Beyond The Business: The Heart of CCI

TL;DR:  Beyond day‑to‑day work, CCI is connected by a shared desire to help others in need. Through employee‑led volunteer efforts, hands‑on service, and moments of support that hit close to home, teams across CCI continue to care for their communities and one another in meaningful, lasting ways.

No matter where you sit within the organization, most of our employees come to work focused on doing their jobs well and supporting the customers and businesses they serve. Over time, employees learn the processes, the expectations, and the expertise that define their roles.

What’s less obvious at first is what connects the individuals beyond the work.

Commercial Credit, Inc. (CCI) is the parent company of Commercial Credit Group Inc. (CCG), Commercial Funding Inc., and Keystone Equipment Finance Corp. While each company operates independently, the employees all share a passion for meaningful connections and a desire to help others.

Led By Employees, Shaped By Care 

In 2021, CCI created the Charitable Committee to intentionally shape and coordinate our community involvement across the organization. Although the committee provides guidance, the true impact comes from employees who participate and give back.

As Lisa Aldorasi, Vice President of Human Resources, shared, “It’s something we can all do. Seasoned or brand new, everyone can participate.”

Turning Service into Action 

CCI employees volunteer with local organizations to address practical, everyday needs. Their time and effort have made a tangible impact. Over the last couple of years, the team has completed these activities:

• 200+ pounds of food collected at Second Harvest food banks
• 10,320 meals packaged through Feed the Hunger events for families facing food insecurity
• 80 families served during meal service at Ronald McDonald House Charities
• 69 holiday and Valentine gifts created for residents at Brookdale Senior Living
• Hundreds of kennels cleaned, scrubbing floors and supporting daily operations for the Charlotte Meck Animal Care & Control.

Beyond these measurable efforts, employees supported a range of community partners through hands‑on service and local initiatives, including Beds for Kids, Habitat for Humanity, Project2Heal, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Rice N Beans, Buffalo City Mission, and Big Brothers Big Sisters. Teams also hosted back‑to‑school drives, joined community walks such as the MLS Walk and Breast Cancer Walk, and supported other local efforts.

As Nikki Ecksmith, CCG Charlotte Office Manager and 15‑year team member, reflected:

“We went in thinking about how we could help, and we left with a better understanding of how much these moments matter.”

These efforts span roles, departments, and companies. While our day‑to‑day work may differ, the intent and the impact are shared.

A Cause Close To Home

Some moments of service feel especially close to heart and home. In 2025, CCI came together to support Executive Vice President Don Pokorny following his ALS diagnosis. Coworkers, families, and friends organized fundraisers and participated in ALS walks in Chicago and Charlotte, united by their respect for a colleague whose leadership and generosity have touched many across the organization.  Through sales and donations, we raised nearly $26,000 to support ALS research and care. At its core, this effort was about taking care of one of our own and coming together to support a colleague who has long supported others.

Caring. Giving. Doing.

If you’ve ever seen a CCI team member during a volunteer event, you may have noticed the three words “Caring, Giving, Doing” on the back of their charitable T‑shirts. These words reflect a shared willingness to step outside our individual roles and respond when there’s an opportunity to help, whether that’s by donating time, money, or effort.

That’s the heart of CCI. Beyond the business.