Julie Benson is a senior association leader with over 14 years of experience driving membership growth, engagement, and revenue strategy for national trade associations.

Julie Benson

CHIEF MEMBERSHIP & ENGAGEMENT OFFICER

BIO | Most recently, Julie served as Vice President of Membership at the Equipment Leasing & Finance Association( ELFA), the leading trade association representing more than 650 member organizations across the $ 1.3 trillion U. S. equipment finance industry. During her tenure, she strengthened the association’ s membership value proposition and increased membership revenue through strategic growth, retention, and engagement initiatives.

Julie is known for her ability to build trusted relationships and influence across complex stakeholder groups. She has worked effectively with leaders at every level, partnering with executive leadership, staff teams, board members, and member volunteers, to align organizational strategy with the evolving needs of the industry. A trusted advisor to both staff and volunteer leaders, Julie translates member insights into initiatives that strengthen engagement, retention, and growth.

Julie holds a bachelor’ s degree in psychology from UC Riverside, an MBA from Cal State Long Beach, and is a Certified Association Executive( CAE).

Lisa Ramirez is a senior association executive with more than 14 years of experience driving strategic growth, revenue development, and high-impact member engagement within the equipment finance industry.

Lisa Ramirez

CHIEF EXPERIENCE OFFICER

BIO | Lisa has led enterprise portfolios spanning conferences and events, sponsorship, membership, communications, and professional development, consistently delivering measurable increases in attendance, nondues revenue, and stakeholder value.

Known for her collaborative leadership style, Lisa partners with boards, C-suite executives, and cross-functional teams to translate industry trends into forward-looking programs that support funding, credit, finance, and operations professionals. She is recognized for building high-performing teams, aligning strategy with execution, and elevating organizational visibility and influence.

Lisa holds a master’ s degree in communications from Texas State University and is passionate about advancing innovation, member experience, and sustainable growth in her next executive leadership role. EDM

DATA PROVIDED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS

U. S.- MARCH 2026 Ag Tractor and Combine Report

MARCH Y-T-D MARCH MARCH 2026

2026 2025 % CHG 2026 2025 % CHG BEGINNING INVENTORY 2WD < 40 HP 9,883 10,977-10.0 20,974 23,136-9.3 63,228 2WD < 100 HP 3,789 3,758 0.8 9,396 9,409-0.1 24,777 2WD 100 + HP 1,164 1,540-24.4 2,883 3,861-25.3 6,465 Total 2WD Farm Tractors 14,836 16,275-8.8 33,253 36,406-8.7 94,470 Total 4WD Farm Tractors 225 301-25.2 455 535-15.0 536 Total Farm Tractors 15,061 16,576-9.1 33,708 36,941-8.8 95,006 Self-Propelled Combines 180 241-25.3 502 520-3.5 794

SPRING 2026 • EQUIPMENT DEALER MAGAZINE 23