Wise F&I and eLEND Solutions each recently expanded their executive teams, citing growth.

First, over at eLEND Solutions, a provider in online and in-store finance and “deal-making” solutions for dealers, built its sales team with two proven auto finance sales leaders. Joe Peterson has joined as chief sales officer and Flory Hunsaker as regional sales director.

Together, they will lead the formation of eLEND’s national sales team to fuel the roll out of the company’s upcoming next-stage F&I solution. The new solution can help dealers complete profitable deals in “record time,” while reducing the costly contract rewrites that plague even the most experienced sales and F&I managers

The company said this new solution will launch into the market in the second quarter.

“I call Joe and Flory the dynamic duo; they come to eLEND after working together to build a huge and successful portfolio of over 9,000 dealer customers,” said Pete MacInnis, chief executive officer of eLEND Solutions.

“They will be instrumental as we usher in this exciting new phase in our growth,” MacInnis continued. “Their deep experience in both the auto retailing and financing space, and impressive past successes, perfectly position them to bring our innovative new products and services to market.”

In an environment where customers are hyper-sensitive to time and hassle — and are demanding quick approval for financing — the challenge is to eliminate process dead zones, streamline the experience and, importantly, reduce cost to the dealer. Peterson and Hunsaker are building a sales team that will help retail professionals simplify this all-important part of the vehicle buyer’s journey with products that crunches millions of pieces of data into a user-friendly platform, without sacrificing profit or losing lender relationships.

With an average of 13 percent of contracts being rewritten, eLEND believes it’s a key issue and a significant cost risk to dealers and their finance sources.

“The scientific approach that eLEND Solutions brings to such challenges is the reason we joined this team — and what makes the company a key transformative player heading into the future,” Peterson said.

Peterson’s career spans 30-plus years in the automotive brand, retail and finance space. During that time, he has held key leadership positions with companies such as Gateway One, Reynolds & Reynolds and Capital One, among others.

Each opportunity has brought with it a chance to expand his expertise, and bring to bear a management style based on a results-driven approach to problem solving. Peterson has been especially known for his ability to use trend-based market analysis to boost market share and revenue. He is widely known as a customer-first advocate who puts his focus on developing a positive rapport through solid business relationships.

“Joining eLEND Solutions to help dealers bridge the gaps in the current auto finance process and simplify what is currently an incredibly complex and inefficient process is an opportunity I deeply relish,” Peterson said.

Hunsaker brings 25 years of experience in the automotive lending industry, including a decade at Gateway One where she rose through the ranks based on her excellence in sales, new market development and leadership. Most recently, she served as regional VP, Southwest states and built a highly success sales team with over $80 million monthly in loan originations.

Goal-oriented and visionary, among her many achievements at Gateway One were creating its first employee training program, developing and managing a credit/sales team for mega dealer groups and helping generate significant metrics improvements across the company’s sales initiatives.

“We’re excited to help bring forth the next chapter of eLEND Solutions to dealers and can’t wait to show customers what we have in store for the future of automotive retail and lending: from innovations in workflow and decisioning to streamlining the process of making the best match between customer and lender,” Hunsaker said.

Wise F&I hires Miller as director of client services

Meanwhile, Wise F&I is expanding its team with the addition of Lynn Miller as director of client services. Wise F&I has experienced continued growth over the last decade and is pleased to add a leader with a track record of success to enhance the client services department.

The company said Miller will provide oversight and management to the client services department, as well as increase client support initiatives.

Miller has more than 20 years of experience in the insurance industry working for companies such as GMAC Insurance and Fireman’s Fund Insurance. Her experiences include positions in sales, service and operations. Miller ran the Personal Lines Division for Quality Assurance at Fireman’s Fund.

As a member of the management committee, Miller will play an important role in Wise F&I’s continued growth.

“Through Miller’s management and leadership of the client services department, I’m looking forward to bringing that next level of client support to our agents, dealers and lenders,” said Matt Croak, president of Wise F&I.