Already having collaborated on a training program and other initiatives, executive director Linda Robertson said last week that the Association of Dealership Compliance Officers (ADCO) and the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP) are now officially one company.

“This unification brings together two trusted leaders in dealership compliance, education, and risk management, creating a stronger, more comprehensive organization to serve compliance officers, agents, F&I professionals, and dealership leadership nationwide,” Robertson said. “By combining our expertise and resources, we are enhancing the quality, depth, and reach of our training, certifications, and compliance tools.

“Moving forward, ADCO will continue as the professional association for compliance officers, providing a collaborative community, industry-leading webinars, and advanced compliance education, while also expanding opportunities for F&I professionals to strengthen their knowledge of both operational and sales compliance,” she continued.

AFIP and ADCO already worked closely together to organize the program known as Federal Regulatory Automotive Training (FRAT).

FRAT offers a comprehensive compliance training platform for dealership employees. This platform enables dealerships to enroll employees in training courses and monitor their progress. Additionally, it provides various reporting options to track training status.

FRAT is targeted at dealer executives, sales teams, operations staff, compliance officers, and other essential personnel. It includes training on the Safeguards Rule, Red Flags Rule, Disposal Rule, OFAC, ECOA, and FCRA, among others.

With this new foundation in place, Robertson said principals and managers now have “a unified voice for dealership compliance, supporting each of you as the first line of defense and advancing compliance the right way.”

$2,000 AFIP scholarship recipient

In other organization news, AFIP also announced Northwood University sophomore Kennedy Williams was named its annual memorial scholarship recipient. Williams will receive $2,000 to go toward her education.

“I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be recognized for my dedication, skills and eagerness to learn. This scholarship will support my continued education and help me grow into a business leader who can make a meaningful impact in the automotive industry,” Williams said in a news release.

“My internship was an incredible experience that allowed me to see the industry from a new perspective and provided valuable insight into potential career paths. The program not only strengthened my knowledge of the automotive business but also deepened my motivation to pursue a successful career in the field,” she continued.

Williams, who hails from Farmington Hills, Mich., has served as Northwood University International Auto Show co-captain, Auto Show E-board vice chair of signature events, DECA vice president of advocacy and outreach, Career Closet chairman of inventory, and Delta Zeta Sorority vice president of membership. She also participates in a work-study program.

The scholarship recipient is selected each year by a Northwood automotive marketing and management department committee.

“Internships have been essential in preparing our students for automotive management careers for many years,” department chair Elgie Bright said. “In-store experience is key to our students’ success as they move from the classroom to the dealership. The AFIP scholarship supports students in their career paths and boosts interest in internship opportunities.”

AFIP has been awarding its memorial scholarship since 2013. Jakob Murray Lange was an AFIP staff member who died in an auto accident.

“There’s a unique sense of camaraderie among the Northwood grads we encounter in our dealer-client stores, typical of what is found among Ivy League school alumni, and, on a personal level, an exuberance that comes from knowing they are exactly where they want to be,” AFIP chairman David Robertson said.