The American Recovery Association said submissions are open for the 2023 NARS Industry Awards, which will be given during the 15th annual North American Repossessors Summit (NARS) on April 6-7 in Orlando, Fla.
Awards will be handed out in seven different categories. The NARS Planning Committee will select the top three nominations in each category, and the winners will be selected by a vote from the entire industry.
The award categories include:
Agent of the Year
This award honors the agent who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism, understanding of lender needs and full compliance with industry standards, as well as protection of the consumer's rights and safety.
Service Representative of the Year
This award represents someone who has shown exemplary performance and has consistently excelled in their position. This person demonstrates integrity, creates a positive atmosphere in their workplace, and displays a strong commitment to the mission and values of our industry.
Humanitarian of the Year
Humanitarian of the Year submissions showcase an industry professional of any position who contributes significantly to alleviating human suffering and improving the quality of life in their community. This person demonstrates leadership through outstanding volunteer accomplishments that bring honor to the collateral recovery profession.
Agency Owner of the Year
This award will go to an owner who has at least a three-year commitment of excellence within their company and the collateral recovery industry. This person should also be able to document their commitment to professional education and compliance training as well as the use of innovation and creativity in enabling their company to prosper and extend its reach in the collateral recovery profession.
Leadership Award
This award honors someone that showed leadership through 2022. This can be anyone in the recovery industry that you feel has pushed past every boundary and obstacle that was inevitably thrown their way this year and has overcome despite the odds–someone who has exuded true resiliency.
Female in Leadership Award (Finance companies only)
This award honors an individual within the finance company industry who demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of women leaders at their organizations in 2022. The award celebrates women who challenge, motivate, and inspire while recognizing the cultural and structural barriers to women within their organization in 2022. You may nominate any woman within the finance company industry that ignites lasting and impactful change for women through their leadership.
Diversity in Leadership Award (Finance companies only)
This award honors an individual within the lender industry who demonstrated a deep commitment to the advancement of diverse leaders at their organizations in 2022. This award celebrates an individual who challenges, motivates, and inspires while recognizing the cultural and structural barriers for minorities in 2022. You may nominate any lender that ignites lasting and impactful change for minorities through their leadership.
Nominations can be made via this website.
On Thursday, TurboPass awarded six of its subscribing dealerships with an End of the Year Award, including honors for Independent Dealer of the Year, Franchise Dealer of the Year Newcomer of the Year
Both the East and West regions of the country received each of these three awards from the financial technology software company that helps enhance stip fulfillment and underwriting.
Dealerships receiving the Newcomer of the Year award are the stores that signed up this year and used TurboPass more than any other dealer in their region. Both the Franchise Dealer of the Year and the Independent Dealer of the Year awards are for those that have used TurboPass the most in their region.
In the East, Newcomer of the Year was awarded to Lakeland Carmart in Orlando, Fla.
“This is one of those dealers that hit the ground running,” TurboPass vice president ofdealer direct partners and resellers Steve Kochurov said in a news release. “It’s dealers like Lakeland Carmart that keep us passionate about bringing value to the auto finance space.”
The top producing Eastern Independent Dealer of the Year is American Dealer, also in Florida. This dealership was one of the first 100 dealers ever to try TurboPass and is closing out 2022 with more than 2,000 TurboPass reports pulled just this year.
Toyota of Hollywood is being awarded with the Franchise Dealer of the Year award in the East. This dealership has pulled more TurboPass reports than any other dealer to date.
“TurboPass is the tool I don’t want my competitors to know about,” Toyota of Hollywood special finance director Max Martinez said. “We have pulled as many as 400 reports in one month.”
For the West Region, the TurboPass Newcomer of the Year is Specialty Motors of Austin, a Texas dealer. Starting a subscription in the middle of tax season, TurboPass said the store immediately found success and committed to an annual subscription within just two months.
The Franchise Dealer of the Year in the West Region is Zeigler Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. Located in Illinois, the store pulled in the most reports out of any franchise dealer west of the Mississippi River.
The sixth award, the Independent Dealer of the Year in the West Region is Brand Motors, a California dealer. Having been signed up with TurboPass since October 2020, this dealership has pulled nearly 1,500 TurboPass reports.
“On behalf of the TurboPass team, congratulations to these dealers and a big thank you to our nearly 3,000 dealer customers for their business in 2022,” TurboPass CEO Mike Jarman said.
For more details about TurboPass, go to https://www.turbopassreport.com.
This special episode of the Auto Remarketing Podcast was recorded during Used Car Week and features the Women in Collections & Recoveries honorees who were able to make the trip to San Diego in November.
The panel discussion moderated by Belinda Beyer of American Recovery Service features Claudia Plascencia of Resolvion, Bryanna Cox of Asset Resolutions, Danyell Price of Byrider and Raquel Thrist of Stellantis Financial Services.
To listen to the conversation, click on the link available below, or visit the Auto Remarketing Podcast page.
Download and subscribe to the Auto Remarketing Podcast on iTunes or on Google Play.
Dion Gage said he learns something new about the repossession and recovery business every day.
His knowledge-gaining approach is part of the reason why Gage was named this year’s Repossession Executive of the Year, an accolade presented by Primeritus Financial Services. Gage will officially be given the accolade during Used Car Week, which begins on Nov. 14 in San Diego.
Gage is a seasoned financial services professional who brings more than 20 years of experience to his role as vice president of vendor management and impounds at Exeter Finance.
Since joining the company in 2017, Gage has been essential in ensuring that repossession vendors meet all monthly service legal agreements (SLAs), creating repossession strategy for the company, developing internal repossession teams at Exeter and onboarding vendors to achieve company metrics.
Before joining Exeter Finance, Gage worked for Santander Consumer USA and WFS Financial in operations, vendor management, servicing and collections.
SubPrime Auto Finance News connected with Gage to gather what shaped his career.
SubPrime Auto Finance News: What was your first day like in the repossession and recovery space and how much have you learned since that point?
Dion Gage: Every day in this business is unique. But that first day was just trying to understand and get the feel of how things go. Honestly, I don’t think it’s too much different now. Every day is a new adventure. There’s always something new that you never had happen before has happened. It’s going through the new adventures that repos bring every day.
SAFN: Who were your mentors, supervisors or teammates who impacted you most during your career and how did they do so?
DG: When it comes directly to the repo space, my biggest contributor would be Mark Mooney. Hands down, he’s my biggest mentor. I learned the most from him when it comes to repossessions. That man has probably forgotten things that I probably will never even know, but he is incredibly smart when it comes to the way things work. He’s been in this space for a very long time. He’s done a lot with this space. Mark Mooney has been my biggest mentor, inspiration.
My boss now, Brent Huisman, has been the key contributor to let me grow. I learned the most from Mark and I’ve got to do the most under Brent. Brent backs me 100%. He gives me just enough rope to learn and grow and do the things that I need to do and supports me 100%.
SAFN: Conversely, what opportunities have you had to offer guidance to younger associates and what have you shared?
DG: With the people I work with, it’s reminding them that every day in repo is a new day. Even after a decade of doing repo, I am still faced with new challenges, new issues, new problems that I’ve never encountered before. I tell them not to get frustrated when you feel like you’ve been doing this for a couple of years and something comes up that you still don’t know. That’s just repo. It changes so quickly that I don’t think we’ll ever truly know everything in this space.
The other thing I have to tell them is make sure that they look at everything with open eyes. Don’t be shut off to new ways of doing things. Because that’s one of the most important things in this industry is making sure that we don’t become complacent in what we do and do things just because that’s the way we’ve always done them. You have to kind of humble yourself a little bit to be open to accepting those new ideas and new ways of doing things
SAFN: What do you enjoy most about auto financing? What stirs your passion for this particular business?
DG: There’s just so much to learn. Again, it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in the business. I’ve been in it since I was 19, going through collections, running dialers and things like that. But there’s always something new to learn. Just when you think you’ve learned it all, something changes. The pandemic happens and it throws a whole new wrench into everything, and you’ve got new things to learn now. That’s one thing I love about this business is it doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in it. There is always something new to learn.
SAFN: What’s your reaction to be named this year’s Repossession Executive of the Year?
DG: I got the phone call, and the first thing was I was just speechless. It completely blindsided me. I had no clue about it. I was honestly in shock. But that was followed by being quite humbled just to know that people see that the hard work I put into it and the passion I have for what I do and for my team. I’m very humbled and honored.
These women flourish in what might be the most challenging segment of auto finance.
The inaugural class of Women in Collections and Recoveries honorees is presented by American Recovery Service (ARS). The 13 honorees come from both large, nationwide companies and smaller, family businesses. But all provide crucial services and support to make the entire industry function.
The group also will be highlighted during Used Car Week, which begins on Nov. 14 in San Diego.
The honorees include:
—Angelica Aguiar, servicing director, Westlake Financial Services
—Kristina Berrios, repossession team lead, Northwest FCU
—Claudia Cantu, senior director, loan servicing, DriveTime
—Mercedes Cayon, loan resolution supervisor – remarketing, Grow Financial FCU
—Bryanna Cox, vice president, Asset Resolutions
—Stephanie Findley, president, I R Services
—Melissa Green AVP, director of recovery operations, C&F Finance Co.
—Venus Hernandez, assistant collection manager, Credit Security Acceptance Corp.
—Claudia Plascencia, senior vice president, Resolvion
—Danyell Price, regional collections manager, Byrider
—Laurie Straten, senior vice president of servicing, Consumer Portfolio Services
—Raquel Thrist, director of domestic collections, Stellantis Financial Services US
—Tonya Thompson, repossession remarketing manager, Sensible Auto Finance
Learn more about their careers and experiences through the current digital edition of SubPrime Auto Finance News, which is available via this website.
Hudson Cook announced last week that four of its attorneys have been recognized in Chambers 2022.
Partners Michael Benoit, Nikki Munro and Jean Noonan are being recognized by Chambers again this year with national rankings in the Chambers USA Guide in the Financial Services Regulation: Consumer Finance (Compliance) department.
And partner Catherine Brennan is being recognized with a national ranking in the Chambers FinTech Guide2022 for FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending – USA.
Hudson Cook also is ranked nationally for these departments.
The firm highlighted Chambers recommendations are based on several months of research by a dedicated, independent team conducting hundreds of in-depth interviews with leading innovators and experts worldwide.
“As the firm celebrates its 25th anniversary, we wish to thank our clients for trusting our attorneys to help navigate the complicated maze of federal and state financial services laws and new regulations,” Hudson Cook said in a news release.
“We dedicate our recognition in Chambers to our clients and look forward to serving you for another 25 years and beyond,” the firm went on to say.
On Thursday, the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals (AFIP) announced the recipient of the $2,000 Jakob Murray Lange Memorial scholarship, which honors AFIP staff member Jakob Murray Lange, who died in a car accident in 2013.
Now in its ninth year, the funds and an engraved crystal sculpture commemorating the achievement was given to Jovana Petkovich, a Northwood University senior majoring in automotive marketing and management.
According to a news release, the annual scholarship recognizes a Northwood student for exemplary work during an internship the previous summer.
AFIP highlighted Petkovich interned with Penske Automotive Group as a 10-week rotational intern in 2021, learning the front and back end of a dealership. According to Petkovich, “It was after this internship that I realized I wanted to be a general manager.”
Petkovich is currently working a coop internship at GP Strategies, working as a digital dealer performance evaluator for regional Chevy, GMC/Buick and Cadillac dealerships, while continuing her studies as a full-time student.
Petkovich is also this year’s fundraising chair for the Northwood University International Auto Show.
Upon earning her bachelor’s degree in business administration in May, she’ll begin work on a master’s degree in management. Her long-range plans are to advance up the dealership hierarchy to the position of general manager before she turns 30.
Petkovich hails from Rochester Hills, Mich. Her post-master’s job search will focus on out-of-state opportunities.
Petkovich will be added to a plaque recognizing the scholarship recipients that’s on display in the NADA building on the Northwood University campus.
“Dealers know Northwood University’s automotive marketing and management graduates bring a blend of academic knowledge and practical skills uncommon among individuals entering the workforce, so they’re actively recruited in the industry AFIP chairman Dave Robertson said in the news release.
“As AFIP’s 2022 Jakob Murray Lange Memorial Scholarship recipient, Ms. Petkovich represents the best Northwood has to offer,” Robertson continued.
The AFIP 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,”, Northwood 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,” Bright went on to say.
For more information about Northwood University’s automotive marketing and management program, visit www.northwood.edu. For more information about AFIP, visit www.afip.com.
The Natchez-Adams Chamber of Commerce named Loss Prevention Services (LPS) as its 2021 Large Business of the Year at the annual chamber gala on Jan. 25.
The chamber presents this award annually to a member business with more than 25 employees that excels in workforce development, employee retention, career development for employees and overall contributions to the community, that are “internal and externally involved in promoting Natchez.”
“In the midst of the pandemic, LPS continues to grow and thrive in this uncertain economic climate with hard work, great business and respect for all,” Middleton said, Wes Middleton, chairman of the Adams County board of supervisors and presented the award.
“When visiting the site on Franklin Street, you are well-aware of the measures taken to make this a state-of-the-art facility,” Middleton continued in a news release. “The employees and the pride they take in their job is imminent. Champions are selected on a regular basis to encourage high performance as well as to show employer appreciation.”
Middleton also said that LPS has “a strong employee activity committee” working to support local causes such as the American Cancer Society and local nonprofits including the Relay for Life initiative, Natchez Children’s Home, Stewpot, the Natchez-Adams Humane Society and many others.
LPS also took home the “People’s Choice Award” at the 2021 Chili Cook-off fundraiser for the Natchez Rotary Club. The company implemented what it believed to be a clever strategy of hosting a pre-event cook-off in-house to choose the best recipes from its employees.
Loss Prevention Services said it is one of the top five largest asset and portfolio management companies in the industry.
“The company takes great pride in their management team that has designed and deployed innovation automation that assures consistency, effectiveness and efficiency,” the company said.
In 2020, LPS relocated its corporate headquarters Natchez, Miss., as its offices are located in the city’s beautiful and historic downtown.
LPS still operates its location in Grandville, Mich.
Eight is sure great at AUL Corp. with regard to its work environment.
The full-service F&I provider announced this week that it has been voted one of the Best Places to Work in the North Bay for the eighth consecutive year in the North Bay Business Journal’s annual competition.
Now running for the past 16 years, the annual competition has recognized Northern San Francisco Bay Area companies that excel in quality, professionalism, respect, fairness, pride and camaraderie, as voted on directly by their employees.
To ensure only the most qualified firms are represented, the North Bay Business Journal rules require that participating companies can only be nominated or voted on by their employees. Submissions then undergo a comprehensive review by the journal’s editorial staff to eliminate duplicate or fraudulent entries, ensuring the most genuine and equitable result.
“This year has been such a challenge from a personnel perspective, beginning the year with the ongoing work-from-home mandates, followed by a partial return to the office as vaccinations increased,” AUL Corp. president and chief executive officer Jimmy Atkinson said in a news release. “Now with the Delta variant cases increasing, workplace plans are having to be modified yet again.
But through it all, our employees have been champions, giving 110% from wherever they were asked to work. And to now be honored by them with this award is immensely gratifying. Our employees truly are our greatest asset,” Atkinson continued.
This year’s competition was co-hosted by Exchange Bank and underwritten by Kaiser Permanente and Trope Group, one of the Bay Area’s leading space planning and design firms.
Founded in 1987, the North Bay Business Journal’s coverage has expanded from Santa Rosa to the rest of the North Bay area, covering Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Solano, Mendocino and Lake Counties in the San Francisco Bay Area.
AUL Corp. and the other 2021 winners will be honored at an awards celebration on Sept. 15 at the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa, Calif., marking the publication’s first in-person ceremony since 2019.
Robert Steenbergh is being rewarded for executive leadership that began long before the pandemic.
According to a news release, the US Equity Advantage (USEA) founder and chief executive officer has been named one of the 2021 CEOs of the Year by the Orlando Business Journal.
The annual program recognizes the highest-level company executives in central Florida who have had significant achievements in their careers in the past year, have a strong record of innovation, outstanding performance in their work and are actively involved in the community.
Under Steenbergh’s leadership, USEA highlighted that it has become an innovator in the automotive finance industry. Since 2003, the automated biweekly and early loan payoff service has enrolled more than 250,000 members and processed more than $5.65 billion in loan payments.
A privately held company with a 12% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR), USEA currently has 68 employees, 29 of whom were hired with in the last 12 months, representing a 75% growth rate in the middle of a pandemic.
Like many CEOs, USEA said COVID-19 was by far Steenbergh’s most significant challenge over the past 12 months. His response management included:
• Activating USEA’s robust business continuity plan, beginning with shifting all 68 team members to remote-work nearly overnight.
• Confronting the pandemic’s increasing cybersecurity risks head-on by directing USEA’s chief technology officer to implement more robust security measures and safeguards, including enhancing USEA’s cybersecurity policy to incorporate best practices in the areas of employee education and training, securing and monitoring network operations, and continuously auditing, testing and improving its procedures.
• Implementing an empathetic initiative early in the pandemic to help customers weather unexpected economic hardships by randomly selecting customers to receive $250 gift cards.
In the past year, Steenbergh also negotiated a sponsor bank relationship with a federally-chartered and FDIC-insured financial institution whose ACH services allowed dealerships nationwide to offer USEA’s AutoPayPlus accelerated payment service.
The following month, USEA said it set a single-month enrollment record for the 17-year-old company.
Steenbergh was nominated for this accolade by USEA director of card services Robin McWatters who has worked alongside Steenbergh for 26 years, calling him a pioneering, passionate and principled CEO, beloved by his staff and humbly worthy of recognition.
“Since 1997, Robert has been a groundbreaker in automotive financing, driving innovations that have made US Equity Advantage the nation’s leading provider of biweekly loan processing for the automotive industry,” McWatters said in the news release.
“In my book, innovation is his No. 1 quality. From our early days together until now, he is always looking ahead for new and outside-the-box opportunities to improve his companies and their market penetration,” McWatters went on to say.
