The new president of the Equipment Leasing and Finance Association is William G. Sutton, who moves to ELFA from the Association, Education and Business Institute, which coordinates trade association efforts on student achievement. Sutton, a former U.S. Navy rear admiral, was previously assistant secretary of manufacturing and services at the Commerce Department during President George W. Bush’s administration. The chief operating officer, who had been serving as interim president for the association, is Ralph Petta. He is a longtime veteran of ELFA and spent nine years working for former Sen. Sam Nunn, D-Ga. The Equipment Leasing and Finance Association used to be run by former Rep. Ken Bentsen, D-Texas, now executive vice president for the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association.