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NAMAD and EFG Companies Announce 2nd Annual Northwood University Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship Recipient: Norma Benavides
Norma Benavides

Northwood Students Norma Benavides and Isabelle Daoud Selected Based on Academic Merit, Leadership and Dedication

EFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, together with the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), announced today that Northwood University students Norma Benavides and Isabelle Daoud are the recipients of the annual NAMAD Private Donor Scholarship. The annual scholarship will fund the remainder of Benavides’ and Daoud’s four-year tuition while they attend the Automotive Marketing and Management Program at Northwood University, representing an investment of up to $200,000 from EFG.

Scholarship Recipient Norma Benavides

A senior at Northwood University, Norma Benavides, from Laredo, Texas, grew up with first-hand experience of dealership operations through her father’s independent dealership. In her previous three years at Northwood, she has held the Public Relations Chair for the Northwood University Auto Show, as well as the Chair of the Distinguished Women Event for the university’s Signature Events Team. Benavides has made the Dean’s List every semester, and has received the Association of Finance & Insurance Professionals certification.

“This scholarship perfectly fits my career aspirations, as well as my background,” said Benavides. “My career goal is to one day become an automotive dealer and operate a dealership. I have learned that this career has many challenges, but with perseverance and passion it can be rewarding.”

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EFG Companies Boosts F&I Provider Clout at 2016 American Business AwardsSM

EFG Honored with a Silver Award in Reputation and Brand Management

The American Business Awards Reputation & Brand ManagementEFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, announced today it has received a American Business AwardSM in the Communications or PR Campaign of the Year – Reputation/Brand Management category in the 14th Annual American Business Awards. EFG’s entry highlighted the company’s first F&I Innovator of Year competition, in conjunction with Northwood University.

Receiving more than 3,400 entries this year, the American Business Awards are the nation’s premier business awards program. More than 250 professionals worldwide participated in the judging process to select this year’s award winners. These judges found EFG’s campaign to be compelling, innovative, and a unique use of video, social media and traditional print media.

“For close to 40 years, EFG Companies has advanced the bar in providing superior client service with the belief that quality service leads to quality growth,” said John Pappanastos, President and CEO, EFG Companies. “Together with our partner, Northwood University, this student competition demonstrates our efforts to advance the industry in terms new strategies around dealership profitability and driving relevancy with growing, new segment of vehicle purchasers.”  

“EFG Companies and the F&I Innovator of the Year competition touched all of our key mission statements – incorporating the lessons of the American free-enterprise society in the college classroom to develop future leaders, managers, and entrepreneurs,” said Keith Pretty, President, Northwood University. “With changing market demographics, increased compliance, and an evolving dealership model, everyone is asking what new developments will be made in the F&I space. This competition puts our students at the forefront of that evolution, giving them the unique opportunity to mold the industry at the start of their careers.”

“The judges were extremely impressed with the quality of entries we received this year. The competition was intense and every organization that has won should be proud,” said Michael Gallagher, president and founder of the Stevie Awards. Details about The American Business Awards and the list of 2016 Stevie winners are available at www.StevieAwards.com/ABA.

For more information about the F&I Innovator of the Year Competition, visit http://bit.ly/EFGNWInnovators

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EFG Companies and Northwood University Announce F&I Innovator of the Year Student Competitors and F&I Mentors

EFG Companies, the innovator behind the award-winning Hyundai Assurance program, together with Northwood University, today announced student competitors and F&I mentors participating in the first annual F&I Innovator of the Year Award competition.

The competition will pit six teams of Northwood’s junior and senior undergraduate automotive marketing and management students against one another to conceptualize and build a new F&I product while earning course credit. 

Each team includes an F&I director who will serve as a mentor and provide beneficial insight into the daily inner workings of automotive F&I.

“Because of their practical experience within dealerships, the mentors’ knowledge will be invaluable to the teams,” said John Pappanastos, President and CEO, EFG Companies. “The directors will help the teams understand compliance and its increasing impact on F&I, the changing profile of consumers, and the focus on client retention.”

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