An owner of an industry service provider as well as a veteran dealership manager recently achieved great success in examinations orchestrated by the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals.

Joining the ranks of a handful of professionals who have advanced to the second round of AFIP’s Master Certification Program is Michael Tuno, founder and president of World Class Dealer Services (WCDS).

Tuno first attained master status two years ago when AFIP introduced the top-level curriculum in 2012.

“Compliance has always been at the core of WCDS products and services,” Tuno said. “Master certification helps me provide our dealer clients not only with a better understanding of the rules, but also best practices in the evolving regulatory environment.”

 Tuno founded WCDS, based in Quakertown, Pa., in 2003. The full-service agency provides finance and insurance products and resources to automotive, recreational vehicle, powersport and heavy truck dealers in the mid-Atlantic region.

Before WCDS, Tuno gained 18 years of experience in F&I. He logged six years in retail sales, F&I and sales management; three years in automotive banking; nine years in sales and management with Universal Underwriters Group; and one year as vice president franchise sales with the Guardian Warranty Corp. before launching his own company.

Tuno has contributed to numerous trade publication articles and has been a speaker and panelist at national conventions. He was an instructor for F&I with the NADA Automobile Dealer Candidate Academy and currently serves as an instructor for F&I with the NADA American Truck Dealer Candidate Academy.

Tuno earned his initial AFIP certification in 1996 and his senior certification in 2009.

“Michael Tuno is a leader in the field of F&I,”, AFIP executive director David Robertson said. “It’s fitting that he’s in the first wave of second-tier masters – they are the vanguard of their profession. Their commitment to excellence and ethical conduct embody what it means to be a true professional.”

Meanwhile, Justin Gasman, finance director for McCaddon Cadillac Buick GMC in Boulder, Colo. passed the AFIP Master Certification Exam with high marks.

Gasman has 11 years of industry experience. He began apprenticing in F&I during his first job as a salesman with Fisher Chevrolet Honda Pontiac in Boulder. After a year, he was promoted to F&I manager and later moved up to the finance director position.

When the dealership transitioned in 2009 to Fisher Honda Kia, he served the organization as both finance director and Kia sales manager.

Gasman joined the McCaddon organization in January. The family-owned dealership, in operation since 1958, sells and services all makes and models of Cadillac, Buick and GMC vehicles.

The dalerships' president, Mark McCaddon said, “In today’s extreme regulatory and consumer-protective environment, the training and competency of F&I professionals is important to the entire operation. We are proud and delighted that Justin has reached the very highest level of proficiency in this position, and congratulate him for achieving master level status with the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals.

“His willingness to train and test to this level is a benefit to our customers, the entire dealership organization — and to the industry as a whole,” McCaddon added.

 Gasman became AFIP certified in 2006 and earned senior certification in 2008.

“AFIP certification reflects my commitment to my craft — and shows customers that we are doing business legally, ethically and professionally,” Gasman said.

And Robertson added, “Justin’s commitment to his profession and high level of execution truly embody the spirit of what it means to be a Master Certified Professional in Financial Services.”