F&I Trainer

In the increasingly regulated realm of F&I, continued training is vital for dealerships of all shapes and sizes. This year, dealers recognized three F&I trainers.

Extending its winning streak to seven straight years, United Development Systems (UDS) received the Diamond Award. UDS, a Triple Diamond winner, has won the Diamond Award every year since the awards began. “In 2010, we launched two initiatives serving the dissemination of regulatory concerns,” said Randy Crisorio, president and CEO of UDS. “First, monthly webinars that reached out to more dealership personnel than conventional live training. Second, the addition of regulatory summaries to the UDS websites’ Partner Portal.”

Last year’s Platinum Award winner, IPS Agency, secured Double Platinum status with another Platinum Award this year. “Winning the Dealers’ Choice Award for F&I Trainer again is an honor. We are not the biggest agency, but we take pride in knowing our dealers think we’re the best,” said Shari Vance, president of IPS Agency.

As a first-time award winner in the category, Zurich captured the Gold Award this year. “We recognized that our dealer customers would come under additional scrutiny, so we partnered with our own government and industry affairs colleagues as well as an outside law firm to ensure our customers are aware of the regulatory issues their F&I departments face,” said Tina Mallie, head of direct markets for Zurich North America Commercial.