NAF Association Announces Newly Elected Directors and 2025 Executive Officers
Guiding the Industry Forward Through Strong Governance and Collaborative Leadership
The National Automotive Finance (NAF) Association is pleased to announce the election of five new members to its Board of Directors, each beginning a two-year term following a vote held at the Annual Membership Meeting during the 2025 NAF Annual Conference this past week.
Board seats are held by member companies, with each company designating a representative to serve as its delegate.
Newly Elected Directors:
- First Help Financial – Sang O’Neill, Chief Credit Officer
- Hello Credit Union – Mike Akers, President/CEO
- Ironhorse Funding – Cheryl Cabral, Executive Vice President
- McGlinchey Stafford, PLLC – Mark Edelman, Partner
- State National Companies – Mark Baltuska, VP of Finance Company Markets
“We’re excited to welcome these five professionals to the board,” said Jennifer Martin, Executive Director for the NAF Association. “Their expertise and insights will contribute greatly to the Association’s continued mission to provide education, industry research, and meaningful networking opportunities for our members.”
Founded in 1996, the NAF Association is the only trade group exclusively serving the non-prime auto financing market. Its programs are designed to help members navigate regulatory complexity, respond to market challenges, and lead with confidence. From in-depth compliance workshops and timely industry reports to peer roundtables and professional development events, the Association is committed to equipping finance companies and their partners with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive.
In addition to welcoming new directors, the Association also announced its newly installed 2025 Executive Committee:
- Chairman: Claudia Plascencia, Senior Vice President, Resolvion
- President: Suzi Straffon, Director of Finance Company Markets, Allied Solutions
- Vice President: Matt Burke, CEO, Center Street Finance
- Secretary: Jeff Anderson, VP of Auto Specialty Products, SWBC
- Treasurer: David Baker, Senior Vice President, Regional Acceptance Corp.
The NAF Association’s Board of Directors plays a key role in guiding the organization's strategic priorities and ensuring the continued value and relevance of its programs within the non-prime auto finance sector.