industry, Christine was employed by a public accounting firm as well as businesses involved in real estate and software development.

Christine has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from the University of Whitewater, Wisconsin. She is a certified public accountant.

Brian Besler is Executive Vice President of Administration of m2 Equipment Finance, LLC. A graduate of Ripon College in 1991, Brian has over 20 years of experience in the finance industry Brian joined m2 in 2008. Based in the Brookfield headquarters, Brian also performs administrative functions such as asset quality, portfolio monitoring in addition to credit underwriting. Prior to joining m2, Brian worked for 12 years as the Director of Administration for a private, mortgage banking firm in Milwaukee. Brian and his family live in Wauwatosa, WI where he also is involved in many volunteer activities.

Paul Celentani joined m2 Equipment Finance in August of 2017 as a leasing officer. With multiple years of sales experience, Paul understands the fundamentals to building each client's business by understanding their goals, opportunities, and challenges. He prides himself on providing the utmost service to his clients and continually developing those relationships to drive results.

Prior to working in the leasing industry, Paul worked in sales for one of the nation's leading boom truck crane dealers. His sales responsibilities included working with construction companies throughout the state of Wisconsin and the Twin Cities.

After graduating from Marquette University, where Paul earned his Bachelor of Arts in English, he taught English for two years. One year at Marquette University High School through the school's Alumni Service Corps Program and the other at Brookfield Academy.

Paul currently resides in Milwaukee and in his free time, Paul enjoys coaching high school football.

"Chip" David Houser is a Senior Vice President located in Columbia SC. Chip graduated in 1983 with a BA from the University of South Carolina and attended North Carolina State for graduate studies. Since his graduation, Chip has completed several professional courses including being awarded the Certified Leasing Professional designation. Chip has been in the equipment leasing and finance industry since 1986 working primarily for bank owned leasing and finance companies. Chip and his family live in Columbia, SC.

Geoff Peters is Senior Vice President, Capital Markets and has over 35 years of experience in equipment finance, including 25 in Syndications (buying and selling equipment finance paper) of a wide variety of transaction structures and sizes.

Geoff has established and maintained countless relationships over the years within the equipment finance industry. He joined m2 in 2022 with the objective to grow the indirect originations side of our business. Geoff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Oakland University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from Michigan State University.

Geoff and his wife, Kristin, are native Michiganders and live in Plymouth, MI. They have three daughters and two sons, as well as three grandchildren, all residing in the local area. Geoff enjoys recreating on the golf course, softball diamond, and basketball court, as well as coaching his youngest’s school hoops team. Geoff also serves on the Board of Trustees of Father Gabriel Richard High School in Ann Arbor.

Richard Popp has over 25 years of experience in the equipment leasing industry, having owned his own firm for many years.

He works quite extensively in the food and bakery industry from his office in Tampa, FL. Having joined m2 Equipment Finance in 2012 as a senior vice president, he enjoys expanding his network and growing his account base. At m2 Equipment Finance we will offer the best Service to and your clients.

Richard and his family live in Tampa.

Todd Schaal has over 25 years of experience in the commercial finance industry, working for some of the top companies in the industry.

A true generalist, he enjoys working with all types of equipment. Todd joined M2 in April of 2023 and has been building his base ever since. He is a relationship expert that builds long term profitable alliances with his customers.

Todd his Wife and 3 Children live in Medford NJ. He spent many years coaching hockey, baseball, and volunteering at his kids’ school. He enjoys cheering for all the Philadelphia Sports teams and getting a round of golf in occasionally.

Donna's equipment leasing and financing career spans 30 years serving in various management and sales positions. She spent 16 years with Associates Commercial Corporation finishing as General Manager/VP of the Pittsburgh, PA construction equipment office, she then moved on to US Bank serving as VP Business Development with their Vendor Finance Group.

Donna graduated from the University of Virginia in 1980 and continues to learn taking numerous leadership and sales management graduate classes. She is a highly experienced, award wining sales executive that takes pride in creating financial solutions for her clients by taking a consultative approach and developing long term customer relationships.

Donna and her husband, Garrin, reside in the Pittsburgh, PA area and have two daughters both in college.

Michael has over 10 years of experience in the equipment leasing industry, having held various business development roles for a large bank and independent equipment finance company. His primary responsibilities included prospecting and managing national accounts in the healthcare market.

Having joined m2 Equipment Finance in 2013 as a vice president, he is a trusted advisor in developing and servicing vendor programs with manufacturers, distributors, and dealers across the country.

Michael and his wife are both proud graduates of Iowa State University and along with their 3 children live in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Jennifer Carstens serves as the Tax Director for m2 Equipment Finance LLC. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience in corporate tax, including international tax, income tax, property tax, and sales tax. Prior to working in the leasing industry, Jennifer was employed by a public accounting firm as well as businesses in the retail, manufacturing, and telecommunications industries.

Jennifer earned a State and Local Tax Certificate, as well as a Masters in Taxation. Jennifer stays current on tax statutes by acting as production manager for the Multistate Corporate Tax Guide, published by CCH Incorporated and its affiliates.

Jennifer lives with her family in Waukesha, WI and serves on the non-profit board of directors for the Finnish-American Society of the Midwest.

Rusty Long is the General Counsel and Senior Vice President for m2. Formerly in house at JP Morgan Chase, Rusty has been practicing in the area of creditor's rights since 1979. He is AV rated, has been named a Wisconsin Super Lawyer® and is listed in the Best Lawyers in America® in the areas of bankruptcy, creditor/debtor insolvency, reorganization and commercial litigation.