My 12-Year Journey Building AAPL

Twelve years ago, I walked into my first American Association of Private Lenders event with a notebook, a head full of ideas, and a simple question: What could this industry become if we all worked together?

Back then, there was no common ground, no shared standards, and certainly no united voice advocating for us. I didn’t own the association, but I saw its potential—not just to be a membership group, but to be the heartbeat of the industry.

I still remember those early days sitting with a handful of other believers, scribbling on flip charts, talking about what this industry needed most. Education. Networking. A code of ethics. A real seat at the table when lawmakers talked about regulations that would shape our future.

With the help of a small but mighty team, we got to work. We built programs from scratch. We called lenders one by one to get them involved. We organized events on shoestring budgets but with big visions.

Then the magic started to happen. Our education programs filled up. Our annual conference became a place where real relationships were formed and deals were made. Our members started sharing success stories, telling us they felt more confident, more connected, and more prepared to grow their businesses.

Today, AAPL isn’t just an association; it’s a community. It’s the place where lenders come to learn, to collaborate, to find their people. It’s where the industry’s biggest conversations are happening.

I may not own AAPL, but I have treated it as my own from day one. I have invested not just my time and energy but also my heart. Every milestone we’ve reached has been personal for me. Every challenge we’ve faced has made me more determined. And every success we’ve celebrated has been sweeter because we’ve done it together.

This is not just my story—it’s our story. It’s the story of a team that believed in something bigger than themselves, of members who showed up and leaned in, of an industry that chose collaboration over competition.

As I look to the future, I’m filled with the even more excitement than I had 12 years ago. Our industry is innovating and stepping into a new era. There are still challenges ahead, but there is also endless possibility. And AAPL will continue to be there—leading, educating, advocating, and building bridges —just as we always have.

To every person who has been part of this journey: thank you. You are the reason AAPL is what it is today, and the reason I am so proud of the work we do. Together, we’ve built something extraordinary, something to be celebrated. And we’re just getting started.