AFSA is The National Trade Association for the Consumer Credit Industry

Danielle is in charge of the American Financial Services Association’s State Government Affairs Department, which manages state legislative and regulatory issues for members across a broad spectrum of the consumer credit industry, including payment cards, vehicle finance, traditional installment loans and mortgage lending / servicing. State Government Affairs is in constant development of talking points, briefing materials, white papers, a multitude of 50-state surveys, municipal tracking and other issues management materials. The Department also provides Activist Watch, a monthly snapshot of financial services-related activities of prominent activist groups. AFSA engages in direct advocacy at the state level, as directed by its membership. AFSA State Government Affairs provides its members with regular ongoing reporting on new and moving legislation through direct intelligence and AFSA*track, the Association’s legislative tracking system. State Government Affairs also facilitates ongoing subcommittee discussion on priority industry issues.

Danielle acts along with her federal colleague as counsel to the Association, and is responsible for the Payment Card and Vehicle Finance sections of the Law Committee.

Prior to joining AFSA in 2003, Danielle was Director of Government Affairs and Legislative Counsel for credit card issuer Metris, where she headed up all political affairs for the company, quadrupled PAC participation, and created the Company’s new law compliance program. Prior to Metris, she was associate with two Washington, D.C. law firms – Venable LLP and O’Connor & Hannan LLP, where she represented banks and major U.S. financial institutions, lobbying on their behalf in Congress on consumer privacy, credit reporting, bankruptcy, telemarketing, antitrust, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, and other legislative initiatives. She also assisted Fortune 500 corporations in various industries with government ethics compliance.

Danielle holds a B.A. in Politics and Government from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and earned a J.D cum laude from American University in Washington, D.C. She is admitted to the bar in Maryland (inactive), Washington, D.C. and Minnesota. She is based in Minneapolis. 

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Michele manages the logistics for AFSA’s six annual meetings as well as all of the association’s committee meetings and special events. Michele has extensive experience producing domestic and international conferences, as well as special events. Prior to joining AFSA in 2007, she worked for the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) for five years as Director of Meetings and Special Events.

Prior to NAB, Michele worked for a government contractor, where she served as Project Leader for more than a dozen government contracts primarily for the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Education.

Before moving to Washington, Michele worked as the Assistant to the Director of Communications, Culture & Tourism, for the city of Pittsburgh, where she assisted in the coordination of citywide special events, including the 1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Week festivities. She also wrote speeches, organized press conferences, and responded to media requests.

Michele is a graduate of the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs, where she majored in Political Communications. 

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Jenny oversees AFSA's Premier Partnership Program and overall Business Partner membership and marketing. This includes the marketing and sales of advertising, sponsorships, and expositions as well as the online and print Industry Buyer's Guide.

Jenny has a Bachelor of Arts in History and Sociology and a Master’s of Science in Communications from Boston University.

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Dan joined AFSA in January 2013 and serves as the association's Communications Manager. Dan is responsible for producing and editing Newsbriefs, AFSA’s weekly newsletter, responding to breaking news, assisting in the development of the Annual Report and other publications, and determining AFSA's overall message to the public. Dan is also responsible for managing AFSA's digital properties, including websites and social media outlets.

Before joining AFSA, Dan worked as the Political Competitive Specialist for the E. W. Scripps Company, tracking political television ad data in the Political & Advocacy Media Sales department.

Dan holds a Bachelor and Master of Arts in Political Science, with an emphasis in congressional & presidential studies; both degrees are from the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the Phi Gamma Mu National Honor Society and was Catholic University’s 2010 nominee for the Presidential Management Fellowship.

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David has a number of years of experience in the financial services industry. That includes more than five years in corporate communications with the NASDAQ Stock Market, where he was a speech writer for the Chairman. Other work experience includes fundraising—working with United Way (both in Indianapolis and the national association) and other not-for-profit organizations. Recently, he has worked with not-for-profit organizations in developing and promoting programs for financial literacy and is now the Director of MoneySKILL for the AFSA Education Foundation. In this position, David writes a quarterly online newsletter, conducts teacher trainings to introduce teachers nationwide to MoneySKILL, and promotes other foundation activities, including its management development courses.

David has a B.A. degree from Indiana University with a double major in English and Psychology.

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Jack joined AFSA in September of 2015 bringing over 25 years experience in corporate communications, and media relations. Jack leverages his years of experience and extensive network of journalists and industry analysts to advance the association’s mission of protecting consumer access to safe, affordable credit. He is responsible for overseeing all communications to external audiences and association members and crafting the overall presence of the association.

From 2004 to 2013, Jack served as Manager of Media Relations with Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, leading the company’s media relations activities. In 2005, he received the DaimlerChrysler Financial Services President’s Award, recognizing excellence in his role. Between 2001 and 2004, Ferry served as the Director of Corporate and Financial Communications with Kmart Corporation, as the company’s primary spokesperson during its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the largest retail bankruptcy in U.S. history. From 1986 through 2001 he served with Chrysler Financial, Chrysler Corporation and DaimlerChrysler including an assignment at Daimler headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany. Prior to his corporate career, Ferry was a reporter in the Philadelphia and Allentown PA markets covering local government. 

Jack holds a bachelor's degree in English from Kutztown (PA) University and a master's degree in Journalism from Michigan State University. 

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Justin advocates on behalf of AFSA’s membership before Congress and federal agencies and monitors legislation, rulemaking and congressional oversight. He also advises the association’s leadership on emerging public policy matters that impact the consumer credit industry, and represents AFSA in joint industry initiatives on cross-cutting issues.

Justin joined AFSA in early 2011 after serving for more than four years as an aide in both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, where he advised Members of Congress on economic policy, financial services and housing matters. Most recently, he staffed a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee throughout consideration of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Prior to his service on Capitol Hill, Justin worked for a consulting firm and a trade association representing the fixed-income securities industry. He has participated in local, statewide, congressional and presidential campaigns in the District of Columbia, Illinois, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Virginia. He was a founding officer of the National Housing Conference's Young Leaders in Affordable Housing. Justin earned his bachelor’s degree in economics at the University of Maryland. 

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Tiana joined AFSA in April 2015 and serves as the association’s Meetings Coordinator. Tiana is responsible for all major events and meetings registrations as well as smaller committee meetings and seminars. She also assists with all aspects of pre-meeting planning and logistics.

Prior to joining AFSA Tiana worked with the National Automobile Dealers Association, in the Membership and Marketing Department.

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Tracy performs a variety of administrative duties in her primary role as the assistant to AFSA’s Executive Vice President. She also serves as the association’s office manager and is an AFSAPAC liaison.

Prior to joining AFSA in 2005, Tracy was an executive assistant for engineering consulting firm Greenhorne & O’Mara, Inc.

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Sheilah has been involved in association management for 31 years. She joined AFSA in 1983 as the Director of Programs and Conferences. In 1999, she was promoted to her current position, where she is responsible for planning and directing the activities of the Member Services Department, including recruitment and retention of AFSA’s Active, Commercial, Business Partners, Affiliate and Foreign Members. Sheilah also serves as the staff liaison to the Vehicle Finance Division Advisory Board, the Vehicle Commercial Credit Committee, the Human Resources Committee, and the Women's Leadership Council.

Sheilah works closely with members of the AFSA Independents Section Board and training directors from AFSA member companies to provide web-based training on Branch Operations Basics (BOB) for employees in the consumer finance industry.

In 1996, Sheilah earned recognition from the American Society of Association Executives by being designated Certified Association Executive (CAE). In 1997, she was selected as the Meeting Partner of the Year by the National Speakers Association.

Prior to joining AFSA, Sheilah was a program director for Executive Enterprise Institute, a New York City-based private seminar company providing professional education in the accounting, banking and financial services compliance areas. Sheilah began her professional career as a teacher of special education in Alexandria, Va. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from Kent State University.

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Bill and his federal government relations team have enhanced AFSA’s presence in the political debate affecting a number of issues that impact member companies’ ability to offer affordable credit options to American consumers. He has been called on to sit in the hot seat at the witness table in congressional hearings and has served as an industry spokesman on a number of pressing topics.

Bill came to AFSA in 2004 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where he headed the congressional relations office. Prior to joining HUD, Bill was director of legislative affairs for BGR Holding, LLC, where he worked as a lobbyist for Haley Barbour, who went on to become governor of Mississippi. While on Capitol Hill, he served as tax counsel and legislative director for Rep. Jerry Weller of Illinois, as well as a senior legislative assistant with Rep. Charles Canady from Florida.

Bill holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Steubenville, a master’s degree from Dominican House of Studies, and a law degree from The Catholic University of America.

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Susie oversees the foundation’s initiatives to help consumers understand responsible money management and wise credit use. AFSAEF’s primary initiative is MoneySKILL®, a free online comprehensive personal finance course that educates high school students on money management fundamentals. She travels nationwide providing teacher training to promote the use of the curriculum. Susie received the 2005 Jump$tart Coalition’s William E. Odom Visionary Leadership Award, which recognizes individuals who provide outstanding service in the personal finance education arena.

She also coordinates the management development opportunities for the future leaders of AFSA member companies at THE EDGE at Mercer University and the Leadership Development Program at the University of North Carolina. Susie serves on the AFSA Education Foundation Board of Directors, the AFSA Professional Development Committee, and THE EDGE Board of Governors.

Susie joined the AFSA Education Foundation in 1995 as the first full-time Executive Director and was elected President and CEO of the foundation in 1998. Prior to joining AFSAEF, Irvine was director of the Consumer Credit Counseling Agency in Columbia, S.C.

Susie holds a B.S. in Consumer and Family Economics from Kansas State University and additional hours of graduate credit from the University of South Carolina. She attended AFSA’s Executive Leadership Program at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill in 2004 and 2007.

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Alejandra is the staff liaison to AFSA’s recently established Operations and Regulatory Compliance Committee (ORCC). In this capacity, Alejandra coordinates information-sharing between AFSA members to address regulations and guidance issued by federal government agencies (e.g., the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau). Alejandra also develops educational materials and resources to complement member company policies and procedures as members continue to adjust to the current regulatory climate.

Alejandra previously served as State Government Affairs Associate in AFSA’s State Government Affairs Department, where she updated members on state legislative and regulatory issues. Before joining AFSA, Alejandra worked in the General Counsel’s office of the Organization of American States while obtaining her Master of Laws (LL.M.).

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Matt tracks and examines regulatory and legislative policy at the state and local levels and drafts comment letters to state legislators and agencies on issues affecting members. In addition, Matt drafts and edits resources available to AFSA members, including 50-state surveys, talking points, issue briefs, and white papers. Matt also provides regular updates to SGA Committee members on current state legislation. Prior to his current role at AFSA, Matt worked as a research associate at a government watchdog, focusing on financial regulatory agencies.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI.

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Perla serves as the corporate secretary to the association and the staff liaison to the AFSA Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Independent Auto Finance Executive Group and co-staff liaison to the Vehicle Finance Division Board. She works closely with the Chairman of the Board during his/her tenure on speaking engagements and coordinates the Board and Executive Committee meetings. She oversees the Chairman’s quarterly visits to Washington, D.C., and also serves as the executive assistant to the president & CEO of AFSA.

Perla also oversees some of the association’s annual recognition programs such as the Lifetime Achievement Awards and the Outstanding Employee Awards. Perla joined AFSA in 1987 and served as the AFSAPAC manager and legal assistant in the government affairs department before moving into her present position in 1997. Previously, she was a database administrator for Data Resource Management in Rosslyn, Va.

Perla has a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from George Mason University.

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Danielle manages day-to-day accounting functions for AFSA, its Education Foundation; and its Political Action Committee. She joined AFSA in 1997. Prior to joining AFSA, Danielle was a Staff Accountant at Paradigm Companies, Inc., a development, construction and management company in Washington, D.C.

Danielle has more than 20 years experience in the accounting field, working in private companies and the not-for-profit arena. She has more than 10 years of experience directing all accounting functions. Danielle graduated from Strayer University with a degree in Accounting.

In fall 2012, Danielle earned recognition from the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners by passing the Certified Fraud Examiner exam and being approved by the certification committee to become a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

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Tom oversees all aspects of the association’s six annual conferences and expositions as well as the board and committee meetings. He works with the advisory boards responsible for developing the content, programming and marketing of each conference. In addition, Tom manages the meetings department staff, negotiates vendor contracts with speakers and hotels, and manages the department’s budget.

Tom has more than 25 years experience in the association industry, having worked at the National Automobile Dealers Association, United Ski Industries Association, American Osteopathic Healthcare Association, and the Snack Food Association. Tom began his career doing political advance work for the White House during the 1980s. He joined AFSA in 1998.

Tom has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

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Tony oversees all financial and budgeting activities for AFSA, its Education Foundation, its Political Action Committee & AFSA’s other entities.

Before joining AFSA in 2006, Tony was Director of Finance and Information Technology for the National Fisheries Institute (NFI). Prior to joining NFI, he was Director of Finance and Administration for Heritage Preservation, Inc. Before moving to the Washington D.C. area, Tony worked in various accounting and finance position in the manufacturing sector of Ontario, Canada.

Tony holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from La Salle University in Manila, Philippines, a Master of Science of Technology and Management from American University, and a Master in Business Administration from Auburn University. In Canada, Tony studied industrial & manufacturing accounting with the Society of Industrial Accountants of Ontario.

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Chris is president and chief executive officer of the American Financial Services Association (AFSA), a national, Washington, D.C.– based trade association for the consumer credit industry, protecting access to credit and consumer choice. Founded in 1916, AFSA has 375 members that include consumer and commercial finance companies and banks involved in auto finance and leasing, mortgage loans, personal loans, payment cards, industrial banks and industry suppliers. Although diverse, AFSA’s membership is united by its goal of serving the credit needs of consumers and businesses. Government affairs and advocacy are major association activities. AFSA also focuses on financial literacy and professional development.

Before assuming the helm at AFSA in 2006, Chris served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI). Prior to joining MHI in 1998, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Concrete Masonry Association.

Chris has more than 30 years experience in managing national trade associations with key highlights in government affairs and advocacy, strategic planning and implementation, technical standards and regulations, and economic and statistical data collection.

A graduate of Randolph-Macon College, Chris currently is the chairman of Americans Well-informed on Automobile Retailing Economics (AWARE), whose missions is to educate consumers on vehicle financing. He also serves on the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Committee of 100, which is comprised of 100 CEOs of leading trade associations, and the Key Industry Association Committee at the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE).

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Susan regularly communicates with members on state and local priority issues and regulatory and legislative trends. Susan assists in the drafting of comment letters and manages the development of SGA Department resources including white papers, talking points, issue briefs and 50-state surveys on behalf of AFSA's members. She manages AFSA*Track, the association's state legislative and regulatory tracking service. Susan works closely with all the State Government Affairs subcommittees and the Ancillary Product Working Group. Susan also serves as AFSA staff liaison to the newly created Vehicle Repossession Management and Services Committee.

Susan joined AFSA in May 2010. Prior to her current position, Susan held a dual role, assisting AFSA’s State Government Affairs and Communications Departments.

Susan received a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla.

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Celia directs legal and regulatory issues for the association. In this capacity, she closely monitors a variety of federal agencies – tracking regulations, guidance, enforcement actions, reports, speeches, collection activities, and relevant news. She then provides member companies with timely and important information relating to legal and regulatory developments. Celia works with member companies to draft AFSA’s responses to proposed regulations, studies, and collection activities.

She also coordinates AFSA’s regulatory and legal efforts with other trade associations. On the legal side, Celia manages AFSA’s amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief efforts in district, state, and federal courts. Additionally, Celia assists with AFSA’s Law Committee.

Before joining AFSA in 2006, Celia worked in the Development Office at the Pontifical North American College, America’s seminary in Rome. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Politics from The Catholic University of America.

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Mark serves as the staff liaison to the National Title Solution Forum (NTSF) Committee and the Vehicle Credit Risk Management Committee. He has held various executive positions in product, software development, telecommunications systems and global business development during his 25-plus years experience in the financial retail services industry. He has a solid track record of being on the leading edge of product innovation for new market penetration and expansion for start-up and mature organizations. He has been an officer at HSBC, Goldome Bank, Global Payments Inc., GTE Spacenet, CyberCash Inc. and Longitude Systems.

He was past chairman of ISO TC68 – Financial Services – for nine years. This group had the responsibility for the development of international standards for banking, securities and related financial services for use in the financial services and securities industries. Mark is also past chairman of X9C, the American National Standard subcommittee responsible for consumer credit. Mark received a Bachelor of Science from State University College at Buffalo and an MBA in Finance and Marketing at Canisius College. He also graduated from the Graduate School of Retail Bank Management at the University of Virginia’s McIntire School of Commerce.

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