SubPrime Auto Finance News has revealed the recipient of this year’s SubPrime Auto Finance Executive of the Year award, an honor sponsored by Black Book Lender Solutions.

The accolade is going to Ian Anderson, president of Westlake Financial Services, which reached $2 billion in total receivables earlier this year.

Sparked by the some of the best months in company history this summer, Westlake’s portfolio now has that total receivables figure connected to more than 270,000 customer accounts.

This latest milestone continues the growth the company has experienced through the latest recession. Westlake’s portfolio reached $450 million in 2009 and then $1 billion two years later.

“Ian Anderson and his team at Westlake Financial Services have done a superb job of thriving during the rebound of subprime auto financing during the couple of years,” said Bill Zadeits, publisher of SubPrime Auto Finance News and chairman of Used Car Week. “Ian’s leadership is one of the reason’s Westlake’s portfolio is as large and as strong as it is today. Westlake’s successes have been one of the great stories our publication has had the opportunity to highlight.

“It’s a pleasure to have Ian be a part of the SubPrime Forum at Used Car Week and have him join Bill Jensen of Chase Auto Finance as another honoree,” Zadeits continued. “Congratulations go out to Ian and the entire Westlake Financial Services organization.”

Anderson will be on hand during the SubPrime Forum to accept the award from Jared Kalfus, vice president of data licensing for Black Book. The ceremony will take place of the first day of the SubPrime Forum, an event orchestrated in partnership with the National Automotive Finance Association.

"Black Book is proud to present the SubPrime Auto Finance Executive of the Year award to Ian Anderson, president of Westlake Financial,” Kalfus said. “Ian has been at the helm of Westlake since 2005, increasing business five-fold during this time. 

“Now boasting over $2 billion in total receivables, and more than 270,000 customer accounts, Westlake has grown to be one of the premier subprime finance companies in the industry,” Kalfus continued. “As a long-time partner of Westlake Financial, Black Book has had the unique perspective of observing Ian’s strong industry presence and use of innovation, both of which, make him a clear choice for this award.”

Preceding Anderson’s award acceptance, he will be joined by four other panelists and moderator Marguerite Watanabe, president of Connections Insights, for a session titled, “Soaring in Subprime.” The rest of the experts and executives who will be a part of the interesting and candid conversation featuring about the key foundations of the subprime market and what their companies see as opportunities and challenges moving forward include:

— Steve Hall, founder and chief executive officer, driversselect

— Jonas Hollandsworth, executive vice president of U.S. sales and credit operations, GM Financial

— Bill Jensen, senior vice president of national retail, Chase Auto Finance

— Lou Loquasto, auto finance vertical leader, Equifax Automotive Services.

This three-day conference will provide data, knowledge, insight and powerful business networking opportunities to spur innovation and drive growth in the growing subprime auto finance marketplace. Presented by SubPrime Auto Finance News and SubPrimeNews.com, and in affiliation with the NAF Association, the event will offer a best-in-class forum for executives and thought-leaders in the auto finance vertical.

The SubPrime Forum is set for Nov. 10 through Nov. 12 at the Red Rock Casino, Resort and Spa in Las Vegas. It’s a part of Used Car Week, which includes the CPO Forum, the Re3 Conference and the National Remarketing Conference.

All member-company staff of the NAF Association are $100 eligible for a discount of off the standard registration fee for the SubPrime Forum. Use discount code NAF2014 when registering.

Click here for additional information regarding the SubPrime Forum, including the agenda, scheduled speakers and exhibitors.