As Vice President of Contractor Services, Matthew is responsible for all lending and finance operations within EGIA. As the founder and creator of OPTIMUS, Matthew used his 30+ years of experience in the industry, understanding of the contractor process and non-stop creativity to streamline and simplify payment solutions for virtually every contractor. Working directly with lending and affiliate partners, Matthew and his team strive to develop cutting edge payment and promotional offerings for EGIA’s vast contractor base. In addition, Matthew leads EGIA’s business development strategy, as well as the design and implementation of finance training content.

After attending Virginia Commonwealth University, majoring in Psychology, Matthew started his journey in finance and customer experience in 1995. He began at American General Finance, followed by stops at Equity Lending, Greensky and Renovate America.

David James is Director of Strategic Partnerships at Service First Processing (SFP), where he works closely with associations, member-based organizations, buying groups, and technology platforms to deliver high-impact payment and automation solutions. His role bridges business development, marketing strategy, and technology integration, with a focus on creating scalable programs that reduce costs, improve operational efficiency, and generate meaningful non-dues revenue for partner organizations.

Over the course of his career at SFP, David has helped develop and now manages more than 75 national and regional partnerships across a wide range of industries. He oversees every stage of the partnership lifecycle, from initial outreach and program development to marketing execution, member engagement, and long-term growth.

In addition to leading strategic partnerships, David works closely with SFP’s technology and product teams to bring new payment and automation solutions to market, helping organizations streamline operations, improve cash flow visibility, and deliver greater value to their members.

Through a combination of relationship building, industry education, and technology innovation, David has become a trusted resource for associations and business organizations seeking practical ways to strengthen member benefits while improving financial performance.

James R. Leichter is the rare blend of master mechanic and serial tech entrepreneur. After turning a wrench straight out of high school, he channeled that frontline know-how into founding Aptora Corporation, creators of the award-winning Total Office Manager® ERP suite and Flat Rate Plus® pricing systems used by thousands of service contractors. Through his MrHVAC.com community and EGIA faculty work, James has delivered practical, no-fluff guidance to contractors in nearly every state, pairing street-smart operations wisdom with sharp financial insight from his role at RA Tax & Accounting.

Onstage, James’s energy is contagious. He’s led management workshops coast-to-coast since 1996, translating complex topics – pricing strategy, field-service automation, tax planning – into clear, profitable moves any shop can apply on Monday morning. As a sought-after consultant and expert witness, he’s coached hundreds of HVAC and plumbing businesses to double-digit growth while protecting margins.