This column highlights the hard work and dedication of SFNet’s Committee volunteers. Here we speak with Kurt Marsden, group head, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, and chair of SFNet’s Convention Planning Committee. To learn more about SFNet's 81st Annual Convention, please click here.

Please provide our readers with your career background at Wells Fargo.

I began my career at Foothill Capital Corporation through their analyst training program, where I gained experience in collateral analysis, portfolio management, and field examinations. This foundation proved instrumental as I advanced within the company. During this time, Foothill underwent significant changes, including its acquisition by Norwest Bank and the subsequent merger of Norwest Bank with Wells Fargo. These transitions led to our rebranding from Foothill Capital Corporation to Wells Fargo Foothill, and finally to Wells Fargo Capital Finance. Throughout this journey, I had the opportunity to integrate several businesses into our platform and establish and manage our software recurring revenue lending practice. As our business expanded, so did my leadership opportunities, culminating in my current role where I manage Wells Fargo's Asset-Based Lending and Lender Finance businesses. I am fortunate to work with an exceptional team across the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

How did you become involved in SFNet and where have you volunteered over the years?

Wells Fargo Capital Finance has consistently been an active member of SFNet, both nationally and locally, which has allowed me to be engaged with the organization throughout my career. Early on, I participated in various training programs offered by SFNet, focusing on field examinations and legal documentation. Over the years, I have attended numerous national conventions, often serving as a panel speaker. I also had the opportunity to be an inaugural member and serve on the Diversity Committee for several years. In 2024, I joined the Houston convention committee to assist in planning and to prepare for leading the Los Angeles Convention planning committee. In my current convention leadership role, I also participate in the SFNet's Executive Committee for this fiscal year.

What does SFNet’s Convention Planning Committee do?

The SFNet's Convention Planning Committee plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the annual convention. This committee is responsible for working in coordination with the fantastic team at SFNet to organize and plan all aspects of the event, from logistics and programming to marketing and attendee engagement. The committee efforts ensure that the convention runs smoothly and provides valuable opportunities for networking, learning, and professional growth for the participants.

How has the planning experience been for this year’s 81^st Annual Convention in your home state of California?

The experience has been incredibly rewarding due to the tremendous enthusiasm and dedication of our Convention Committee. The commitment to making this convention a success for all attendees is truly inspiring. We have seen great participation at both the local and national levels, encompassing all our member groups. Many committee members have been involved in previous conventions, and it's been a pleasure to collaborate with them as we explore new ideas and fine-tune successful concepts from past events. Having spent my entire life in Los Angeles, like many other committee members, it is particularly special to organize an event that highlights our vibrant city.

What are some of your biggest achievements/wins in being chair of this Committee? 

The most significant win has been the enthusiasm and dedication of the committee members, coupled with the excellent work carried out by the SFNet team. With these two groups working in harmony, we have made steady and consistent progress in preparing for this event throughout the calendar year. I have also appreciated the committee members’ openness to exploring new ideas related to our sessions and panel discussions.

For someone who may want to join SFNet’s Convention Planning Committee next year, how would you describe it to them? 

Being a part of this committee allows you to contribute to the planning and execution of one of the industry's most anticipated events. You will collaborate with industry leaders, enhance your professional network, and develop valuable skills in event planning and organization. If you're passionate about making a difference and being at the forefront of industry developments, this is a great committee to join.

How often does this Committee typically meet?

Our focus has been on making steady progress, so we have been meeting every two weeks for the last several months and I expect that we will potentially scale to weekly meetings as we get closer to the event.

For someone who has never attended the convention, what words of encouragement would you offer to attend this year’s event? How does this year’s conference differ from others?

For those who have never attended the convention, I would highly encourage you to join us this year. The event provides a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders, gain valuable insights, and participate in compelling discussions. This year's conference promises to be exceptional, with a focus on innovation and resilience in these volatile times, and it will feature a diverse lineup of speakers and sessions tailored to current industry trends. The networking opportunities alone are always the highlight for many, affording opportunities to build relationships with people across the secured lending community. It is just such a great opportunity to expand your knowledge, learn about developing trends, grow professional networks, and have  some fun while doing it.

When you are not busy at SFNet or Wells Fargo, what can you be found doing? 

I am active in my community and currently serve as the Chair of Inclusion Matters by Shane's Inspiration, which is a non-profit that focuses on fostering greater inclusion for children with disabilities and through education programs and universally accessible playgrounds that they design and build. Outside of my charitable work, I enjoy being outdoors and exercising, with my long-term focus being on swimming. I’ve also recently been working to improve my tennis game. I certainly enjoy hanging out with my wife and two adult children and we like to travel together whenever we can. 

SFNet's 2025 Convention Planning Committee Members

Kurt R. Marsden, Wells Fargo Capital Finance, Chairperson         

Jason Anish, Austin Financial Services, Inc.            

Sydnee Breuer, Rosenthal Capital Group   

Karen Bubrowski, Hilco Global         

Lin Chua, InterNex Capital   

Jonathan N. Helfat, Otterbourg P.C.              

Carrie Jenkins, Financial Consultant            

James A. Marasco, Gibraltar Business Capital, LLC           

Kathleen Parker, Hyper Valuation Services, LLC    

Michael Anthony Ragano, Novo Advisors   

 Oscar Alexander Rombola                

 Tim Stute, Hovde Group, LLC

Jason Anish, Austin Financial Services, Inc.

 What do you enjoy about being on SFNet’s Convention Planning Committee?

It’s rewarding to contribute ideas that help make this year’s conference engaging, interactive, and inclusive for all attendees. With over 30 years of experience in the finance industry, I always value the opportunity to meet new people, reconnect with colleagues, and engage in meaningful conversations that spark partnerships, foster deal collaboration, and help shape the future of our industry. Serving on the Convention Planning Committee allows me to give back to the finance community in a way that provides real value to those attending this conference and supports the continued growth and innovation of our field.

How does being involved in an SFNet Committee help you in your job?

Serving on the SFNet Board and the Convention Planning Committee is an opportunity to foster connections that often extend beyond the traditional scope of business development. Collaborating with peers from across the country helps broaden relationships, creating more opportunities for everyone involved. It also provides meaningful insight into industry trends and developments, keeping me informed about changes shaping the broader finance community.

What are you most looking forward to seeing come to fruition at this year’s convention in Los Angeles that you helped plan?

While I’m honored to be chairing two panels and am speaking on the “View from the Top: Bank ABL, Factoring and Independent ABL” panel, I’m especially excited to attend the “Harnessing Technology & AI in Finance” session on Thursday afternoon. With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, this topic is more relevant than ever. I’m looking forward to gaining insight into how these innovations are positively transforming the finance and banking sectors, while also learning about the cybersecurity safeguards needed to protect them. As our industry continues to evolve, the growing role of AI and cyber solutions will have a profound impact on the global finance landscape. It will be interesting to hear the perspectives of an expert on where the technology stands today and how continued innovation will shape our community in the years ahead.

Sydnee Breuer, Rosenthal Capital Group

What do you enjoy about being on SFNet’s Convention Planning Committee?

I enjoy meeting and working with others in our industry that I may not have otherwise met. It’s also nice to be in a cooperative environment with competitors. And for those on the committee that I already know, it’s great to have another touch point. We are all working together to achieve a common goal.

How does being involved on an SFNet Committee help you in your job?

Exposure is always a good thing. From meeting and working together, we learn more about each other and our specific areas and can refer business to each other.

What are you most looking forward to seeing come to fruition at this year’s convention in Los Angeles that you helped plan?

I’m looking forward to seeing the panels since so much time goes into working on topics that are of interest and relevant and then finding panelists who add value and are experts on that topic. The convention is always a great opportunity to renew relationships and meet new people in our industry and, having worked on the planning committee, I look forward to seeing people expand their networks and enjoy themselves, all while finding the programming useful and worthwhile.

Tim Stute, Hovde Group

How does being involved in an SFNet Committee help you in your job?

As a service provider offering M&A advisory and capital-raising services to the asset-based lending and factoring sectors, I need to be up to date on all things going on with SFNet. That could include how the association is advocating in Washington to help with possible changes in the law for finance companies. Or even just being aware of logistical items such as knowing where the annual convention is going to be over the next few years or where IFR (Independent Finance Roundtable) will be held. I also serve on SFNet’s Executive Committee where I chair the Membership Committee. Staying involved in these ways gives me much better visibility as to what is going on in this industry.

What are you most looking forward to seeing come to fruition at this year’s convention in Los Angeles that you helped plan?

My role for this year’s convention is really focused on the new Capital Connections event, which is debuting on the first day of the conference in Los Angeles. This will be an opportunity for independent finance companies to go through a “speed dating” set up with lenders and investors who focus on providing senior debt, subordinated debt and equity capital to commercial finance companies. Matching up finance companies with providers of capital or buyers of their business is what we do every day, so assisting with establishing some new relationships for convention attendees will be fulfilling for me.