Whether you are a business executive looking to invest in new equipment or a vendor seeking financing options for your clients, you can leverage flexible financing through First American to achieve your goals.
Kevin Claxon
Managing Director, Manufacturing Advisory Services, Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
As a managing director, Kevin leverages his 15 years of operational excellence and supply chain management experience to provide his clients with end-to-end business improvements, best practices, cost reductions, and system integrations across their entire enterprises. His clients include manufacturers across various industries with revenues between $50M – $1B who want to improve or increase value in their organizations. His drive, pragmatism and intense attention to detail make him both a great leader and an excellent partner for any manufacturer who needs help saving money, increasing revenues or driving greater operational efficiencies.
Kevin earned his Bachelor’s degrees in Decision Sciences & Information Systems and Business Management from the University of Kentucky, and his Lean/Six Sigma Black Belt from Villanova University. He is a member of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP).
Jordan Fladell
Managing Director, Technology Advisory, Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
Jordan has more than 30 years of experience in the technology sector. He specializes in helping CEOs, CFOs, and IT professionals maximize the return on their tech investments and learn how to merge their digital worlds with their legacy brick-and-mortar environments.
As a former CEO and entrepreneur, Jordan understands the challenges executive leaders and owners face in implementing new technology. He enjoys helping his clients scale, grow, and use tech advancements to gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. During his own tenure as a CEO, he inherited a company with a broken balance sheet and software platform; he was able to rebuild their platforms under cash restraints, balance their books, and modernize their software — from a cloud application to a true SaaS platform — within 18 months of taking on the challenge. Jordan has proven success helping companies of all sizes navigate SaaS, digital, and data-related implementations, leveraging his previous experience to drive new learnings and future insights.
Jordan earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Maryland. He currently serves as a board member of the Technology Association of Georgia.
Jay Cho, J.D.
Tax Director, Tariffs and Customs, Aprio Advisory Group, LLC
Jay Cho is an international trade advisor and a lawyer by training who helps multinational companies better navigate U.S. import and export requirements and complexities. He specializes in providing compliance risk management and strategies to help clients save on duty fees. His clients include C-level executives, tax directors, and procurement/purchasing managers of companies that engage in international trade and source tangible goods from overseas.
With a decade of experience on both the consulting and legal sides of international trade, Jay is also well-positioned to offer guidance on many different customs enforcement matters, including customs inquiries, verification requests, audits, investigations, and penalty cases. He serves both international and domestic organizations across a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, machinery, distribution, life sciences, automotive, aerospace, e-commerce, and consumer products.
Jay earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) and transactional law certificate from the Emory University School of Law and has been admitted to the New York State Bar. He also received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Economics and East Asian Studies from the University of Toronto.
Joel Johnson
Regional Vice President, Manufacturing, First American Equipment Finance
Joel delivers tailored financing solutions that help manufacturers achieve their growth and efficiency goals. He values the critical role manufacturing plays in driving innovation and economic progress and finds great fulfillment in supporting businesses that shape the industry.
With over two decades of equipment financing experience, including 15+ years exclusively serving manufacturing companies, Joel brings extensive expertise to every client relationship. As a Certified Lease & Finance Professional (CLFP), he leverages his deep knowledge to develop strategies aligned with each business’s unique needs. His active involvement in organizations like the Tennessee Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) helps him stay informed about industry trends and priorities.
The views and opinions expressed are those of an external organization and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of First American Equipment Finance. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as an endorsement or representation of First American's views or services.