Team Libertas Takes Puerto Rico: A Weekend of Connection, Strategy, and Celebration

Last weekend, the entire Libertas Funding team headed to Puerto Rico's El Conquistador Resort for a three-day offsite. The purpose was simple: to thank our team for their exceptional work this year and to align on our strategic direction as we head into 2026.

Friday: Strategy and Recognition

Friday kicked off with strategy sessions that brought teams together across departments. For a company where day-to-day work can keep us siloed, the face-to-face time was invaluable—colleagues from underwriting, sales, and operations sat side-by-side, building the cross-functional relationships that drive our best work.

The highlight came during the leadership presentation. Chief Executive Officer Randy Saluck opened the session, welcoming new hires who joined the firm over the past year and reflecting on how far Libertas has come.

President and Chief Operating Officer John Paradisi presented the strategic roadmap and key priorities for 2026, centered on one clear theme: "We over me."

"Maximizing the potential in our business requires each of our team members to be selfless and truly focus on elevating other team members through empowerment, mentorship, and counseling. These are powerful actions that will never show up on a chart, but are instrumental to the team winning. Elevating others is how we create a legacy for ourselves and truly impact the trajectory of our business," John told the team.

Executive Chairman Gary Katcher closed with the Executive Chairman Award, presented to Rick Appell, Senior Managing Director and Head of Term Loan, for his outstanding contributions to Libertas.

The evening wrapped with a poolside happy hour followed by a team dinner.

Saturday: Connection Beyond the Office

Saturday offered everyone a choice: catamaran snorkeling, golf, or a guided tour through El Yunque Rainforest. The variety gave team members a chance to connect in ways that felt authentic to them. By dinner that evening, conversations ranged from underwater encounters to rainforest hikes, all ending with local cuisine and the kind of genuine camaraderie that only comes from time spent together outside the office.

Why It Matters

The dividend of this investment is clear. When we understand the person behind the desk—their perspectives, their goals, and the pressures they face—we stop operating in silos. That deeper understanding directly translates into faster problem-solving, more creative collaboration on complex deals, and a greater willingness to offer support when another team is stretched thin. Ultimately, our collective empathy becomes our competitive edge in the market.

Libertas Funding, LLC is a specialty finance company providing working capital solutions to small and medium-sized businesses across the United States.