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Gary Stern is chairman, and founding president and chief executive officer of Asta Funding. He is responsible for developing and implementing strategic initiatives that align business requirements, improve operational efficiencies, and deliver growth.
Prior, he was vice president, secretary, treasurer and a director of Asta Group, the company’s predecessor company. During his nearly 40-year career, Stern has obtained substantial experience in consumer credit analysis and receivables collections with particular knowledge and experience in financial management and collections. Stern earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Herbert H. Lehman College. |
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Edward Celano is an independent director of Asta Funding Inc. since September 1995. Celano possesses extensive management knowledge and experience in the financial services sector.
Celano has served as a consultant to Walters and Samuels, Incorporated since 2003. He was formerly a consultant with WeiserMazars LLP from 2001 to 2003, and an executive vice president of Atlantic Bank from May 1996 to February 2001. Prior to May 1996, he was at NatWest Bank (now Bank of America) for more than 20 years, rising to the position of senior vice president. |
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Louis A. Piccolo is a director of Asta Funding, Inc. since 2004. In addition to these duties, he currently serves as a paid consultant to Asta.
Since 1998 Piccolo has owned and operated Piccolo Business Advisory, Inc., a management consulting firm specialized in the turn-around management of companies which are financially underperforming or are in operational and financial distress. Prior to founding the firm, he served as the CFO of the US operations of Alfred Dunhill of London, Inc. and the CFO of I. Miller/Rayne Delman Shoes, Inc. Piccolo began his career at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. (now KPMG). Piccolo graduated magna cum laude with a BBA, and with distinction with an MBA, from Pace University. He is a certified public accountant and a member of the American Institute of CPAs, the NY State Society of CPA’s, The National Association of Corporate Directors and The University Club of New York. |
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David Slackman is an independent director of Asta Funding, Inc. since 2002 and serves as chairman of the Compensation Committee and chairman of the Special Committee of Independent Members. He formerly served as lead independent director.
Slackman is a 40-year career veteran of the banking industry, most recently serving as founding president of the New York Market of Commerce Bank (now TD Bank), until his retirement in 2008. He currently serves in a consulting capacity to Sterling National Bank (and its predecessor, Provident Bank) as chairman of the NYC Advisory Board. Since 2015 he has served as president and CEO of the New York League of Independent Bankers, a non-profit trade group. In prior years, Slackman was employed as an officer at Atlantic Bank of New York, The Dime Savings Bank of New York, The Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and Brink's Incorporated. Slackman has served on numerous charitable boards and supported many such organizations. He is particularly proud of his honorary membership in the New York City Police Department's Honor Legion. He is an active member of the Friar's Club in New York City, and is a proud US Army veteran of the XVIII Airborne Corps Artillery. |
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Mark Levenfus is an independent director of Asta Funding since 2016 and serves as chairman of the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees.
Levenfus is managing partner emeritus of Marks Paneth LLP and chairman of Morison KSi Limited, a global association of independent accounting firms. Until December 31, 2015, he was managing partner of Marks Paneth, a nationally recognized accounting and advisory firm. During his tenure, he oversaw the firm's operations, managed business development efforts and consulted on key accounts. Levenfus also played a major role in developing strategy, setting policy and overseeing acquisitions. He has extensive experience in the financial, media & entertainment, and professional services industries. Levenfus is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Association of Independent Commercial Producers. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of several nonprofit organizations including: K.I.D.S./Fashion Delivers, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, New York Road Runners Club and Friends of Israel Sci-Tech Schools. Additionally, he served on the Board of Trustees of the Westchester Day School. Levenfus is a Certified Public Accountant. He holds a bachelor of science in accounting from Brooklyn College - CUNY and has completed graduate studies in accounting at Baruch College - CUNY. |