Gary Perdue and Suzi Straffon each have something extra special to celebrate this holiday weekend.

On Friday morning, the National Automotive Finance Association announced Perdue, who is president of Peritus Portfolio Services, has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Jack Tracey Pinnacle Award, the association’s highest honor.

And Straffon, director of finance company markets at Allied Solutions, has been named the inaugural recipient of the Summit Leadership Award, a new recognition this year.

The NAF Association will be further celebrating these professionals during the awards program sponsored by dotData at the 2025 Non-Prime Auto Financing Conference on June 4–6 in Plano, Texas.

“These two leaders have dedicated their careers to advancing the non-prime auto finance industry,” says Jennifer Martin, of the NAF Association executive director. “Gary’s remarkable service and impact are a true inspiration, and Suzi’s strategic leadership and passion for our community embody what this new award was created to celebrate.”

Like previous recipients of the Jack Tracey Pinnacle Award — Tom Hudson and Jim Bass — Perdue also is one of the founding members of the NAF Association.

With more than 45 years of experience in lending and servicing, the NAF Association highlighted Perdue is a trailblazer whose influence has helped shape the landscape of non-prime auto finance.

Perdue founded Peritus Portfolio Services in 2010, growing it from the ground up into a trusted bankruptcy servicing provider for more than 30 lenders and debt buyers nationwide.

Moreover, the organization said his leadership has fostered a culture of excellence.

“I feel honored to receive this award,” Perdue said. “As a member of the NAF Association since its inception, I can honestly say that the association has had an impact on my career.”

Perdue’s career includes roles at CitiFinancial Auto, Dealertrack, Hibernia Bank and multiple startups.

At Dealertrack, he was instrumental in expanding the lender network from three to more than 200 and growing the dealer base to 24,000 in just three years. At Hibernia Bank, he led the auto division to achieve a No. 1 dealer satisfaction ranking from J.D. Power.

Beyond the boardroom, Perdue has been a dedicated community leader. He is a former “Big” with Big Brothers Big Sisters, served as a Sunday school teacher, and currently sits on the board of the Mid-America chapter of the American Collectors Association.

“As a founding member and past president of the NAF Association, his contributions have helped build the foundation on which the organization stands today,” the organization said.

A strategic thinker and relationship builder, the NAF Association recapped that Straffon has spent the past 22 years leading innovation across the auto finance industry.

Straffon began her career at RouteOne, where she served as marketing director and first connected with the NAF Association in the early 2000s.

Her journey continued through key roles at Exeter Finance and now at Allied Solutions, where she leads strategic activities for risk and recovery tools including REPO Plus and REFUND Plus.

“She has distinguished herself as a go-to expert and trusted voice in the finance company markets, helping institutions of all sizes solve complex business challenges,” the NAF Association said.

Straffon is actively involved with both the NAF Association, having served as board secretary and vice president, and with the American Financial Services Association, where she contributes to numerous committees and working groups.

She was also among the Women in Auto Finance honorees highlighted by Cherokee Media Group in 2021.

“I am so thankful to the NAF Association for this award,” Straffon said. “The subprime auto market is full of brilliant, kind, and resilient people, and I’m so honored to be among them. It’s been my pleasure to serve this group for 20-plus years. Thank you, NAF, for all you do!”

That same spirit of dedication Straffon brings to her work also shines through in her personal life. Deeply committed to giving back, the NAF Association said Straffon has helped to raise more than $50,000 for cancer research through nine endurance events and has served for 25 years as a volunteer with the St. Clair County Child Abuse/Neglect Council in Port Huron, Mich.

The NAF Association emphasized the accomplishments of Perdue and Straffon exemplify the leadership, innovation, and dedication that drive progress within the non-prime auto finance industry.

“The NAF Association’s award program shines a much-needed spotlight on the exceptional individuals who are moving this industry forward,” said Walter Paliska, who is part of the marketing team for dotData. “dotData is proud to support this initiative that celebrates not only achievement, but integrity, innovation, and leadership.

“This year’s recipients — Gary, with decades of unwavering service and impact, and Suzi, a proven force and dedicated industry leader — embody the very best of what this community represents. Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition,” Paliska went on to say.

For more information on the 2025 award recipients or the upcoming conference, visit www.nafassociation.com.